In one of my four semi-professional productions, I was on stage with a talented young woman during Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” I played Mrs. Potts. She played Belle. That was in 2005.

Fast forward to about a month ago. I was talking to our “Beauty and the Beast” director who had come back to town to guest star in “How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.” After the performance we were talking about mutual friends in the theatre when he mentioned the girl who’d played Belle. He said she was now in the Broadway production of “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee.” I know a Broadway star!

I headed online right away to see what kind of ticket prices I could get for it with a presale password. But I found out the show had closed. I’m not without hope, however. They may be taking a Broadway touring company around the country, and maybe I can see her in that. Regardless, I can say, “I knew her when…”