AP Article on 'Loyal Fans'- Page 3

[Sauja]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 3:59pm

All I have to say is that this makes me feel much better about the seven times I saw Patti LuPone in Gypsy and the nine times I saw Hair. Especially since both were over the course of two runs. Thanks for making me feel restrained!

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 4:16pm

Well now I feel like kind of a jerk for my comments. My apologies Nick now that you have cleared the air on this. And for the record, I have bought raffles and bid on "prizes" in order to donate to the arts. Nothing too major though. Hey, if you have the money to bid on those things, I say go for it. I got a signed Playbill from the Company revival. (50 or 60 bucks I think) It is still in the envelope it came in. Just glad the money went to a good cause.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 4:16pm

Eris- I didn't change the thread title!! That was the moderators...

When I was in high school, I was one of the people who'd see a show several times and frequent the stage door each time. There came a point when I realized that while I did think I was bffs with all these people, I realized that I was being really creepy. Now, I am literally scared to look at some of these experiences out of shame.

As an adult, I work at a theatre. I see it. I hear the actors' reactions (backstage- not in front of the fans). While some people think it's flattering, a lot of people do get a little freaked out.

As mentioned, I think Alice Ripley set a bit of a precedent for the rest of the cast and for her now on by talking about her stage door friends. Now, if she doesn't go to the stage door, people complain about it. She obviously don't need to, but since day 1 of N2N, she's constantly been talking about how the stage door is HER favorite part.

And Adamgreer, I do think you are one of the most mature people on this board, with a lot to say. I think it's great that you and Tracy donate money to BC/EFA. Unfortunately, some people do not have the luxury of donating $15,000. Seeing shows multiple times is expensive, as is donating to charity (which I think is amazing that you do- I try to myself, but I have limited funds).

I don't have a problem with seeing shows multiple times. I've done it myself. I say that it's like seeing your favorite movie- since we don't get Broadway on dvd (most of the time.. at least legally), I have to pay the cost to see it live. There are movies that I've seen over-and-over.. While I haven't seen any Broadway show nearly as many times as I've seen Mrs. Doubtfire, I view it similarly... just more expensive.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 5:38pm

"As an adult, I work at a theatre. I see it. I hear the actors' reactions (backstage- not in front of the fans). While some people think it's flattering, a lot of people do get a little freaked out."

I think many people in this thread, who are in support of stage dooring, whould be SHOCKED at how actors really think about them (the repeat visitors). While on rare occasion there may be some genuine fondness for a specific fan, generally they think the repeat "fans" are crazy, no matter how nice they come off.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 5:48pm

^ Well then the actors need to stop indulging them. Alice Ripley has invited some fans to go out to lunch, hang out in her dressing room, etc. And some have invited fans to come backstage, take pictures on the stage, etc.

Sometimes it is really the actors' fault for indulging *some* of these crazy stagedoor fans.
Updated On: 1/28/11 at 05:48 PM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 7:58pm

Eris- I didn't change the thread title!! That was the moderators...

Well, snap

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 8:02pm

The real creepiness around here is bashing theatre lovers.

Last time I checked, this was a theatre related message board.

[HummingAlong]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 8:25pm

What I love about these boards are the many kind people who speak louder than the many negative nasties. It pains me to think I may have been being a bit negative in earlier posts on this thread. Yes, there are people who take this all way too far, but many have said it well- there is a gracious, totally appropriate way to show fan appreciation. (Or they wouldn't have stage doors at all...) - And yes, of course, some actors (ha, many!) are fed by the attention, although they enjoy the outward protest. There I go being a bit negative again...ahh, old habits die hard.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 8:48pm

The real creepiness around here is bashing theatre lovers.

Last time I checked, this was a theatre related message board.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 8:49pm

I think many people in this thread, who are in support of stage dooring, whould be SHOCKED at how actors really think about them (the repeat visitors). While on rare occasion there may be some genuine fondness for a specific fan, generally they think the repeat "fans" are crazy, no matter how nice they come off.

This passage has been spinning around in my head and I really have to think that a performer wouldn't invite someone who "creeped them out" backstage and possibly be alone with them. If they were truly bothered by someone why take the risk?

Updated On: 1/28/11 at 08:49 PM

[dragonlp86]

Posted: 1/28/11 at 9:09pm

I've seen 'Next to Normal' the most times out of any show, although my number doesn't reach ANYWHERE near the numbers of the people listed in the article. Now, if I lived anywhere near NYC, that number might be a bit higher. But I can't say I'd see any ONE show that many times when there are so many out there to see. I'm also one of those who both stagedoor and have some actors added on Twitter and Facebook. Am I commenting and posting on their wall or tweeting at them all the time? No way. I use it to be able to keep up with what they're doing, new projects and such. I mean, that's how I found out that Brian d'Arcy James was going back to n2n for a limited run. As for stagedoor, I have no delusions that these actors are my 'friends', even if I've met one of them before. I don't expect them to be able to pick me out from the crowds of people (although Brian d'Arcy James has, twice, but that's only because the first time we met him was a special occasion).

What I might be trying to say (very badly!) is that not all fans who see shows multiple times are crazed 'stalker fans'. Sure, some are, but I think they are the minority. (I am now, of course, thinking of the two girls who were shouting across the crowd at each other at n2n's final night's stagedoor that now they were going to have to find another show to stalk...oi)

[mikem]

Posted: 1/29/11 at 1:00pm

I think that 99% of the fans at the stage door are appropriate and respectful, but the 1% that aren't often draw attention to themselves and color the whole thing. And the normal 99% aren't the people that get talked about afterwards. No one goes around talking about how the salesperson/barista/waiter/cashier was normal -- we talk about and remember the rare wacky/crazy one.

And I agree that actors would not invite people backstage or otherwise increase their interaction with them if they thought the fan was crazy.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/29/11 at 8:58pm

During the run of the LuPone GYPSY, Boyd Gaines began calling me his "repeat offender". I saw that show a dozen times. That was nothing compared to the 74 times I saw HELLO, DOLLY (over a 6 1/2 year period), so i think that makes me a bit of an expert on the matter we're discussing.

There are some shows that just "click" with individuals and warrant multiple visits. I saw all seven women who played Dolly--nine, if we count Bibi Osterwald and Thelma Carpenter. It was a different show each time and even though the performances might have changed a bit with each new actress, the magic of Gower Champion's staging was always spellbinding.

Since the show, I've gone on to become friends with some of the surviving people attached to it and we have true friendships that go beyond our shared cherished memories of the show. I look forward to every time I see one of their names pop up on my Caller ID.

There's no doubt that HELLO, DOLLY! touched my life in a special way--and there's only rare days that go by without my playing one of the many cast albums I have from the show. The whole experience continues to enrich me and for that I'm eternally glad.

[HummingAlong]

Posted: 1/29/11 at 9:33pm

seems like, according to people on this thread then, people associated with productions may have changed their tune regarding repeat offenders. although yours is a sweet story! :)

[steven22]

Posted: 1/29/11 at 9:41pm

Updated On: 1/29/11 at 09:41 PM

[lalarox]

Posted: 1/30/11 at 12:43pm

I am a Broadway performer. I love the stage door. I loved it when I went as a fan, and I love it even more as a performer. I know that not everyone feels the way I do, but I kind of don't understand that. The fans are why we are able to be up there doing what we love to do! Yes, I have seen many fans over and over again, but I know it's because they love what they are seeing so much, and that makes me feel really good about what I do. Most of them are not creepy. Socially awkward? Sometimes. A bit over excited? Sometimes. But, not necessarily creepy or crazy.

I think it's incredible that it is possible to go see a show, and then meet the people who performed in it right after. And if you want to see that show 500 times, go right ahead. Don't ask for the actor's phone numbers or follow them home, but there is nothing wrong with pictures, autographs, and even short conversations.

Be who you are, love what you love, see shows as often as you want, just be kind to everyone along the way.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 1/31/11 at 12:01am

lalarox- I think the problem is when fans want more than the autograph, picture, and short conversation. They want the phone number. They want the friendship. They want to go to so-and-so's apartment and paint each other's toenails. I think getting autographs is fine. It's when fans cross that line and try to, expect to, and think they are friends with actors.

[My Oh My]

Posted: 1/31/11 at 2:10am

Self-proclaimed Les Mis nut here and not remotely ashamed about it.

I don't think anyone truly believes repeat viewing of a show is actually creepy or that it takes a creeper to see a show repeatedly. It's people expressing astonishment over one's ability to fork over their hard-earned money to see a show they've already seen and sit through it a 50th time with no end in sight. Understandable. I have a sister who's obsessed with the Lakers and I can't ever see myself forking over nearly a grand for season tickets, much less sitting through the first inning. Or is it quarter? Period. Whatever. She sees and feels something exhilarating upon that court. All I see are a bunch of grown men chasing after a ball. Meh.

She'd regularly accompany me to performances of Les Miserables and still does on occasion, but she can't see herself spending the money to see it in London like I did this past September, and will probably throw holy water on me when I tell her I'm seriously planning to see it in Japan next year. I guess everyone is "creepy" over something or maybe some of us take what others say too literally?

Meh.

Updated On: 1/31/11 at 02:10 AM

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 1/31/11 at 2:26am

What I think also garners this whole "whose creepy" and "whose not" (at least adds to it) is how some shows become such massive hits and speak to so many that sometimes you associate that show with the few "crazy" fans.

For instance, I've seen WICKED 5 times and plan on seeing again very soon. I adore the show, the music, sets, story, everything. One time for the opening night performance in Durham for the 2nd national tour I was able to go to the cast party after the show because a close family friend was close with a few of the cast members. I enjoyed it greatly, however there were a few fangirls there that won tickets to the party (?) and THEY were over the top (going to actor's table's while they ate and literally sitting and talking with them like they were BFF's..it sorta became creepy)
It's fans like that I think cross the line. However, I think a majority of people (at least on here) make a automatic connection between WICKED to creepy fans. OUt of all my experiences with other fans, that was the only occasion I saw nuttiness.
It's with every popular show (POTO, Lion King, Legally Blonde)
Sorry if that didnt make any sense. I'm in a airport on a laptop and barley keeping my eyes open haha

[philly03]

Posted: 1/31/11 at 2:38am

I think people have generally become more creepy at the stagedoor over the years... Back even 10 years ago, with Jekyll & HYDE and the "Jekkies," many of whom saw the show countless times over that 4 year B'way run with the tour and other premieres, would give a gift to an actor, get a picture and walk away. One of the Jekylls enjoyed his beer (I wonder who) and I can remember when someone gave him beer after the show and that was the end of it. Endless thanks but no major "where's your gift to me" attitude...

Now it seems people make these gifts and expect to go backstage, get special treatment if they come back, etc etc. I think age has a large part in it as well... when 40 year olds are waiting for 20 year old actors, I would imagine they don't particularly enjoy seeing whoever over & over.

The worst is the mega flops now a days where one show I'm thinking in particular had a very creepy follower who saw the show a lot and would try to talk to a particular leading actress every single time before and after, as well as ask to go back stage/etc etc.


I don't think seeing a show x amount of times can constitute being creepy, but I don't think I could ever see anything more than say 10 times given on how long it was running. Something like POTO or Les Mis that's been around forever is one thing seeing it 100 times as they run for thousands of performances. Something like Women/Verge saying you saw it 30 times seems creepy.
Updated On: 1/31/11 at 02:38 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/31/11 at 2:44am

Oh. My. God. This is the most ghastly slash hilarious thread in the history of BWW, and I've been here forever so I know.

[Urban]

Posted: 1/31/11 at 6:07am

I've only seen one show more then twice - I've seen West Side Story three times and one was a god awful amature production I just want to bleach from my memory and in reality shouldn't even count.

As much as i love some shows, I just would get bored with repeat viewing.

[littlegreen2]

Posted: 1/31/11 at 6:26am

I have been reading this thread since it was posted and I have wanted to say something but I really just can't find the words.
I think this originated as a "these people see shows too many times" thread to a "these people are creepy stage door stalkers" thread. I see absolutely nothing wrong with seeing a show more than once. I am close with many fans in the N2N fan community and most of them have seen the show over 30 times because it helps them cope - the show is about grief, and they use the show as an outlet to grieve, which is a beautiful thing to me. Wicked was also mentioned and sometimes, I have to go back and invest in the themes of Wicked even though I have not seen it as many times as I have seen other things. I know there are 'fangirls' but I think they are misunderstood. You don't know their motives behind seeing a show more than once. These are shows that people develop a deep emotional connection with and that's why they return.
Why is it such a big deal that these people have something in their lives that they are passionate about? I don't understand the flack people are getting for seeing a show many times.

Stage door behavior aside, I think people just need to step back and let people do what they do. I found many posts in this thread very petty and condescending and it makes me sad that this is so frowned upon.