Okay gang, here it is...my meeting with John Ritter on March 10, 2001. It all started in December when I ordered tickets to see The Dinner Party. I figured that if I am going to see it, I may as well see it when I can have front row seats. Let me tell you, it was a loooooong three-month wait.

The day finally arrived and my mom and I took the train to Manhattan. We arrived in NY about an hour before the show. It was so cold, we went right to the theater and waited until the doors opened. A friend of mine, who knows John personally, told me about a week before the show that she could arrange for me to meet John backstage if I wanted to. OF COURSE I WANTED TO! So before we went into the theater, my mom and I were trying to decide where "backstage" was. About hour before show time we were led into the theater, which was quite small and ANY seat would have been great. I was extremely excited because I couldn't believe how close the first row was. Anyway, the hour actually went by quickly. The curtain rose and there he was..I was in awe! It was like I was watching a movie. Next, Henry walks through the door and again, I was watching a movie. I really enjoyed the play more than I thought I would. I was in a dreamlike state the entire time (I still am and it has been two months!) Now here comes the good part. After the show, I went to the box office to find out where backstage was. I didn't even take a bathroom break because I didn't want to miss my opportunity of a lifetime. They directed me to the door and a man was standing there with a clipboard. I told him that my name should be on the list. He said, "you're John's guest, right?" I smiled bashfully and he told me which door to go to. Now, I thought I was going backstage where there would be a few other fans behind a curtain or something. I was wrong. He sent me directly to his dressing room! I am staring at the door with a sign that says, "John Ritter", and a "Do Not Disturb" sign around the doorknob. I go back to the guy with the clipboard and tell him about the sign. He laughed at me and said, "you're his guest. He is expecting you." Oh my gosh! I was so nervous I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to disturb him so I heard some people coming down the stairs. It was Penny Fuller and Veanne Cox! I told them the situation and with the noise that we were making, Henry Winkler pops his head out of his dressing room, which was one level up from John's, to see what the deal was. I then told him the problem and he said, "don't worry, just knock." Well, I didn't have to do anything because as I turned around, John was standing in the now opened door. He invited my mom and I in and told us to sit on the couch. I was so nervous I was shaking. Despite trying keep my cool, I blurted out that I have been waiting to meet him for 24 years! He smiled at me and asked how we liked the show. We chitchatted for about 10 minutes about the show, New York City, his appearances on "The View" and "Regis." Then he asked if I would like him to sign anything. I gave him my Playbill and theater ticket. Then he went to his table and signed a colored 8x10 photo of him in the play. I was so happy! I had my picture taken with him and then he said that he had to go out and meet the people outside. I felt so honored! After we went outside, I just watched him interact with the people. I had Henry sign my ticket also and then I had a picture taken with him too. John and Henry were mingling with people for about 5 minutes and then they just walked together down the street and vanished into the crowds. What an amazing day! I can truly and honestly say that Mr. Ritter is the nicest celebrity anyone could meet. He is just as sincere as he seems when being interviewed. This is a meeting that I will always remember and hope some of you get to experience it someday too.

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