It was lunchtime - between the last in-studio rehearsal and the sitzprobe for the Hartford production of ANASTASIA - Alida had wandered over to the local Panera Bread to get a quick bite before the afternoon rehearsal. It was there that she and Doug were first introduced - unfortunately, owing to her post-rehearsal haze, Alida didn’t really clock the meeting at all! It wasn't until later that evening - at a post-sitzprobe Cinco de Mayo celebration - that the two of them clicked. Doug remembers seeing Alida at the party, as if she had a light shining on her (awwwww). They talked all night (with a little help from Mary Beth Peil and some Mezcal) - and by opening night, they both knew that they had found something special. But Alida was about to go on tour with AN AMERICAN IN PARIS - and Doug was living in Los Angeles. Thus began a several-year courtship, which took place in cities across the USA. As her tour ended, Doug decided to relocate to NYC - and the two were finally able to spend time together in the same place. But nine months later, another tour beckoned - and then another - and the two resumed their mobile romance. It wasn't until the pandemic hit that Doug and Alida were able to be together in one place for an entire year - and what a year it was. The first four months were spent together in a studio apartment - Doug worked on his computer in the bathroom while Alida took dance class in the living room (being careful not to kick the furniture) - but their love for each other carried them through! Which brings us to today. We thank you all in advance for traveling from near and far to join us here in NYC. Just a year and a half ago, this city was the pandemic epicenter - so many losses and struggles. Yet here we all are - stronger than ever - ready to create new beginnings. The pandemic gave us the gift of time together - and our wedding will hopefully be the symbolic end to all of the separation and the start of a new era - of togetherness and love.