Broadway Actors Who Avoid Fans — Page 2

This is always an interesting conversation.

There are always people who say that the actor's job is finished the minute the curtain falls. And technically they are correct.

But let me draw an analogy to real work.

In my job, I have had times where my manager comes up to me and gives me a task to do. Now I am thinking, I won't be able to finish this task and get out on time. In additon, I am salaried, so all overtime is unpaid.

Now, I can say my job ends after 8 hours. But what do I do? I weight my manager's expectations and my I hope for a decent raise at review time. So I stay late.

In every job there are unpleasant things one has to endure. In show business, that may be going out the door and signing autographs. But doing the fan-greet generates goodwill. Yes, what you do on stage should not have anything to do with whether you go out the stage door and is pleasant to fans. But the reality is that it does. Every job has gray areas.

The actors aren't upset that you want to congratulate them...they just have to run. If you do succeed in stopping them (in a kind fashion, they'll usually sign for you but say they're in a rush and apologize).

As logn as you're not obsessively fanish beyond the stage door, there's really no reason that they should be upset with you for saying you like their work. I think they don't like it, though, when people run up to them at the Records store:

"OMG! ARE YOU [INSERT NAME]?!!!! OMFG! YOU ARE! I LOVE YOU! YOU'RE LIKE WOAH! WOULD YOU SIGN THIS PLEEEEEEEEEASE?!!!!! YOU'RE SO AWESOME, I LOOOOOOOOVE YOU! DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN I MET YOU AT THE STAGE DOOR TWO YEARS AGO?!!!!"

They definately don't like stuff like that (if they did, I'd be a little shocked). A simple "Oh, hello, are you [insert name]? It's such an honor to meet you. I am a huge fan of your work, thank you very much for being so inspiring." This sort of thing is fine.

Just don't make them feel uncomfortable and they'll be happy to speak with you.

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nathan lane

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Thanks! I'm here all week.

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I've been pretty fortunate when I decide to stage door. The only one who I seem to have bad luck with is Idina Menzel. When I saw Wicked she didn't come out but Taye did (he was visiting her) and also when I saw See What I Wanna See she was the only one of the cast who did not come out and sign playbills or take pictures.

When I saw Glenglary Glenross Alan Alda bolted out the stage door and right into his town car without signing any playbills

On the flip side, both times I saw Jersey Boys the entire cast was awesome. At the end of May, even in the craziness of the Tony buzz, I got pictures with all of the guys and playbills and even got to chat with Christian and JLY for a bit. They are so incredibly personable and gracious.

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lee did in coral gables with lil shop

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It gives you a chance to meet your fav actors!!!

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IMO, it's part of the theatrical experience. If I am particularly moved by a performance I always like to speak with the actors and tell them how they truly touched me.

Foe example, I saw Sweeney Todd again and when I spoke with Mark Jacoby, I told him how much I adored the new layers he brought in, and he appreciated it. That's the reason I do it: for the completion of a night in the theatre.

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As much as I've heard about how accomodating and friendly the Sweeney cast is, I still can't bring myself to stage door. Not because I think it's beneath me but because I wouldn't necessarily call myself a "fan." Maybe it's from living in NYC for so long but I just feel weird doing it.

I agree with whoever said that this is always an interesting topic. Personally I see both sides . . . I guess technically the actors job is finished when the curtain goes down and if they choose not to meet fans, so be it. That said, those fans are the ones who are essentially paying their salary and if they want to further their careers, those fans are the ones who are going to support them by seeing their next show or movie. Unless they have somewhere else to be, does it really hurt them to come out and shake some hands, sign some autographs and pose for some pictures? How much time does it really take out of their lives? And how bad can it be to hear how great you were?

The only time I get irritated by an actor is when they come out a stage door and then proceed to dash off . . . aren't there other doors for them to go out (in the cases where there aren't then totally understandable!) where they don't have to brush past fans? Or, if they have to go out the stage door and are in a rush, would it kill them to say, "I really appreciate that you all waited for me and I'm so sorry but . . ." My sister and I were at a show where an actress (well known) came out, signed like one autograph, then said, "I can't! I have to go," and basically plowed through anyone in her way. Yes, there was an event after, but several of the other actors were still there so there wasn't that much of a rush! If you don't want to meet fans, just go out a different door (as a few others did that night).

Ok, that got longer than I meant it to, sorry! I'm done! :)

*And it's late so sorry for any spelling errors!

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Cool April Saul! Thanks! :)

Now see, Liz, we keep telling Hefillsit, "Watch the left eyebrow, man! People are gonna catch on!"

To Carolyn W: Your Vegas interview with Greg is indeed still linked from the links page of Greg's site. As I recall, it was a telephone interview, was it not? To respond to your comment: "I am sure Greg Jbara will love having this posted about him. I met and interviewed Greg when he did CHICAGO in Las Vegas. Seemed o.k. to me." ... I actually let Greg know what I'd posted in this thread earlier; he loved it, thought it was hilarious. (His word.) One thing you should know about Greg is that he has an awesome sense of humor, including about himself. :)


EDIT: Carolyn, seems the link we have listed on the site is a broken one. Email me at webmaster@gregoryjbara.com with the correct link to your interview with Greg, and I'll update it. Thanks!

Updated On: 7/3/06 at 02:05 AM

I've never been to Broadway, much less a stage door. So I've never seen what the crush is like. I have been in shows where there are tons of people crowding you in the lobby, and it wasn't the most comfortable thing even though I did truly appreciate every word of the praise I got. So I can understand if some actors just prefer not to deal with that all the time. I'm sure it gets overwhelming sometimes.