It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Okay, forget the worst... cuz it really wasn't that... It was my BIRTHDAY last week! And what a special week it was. Thirty-three members of and friends of my family came from Canada (two from Portland, Oregon) to see the show. Two of my cousins came from as far away as Edmonton Alberta. Most of them stayed for five days, and had a fantastic time being tourists, many visiting New York for the first time. They took the bus tour, and the boat tour, and went to museums, and bought out the shops. They went to FAO Schwartz and Tiffany, and had tea at the Plaza. They loved New York! Only too bad that the Yankees were playing out of town!

On Thursday we went for a horse and buggy ride in Central Park (it was sunny and 22 degrees!). The leaves are changing now, and they have already got the skating rink installed in the Park. There were a few skaters out there in shirtsleeves. Quite incongruous.

Then we met (27 of the 33) for dinner at Sardi's. Everyone was dressed up, and looking particularly shiny. What a fantastic meal! and all were treated exceptionally well by the wonderful staff there.

Then to top off their quintessential Broadway experience, they took a quick walk through Shubert Alley to the Imperial Theater on 45th to see a little show called Billy Elliot. They were tickled. After the show members of the cast came onstage to meet them... and my 96 year old great uncle was right up at the front of the stage asking David Alvarez all kinds of questions. So great. So great.

I am so honoured by my family. Imagine making the arrangements (my amazing sister, to thank!) for all those people to come and see me do my work. It really is a remarkable feat. And it was the best birthday present I could possibly have had. In our play, the ballet dancer at the London audition says to Billy's Dad, "You. Get behind your boy," and I feel so grateful that for my career of 28 years, my family has been right behind me all the way. Just an example: my cousin Arvey and his family saw me at the Heathcote Arts Centre (a barn behind The Comfortable Pew Restaurant in Heathcote Ontario) performing for 14 people in a variety show with a pair of jugglers and a stand-up comic. And now they have seen me on Broadway. So great. So great.

And a birthday toast to my new family, too. One that supports me, and welcomes me, and one that I feel honoured by: a family of players that with generosity and open hearts came to meet my real-live family on stage that night. As a gift. For which I am so hugely grateful.