A Steady Rain Poster?- Page 4

[Magdalene]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 2:53pm

Amen NYadgal!

I go to shows for the "show", any autograph I may seek/get is gravy---nothing I pay for and it doesn't detract from seeing a performance. I still have a Playbill/ticket stub for the memory. Where is it written that any actor has to give a fan an autograph?

[JenD512]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 3:28pm

"Having a friend who runs an AIDS organization, I know that their state and federal funding was cut 20%. That is a lot of money. I am thrilled that BC/EFA is getting these dollars at this point in the economy."

Exactly - charities have been hit especially hard in this economy. I know where I work many of the projects we work on were cut back because we simply didn't have the budget to do them anymore. I imagine BC/EFA is no exception here, and I'm glad they're using the opportunity to help in such a good way.

The most I could probably afford is the Playbill (the poster if I really throw caution to the wind), but even if I couldn't - I can never afford the auction stuff anyway, but I always make sure to contribute what I can at the collection buckets at the doors. It's a great charity and I'm happy to contribute.

I got tickets the first day of the presale so I can see 2 of my favorite actors onstage. I saw the show a few weeks ago, loved it, didn't bother with the stage door because it was too crowded but even watching the madness from across the street it was obvious that they're both very friendly with their fans.

So I don't get an autograph...big deal. Some people don't get to eat tonight. Let's keep things in perspective.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 3:55pm

What a bunch of self-entitled, spoiled brats.

Wah wah wah - I can't get his autograph because they are trying to raise some much needed funds for those in need. The hell with those who desperately need help - I want what I want.

I cannot wait for real life to smack some of you upside the face so that you can realize how insipid and spoiled you sound.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 11:03pm

Elke, long =/= rant. You're right, though - I am not a Hugh Jackman fan. I understand that's a minority on these boards. I do think he has talent; I just think he is overrated and do not understand the overwhelming public fascination. However, I never commented about the play itself, nor would I unless I happen to see it. They may act capably in the roles, and the quality of the play may be quite high. I just have no particular interest in this one between what I've read of the plot, the actors involved, the other choices on Broadway right now and, most importantly, the fact that audiences are largely going to see this for the celebrity factor as opposed to the magic of live theater.

[Q]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 11:32pm

". . . the celebrity factor as opposed to the magic of live theater."

Not to put too fine a point on it, but they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 11:37pm

". . . the celebrity factor as opposed to the magic of live theater."

Film actors often get their start on stage and love doing theatre. It's not their fault all the wack-a-doodle fans can't handle it. Live theatre is live theatre regardless of who is acting in the piece. It's not qualified or disqualified by the level of star status the person has. Daniel and Hugh are actors first, stars second.

IMO live theatre is magic in the very fact that is it is a live organic process. Having a "star" in the role doesn't change that for me.

Updated On: 11/2/09 at 11:37 PM

[Q]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 11:46pm

Rudy - is your sig a record of the shows you've seen this year? Did you see BLITHE SPIRIT seven times? If so, why?

[mamaleh]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 12:01am

"There are rumors that the no-autographs, no photos with the stars-ruling at the post-show stage door ends this coming weekend--but I'm assuming that the post-curtain BC/EFA auctions continue. Anyone in the know here?"

"What I heard was that they may only do the photos/T-shirt auctions for the first two weeks of collections (this coming Friday marks the two-week period), and then only have the signed materials afterwards. The decision depended upon how sales were and if the actors wanted to continue (it takes a while to do 10+ separate photo meet & greets.) If I hear word on what the decision is, I'll let you know."

- Thanks for the info, Cape Twirl of Doom. And thanks for any future tidbits you can share.
Updated On: 11/3/09 at 12:01 AM

[Rudy2]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 1:31pm

Never once did I say that celebrity and theater magic are mutually exclusive. I do think strongly, though, that one does not aid the other.

I also did not say it was the fault of the actors. I don't think that it is. Rather, it is the fault of the inevitable atmosphere created by the audience.

This idea, by the way, isn't totally mine. A friend of mine who is such a longtime theater buff that he saw Barbra on Broadway in the 60s basically articulated it for me more or less as I am saying it. I haven't forgotten what he said because it makes sense to me. I find, very much so, that the atmosphere created by the audience makes a difference.

Q - Because Angela Lansbury is my hero, I loved the show and cast increasingly as I saw it each time, the first time I went was comped, I wanted to take several people with me to see it, and I scored front row for the final show.

[Q]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 2:15pm

"Because Angela Lansbury is my hero"

I had a feeling that might be at least part of the reason. I also think there were probably some there who went because they really like that woman from MURDER SHE WROTE. I wonder how your experiences compared?

[Rudy2]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 5:02pm

She is definitely an odd-man out, for sure. I think Angela's unquestioned Broadway track record does diversify the audience somewhat. To see the smiles on the faces of audience members (and I saw the show enough times that I could do that) during the more showy moments of her character (dancing, recitating incantations) was a particular joy for me.

I really like what Marian Seldes said during "Deuce" about the atmosphere Angela helps to bring out in an audience:

"It's an extremely thrilling experience to play this play with her not only because she is a great actress and a beautiful actress, but because she's so beloved that when the audience first sees her, when the lights come up, something happens in the theater like an explosion of love which is transmitted by applause and sort of whooping and sounds, and I interpret as it saying to her 'thank you, thank you for coming back to the theater,' and the fact that I am there too, I want to thank her..."

As far as "Blithe Spirit" is concerned, it is such a brilliant comedy with a justified track record that, even if it is dated, it is precision-tooled to charm audiences and pack laugh after laugh, and each time I went the audiences never changed in their response to it.

Updated On: 11/3/09 at 05:02 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 9:08pm

I have been a collector of Broadway window cards for quite a few years now. I have nearly 70 window cards that range from 1967 through 2009.

Needless to say, when I saw A STEADY RAIN on September 11, 2009 and October 6, 2009, and I was told by the woman at the concession stand that there would be no window card for this show, I was very upset.

After reading this thread and realizing that a limited number of posters had been printed up (and signed) for this show, I knew I had to have one.

I picked one up today at 8:30 and I really love it. Yes, it was expensive, but well worth the cost - and I'm glad the money went to a good cause.

Thank you BCEFA for the opportunity to purchase this window card...and I hope your organization makes a killing with A STEADY RAIN.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 9:20pm

WAT, I'm so glad you were able to get one.

I know how much your collection means to you!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 9:26pm

Thanks, Addie!! Your support means the world to me.

[LesMiz24601]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 11:05pm

WithoutATrace...how do you display all of your window cards?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 11:17pm

Six are framed and prominently displayed in my apartment.

I have about 25 (some framed, some tacked on the wall in their plastic sleeves) on the wall in my office at work.

The rest are in Triton bags in the corner of my apartment.

I wish I had more room and more wall space to display even more of them!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 11/4/09 at 10:28am

"There are rumors that the no-autographs, no photos with the stars-ruling at the post-show stage door ends this coming weekend--but I'm assuming that the post-curtain BC/EFA auctions continue. Anyone in the know here?"

I've not heard that. Security was informed that it would be for the rest of the run. While the posters are limited in quantity, the Playbills are not, and as long as people are paying for signed autographs for charity, Jackman and Craig don't want them to feel cheated and will not sign at the stage door. And they are raising A LOT of money. BC/EFA is going to be very happy indeed.

[Magdalene]

Posted: 11/4/09 at 10:31am

on a more practical note, donations are tax deductible...

[Fosse76]

Posted: 11/4/09 at 11:59am

"on a more practical note, donations are tax deductible..."

That's only for people who can deduct more than the standard deduction. Most people wouldn't see any tax benefits from purchasing the Playbill or windowcard.

[jo]

Posted: 11/5/09 at 12:03am

Cape Twirl of Doom --

What are the current prices for :

*Signed Playbill
*Signed Poster ( are they still available?)

Thanks!

Jo

Updated On: 11/5/09 at 12:03 AM

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 11/5/09 at 12:41am

Playbills are $100, and unless things have changed again, posters are $300 (or two for $500.)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/5/09 at 1:05am

mine was $300 last night (Tuesday)

[jo]

Posted: 11/9/09 at 8:38pm

It looks like they have been raising a lot of money, not just for the signed items ( posters, playbills), the- meet- and- greet with photo ops...but the undershirt auctions have been a tremendous success! I heard that at the Actors Fund performance, Hugh and Daniel outdid themselves in auctioning some "rare" undershirts. Daniel had drawn a chest on his, obviously feminine ( I think) while Hugh borrowed someone's heart-shaped nipple tassles and attached them to his shirt. LOL!

And a lot of people have also been elated meeting the two actors at the stagedoor - hugs, snapping of photos, handshakes, etc ( check out Twitter).

Cape Twirl of Doom - any idea of what the campaign tally for ASR has reached to-date?

[mikem]

Posted: 11/9/09 at 9:06pm

Does anyone know where I can find a picture of the poster? Shockingly, it appears that none of them have appeared on EBay. (The only EBay poster is apparently a homemade one, since it is not the right size and was signed during previews.)

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 11/9/09 at 11:05pm

The poster is the same as the image on the Playbill.



Well, mid last week I was told they had already taken in over $450,000 and after this past weekend & special Actor's Fund performance, I heard that the tally is now supposed to be reaching near $600,000. It's simply astonishing. And there are four weeks left! As far as I know, they're still planning to continue the photos & signing policy.