Me and the hubby went to hear Julia Louis-Dreyfus speak at a SAG Conversations event. Before the doors opened, I went to use the restroom. Well, it was a bathroom that needed a key from security...which is always a pain. So I knocked on the door because I heard someone in there. I waited. And waited. But no one came. So I turned to go back to security to get a key. As I was going down the hallway, I ran into a woman who had a key! Lucky me! We started chatting and then she had difficulty getting the key to work, but I was able to figure it out, so we both finally got access to this locked restroom area. And then we continued talking. Turns out, she was Julia's drama teacher in high school from 8th to 12th grade! I love stories like that so I asked her if Julia knew she was going to be there and she said, "Oh, no, no." And then I asked if she had seen her since Julia graduated. And she said, "Once but it was years ago." And then I asked where she taught her. And she said in the DC area. And then it was time for me to head back to stand in line. She told me her name was Phyllis and asked that I save her a seat up front if I got one. I told her I would.
When I got back in line, I started telling my husband about this bathroom encounter and a few minutes later, up walked Phyllis. She ended up standing in line with us and I mentioned that she taught Julia in DC and that my husband was from Baltimore. Turns out Phyllis grew up there as well. So they started talking about neighborhoods and such. Then we heard a few more stories about Julia and the line began moving for us to be checked in. When we got to the check-in table, they checked your SAG card and then found your name on the reservation list. But for some reason...Phyllis's reservation didn't go through! She wasn't on the list. They told her she could stand to the side and try to get in on the wait list but they had to continue checking in the reserved guests first. So she stood to the side and I told her I'd save her a seat. I felt terrible! Wasn't there something that could be done?? We went upstairs and saved a spot. About ten minutes went by and then...here comes Phyllis! She had worked her magic and had gotten in as someone else's guest that didn't show up. She sat next to us and I felt a bit of relief!
There was a screening of Veep and then Julia did a Q&A session with a moderator from The Hollywood Reporter and it was great as expected. She was funny and insightful and all around engaging. The moderator asked at one point, "Who would you say was your best acting teacher?" I held my breath! What if she mentioned Phyllis?? She said, "Well, in high school all my teachers were really wonderful but if I were to look at my adult life, I'd say that the people I work with are my best teachers." So in a way she did mention her!
The Q&A came to a close but there was another one immediately following with another screening of Veep and more cast members so I knew they were going to whisk Julia away quickly. I told Phyllis, "Go, go! Get up there now while you have a chance!" And Phyllis smiled and made her way to the front of the room where Julia still was. I hung back and filled out a feedback form that they use to raise funds for events like this. I saw Phyllis get close to the edge of the stage. And then I heard Julia go, "Oh my god!! Why didn't you tell me you were here?? I would've had you stand up!!" And I knew they had been reunited.
They started making their way to the back hallway and my husband and I left through the main hallway. Well, the hallways connected and we ran right into them. Phyllis reached out her hand to me and squeezed hard while she said, "Thank you for saving me a seat!" I told her, "Of course!" And I thanked Julia for a great Q&A. And then they were taken to a room to reconnect before the next engagement.
Later that night, Julia tweeted, "My high school drama teacher, Phyllis Ehrlich came to the @SAGFoundation panel tonight! Lovely to see her!" And she attached the picture you see above.
We had a lovely time getting to know Phyllis a bit and I am so glad that it all worked out! It wasn't looking good when the reservation snafu happened but all's well that ends well!
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