Another one of my Lion King stories

[nathalie]

A while ago I was lucky enough to have a chat with the guy playing Mufasa in the UK touring company.
But if I can choose, I choose the movie over the musical (not that I haven't seen it more then once, lol).

Where I work now, we get little perks, like, discount on theater productions.
Looking at our intranet about a week ago, I saw the title "musical artists for dummies", the title sounded funny enough to have a look what it was about.
First thing I see, is a picture of David Verbeeck!
He's a Flemish musical artists / actor, and the voice for Timon (the entire TLK cast is Dutch, but since Timon & Pumbaa are outcasts, they are voice by Flemish men).

I wasn't planning on going to his show, I wanted to be the freak hanging outside of the building

Also, I haven't been feeling to great the past few days, due to my anxiety & panic disorder, I've been feeling sick for a few days now, even with my meds.
(I guess my US trip is getting too close right now for me to handle)

But then yesterday, I just kept thinking how weird it would be to just show up at the building, lol, and was considering maybe going.
But I was feeling so sick in the morning, I had some stuff to do around the house, I was moaning and complaining, lol.
I did take my meds around noon, as I was planning on going eather way!

I started to feel better, and about an hour before the show actually was going to start (when I had to leave and take the bus basically, lol), I quickly bought a ticket online.

My ticket was originally on 2nd row, I changed it to 5th row, I didn't wanna be so close

The show was basically about musicals he played in (which I never even knew o_O ) and some songs he auditioned for the parts, but didn't get them.
So I thought to myself: oh no, this is going to be boring.
But, someone was talking the show together, with the comical touch here and there, and with all the songs he ended up singing, I wasn't bored for 1 second.
He has a great voice, and can sing extremely good!

"musical artist for dummies", was basically, a list of things you need to have/know, to how to become a musical star.
So they started with his early years, till now.
Then they came to "animation" part.
Of which was said: if you cannot find an audition for a musical, or it's a less good time for you, you need to make money anyways, so why not go into animation?

He sang a song from Happy Feet (not sure if he's in the Flemish version though, I already hated the original English one, lol).

Then they mentioned Timon, and he actually sang "Can you feel the love tonight" (Dutch version) together with the person who played the piano (dude sang both the chorus, Pumbaa's and Nala's part, haha).
It was so great to hear his Timon voice, lol.
I got a tad emotional, hehe.

Later on, he also sang "Sunrise Sunset" from TLK 3, hehe.

After the show, I didn't knew what would happen, I was alone, which I'm usually not, usually someone is with me, and then I got a lot more guts in me.

And then there he was, in the bar, with a beer, talking to loads of people, almost everyone there "knew" him, some were students of him (he teaches music/singing I believe), so I was like, the only person there who had never ever seen him in real life for 20 years.

So, I started to be a bit like a stalker, and whenever he moved to another group of people he knew, I would just kind of follow, look around, lol.

Till all of the sudden he goes: oh, hello, I've seen you standing there for a bit now?
I'm like "euhm ... hiiiiiiiiii *big smile*"

So yeah, I start my sob story again like: well, lemme tell you something about me, I've only known you as Timon, since Lion King has been a big part of my life, and without it, I wouldn't be where I am today, and he has been a part of that obviously.
And he was the first person that had something to do with the movie, that I've actually met now, so I'm extremely nervous, and he totally saw me shaking.

He was really touched by that and said "aww" so many times, and you could just tell from his face, and was telling about, when making the dub, they don't get to see anyone, they don't get to see the people after the movie comes out, so he was really touched that someone like me (and others) can get so much strenght out of it.

I also told him I only got the ticket about an hour before the show started, as I have a panic disorder, and I wasn't feeling so good already, and sitting in a tiny closed dark room, I obviously don't wanna disturb anyone or the show if I had to leave for any reason.
He was so exhited I managed to came!

I asked him why he wasn't asked to play Timon in the Dutch musical, since he is in the business.
(and I'm not sure if I should have asked? I don't know, it was like an akward moment when I did, lol)
He said he was doing other things anyways, and he didn't even knew about it.
So I just thought I'd get rid of the akwardness, and was like "well, I do think you may have been a bit too tall, as the Timon's are quite "small" people" *ahum*

I asked him for an autograph, I asked him not to laugh with the item I brought, lol.
I had an TLK 1 1/5 DVD with me. It was the only one I have at Kenny's house, my Belgian DVD version are all at my home.
He was looking at the 1 1/5 ... so I'm like: yeah, it's the Canadian DVD actually (haha).
(for those not knowing, in Europe it's called "3")

Oh well, also got 2 pictures.
And when I wanted to go, he was like: can I give you a kiss and a hug?
I ain't saying NO to that

I felt so dreamy and on a clowd, haha!

I love how he's holding me in the 2nd picture I've seen pics of him and other girls (who kind of knew him), holding him back like that, but I was too nervous and scared and shy to actually grab him

[Leorgathar]

Aww that's so awesome that you got to meet him at that personal level, and it's such a great story too!
The closest I've ever been to anyone involved in the TLK movie was when KS and I went to see Kalimba Marichal, the guy who did the singing voice of cub Simba in Latin Spanish, in an open concert here

[nathalie]

Thanks ^^
It's so nice you can genuine see they care, when you say how much something they were part of meant to you.

This is him actually, and Leor, you should know, didn't I get you the CD as pressy? lol (or was that to someone else? haha)

Here you can hear his real voice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W54ShuZvAQ

This is as Timon. Come to think of it, I should have asked him about this particular scene (but then again, I think he already thought I was a freak, haha)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbViz1RchkM

[KanuTGL]

That's awesome! He seems like a really cool person too. Nice pictures!

[nathalie]

Thanks, I'm so happy still, haha! I actually like myself really well in those pictures

[Kirauni]

Wow, that's great and really touching! I'm glad you've enjoyed the event and of course it's great to hear how he reacted. Thanks for sharing this!
I'll remember it the next time I'll watch TLK in Dutch

[Leorgathar]

This is him actually, and Leor, you should know, didn't I get you the CD as pressy? lol (or was that to someone else? haha)

Why yes indeed you sent it to me last Secret Santa ^^ So that's him, I think I'll give that CD another listen today

[cleargreenwater]

Omg, good for you you had the guts to have that conversation with him! I totally would have chickened out from bothering him, you ma'am are hardcore!

It's awesome that he was just like hanging out with you the same way as with everyone else that he knew already too.

[nathalie]

This happens to me all the time. I'm so shy, but at times like that I just get an adrenaline shot, lol.
I would have never forgiven myself if I hadn't went at all, even how sick I felt that day. Sounds so cheesy and lame, but I feel they should know, that by what they did/do, they have such a huge and positive affect on people.

And I don't say it a lot, but I look good in the pictures, haha!

[nathalie]

I'll just pick up this thread again, lol.

Last night I went to a gig in a city nearby.
While I was waiting in the crowds, the bass player is behind me, looking and pointing at me "hey, it's you", haha

I'm spotting a famous person here and there, it is near Antwerp, so if there's something to do, you usually spot some.
At some point someone is standing next to me, and I'm like: oh for crying out loud, I know him!! But couldn't figure out his name for the life of me

Kenny picked me up when it was done, and I was like: many famous people, and this one guy, he looks like *that* and *this*
So he's helping me figure out who it is, no luck, and I'm thinking to myself: no, this can't be ...
So I look him up by name, and I'm like: are you kidding me ???? The Flemish voice actor for Pumbaa was standing next to me

[nathalie]

Once again I've had some Lion King encouters

Those who know me, know I have a very big soft spot for Jonathan Andrew Hume. When we saw the musical during the Lea meet in 2006, he was the understudy Simba we had that evening.
Me and Lucy were bummed, because someone back in the days was telling us all about the "mighty Brian" person who was lead Simba at the time.
So when Jonathan came on stage, me and Lucy looked at each other and went "that's not Brian!".

Thank God it wasn't ...

After that, I've seen Jonathan twice more as Simba, once still as understudy in 2015, and 2016 as lead Simba (finally).

Something about him.
He has such a powerfull voice. And when I hear his "Endless night", it brings me to tears, which the others don't do.

He's in "Come from away" now.
A story about 9/11 and the city of Gander / Newfoundland. Amazing musical!

My sister visited the UK beginning of February, so I went down to London, and told her, I want to try and meet him, as the show ends at 9.10 pm.
I met him!
He's such a sweetheart *sighs*
The only thing I have at Adam's place that I could have him sign was a TLK notebook, so when I asked for an autograph, I said this is the only thing I have, because to be honest, we haven't been to the show today, but I will soon! But that would be a matinee show, and I didn't think I would get to meet him after, so we thought we'd come by and see now.
I was shaking, I was crying.
And when I'm crying, it means this person has a huge impact on me.
He was so sweet about it.
When I said I brought my sister, he shook her hand, which is very nice of him to do.
He asked me where I was from, as I don't speak British English, but American, and just had a nice little chat about things.

The picture in the dark is from that evening. It was raining on and off, so my hair looked absolutely terrible. But hey ho

It was the first night in months, I slept through the entire night, haha!


Now, yesterday, me and Adam went to see the actual musical.
And I really wanted a new picture as I didn't like the one from last month, lol.
So after the show, we went to see if we could meet him again.

So, he comes out, I say "hiiiiii" and he has this big smile on his face, points and says "I recognize you!"
I hide behind the musical program, and I'm like "ooooh nooo, is that good ??" and he's like "yeah yeah, definatly!"

He signs the program, shakes Adam's hand (not many actors, actually do the whole "nice to meet you [shakes hand]" thing).
We take some pictures, and be on our way.
Jonathan leaves to the left, and Adam wanted the cast CD, and I'm like "lets leave to the right, so he doesn't think we're following him" (lol).
To get to the main street, we all needed to walk around the building anyway, so by the time we were at the doors again, to buy the CD, Jonathan passes coming from the other side, just laughing at me (again ???? lol)

I've been going through a hell of a rough time, for the past months, and things like this just lift me up so much, meeting people that can have such an impact on you and make you feel good.

Here he's doing promo for Lion King in Signapore (Endless night).

[nathalie]

We met Jonathan again last night, but that doesn't seem special anymore, haha

We also met MATTHEW BRODERICK last night

We went to see his play in London, which is going from May until August.
It was different. I'm "used" to musicals now, and hadn't seen an actual play since I was in school, which is like, 100 years ago, lol.

The play itself was really good.
Laughter, tears, maybe it went on for a tad bit too long though?

The theatre had 3 balcony's, and we had the cheapest tickets, which meant 3rd balcony, last row.
Get to the box office to pick up the tickets, and I'm getting told we're bumped up to nicer seats. Very nice indeed.
1st balcony, middle of the row almost, very nice view.

After the show we went to the stage door, some actors came out, but after a while a security came to tell us that Matthew wasn't coming out anymore.

We left, got something to eat, and then went to see "Come from away" (for the 3rd time already).
As Jonathan was on holiday 2 weeks ago when we went, I wanted to go again ^^
That show ends at 9.10pm, by the time actors come out, have a chat etc ...
Matthew's show wouldn't end until 10.30 pm, so we had loads of time, went for a drink, and by 10.30 we went back to the stage door.

Something happens in the story, to which not many of us can relate too, but 1 person could (he got shot 3 times, or was shot at 3 times in his life, something like that).
So, we are waiting for Matthew to come, he comes out, comes to us first, we try to have a little chat (well, Adam), he's quite reserved, but I think if you watch interviews with him, that's just how he is.
While he is signing our program, this guy behind us, just shoves his program inbetween me and Adam, under Matthew's nose, and he's very loud and much taller then us so he stood out "MATTHEW MATTHEW, I CAN RELATE, I GOT SHOT TOO, bla bla"

(I get it, you have a story, we all do, and I appreciate that, but WAIT YOUR TURN)
I think you could notice he wasn't British, because all the Brits were queuing up nicely, as they do and are famous for, haha
(and, he also said where he was from, lol, so he missed the British etiquette)

And all we are thinking is: my God man, why are you so RUDE ?? He hadn't even finished signing our program.
Adam tried to ignore the idiot, and then asked for a picture with Matthew.
I felt it had to go so fast, I'm more like photobombing the picture, but I'm still in it, lol.

You could tell from that idiot's behaviour, Matthew had that look on his face, like "ugh ..."

But, we met him, exchanged a few words, very very nice ^^
(would have been nice to see his wife too I guess, haha)

[Kossu]

That's super awesome Nathalie! You're so lucky to have talked with adult Simba!

Also, what an annoying person. Sounds like a very juvenile attitude.

[nathalie]

It was one of those cases, where you are waiting much longer then they have, they show up the last second, and ruin everything for the people who have been there for much longer!
As we were first ones there for at least 5 minutes. It took about 15 minutes for Matthew to come outside, and that guy was there for like, a minute, and just jumps the line.
I wanted to say something, but, I didn't want to make a fuss/argument in front of Matthew.

[Kossu]

Ah, yeah. Well, despite all that, you met Matthew! So cool!