A MOMENT WITH KAREN ZIEMBA - An Article by Jorge

It was on 1998 New Year's Eve that I met her. First, I saw her dancing and singing her way through the stage on the Broadway musical CHICAGO. Later, although it was a terribly cold night, I waited for her at the stage door. It was worthy!

Her name was Karen Ziemba and she's a Broadway actress who I already knew from several cast recordings. I had seen her on a television show, but this was the first time I saw her in person. Tall, elegant, with big blue (or were they grey?) eyes, dark hair and a big smile, she looked like the real American next door girl! She wasn't a gorgeous woman, but she had a friendly face that made me like her even more.

I confess I was really nervous. Well, excited is more correct, and I didn't know what to say to her. Anyway, she signed my programme and thanked me for having waited for her in the cold weather. While talking to her I noticed that her eyes looked a little sad, but her contagious smile disguised it. She wasn't alone, a little dog accompanied her but, even so, she looked kind of lonely.

I never thought that a woman in her thirties could have such an aura of innocence, especially after seeing her playing a sexy murderess. She didn't act like a star; her ways were simple and warm. Something in her made me wish I were her friend.

I could have stayed all night talking with her, but it was New Year's Eve and I guessed that she had some place to go. Maybe I could have asked her to join me on Times Square, but I wouldn't have courage for such a thing. I didn't fell in love with her, but it was an unforgettable moment for me and I do hope we will meet again. There's a remote chance that it can happen. She's doing a new show, CONTACT, that I intend to see on my future trip to New York. Maybe this time I will be less shy, who knows?

posted February 2000