A Love Letter to Ben Fankhauser.

Dear Ben,

First of all, hey! You’ll actually be receiving this letter at some point within the next 3-9 days, which is real cool. You should feel an immense sense of pride to know that you’re the first letter I’ve ever sent. Which is saying a lot because this is (it will be I’m just currently typing) handwritten, and that’s actually quite a bit of work for me.

I just wanted to say congradufuckinglations! Normally I wouldn’t be so vulgar upon it being your first impression of me, but oh well! I think it’s so insanely cool that you literally just graduated college and have already done a national tour AND have made your Broadway debut; and not just in any ole shows but two of the most groundbreaking musicals around!

It’s a bit obnoxious to name drop, but I’ll do it anyway! You were actually on tour with two friends of mine! (Kristen Rosenfeld and Krista Pioppi) Spring Awakening is one of my favorite shows of all time so I obviously had to go and see the tour sand was able to see you shine as Ernst.  Having seen you in that, and then seeing you in Newsies was so crazy! You nailed both roles so perfectly and so effortlessly that I couldn’t help myself but stand the moment you went forward for your bow.

I also want to add that it’s such an inspiration to see you in one of the “danciest” shows on Broadway and shining! Even though you’re not a “dancer” per se. And by dancer, I obviously mean dancing since the age of 2 and having the ability to kick the back of your head. It just gives me some real hope for my career since I’m not exactly kicking my face and doing cooter slams from the ceiling.

Now real quick on the superficial before I close this up. I just think you’re stunning. You’re just so quirky and cute and just plain adorable! I went to the Newsies stagedoor for you to sign my playbill and I was actually unable to form words when you came over. Internally I was just screaming “TELL HIM HE’S PERFECT IN EVERY WAY SHAPE AND FORM”, unfortunately no sound came out. You’ve got the voice of an angel and could literally listen to you sing all day. No shame on this next statement: I’ve turned several of your songs on youtube into mp3’s and they’re on my playlist for waiting for auditions.

So yeah. I’m in love with you.

Love, Andrey