Below: Hollywood Palms theater in Naperville, Illinois (4/10/10)
Below: Banner inside the lobby. I saw people bring vinyl record albums, DVDs, and some pictures to have signed.
Below: I tried to snap some pictures of them while I was waiting in line without looking like a complete stalker. My camera does not take very good indoor shots. Either that or I haven't mastered the settings. I might need to get a new one. Please send me your suggestions for a good camera.
Below: Bernardo and Anita
George Chakiris looked exactly the same as he did in the movie, with just a few more gray hairs. He looks very fit and healthy, and was very charming, nice as can be. He and Rita were talking and chatting to each other like old friends. I don't know why he has not appeared in more movies. I should have asked him. Dang it.
Below: Riff / Tom Thumb / Gideon Pontipee
Russ - a real gentleman. You could tell he was so happy to be there, not snobbish like some actors. In fact he even thanked ME for coming, but I was thanking him.
His wife sat right next to him while he met and talked to fans. I had never seen what his wife looks like before; when I first saw her I immediately noticed the resemblance to their daughter, actress Amber Tamblyn. They look so alike!
Below: The Legendary Rita Moreno
I couldn't believe it was her. And that she was here, in person. The one and only. One woman in line ahead of me brought her a dozen roses. Ms. Moreno was so nicely dressed, I was so glad I wore a tie. She was tough and fiesty, just how I expected her to be. She was seated next to the general manager of the theater. There was no time to chat, really because the line was so long and people were moving along but I thanked her and told her how excited I was to meet her. She signed a poster for me and a photo.
I later learned that just a few weeks ago, she was presented with a medal (performing arts award?) from the President in the White House. Also did you know that she has won the Oscar, a Grammy, a Tony, and an Emmy for her sizzling performance on "The Muppet Show".
