Driving and delivering cars all over this great country affords me possibilities to do some fun and adventuresome things. The problem is always being able to plan ahead, which is mission impossible on this job.
Ever since I got to see my first Broadway show THE PRODUCERS in 2004, I craved more musical theatre. And the show that sparked my deepest interest was called WICKED, all about what happened before Dorothy came to OZ. Unfortunately, it has been well over a decade since I have delivered a car to Manhattan, and I knew the show wouldn't go on forever. As of 2022, it is still going strong on Broadway, but my chances of getting to New York didn't seem to be improving.
Two months ago, I got a car to take from Phoenix to Tampa, Fl. The catch was that I'd have to stay in Tampa over the weekend, so I could pick up another car Monday and drive it to Chicago. I looked on the internet for events in Tampa, and to my surprise WICKED was playing there on tour. Four more days and it would be gone.
I called the box office as I drove east towards Florida, trying to get a hold of someone but just leaving voicemail messages pleading for a seat if one was available. I said I was determined to see this play before I die. The very next day, I got a call from a lovely girl named Erin in the venue's administration offices. She said she was moved by my call, as were several other people in her office, and if I could afford $100, she would get me a seat for the Sunday matinee. I jumped at the chance, I was over the moon!
Once I had delivered the car in Tampa on Saturday morning, I got a motel room and basically was killing time until the big show on Sunday.. I had picked a motel not too far from the theatre so that I could make it an affordable Uber ride.
I got to the theatre, and was amazed by what I saw in the lobby. Lots of people dressed in Emerald green. Munchkins. Denizens of the city of OZ. I have always been a fan of THE WIZARD OF OZ, and anything related to it. The idea of this play seemed to focus on the true friendship of Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch.
My ticket had been waiting at the Will Call table, and I found my seat was dead center in the back row of orchestra. Which means I had a great view of the entire stage. Ten minutes before the show was to begin, a man scooted quickly down my row and said, "Are you Bill?"
I smiled. "Yes, I'm Bill."
"Hi, I'm Rich, the stage manager of our touring production of WICKED, and we all just wanted to welcome you today specially."
"Wow, really? That's...something."
He handed me an envelope. "A little gift to remember the day by."
I opened the envelope and found a Playbill program. Every single page was covered with signatures. "What is this?"
"The entire cast and crew signed that for you, Bill. And they asked me to tell you that today's performance is dedicated to you. We all think you're very special." He nodded and excused himself. I looked down at the program, and read notes like, "You are an inspiration," and "we believe in you."
Moments later, another man came scooting down the aisle. "Bill? Are you Bill?"
"Yes."
He reached his hand out to shake mine. "I'm Bradley, the house manager, and I just wanted to personally welcome you here today. It's a real honor to have you here."
"Bradley, I appreciate all the attention, but I have to ask... why me?"
Bradley winked at me. "Don't be so modest." He turned and moved away. Two older women in front of me had been chattering, and they suddenly turned to me.
"Who are you?" one of them asked.
"No one."
"No sir, you are someone, else they wouldn't be catering to you."
"Well I'm a writer. I wrote a book."
"I'd like to read that book!"
It just so happens I always carry a few copies of my books with me wherever I go. Because you never know. I handed her a copy and said, "My gift to you ladies."
They both stared at me like I was dense. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Like what?"
"Your autograph. To my good friend Jessica and Kristine, thanks for all you did."
I signed my book, and the show began. And what a show it was. It exceeded my wildest expectations, and I kept feeling a profound sense of gratitude for being there.
After the show was over, I was headed for an exit so I could catch my Uber to the motel. I heard a voice behind me "Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams." It kept getting louder and closer, but it couldn't be meant for me. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Bradley. "Mr. Williams."
"Bill."
"Sorry, Bill. I just wanted to see if you enjoyed the show?"
"Well that would be severe understatement. It was one of the most entertaining experiences of my life"
"We are just so glad you could make it. And hey, PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL is coming here in the Fall, and we'd love to see if you're still around." We shook hands again and I left.
Monday morning I got the car and was just headed north when my cell phone rang. I answered, and it was Erin from the theatre. "Hello, Bill?"
"Erin, I owe you so much. I not only got to see this great show, but I was treated like royalty. It was incredible, and I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth."
"Bill...I don't know how to tell you this. There was a miscommunication."
"How so?"
"There was a man with a brain tumor whose last wish was to see WICKED. His name was Bill Williams, and he was to be seated next to you. When he didn't show up, everyone assumed you were him."
"So the signed program was for him. The show that day was dedicated to him."
"I'm afraid so."
"I just feel guilty as crap, those things weren't meant for me. I will return the program and..."
"No, no," Erin urged. "Please don't do that. We discussed it here in the office and decided that there is no reason to inform the cast and crew. It would be an unnecessary popping of a feel-good balloon."
"Got it. Well, hopefully Bill Williams will get another chance to see the show."
"No sir, he... I'm going to have to let you go now. Thank you Bill.
Sad to hear that the Bill I was mistaken for will never get to see the show. But perhaps I enjoyed it enough for the two of us and can share that with him cosmically.
