Genghis Cohen was great. I gave Sami two gifts - the first was my working draft of the title song Welcome to My World - I never give things like that away, but I inscribed to her lovingly, and she loved getting it - she can see where I fix lines, add things, plus I'd also scribbled in the margin that the show should start with Molly doing the cell phone announcement.
The second gift was a Hirschfield-like sketch of her by James Mulligan - the great Disney artist and fellow who did the Red Gold cover - he imagined Molly/Sami as a Disney girl - he really captured her and she's now the proud owner of a Mulligan original. They gave me a wonderful book of photos and stuff from our long journey here - the private reading, the workshop and the show. Wonderful.
I, of course, am all emotional now because despite some of Sami's craziness and how difficult that is to deal with, this has been a wonderful experience and a huge life-changing growth thing for her. In the last two weeks especially, she found the show and her inner Molly and it's been glorious to watch. I'll miss that part of it. It's why I love working with kids - there's just nothing quite as rewarding.