In 1971, at the age of 17, I ventured (by myself) from my Long Island home to New York City to see my first live musical: Stephen Sondheim's "Company." In an instant I was hooked.
When Elaine Stritch belted and brayed "Ladies Who Lunch" I knew I wanted to grow up to be her. It was a revelation, and changed my life.
After that, I became a Broadway baby, largely because of Sondheim. I saw the Hal Prince production of "Follies" at least 10 times.
I became a "Follies" groupie, and a teenage stage-door Johnny. After the show, I waited for the stars so many times that both Alexis Smith and Dottie Collins took a shine to me, telling me that I was just the most adorable thing they had ever laid eyes on.