Betty, I must agree with you – I’ve got just a few years on you but when I met Mr. G at the Vegas opening, I felt like a nervous schoolkid and stepped all over myself, kicking myself later for not saying somethig “better.” Then I did the exact same thing when I met Mr. V(alli, of course) a few months later. Oh well…

I must say I’m a little worried now, given Bob’s comment about song parodies. I’m an original Four Seasons fan from 1962 forward and a lover of rock’n'roll in general, and the parodies I’ve done based on their hits are done with nothing but love and respect. (Like Des McAnuff and Howard Tucker, both of whom appear decades younger than me, the first album I ever bought was their first, “Sherry and Eleven Others.”) I certainly hope I haven’t offended, and would apologize in a flash if I have.

My husband and I saw Jersey Boys for the first time this past May. We loved it! My OCD went into overdrive and the soundtrack has not stopped playing in both our cars. We returned to Toronto the weekend of August 21st to see the performance for the second time. (The Saturday matinee.)

Unaware that the “real” Bob Gaudio was to be in attendance, we were stunned to see him walk in front of us as he took his seat just prior to the second act.

To shake me from my shock, my husband suggested I take my program and ask Mr. Gaudio for his autograph. “My lips to God’s ears,” in my 54 years I have never asked for an autograph. I thought about it for a nano-second and walked cautiously over to where Mr. Gaudio was sitting at the end of the aisle. I had approximately 30 seconds before the second act was to begin to not make a complete fool of myself.

First, not to embarass him, or myself, I asked indeed if he was Bob Gaudio. He answered “yes” in the softest, most comforting manner. I knelt down eye level and “chatted” about how much I loved the show and how impressed I was with his catalogue of work. Bob Gaudio was both gracious and engaging.

The music for the second act was starting, and I hadn’t gotten his autograph! I quickly asked it it wasn’t too much of an imposition to have his “signature.” I was too new at the obsessed fan role to get the word autograph out. He so kindly obliged. I thanked him, shook his hand, returned to my seat… and I don’t remember one note that was sung during the second act.

Thank you again Mr. Gaudio, for your thoughtfulness and for the wonderful memory.

Betty Smith, Ottawa, Ontario.

Marshall and Rick were good listeners and great storytellers. Listening was the critical first step.

What admirable respect in Bob’s comment about not allowing parodies of songs which have moved people.