…to bespell his mate. Hmmm, that might also explain the eargasmic power of THE VOICE, which is perfectly paired with KMM’s Highlander series audio books. And it turns out his written “voice” is just as swoon worthy. Read on for a sigh-worthy “how we met” story from actor, voice actor, narrator, etc., Phil Gigante.
Thank you for inviting me to participate in the Valenduckie celebration. With a name like that, how could I refuse?
Valentine’s Day is also an anniversary for me: the day my lovely Natalie and I moved in together. Or as she calls it, “Our ‘shacking up and living in sin’ anniversary.” That’s my sweet, delicate Scots lass for you!
But this is the story of how we met – a real “meet-cute” in Hollywood terms. So…here goes.
I was playing Dracula in a stage production in Dallas, Texas. It was one of those warm October evenings in Texas, and I had stepped outside to cool off a bit 
between scenes. I was garbed as the count: authentic turn of the century tux, vest, and flowing velvet cape that tended to move with a life of its own in the warm night breeze.
I turned to re-enter the theatre, and saw a sight that literally stopped me in my tracks for a moment. My friend Kristi was standing behind one of the most gorgeous female backs I had ever seen, attempting to free a stuck zipper and zip the young lady into a skintight cat costume.
I was mesmerized. This unknown woman had a cascading mane of auburn hair flowing down to mid-back. And her back! Smooth, creamy skin, with delicate shoulder blades peeking through her hair. The zip on the body suit was stuck fully open, giving me a glimpse of the lowest of her lower back. Lower still (yes, I looked!) her sweet bottom and the longest legs ever were clad in the black second-skin.
I didn’t think; couldn’t think. I strode over, my cape wafting behind me, moved Kristi aside, and took the offending zipper. I slipped a finger inside the suit behind the zipper (so it wouldn’t pinch, of course), and gently pulled it up. I wanted to do it with my teeth. As the zipper rose, my finger glided up the ridge of her spine, and I saw gooseflesh form as it snicked to the top. Her skin was warm and soft and she smelled absolutely amazing.
The mystery woman let out a little “Woo! Thanks, Kristi,” then turned to face a tall, elegantly dressed vampire mere inches away. A vampire with an idiotic grin on his fangs, who was now staring into her large, hazel-green eyes. Her breath hitched, actually hitched in her throat. Then she gave me a head-to-toe look, finally coming back to rest on my face.
“Nice teeth,” she said.
“Do you want to try them out?” flew from my lips before I could help myself. Then she was pulled back to rehearsal, and I was pulled backstage, where I had nearly missed my entrance cue.
Dracula was very passionate on stage that night. And soon, my mystery lady did indeed “try them out”. And she still is.
Phil Gigante
[Ed.: *sigh*]
Phil Gigante is an actor, director and producer with over 20 years experience in theatre, film, television, and radio (that’s him on the right in one of his many stage roles). Based in Chicago for many years, he still makes his home in the Midwest and is currently the artistic director of Gigantic Productions and Little Giant Children’s Theatre.
In addition to Phil’s amazing narration of Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series (he received an Audie award nomination for Beyond the Highland Mist, the first book I coined the term “eargasm” for), he is also the narrator for Brilliance audio productions of books by Nora Roberts (Blood Brothers), Christine Feehan (Dark Possession), Catherine Coulter (Double Take), Margaret Truman (Capital Crimes novels), Daniel Silva (The Secret Servant– another Audie ward nomination) and many, many more. To hear audio samples of all of Phil’s work with Brilliance Audio, head over to AudioBookStand and do an advanced search by narrator Gigante.
So how about it? Anyone else want to share your “How we met” stories? 
“Do you want to try them out?” This is nearly Freudian … I am still laughing. It seems I need to search out those Moning audiobooks, at least for Kiss of the Highlander and The Dark Highlander, the two best Scotland romances ever (says Yours Truly). Maybe I should go out tonight in Glasgow and look if I find a pair of fangs in a pub *g* around the corner. But somehow, sigh, the Highlands would be more romantic, no? Maybe I could still catch a flight and be there by tomorrow moning…?
Loved that story – and I’m definitely heading over to find some of those audiobooks! Happy Valentine’s Day!
What a fabulous story. I giggled myself silly.
Okay…. I’m swooooooooooning here! and grinning like an idiot–that’s such a sweet story!
I’m so totally envious of a woman I don’t even know!
Thanks Phil! We’re honored you participated in this event!
Hmmmpphh… I shoulda known that you’d all be so busy swoonin’ over Phil’s story that you’d forget to post your own “how we met”. I mean it’s not like I haven’t read it 50 times and still swoon over it or anything. *g*
A seriously filthy oven brought my Tim and I together. I had just moved into a townhouse apartment and called the landlord because the oven was too disgusting to use. He sent his brother over, who lived directly across the parking lot from me. Well, that oven was so crusty that Tim had to use a hammer and a putty knife to scrape it clean! YUK! But out of that we became friends. I even fixed his TV for HIM, because he is electronically challenged. Hell, he’s a flat out technophobe.
Anyway, we eventually decided to rent a house together. Just as friends and roommates. He had his dates, I had mine. But slowly, our dates with other people dwindled away as we found we preferred to hang out with each other, and eventually, after a night of bar hopping with “the gang”, we… uh… discovered that what we had had evolved into something much stronger than friendship.
So, here we are four kids later, married 25 years this September. And we STILL prefer to hang out with each other than anyone else.
Great Story!
(something really weird just happened with my previous attempt at commenting, so I’m trying again, from memory:)
Chastised by BevQB, I’m now posting my own “how we met” story. A long time ago (over two years) in a galaxy far away (an online forum), I met this wonderful man who used to spend time in a (virtual) pub, pondering music, poetry, a specific tv show, and life. The rest is history.
He likes to tell me that he fell in love with my writing (posts) even before we started chatting one on one.
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
Amazing story, Phil. Love your sweet lady’s attitude about the anniversary. All of it makes me smile.
Now for the how you met story.
It was the first day of class and I was already coasting. My last semester of grad school and all I had left were three easy classes. After class a repulsive Romeo wanna be of a boy was trying to ask me out, for the hundredth time. He managed to crowd me into a corner behind the last students filing out. Abruptly a smooth Canadian accent interrupted as a well muscled male put his arm around the snot’s shoulder, subtly pulling him back and asking to be introduced. My Canadian rescuer then took my hand and kissed the back of it. In the process we moved out of the room together.
I didn’t talk to my Canadian for two weeks. Yeah, I know. Idiot. The Canadian knew what he was doing. He waited patiently, always there, never pushing. When I realized I’d been caught, it was much too late.
Well…. That is not the story I got when he got home that night! But I am so glad tha Nat is my sister in law. and that my brother is sooooo luckey!
They are both such talented artist. what a joy!
Yep, I can hear you uttering every word just like that! Congratulations Phil !!!
I love his ability to act each part and make it so easy to recognize the character by the voice. Thanks for making audio books so great.