17 November 2006 was going to be a very special evening for myself, (Karen Hegenbarth), Sue Moore and Sue Butler. We had travelled from the UK for our Platinum experience.

 Felt very strange, nervous and anxious, really didn’t know what to expect this evening. We went shopping on the strip to take our mind off it, but couldn’t get it out of our minds that it was THE DAY. Once we started to get ourselves ready it seemed as if everything was in slow motion and we all seemed very quiet and doing our own thing with our own thoughts.

 Finally, we are all ready, dressed in all our finery and headed downstairs to the front of the theatre. John and Sarah came out and checked all our ID’s (we were described as "The Trio"). We were then taken into the theatre, down the stairs and into the Green Room. John went through what was going to happen and the order in which we would be going into see Barry. We were 4th.  

We were given our glasses, Manilow bag to put programme etc in and then offered champagne or water. Needless to say we took the champagne. It seemed surreal, all these people (11 in total) and it was very quiet. John then announced that Barry was ready and took the first lady through and then before we knew it it was our turn. OMG. We waited outside the room talking to John for a while, think he was trying to calm our nerves, but it didn’t work. One person came out and then it was our turn, the security guard was at the door and looked and said take a deep breath. As we approached the door we could hear Barry’s voice and he was laughing, but then it went quiet and there he was. We were so nervous. 

He then stepped forward and I heard him say Hi Sue, then Hi Karen and Hi to Sue and shook all our hands. Whilst all together we then had our group photo’s taken and then our individual ones.  

Barry then moved back to the bar area and leaned on it. We talked quite easily, once he looks at you with those gorgeous blue eyes all your nerves just disappear. When he is talking to you, his eyes are on you and you only; he really does give you his attention. We talked about his forthcoming visit to the UK, his appearance on X-Factor, the HMV signing and the Royal Variety Performance. We told him we were going to the HMV signing and that we had tickets for the Royal Variety. He said he didn’t want to think of us standing out in queues and catching colds for the signing, we should stay in our beds, but we told him we would be there. Barry was pleased we had got tickets for the Royal Variety or the "Royal Hoo Ha" as he called it, he said it was such a stuffy affair. Marc then joined in with our conversation and said we should make a lot of noise. When you are this close to him you see a different person, he is not the Barry Manilow Superstar, he is Barry Manilow, a friend and someone you can talk to with ease. He is taller and slimmer than we expected, but absolutely gorgeous. We just seemed to chat for ages and we can’t believe how relaxed everything was. He then signed our programmes, we talked a little more, we were handed our disposable cameras and then it was time to go. He gave us all a hug and a kiss on the cheek and thanked us for contributing towards his charity and then we had to say goodbye.  

Back to the Green Room to finish off the Champagne! After everyone had met Barry we were then shown back to the theatre to our front row seats. WOW. What a fantastic end to a wonderful evening. After the show Sarah then appeared with our photographs in their wallets. These were proof of what seemed like a wonderful dream. 

 Karen Hegenbarth, Sue Moore & Sue Butler