Erich & Douglas
The Wedding Party
Brad Broman
Best Man
It wouldn't be hyperbolic to say: "It was Baby Jesus who brought Brad and Erich together." Picture it: Pittsburgh. Christmastime. 2003. Erich, a freshman at Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts. Brad, home on break from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Both were invited to the same holiday house party. As soon as they were introduced, it was over. No one else existed...except Mike and his Hard Lemonades. That evening sparked Brad and Erich's now 19 year old friendship. They've had many adventures together since, both on stage and off. The former spent traveling together performing in Disney's High School Musical. The latter involving anytime Erich can visit Brad on tour with Hamilton. Some say they're a blonde and brunette version of each other. To them? Partners-in-crime!
Niko Svensson
Best Man
Doug has known Niko since he exited the military and moved to VA in 2016. In fact, Niko and his beautiful wife, Sara, were the first people Doug met while moving into his apartment. Both were so welcoming! For a couple of weeks, some "Hey how are you's?" and "Have a good day's!" were exchanged, until Doug deployed to serve in Afghanistan. When he returned home, Doug got his puppy, Blake, which started a whole new chapter for Doug and Niko...who you can see is a Dog Dad, too! Since puppies require constant trips outside, Doug and Niko's paths crossed more frequently. It wasn't long before deep conversations over cigars and scotch and trips to their favorite local spot for burgers became the norm. Niko even helped Doug move - on Niko and Sara's own wedding weekend! Now, that's a best man!
Taylor Rust
Groomsman
Sometimes exes serve a greater purpose. This was certainly the case with Taylor and Erich's "retired relationships!" Otherwise, they may never have met. You see, Erich's ex convinced him to join a gay kickball league in D.C. He reluctantly did so. At the one-and-only practice he attended, Erich met Taylor's ex. Long story short, eventually Taylor and Erich were introduced. Drinks were drunk. Laughs were loud. And the chemistry...unquestionable. A night out with them will have you questioning whether you are on set of a Golden Girls episode [you'd be hard-pressed to find two bigger fans], or wondering if you're an audience member at a Comedy Central Roast. They're still the only two in the group who can get away with their deeply cut jabs on the other - a testament to their brotherly bond!
Chris Yates
Groomsman
"Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Okay, so their meeting may not have been as poetic as Robert Frost once put it, but still...Chris and Doug's initial meeting did seem a bit like fate. It happened at the local dog park when Doug decided to mix things up and go down a trail he had never taken with Blake. That's when he ran into Chris, his wife, Sarah, and their dog Brody! The fate part? This was Chris & Sarah's first time at this particular dog park, too! The stars aligned! Brody & Blake played for almost two hours during which Chris, Sarah, and Doug got to know each other. Future dog park visits led to bowling nights out, game nights in, and now...regular house visits to spoil Blair, their beautiful new daughter!
Evie Korovesis
Groomswoman
Evie and Erich's first meeting took place in a dance studio. The two had not ever met, but were cast as Baby June & Tulsa, love interests in the musical, "Gypsy." Throughout the production process, the two worked with the upmost professionalism. They turned it "on" when the spotlights hit, but weren't really clicking in real life. Erich still thinks it was his baton twirling skills that created the barrier. [Just ask Evie!] It wasn't until they shared the stage again a year later in "Rock of Ages" that things changed. No longer love interests [this time a mayor and his secretary] and without a baton in sight, their friendship exploded! Self-nicknamed "E-Squared", the two share the spotlight as artistic partners, co-directing and choreographing shows. In real life? The very best of friends!
Garyn Grijalva
Groomswoman
Doug has known Garyn for almost two decades - hard to believe! Their introduction was certainly an awkward beginning. The two met in 2006 in Highland High School’s library. Both Doug and Garyn had each been sent there to complete a test. Time passed as these strangers at the same table silently deliberated their answers. Suddenly, Doug noticed something scratching his leg. He looked down and saw that it was Garyn's foot rubbing against him. Speechless, Doug decided to ignore it…until eventually Garyn realized that the object she was playing footsie with was not the table leg like she thought. Yep, things just got weird. They also got loud…because once each of them knew the other had realized what happened, they couldn’t stop giggling. The two haven’t stopped laughing since!