Any bad stage-door experiences? — Page 5

taylorPHENOMENON2- I agree with what the others have said about SJB. I have met her probably close to 8-10 times, and she has been amazing.

But, I have to disagree with this opinion that performers do not "owe" the fans a good stagedoor experience (that includes autographs). I completely understand if someone is sick, stressed, busy, in a hurry, etc. However, it is hard to think of any occupation- not just the performing arts- where success is not based on a combination of Product + Service. I used to work at Starbucks, and I can tell you that even if I made the perfect mocha latte for a customer and in record time, it wouldn't matter if I just gave it to them without saying "Thank you, have a great day." I would have been reprimanded by my manager. In the same vein, all business is based on its products and customer service. My dad is the CEO of a fairly large company in the midwest, and he always tells me that he didn't get to where he was because he necessarily had better ideas than everyone else, but because he treated people- no matter who they were- with respect and dignity.

And let's think about the culture we live in. How many television shows, stations, radio shows, and magazines are dedicated not to talking about an actor's performance in a movie/tv show, but in their behavior outside of the industry? Tom Cruise did not lose his contract deal with a giant production company because his acting ability suddenly changed. He lost it because of his behavior, and people responded to that, and ticket sales plummeted. If you are in the entertainment business, you are in some ways a role model. Whether people are conscious of it or not, most look up to celebrities, and broadway fans see broadway performers as celebrities. I would be much more nervous meeting Sutton Foster than I would meeting Kate Hudson.

The fact is, performers' behavior most of the time affects how people view their performances. Especially when we're talking about kids. If you heard that someone was homophobic (think: Grey's Anatomy) would you be able to completely objectively watch them onstage? I know many of my friends could not watch Grey's Anatomy in the same way after that. Or think about politicians in this country; their behavior, or character, weighs much much more than their ability to lead. So, no, performers don't NEED to act a certain way. But could their careers be impacted by their behavior? Absolutely. That is how our society works. "It's not about aptitude, it's the way you're viewed."

Constantine Marulis or whatever his name is was such a jerk to people around me. I didn't want to compliment him, get his autograph, or meet him at all. However, the middle aged women around him asked for a picture and he looked at them,continued signing other people's Playbills, then said "WELL, ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE IT!?" so the one lady said, "Oh, I guess you misunderstood. We wanted a picture with you!" So, Constantine goes "Well, you missed your chance. There are other people here"

And at TLM, Sherie was a doll. It was January and obviously cold out but she stuck around and made sure everyone who wanted one got an autograph. She even chatted with my friends and I and was very appreciative when I told her that she was the reason I became interested in Broadway. I was actually kind of hoping for a "Diva Sherie attack" for a good story, but I'm glad she was so sweet.

Except that the performer already had delivered the "product" to you. It's their performance. Your ticket guarantees you that they will perform onstage for you to the best of their ability. It doesn't guarantee a personal meet and greet session. Performing is not a service industry, and the performers have no obligation to you once they're off that stage. Once they're out of costume and the curtain call's over, they're off the clock.

Broadway's not a service industry. Are you required to be nice to everyone you meet and fulfill all their needs when you're not at work? A better analogy would be if you had finished your shift at Starbucks, were running down the street to catch your subway, and were accosted by a customer who wanted you to make another latte for them, then and there. Or if you'd finished up your workday at the office and someone ran after you asking you to type out another report. How would you feel about being made to do extra work off the clock, whether you wanted to or not?

In addition, when fans approach actors with this sort of attitude--that they're entitled to autographs, photos, and as much of the actor's time as they want--I can understand why performers would be put off.

riggs, this is another instance of a fan invading the personal space of an actor. Danes had every right to be at the stagedoor waiting for her boyfriend. You, on the other hand, did not have to approach her, and, then you chastise her for being "bitchy", even though she did allow the picture to be taken. Why can't all of you just let these actors be people ... why would you say "If she didn't want the attention, she shouldn't have shown up at the stage door"? Who are you to decide when and where an actor has the right to be? And why do you think that just because an actor is out in public that that is an invitation to receive attention? They don't live in a bubble and have just as much right as you and I to walk down the street, wait at a stagedoor for a friend, have a dinner in a restaurant ... without being harrassed by fans.

phoebe strole was so nice at the stagedoor, but shy. LBB was awesome at the stagedoor when i saw the show. Lea michele was also great at the stagedoor but she admitted somehwere in an interview she is shy to see and talk to people at the stagedoor. i am still mad they had no barricades for TLM when i was there.
I agree its their first thing to do is give it their all at the performance and second deciding if they want to do the whole stagedoor.

MaronaDavies-

I never said that fans are entitled to it. Do I believe everyone is entiteled to be treated with respect? Absolutely. Do I believe everyone is entitled for Kristin Chenoweth's picture? No.

My point was that, just like Hollywood celebrities, you are always in the public eye, in a way. Even if you are not onstage anymore, you come out the stage door, and you not only represent yourself, you are representing the show that you are in. I do not care if you treat me badly. However, I was merely making the point that someone's behavior can very much affect the way fans view them. Also, Broadway and entertainment are in the service industry. Here's a link where our government clearly states that http://www.census.gov/econ/www/servmenu.html. Even if I were not making lattes anymore, and I were walking down the street with my green apron and hat on, I would be representing the company. If someone stopped me and asked me a question about coffee, or Starbucks, and I treated them with disrespect, how would my behavior reflect on that person?

Again, I never said fans were entitled to anything. Just like the hypothetical person who asked me about coffee is not entitled to me treating him/her well, or to me answering his/her question at all. I could just say "Too late. I'm out of work. And by the way I don't care." To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if that person a) Never went to my starbucks again b) decided to get Peet's next time instead of starbucks or c) Called my starbucks and reported it. Yes, reported it. This is a business, and customer service relations are in most cases the top-most priority. Again, no one is making the employees/actors go 'that extra mile'. My only point was that it could possibly affect their success.

Also, from what I've seen on this board and at the stage door...the people, the fans who are most disappointed by an actor's behavior are not the ones who believe they are entitled to anything. They're the ones who have looked up to that actor for years, feel inspired by them, paid $80-100 to go see them, maybe even flew out there- and they wanted to tell that actor how much he/she means to them.

Idinster87---I don't pay $100 for a latte, but I still don't feel that the actor owes me anything other that 100% effort in their performance. It has nothing to do with Service, but the perception of entitlement that (some) people at the stage door have. If I get a picture or an autograph, it's gravy, and I do not think less of an actor for ducking out a different door.

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Magdalene-


First off, I love your signature.


Second, I agree. I wouldn't be mad at someone for ducking out for whatever reason. I don't feel the actor owes me anything at the stage door. Although I do agree with Riggs point that a stage door is different than a restaurant, etc. Actually, I don't even feel like the actor owes me 100% effort in his/her performance...I mean, again, just like the Stage Door, they could be ill, upset, hurt, dealing with things, whatever. And I agree, if I get a picture or an autograph, I am on cloud nine and I think it's amazing- but naturally I am there to see the performance. So it's an added bonus. I was only commenting on negative behaviors, negative comments some actors exhibit and/or make at the stage door. That, I feel, can affect the way fans see him/her.

I have heard of actors leaving from other entrances/exits. Kristen Chenoweth left through the theater the night I stagedoored Wicked. I heard it right before I left. Here in Denver Ms Rene Scott and Mr. Palmer left through the theater the night I saw Mermaid. Although I heard Ms. Scott's child was with her and wasn't feeling well.

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Updated On: 3/17/08 at 04:42 PM

Or the helicopter pad...LOL!

It depends a lot on the theatre. Some of them have secondary exits that are easier to access than others. A lot of the time, going to an exit other than the stage door requires actually going through the theatre which might not be possible especially when the audience is still there and leaving. And for some theatres, the unmarked exits are close enough to the stage door to be useless for escaping incognito.

They can choose to exit through the stage door, or choose the theater entrance, or an alleyway, or a carport, or the underground tunnels....

Underground tunnels?

West End,
It seems that you believe anyone who would stand at a stage door is a crazed fan. I think the majority of theatre professionals and fans wholeheartedly disagree with you. Myself included.
An actor has a choice, and they can choose not to stop and talk to fans. If they choose to go to the gates, they invite attention and should be gracious. Copping an attitude is uncalled for and frankly, rude.

Nope, not in the least. I have no interest in speaking to any celebrity. What's the point of it? There's nothing to say that they haven't heard a million times before.

Now there's a positive outlook on life.

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