I was working at the Stratford Theatre in Stratford Ontario when A Chorus Line first hit Toronto. I went down and saw it and as you all know, a part of everyone is in one or more of the characters in the show. I saw myself in Bobby and Paul, but especially Bobby because he was so funny I thought the actor playing him, Ron Kurowski, was so funny and charming. I stood outside the stage door to get his autograph when he came out. I am never shy about asking for autographs or meeting actors, but this time I was speechless and he jumped into a cab before I could say anything. A few days later I wrote Ron and he wrote back, twice. He wrote in the letter that it was probably good I did not meet him as he was exiting the theatre my first time as he never knows what to say in that quick situation and my letter meant so much more and affected his performance. He was so touched by my letter that he invited me to the show again and to spend some time with him. There was a bit of a snag, his best friends were coming that day and seeing the show that night too so he suggested that we meet before the show so I could pick up my house seat. When we met he ended up inviting me to spend some time with him and best friends. It was a great day and we all got along well and saw the show that night. After the show Ron invited me backstage where I met half the cast in their dressing rooms. Later we went to dinner with some cast members and his two best friends from New York. It was a sad parting but he wrote on my program he wished he had more time to spend with me.

Later I wrote a play about my experiences in acting and how it came to an end when I was diagnosed in the early 80`s with a combination of Epstein Barr and Chronic Fatigue and another chronic condition on the very day I got a phone call from Toronto for a modelling job. They wanted me for a print ad for $1500.00 for one day's work and I was confined to my bed.

So ended my acting career. So I turned to writing as I have always written, (got a whole book of unpublished poems). I wrote this play called Extra! Extra! about my life. It was originally a one man show but lately I added one final scene where I appear at the end with the younger version of myself. In it I included parts of Ron Kurowski`s letter and my time with him and how much I loved A Chorus Line. I wrote asking permission to use the recording of "One" from the cast album in the show as a background to Ron`s story but they said I could not use it. Since it has never been published and only about two friends have ever read it and I only have one copy, I doubt if it will ever see the light of day but its a great show I think. I added a second charcter in a scene that's in and out of the show and don't knowif it's needed but someone once suggested I fill out the lead charcter (for whom I of course used my own name Paul.) The show also includes my wonderful and warm meeting with the vivacious Ann-Margaret, who was so kind to me. When I met her I swear I was enveloped in her arms in a hug for five minutes. We talked about her movies and how I fell in love with her with the opening of Bye Bye Birdie and that pink dress she wore in the Pleasure Seekers (Still waiting for the DVD to be available her in Canada) So all in all I guess my play is dedicated to Ron Kurowski and Ann-Margret. Its very funny, sometimes sad, very heartfelt and there are two endings. I am in conflict with how it should end with the character, whether he becomes an actor or dies so I wrote two endings. Probably should be workshopped but all this is a dream as I am on a disability pension and can't afford to travel and just getting a Broadway soundtrack up here is a chore. But I'm hoping to get in touch with Ron, I`m sure he`d like to read how I made our story come to life! I'm one of many who has been Touched by The Line.