Best with Fans — Page 2

Antonio Banderas was an absolute doll with the fans. He signed, chatted, took photos. Then as he was being ushered to his car, a woman tossed her playbill from behind his car, and he signed it. It seemed he felt bad leaving even as he was being ushered away.

Raul Esparza is always great. Brian Stokes Mitchell was very nice--he wouldn't speak (was saving his voice), but he listened, smiled, signed. Cast of Hairspray--great, especially Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kerry Butler, and Matthew Morrison. Cast of Mamma Mia--wonderful. Peter Gallagher was very friendly. Cast of Avenue Q-great. Douglas Sills was very nice--and chatty.

Kate Burton has always been amazing when I've met her. When I met her after The Elephant Man she actually took like a good amount of time to stop and talk (I kind of was waiting closer to the stage door than everyone else who was waiting for her so it was just me and her)
Sutton is also one of the best for sure and Hunter has been nice every time I've seen him too. And I have to agree about the cast of Little Shop, every one of them stopped to sign at the stage door. Matthew Broderick has always been very sweet.
If you can catch her, Susan Stroman is also really great. At stage doors she does stop to sign. i was lucky enough to meet her after she did an interview type thing///I think it was for Musical Theater Works. After the interview, she kindof walked away and went into a back room. A bunch of people went over to the door but were told that she wouldn't be signing so everyone left. I only stayed because I was looking for my keys in my purse and all of a sudden the guy standing by the door came out and said "Did you want to get something signed?" so I said yes and he brough me back to where Ms. Stroman was and she was very very nice and signed her biography (the audience was given a paper with it as they came in). She personalized it and talked for a min or two before she had to leave. So I took the bio she signed, found a really great picture of her and had it framed so now it's hanging in my apartment. It's probaly one of my favorite b'way item since I admire her so much (as you can see from my member graphic)

(added later): I also have to agree about Caroline Rhea. I met her at a benefit (Short Talks On the Univerise) and she was really sweet and took time to talk. As we were talking, I called her Ms Rhea, just out of rexpect and she said something like "Oh please, call me Caroline!"

---

Updated On: 10/13/03 at 12:29 PM

Oh, I forgot to mention Linda Eder!!! She's the absolute best. Coleen Sexton was great too! So was Christianne Noll.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

---

Is there anyone to avoid? I haven't encountered any "leave me alone" type actors. The only person who ignored her fans was Melanie Griffith, and that was because she was too busy posing and carrying over at her husband's stage door.

Forgot to add Jayne Atkinson to the list. She was really quite nice, and it was a shame EA closed because Atkinson did such a great job in the role.

Honestly, Melanie is the only person I've seen not sign autographs. Though, if you were there on a Sunday night, she was kinda forced to stay because she couldn't retreat to the Eugine O'Neill and get into Antonio's car since Nine was dark. For the size of the crowd, I know she didn't even sign for a portion of them.

Kevin Richardson was very gracious with all his fans and stayed till every last person had the pictures and autographs they wanted.

---

Howard McGillin!

---

Sutton Foster was sooo incredibly sweet. Stevo wanted a picture with her and my digital camera wasn't working. She waited and talked with us about our trip while i searched for the batteries and changed them. She waited for almost ten minutes just b.c she knew how bad he wanted the picture. i just love her.

Jeff Mc Carthy was sweet to. He is just so hot and sexy. I was glad to learn he is nice too.

When a star doesn't want to sign autographs, I think it's great when they are up-front and nice about it rather than sneaking out or ducking past the crowd.

After "Nine", Mary Stuart Masterson came out to the sound of applause. She did not stop to sign, but looked around the crowd, waved and smiled. I thought that was very nice, to at least acknowledge the crowd, even if she couldn't stop to interact with the fans--sometimes they just don't have time, or are not comfortable with the crowds.

After "Play What I wrote", Alan Alda came out and told my son, "I don't sign autographs, but can I shake your hand?" Of course, he did, smiled and thanked us before getting in his car.
Sometimes a friendly moment is nicer than a signature on a piece of paper.

Chita Rivera was always well worth the wait at Nine. Has anyone had an experience with Eartha Kitt yet?

I kind of disagree with cabarethed saying Marc kudisch i have only met him once, and he took a picture and everything, but kind of was cold and didnt respond when i said I loved the show, etc. I am not about to say he was mean AT ALL cause he totally wasn't just disappointed cause im a big fan!! I also felt the same way with Matt Morrison....I forgot to say Chester Gregory III is GREAT! lol, my friend was well...uhhh...not camera friendly and didnt know if she was taking pictures and took like 6 pictures, and he was SOOO nice about it!! I havent met anyone that was "mean" because I havent met anyone that wouldnt talk to fans, and that alone makes them not mean cause they dont HAVE to

Why would anyone want Mary Louise Parker's autograph? Just kidding. I just can't stand that woman. I'm very upset she's playing Harper in the ANGELS IN AMERICA miniseries.

As for Mary Stuart Masterson, she didn't stop to sign autographs or talk to any of the fans the night I passed by to go into the Mayfair. She came out, waved, and then got in her car. Chita Rivera, Jane K, and Antonio Banderas all stayed to meet the fans. Rebecca Luker might have stopped as well, but I didn't know what she looked at the time. I didn't meet her until the BC flea market, and she was extremely nice then. She signed three items for the man in front of me even though the guy with the microphone told the fans they could only have two items signed.

As far as Mary Stuart Masterson goes, maybe on certain days she is just in an extra hurry or very tired. Who knows? But at least she walked through the crowd and acknowledged us, which I found to be a lovely thing to do. That same afternoon, Jane Krakowski never came out the stage door. Someone said she had gone out the other entrance. Again, if she was in a hurry, fine, but a wave and a smile would have given the crowd a thrill I think. Waited long for Chita Rivera, but yes, she was very nice to everyone.