Meeting Robert Sean Leonard (2-21-25, Chicago)
One year ago today I met Robert Sean Leonard while he was doing a play called Betrayal in Chicago. I’ve shared this on Twitter and Tiktok but never here on Tumblr, and what a better time to do so than today?
The play was wonderful, a bit slow but overall quite entertaining! It was a week before RSL’s birthday and in a moment of wishful thinking I made him a birthday card (seen below). This birthday card would soon be the reason we [RSL fans] would learn of his love for Snoopy. I was standing by the stagedoor of the theater waiting for my car with a friend when I saw him come out and I congratulated him on the show. I then took out the Snoopy card I’d drawn and as he caught a glimpse of it he said “is that Snoopy? I hope it is, I love Snoopy. I draw him on notes to my daughters.” Which was shocking to hear since I had only drawn Snoopy because I love him!
After reading my card which expressed my gratefulness for Dead Poets Society he lightheartedly teased me for watching the film at the young age of 12. We talked a bit about Robin Williams and how Dustin Hoffman had originally been cast for the role of Mr. Keating. He was a joy to talk to and incredibly nice, and even comforted me with a nice pat on the arm when he noticed my nervousness. I took a photo with him and as I turned to go he said “Carpe diem”, which eventually brought me to tears once I was out of his sight haha.
While waiting outside with my friend I made the impulsive decision to go back into the theater to ask for an autograph, and it was the best decision!!! We talked briefly about his children and wife which was very sweet to hear, but the absolute best part of our conversation was when he told me he “hates signing playbills because he never knows what to write.”
He then explained how his daughter is a huge fan of Hamilton, and knowing Lin Manuel Miranda he asked him if he could send her a birthday gift. Lin sent some kind of Hamilton-related present with a note that said “go out there and blow us all away.” RSL said he feels silly signing things on playbills because he’ll never top that. He then pauses and said “fuck it, I’m stealing it” and proceeded to write the exact same thing on my playbill.
Thank you RSL for being such a kind person :) you made my year and possibly my decade.
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