I saw Pippin in Concert last night with Matt, Mike, and our friend Dan. It was one of those extraordinary musical theater experiences that’s all too rare. The cast included Rosie O’Donnell, John Tartaglia (and Rod), Julia Murney, Laura Benanti, Terrence Mann, Charles Busch, Harrison Chad (the kid from Caroline, or Change), Michael Arden, and, most wonderfully, Ben Vereen, reprising part of his original role. There was also a hottie from “All My Children”. In addition to the principal roles, there was an ensemble of dancers and an 80-member chorus, both sprinkled with current members of various Broadway casts. At times, the chorus created gorgeously overpowering sounds.

My eyes kept focusing on this tall, floppy-haired, serious-looking member of the ensemble, and a little bit of online research (i.e. Googling every male listed in the ensemble in the program) has shown me that it’s Aaron Staton. (His hair is floppier here, in the background of the sixth picture down.) I don’t know why, but I kept being drawn to him.

After the show, we went to the afterparty, which was at — of all places — Bennigan’s, on 47th and 8th. Unfortunately, we weren’t permitted in the upstairs VIP section, but because we were near the main entrance of the restaurant, we got to see various people walk in and go upstairs, including Rosie, John Tartaglia, and others. As the night went on, we saw Rosie and her partner Kelly Carpenter get into a black SUV waiting on Eighth. Rosie’s arms were bare and it looked like she had a tattoo on one.

I am such a starfucker. I desperately, desperately wanted to meet John Tartaglia, but no luck. When starfucking, I fantasize that the famous object of my affection will meet me, inevitably discover how wonderful I am, and then whisk me away to his private home where I’ll be his kept man, and his greatness will rub off on me just by my knowing him, and all his famous friends will think I’m wonderful, too. The premise of this pathology is that the famous are different from you and me.

Anyway — eventually, Matt, Dan and I left. But Mike stuck around, and he’s apparently got a great story he’ll be blogging about eventually. I could kick myself.