My First Dragon Con and My first trip to New York City to see Spamalot

Dragon Con – September 2nd - 4th 2005

Adam Baldwin, Ron Glass, Morena Baccarin, Jewel Staite

Pictures are courtesy of various Browncoats; one of which is Julie.

Dragon Con was awesome. I went specifically for all the Browncoats attending. There were folks I have known online for almost 3 years. There were folks I have met at various cons and shindigs but haven’t seen in almost 2 years. It was all about the Browncoats for me.

So much fun meeting & hanging with my online friendly Browncoats.

I went with Julie; we flew out together Thursday night and took the red-eye. We arrived early, checked in and waited for a few others staying in our hotel. We went to register. The set up was great. The Hilton and the Marriott are connected by bridges to the food court area in the commercial building next door.

Everything really was a blur. There were a lot of people there for comics, anime, sci-fi, fantasy and video games. Almost everyone was dressed as something.

The Serenity panels had the longest lines. The panels were at 4pm but the line started at noon and went out the door and around the hotel. It was quite impressive. More pics of all the Browncoats in attendance.

This last shows our beloved Odile with her big smile. She passed away July 2006. This was her last DragonCon.

Adam took the lead; Ron was next to him then Jewel then Morena. It was great watching these folks up there without Joss or Nathan to facilitate. They were funny and playful.

All the panels blend for me since I attended them all. They were not repetitive which I think is a miracle. The same questions are asked but they find new ways of saying the same things.

One moment I thought was great was when they were asked their favorite line from the show. Adam starts quoting, then Ron then Jewel. Finally Morena says she has not watched any episodes since they filmed the show since it is bittersweet for her. But hearing the quotes she realizes that they were on a really good show. It was funny because it finally dawned on Morena how great the show is not just as an experience but as a show. That is why we travel all over to see the cast. Firefly is special and will always be special to all Browncoats.

A young Browncoat asks a question. Adam invites him onstage.

The Southeast Browncoats also had a great booth to promote Firefly and Serenity.

My favorite thing that happened at Dragon Con was the Shindig. It was a real dance put on by Dragon Con. Maximum occupancy was 1000 and there was a line out the door. It was like a dance club for Browncoats. Jewel and Matty stopped by. Jewel went on stage with the DJ and then Matty followed but was stopped by security. They did not realize he was Jewel’s husband. I believe Adam showed up as well but I did not get to see him.

I did get to see them all in the autograph area. The lines for autographs for our Firefly actors was the longest. There were two lines on for the guys and one for the women. When I was in line for the guys I saw Kevin Sorbo from Andromeda walk over and talk to Morena. I thought that was neat for us but sad for him. He didn’t have many people requesting his autograph.

I saw Adam and he greeted me with the warm greeting a big hug. He asked me how many times I had seen the movie and at that time the total was 5. I asked him about the St. Christopher medal that Jayne wore in the movie. Then Adam pulls the chain from under his shirt and says, “You mean this one?” He was wearing the medal! They were moving the line so I said good-bye and that I would see him at the premier.

I moved on to Ron and got an autograph for my sister Carol for her Birthday.

Later we came back for more I got Morena’s autograph and a new picture she had with her short hair. She personalized it to me. Then for Jewel I asked for a picture of us together. I already had a picture of me with Morena.

Pictures taken by Julie.

Towards the end of the con I had the idea of getting a postcard signed by his friends to give to Alan in NY. Unfortunately Adam was gone by the time I had the idea. Jewel’s handler wanted to charge me for the autograph. I explained to Jewel that this was for Alan so if she just wanted to send it. She said jokingly, no they would just charge Alan later.

This is the signed postcard I gave to Alan Tudyk in New York City.

I was sad to leave but excited since I was not going home. My next stop was New York City, my first time in the city.

NY City and Spamalot

Alan Tudyk

I arrived in NY City for the first time and my friend Marie gave me a whirlwind tour. First stop after dropping off my bags was Central Park. We walked around and then we had drinks at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Afterward we went to Ground Zero so I could pay respects. Then we went off to the top of the Empire States Building, all of that on day 1.

Day 2- I slept in because I was very very tired.  I flew to NY from DragonCon. So this was like taking back-to-back vacations. I went to take the Staten Island Ferry just to go past the Statue of Liberty. It was spectacular see her in person. After that I walked through Wall St and was in front of the NY Stock Exchange. Post 9/11 you can't go in anymore. But I was impressed with what it represents and the architecture.

It was recommended and seconded that I walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. I walked A LOT! It was hard finding the starting point to get on. I was almost hit by a patrol car backing up. He passed me and parked then backed up. I thought he saw me, I was wrong. But another cop helped me out. Then I walked across. I highly recommend it too. Then I made my way to the pre-screening of the Serenity. This was my 6^th time and I loved it. Day 3 was Time Square and Alan Tudyk.

From Polly:

Since Rosie hasn't gone on-line yet (I don't think she has Internet access where she is staying), I guess I'll break the good news on her behalf: Alan WILL be coming 9/22 to the premiere!

He didn't come out after the matinee showing, so she was kinda bummed about that, although she loved the show. Then after a great dinner with Josie/Diet Coke and Tzegha, Rosie and I took a walk around Times Square. We passed by the Shubert Theater, and Rosie was like, Oh, could you take this picture I couldn't get anyone to take before? So I did, and then she realized that they were putting out the crowd-control barricades up and the evening show was about to end, so we positioned ourselves near the end of the barricade so she could slip around for a photo. And this woman came and stood next to us holding a FF DVD set, so we introduced ourselves--she was a Browncoat from Detroit.

Well, everyone came out--except Alan. And then the woman who played the Lady of the Lake (Sara Ramirez) came out, and Rosie asked her if Alan was coming out, and she was like, Oh, I think he's talking to some people inside. And then she took the other woman's DVD set inside so that Alan could sign it (!! She is SO NICE as well as so very talented, she was really nice the last time too), but just then, the man himself came out.

And he recognized Rosie and gave her a big hug, and they chatted and then she asked about the 22nd, and he is indeed getting the day off from Spamalot and flying out for the premiere! This is awesome for everyone going there, although when you see him he’ll be a brunette (they dyed his hair for Spamalot--his arm hair is still quite blond). See if you can get him to sing--he's really good.

Anyway, Rosie was just about exploding with joy afterwards! I'm sure she'll have a lot to say about it when she gets on-line, but it was a REALLY fun evening!

Rosie again

That was Polly’s perspective. She was with me when I finally saw Alan. Saturday was all about the show. I slept in again, got ready and off I went. I had tickets for the 2pm matinee. I arrived around 12:30 pm. This was my first Broadway show and I did not want to miss a thing. I went to Starbucks to get some coffee and into the gift shop next to the theater. I did not have a camera with me but decided I needed a picture with Alan, so I walked to a corner store and bought a disposable camera.

The show was just awesome. I got a great deal on the air so I splurged on the tickets and bought orchestra seats. It may be a once in a lifetime moment and I wanted the best view. I had always wanted to see a Broadway show and I did not know if I would ever return. It was worth every penny. I sat 10^th row aisle seat 101. My aisle was on the same side that Alan first appeared on. Alan was absolutely fantastic. I can’t pick out a single moment because it was all-great! Seeing him on stage with David Hyde Pierce and Tim Curry was wonderful. I would love a recording of his performance.

Afterward I waited by the side of theater stage door. Unfortunately Alan did not come out. Actually only a few did. It was 4:30pm and they had another show that evening. I was disappointed but I understood. I was just happy to see him on stage. I had a postcard from Atlanta signed by Morena, Jewel and Ron for Alan. I wanted to give him something and I thought words from friends would mean most.

I had plans to meet with 3 other Browncoats at a nearby restaurant after the show. I wanted to celebrate the occasion. I was so happy I still can’t remember what I ordered.  It was great to reconnect with 2 of them I had met at other shindigs and to finally meet the leader of the NY City Browncoats.  We had fun talking about Serenity since we had all seen it and about the Comics. After dinner 2 had to leave and Polly and I walked around Time Square.  It was great to see it all lit up. We walked into the huge Toy-R-Us store and then past some souvenir shops. My feet were killing me at this point since I wore heels to the show. I bought some slipper shoes to walk around as well as t-shirts for my family.

We ended up back near the Shubert Theater and it was also lit up. I wanted to have my picture taken outside by the marquee and was unable to earlier. Polly took it for me. Then I noticed they were setting up the autograph area next to the stage door. I will confess that I hoped things would turn out this way but did not plan it. Again Alan did not come out.
Now I was really disappointed and wondered why he wouldn’t come out at all. Sara Ramirez went in to see if he was coming and then came right back out since Alan was on his way.

All of you who have been near me can imagine my utter joy after my Alan encounter. No nametag or anything! Alan was signing the DVDs for the girl on my right and he looked up recognized me. His eyes went wide with surprise, smiled and said, “Hey, Rosie!” I smiled and was stupefied, couldn't really believe it. Then the girl on my left asked for a picture so I held back.

Then I stepped up when it was my turn. I told him I had left something for him earlier. A postcard of Atlanta, signed my Jewel, Morena and Ron. Alan looked confused then I explained I was here for the 2pm show. Then he got a little sad and said "And I didn't come out." as if he was picturing a disappointed Rosie. I told him I understood no worries. Then we took a picture, it happens to be the only picture that came out well.

Rosie and Alan outside Spamalot Stage Door.

After that is when I asked him about September 22nd he said, "Oh, I am going". I gave him a hug thanking him. I also told him he was the reason I finally came to NY. I wanted to see him perform. I told him he was really funny. He smiled and thanked me.

On my last day Polly and I decided to tackle 5^th Avenue. We stopped in so many shops and had lunch at Serendipity.

Seeing Alan made the whole trip. I had a blast. I love NY City. I really want to return. I love this city; NYC Rocks! I can’t wait for the premiere.