Are we (fans) talked about by Broadway performers?- Page 3

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 7:13pm

i never thought about it in the business way
wow, i really thought they really liked me
i have been living in a giant lie
:)
ha, just joking
anyhow, i wish i could be one of those people who goes back countless times, and is recognized
4 or 5 years...
golly

[HamletWasBipolar]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 7:16pm

I have gone back countlesss times to the same show.......when Im contracted to do so and am drawing a paycheck.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 7:18pm

I wonder if anyone here has ever had the experience of being nice to customers at work, and then when that person walks away/hangs up the phone, complaining or making negative/sarcastic comments about that person to their coworker.

I just wonder.

[MOXIEINTHECITY]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 7:35pm

Want to learn a bit about how actors really feel about fans sometimes?

Look at pictures of them posing with fans. Then look at them in pictures with friends or cast mates. Big, BIG, difference.

I've literally, very recently, watched some actors turn away from fans after giving an autograph and roll their eyes or make a dirty face.


What seems to fly over all your heads is that you are customers to these people.

Exactly. While they might be flattered and appreciate the stage door appearances and people coming out to their appearances, they definitely feel pressured to be nice. Sometimes they even feel a bit afraid not to be nice because they worry how the fan in question will react.


P.S. Rath and Hamlet? Cosmos at my place. Updated On: 8/28/06 at 07:35 PM

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 7:47pm

"While they might be flattered and appreciate the stage door appearances and people coming out to their appearances, they definitely feel pressured to be nice. Sometimes they even feel a bit afraid not to be nice because they worry how the fan in question will react."

While I do agree, some actors don't even go that far. I'm not trying to get into the debate of "actors who are mean...at the stage door...etc" but at the same time, actors don't always sign, roll their eyes and walk away. Often they come out and just walk away (from either a specific person *which I HAVE seen*- or just the general crowd *which is understandable sometimes*)

A specific situation happened in which I choose not to give names or major details.
A actor came out of the stage door and saw someone who *lets say...they weren't fond of* I happen to know the story behind the issue (and although it wasn't major, it is very understanable why this actor chose to have nothing to do with this person.)
The actor went around and happily signed autographs and took pictures with all the other people.
Obviously, this person that the actor chose to ignore was quite upset. He tried following the actor to which the actor turned around and said "Excuse me, you need to stop following me. Please go away."
Was I quite shocked? No, not really because I had known the previous situation. However, many of the people outside were shocked. Why? Because this actor always is so nice to his fans and always takes time to talk to them and is always very kind.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:00pm

Where are my "Lestat" friends? We are the bestest buddies. Me, Hugh, Carolleeeee, Drew, Jack. We are all very, very close if you catch my drift.

Where is the "Lestat" CD? Does anyone know?

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:08pm

wow, that is very interesting, SweetQ
i guess i wont be following any more actresses into the street any more for an autograph...
sorry, i dont do it regularly, but just one instance
:P
yeah, i guess all of them have to keep acting, even at the stage door!

[MOXIEINTHECITY]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:10pm

A actor came out of the stage door and saw someone who *lets say...they weren't fond of*

But here's my question......

Why or how do some of these actors get so invested in or close to certain people/situations?

I'm not trying to blame the actor or the patron...I'm just commenting on how some of these actors maybe bring some of the irritating behavior (not ringing cell phones or taking pics during a show) on themselves by acting too familiar with their fans.

For example:

Last year (2005) a friend of mine was in a show (which left Broadway last summer) where he was pretty much the "hot" one. He'd do the stage door, he'd chit chat with female fans, he'd flirt with them. The girls would some times get a little "too friendly" and he'd complain about it. But what I would say to him is that he can't have it both ways. Either keep a distance and be cordial or hit on the girls. He had a choice. But if he didn't want to get hit on or have women dragging out their stage door time with him, then he needed to change how he interacted with them.

I think sometimes actors get caught up in the whole "having fans" thing.

That's totally going to be misinterpreted. I know it. Note: This actor is not currently on Broadway.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:19pm

"A actor came out of the stage door and saw someone who *lets say...they weren't fond of*"

"But here's my question......

Why or how do some of these actors get so invested in or close to certain people/situations?

I'm not trying to blame the actor or the patron...I'm just commenting on how some of these actors maybe bring some of the irritating behavior (not ringing cell phones or taking pics during a show) on themselves by acting too familiar with their fans."

I'm not sure what you mean by (not ringing cell phones or taking pics during a show)- how does that fit in with this conversation?

I don't think actors get involved with certain people/situations. Honestly, I think they do their best to seperate their fans from their family/friends
Now, COULD a fan become a friend? Yes, potentially. Yes, it has happened. However, I do think the actors choose very carefully how they act with fans.

In the case I posted, I happened to know that this person was at "fault" and not the actor. And, I would believe that would be for most cases. I really don't think actors are looking to get involved with people/situations. I think they try to avoid it as best they can.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:25pm

I think it really depends on the fan
Mylinda was telling my sister and I she chose to be friends with us, and wanted to have dinner with us, because we were "true, honest, good-natured fans". She said she knew we had good intentions, and performers know who exactly is a "fake" fan, and who is really a fan because they admire the performer very much.
I don't know if this makes any sense, or is on topic, but I think fans are really to blame most of the time for an actor being standoffish, or avoiding fans.

I hope this post makes sense...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:37pm

First of all, no offense meant, but the fact is I don't know who Mylinda Hull is, so I don't think she has mobs of fans at the stage door. I could be wrong.

Secondly, what would be the point of being a fake fan? Why would someone fake that?

[MOXIEINTHECITY]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:39pm

"I'm not sure what you mean by (not ringing cell phones or taking pics during a show)- how does that fit in with this conversation? "

It meant that the behavior that I was talking about, the behavior that annoyed my friend, was not what would be considered "typical" annoying fan behavior.

"I don't think actors get involved with certain people/situations.Honestly, I think they do their best to seperate their fans from their family/friends."

I disagree with this just a smidge. On the boards recently I read that Lauren Molina called a fan who had ordered a t-shirt from her to get the girl's size. No idea if she called froma private line or whatever. Not the issue. That, to me, is be a little too familiar. (And before the Lauren fans swoop in and start defending her, take note: I am not criticizing her or Sweeney or Mano or Michael. I am simply making an observation.) How can actors not expect fans to feel/act a little too familiar with them when they do stuff like that?

Not that Lauren has ever, that I know of, complained. I, in no way, was trying to imply that she had. I was just using that as an example.

Mylinda was telling my sister and I she chose to be friends with us, and wanted to have dinner with us, because we were "true, honest, good-natured fans". She said she knew we had good intentions, and performers know who exactly is a "fake" fan, and who is really a fan because they admire the performer very much.

I'm sorry, but that sounds completely patronizing and phony on the actresses part. I'll say what I've always said...some of these actors pick out people that they know adore them and feed them information. Information that then gets filtered out to the public, i.e. Laure Benanti's "open letter."

(Man, I KNOW I'm going to regret that statement.)






Updated On: 8/28/06 at 08:39 PM

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:47pm

Moxie, I understand where you are coming from.

However, this is an isolated situation and although I'm sure more situations like this have occurred, I really don't think it happens often.

Also, Lauren very well may have called this person to see what size T-shirt she wanted. But, since we (I assume you don't) don't know the entire story and details, Lauren may have known this person or something like that. She did have her number, after all.

Of course, this may not be true but I'm just playing the devil's advocate

Updated On: 8/28/06 at 08:47 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:48pm

I think there's a lot of mutual push and pull, and that both the actors and the fans are to blame when things get uncomfortable or go to far. I can think of a lot of examples where I feel like people need to be told that you simply cannot have it both ways, and you need to decide how you want to handle things -- and if you want to be in control and feel comfortable, then you need to stick to that decision. I think there are a lot of instances where the actors encourage or allow things that they later turn around and realize are not okay; but they've been encouraging it, and are at that point sort of screwed, because then they have to turn around and start to correct their mistakes. People are going to take signals given, and actors have to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions just as much as the fans do. In the ongoing discussion about this stuff, there's always so much focus on how insane fans are, and how out of line some fans' actions are, but if there are actors who are accepting extravagant gifts, taking advantage of fans, or encouraging a too-high level of familiarity, and things blow up in their faces, it goes both ways.

Updated On: 8/28/06 at 08:48 PM

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:53pm

"First of all, no offense meant, but the fact is I don't know who Mylinda Hull is, so I don't think she has mobs of fans at the stage door. I could be wrong.

Secondly, what would be the point of being a fake fan? Why would someone fake that? "

Well, Mylinda was in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS as Jolene, SWEET CHARITY, and originated Anytime Annie in 42ND STREET. But yes, I guess she doesnt have a huge load of fans, but I think she is pretty respected in the Broadway community.
And I am not all that sure what she meant by "fake" fan, but I think she basically meant that "fake" fans are the ones just in it for the autographs, and people who hound a certain person just...for some reason
I don't know
I know it didn't really make sense what I posted, so please forgive me, everyone

Just continue posting!

[MOXIEINTHECITY]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:58pm

I think there are a lot of instances where the actors encourage or allow things that they later turn around and realize are not okay; but they've been encouraging it, and are at that point sort of screwed, because then they have to turn around and start to correct their mistakes.

Exactly. I think they get caught up in it all. My friend had mostly done TV and that was his first Broadway experience. He wasn't used to being so accessible to the people seeing him perform. He totally got caught up in it, then regretted it.


Also, Lauren very well may have called this person to see what size T-shirt she wanted. But, since we (I assume you don't) don't know the entire story and details, Lauren may have known this person or something like that. She did have her number, after all.

She had her number because the fan had ordered a t-shirt from her. They weren't "friend" friends, at least it didn't sound that way in the young woman's post.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:59pm

Perhaps the younger, "newer" Broadway performers should have an older, "seasoned" mentor to teach them how to distinguish between being cordial and crossing a line, or encouraging the fans to cross a line.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 9:03pm

"Also, Lauren very well may have called this person to see what size T-shirt she wanted. But, since we (I assume you don't) don't know the entire story and details, Lauren may have known this person or something like that. She did have her number, after all.

She had her number because the fan had ordered a t-shirt from her. They weren't "friend" friends, at least it didn't sound that way in the young woman's post.

I'm not saying that this didn't happen or the young woman's post was wrong but you must take it with a grain of salt. She wrote it and it may be skewed (to be in her favor, maybe.)

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 9:11pm

A few summers ago, I was in London while THE FULL MONTY was playing there. Many of the Americans in the cast had already left when I got there, but the few who remained knew me from New York. After the show we went out for a bite to eat and after "a pint or two" they began talking freely about some of the "repeat offenders" from New York. Some of these fans had even made it across the Atlantic to see the show a few times. Some of the fans were spoken of with high regard. Others were laughed about because of the idiotic things they'd done to get the attention of the performers.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 9:12pm

Dolly, was that last nights dream or the night before?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 9:17pm

It was three or four years ago. The funny thing is that we were having such a good time together that we lost track of the time and there was a Metro strike at midnight. To get back to my hotel, I shared a taxi with someone in the cast who I really had a crush on. As we both had a little too much to drink, we both had a good time in the backseat of that cab!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 9:17pm

I don't think it's so much acting in these ways in order to gain attention and adoration as much as it's two other things: I think the people whose careers are just now on the rise, who are really gaining large followings are like "OOH FANS!!" and are just so happy to have any following at all that they lose their common sense, sometimes. And I think it's also that when you're gaining your footing in that kind of status, you're not sure how you want to handle it, at first. I think a lot of younger actors, or actors newer to growing fanbases tend to do a lot of that pushing and pulling because they don't really know how they want to handle it, or how close they want to let their fans get to them. It's a process of trial and error, I guess, but it's a really messy one, especially when you mix in a vast range of fans who often misinterpret things.

Updated On: 8/28/06 at 09:17 PM

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 9:21pm

Does anyone ever feel too old to do the stage door?
I'm only 19 but I feel much more hesitant to ask for autographs and pictures than I did when I was a little 13 year old Renthead. I don't do it anymore but sometimes wish I still had the guts to. I suppose my father guilted me out of it, the man refuses to be star struck or impressed by any one. Meh.

[MOXIEINTHECITY]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 9:26pm

I blame MySpace. Seriously.

Some actors utilize that site well, some don't. I sent Daniel Reichard a friend request last week, plus a note sayijng "Met you at Rockers on Broadway, you were cool, nice ruphy joke." He accepted my request, but didn't respond. Which is totally okay in my book. I didn't expect one. He communicates, for the most part, through his blog.

When they engage in e-mail exchanges and "hang" after shows, they're encouraging a level of familiarity that, in the end, they may not like.

[JACXR71]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 9:27pm

I like the path this thread has taken. After quickly establishing that yes indeed, fans are talked about by Broadway performers, the discussion has since shifted towards the extremely unique situation in which Broadway performers find themselves nowadays.

To all of you who have responded to this thread (and others like it) with remarks like “do Broadway performers also go to the bathroom?,” or “do you follow your garbage man after he collects your trash?,” surely now you can understand why questions like these (not your exaggerated remarks, the original questions in the thread) are being asked regarding Broadway performers. What they do affects their personal lives in a way completely different from the overwhelming majority of other “customer service” professions. For that reason, it makes it extremely interesting to analyze seemingly “normal” concepts as they apply to Broadway performers. Based on this thread and other similar ones, it’s clear I’m not alone in feeling this way. Maybe the original posters (not directed at you, SweetQ) didn’t intend for the discussions to get so philosophical – maybe they really do have a hard time grasping the fact that Broadway performers ride the subway, or eat at restaurants – but the very fact that they have this hard time validates the depth of the discussion surrounding the normality of these performers’ lives.

Updated On: 8/28/06 at 09:27 PM