Broadway Actors Who Avoid Fans- Page 3

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 9:32am

BohoBoy, the example given is excellent analogy.
Tipping and signing autographs are both *technically* voluntary actions. Just as if you don't tip, the waiter will grumble, so will the fan if the actor don't want to give autographs.

And, I happen to agree that when someone deliberately goes out another entrance, it is appropriate to characterize it as avoiding. That is a fact. The actor knows there will be a crowd at the stage door, so he/she avoids it by going out a different entrance. Just like you or I avoiding the talkative neighbor. Only people who are defensive about it, are up in arms about calling it what it is.

As I wrote before, every job has its grey areas. Signing autographs and being pleasant at the stage door is one of them.
The real world is like that.
Updated On: 7/3/06 at 09:32 AM

[icantbelive]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 9:52am

She is an incredible actress and I guess she was in a rush to go somewhere that night. But Michele Federer avoided the crowd

[coolphantom919]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 10:37am

When I saw WICKED in CHICAGO i stood by the stage door to get autographs. Everybody came out except Ana Gesteyer! SHE PLAYED ELPHABA!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 10:45am

No one thinks it's awful for people to ask movie stars for autographs. And usually people aren't even getting them just after work, where it would be more appropriate. While I do know that many people take it overboard, it is part of the price they pay for being somewhat in the public eye.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 10:52am

As in any profession (accountant, social worker, Broadway actor) there is a certain degree of self care involved. Just like an accountact may have to say no to overtime and disappoint a boss in order to take care of him/herself and tend to their own needs, so would a Broadway actor. Broadway stars are real people with real feelings and have ups/downs and good days/bad days.

I look at it this way. Imagine if everytime you left work (regardless of how good or sh*#ty a day it was) when you walked out of the door, there was a group of people there wanting to talk to you, ask questions, share their lives and your impact on them, take photos and have you sign things. I imagine there are days where you have to sneak out another way or wait it out. It is daunting. The thought gives me some panic thinking about it.

Granted it is also a tremendous ego boost if you like that sort of thing. However, personalities differ and some may like it and others not. It really isn't ours to judge motivations or condemn.

I love to do stage doors and enjoy it so long as the actors are being treated nicely. Any unpleasantness I've witnessed is from stalker fans with poor boundaries who try to "hog" the actor or ask for lots of accomodations. I give the actors credit. Some of the fans make me uncomfortable. Some of them are downright sad characters and I could see how an actor could not be in the mood. I don't believe they are avoiding anyone, they are taking care of themselves. As Sandra B says " I can't give it all to you. I have to hold a little something back, because, after all, I am an ACTRESS, I am A PERFORMER, I am A SUPERSTAR!"

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 10:59am

So many of you have this odd sense of entitlement, as if you so identify with these performers that they must accommodate your wishes.

It is a little scary.

They are there to do a job. The come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. If they chose to stage door, consider yourself lucky. If they don't and you got to see a good show, consider yourself lucky.

Some of you remind me of Veruca Salt "Daddy, I want them to sign at the stage door."

And the tipping analogy is not an accurate one. Unless of course you are paying them more money in order for them to stay and sign. In this instance, the performer is the person serving you, and their service does not require anything but giving you the performance. If they choose to do more, well, good for them, but if they choose not, well, that is fine.

These are people, not robots, who have the same fears, phobias, over-scheduled lives as the rest of us. Give them a bit of a break.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 11:02am

AMEN, YOU WANTITWHEN!!! I second that!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 11:18am

"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."

I'm replying to Musicalsfan's posting (see above). First of all, I would hope that actors at the stage door don't feel it's an unpleasant task to greet fans. I feel that every Broadway actor has a choice as to how much time - if any - they want to spend greeting fans after a performance. Unless they are a movie star, however, they probably don't pay for a PR firm to handle their image, and image IS very important. It's not helpful to a career if the public (even the relatively small Broadway public) is grumbling about your attitude, and it is very helpful to a career if you're known as pleasant and sometimes go above & beyond the call of duty. I'm told that MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3's box office wasn't as impressive as expected. That is not because of the script. That is because Tom Cruise is so out of control that even 5 PR firms can't help his image at this point. Even his female fan base is perplexed by him. I agree completely with those of you who point out that actors have places to go and people to see, and they don't always have the time to stop. But it's true of ANY job that the way you handle things can go a long way. If you go out the stage door and you're really in a hurry to go somewhere, it will go a long way to just stop for a mere 15 seconds and say to everyone collectively that you're so sorry that you can't stop and talk/sign today, but you have an important appointment, and thanks so much for liking the show. Then put a big smile on your face and depart.

On another note, I was performing in one of my first off-off-off-off-off non-union Broadway plays a few years ago, and I was thrilled. I went to dinner with friends after one performance in a nearby restaurant, and a friend of another actor in the show approached me, told me he loved my performance, and asked me for my autograph on our little poorly-printed playbill. This was my first autograph ever given. I haven't given that many since that time (because I haven't been asked). I was amused to say the least, but at the same time, I was very flattered and appreciative. I think it would be great if actors who think of greeting fans as unpleasant would think back to the first autograph they were asked for, and how flattered they were at the time.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 11:49am

"But Michele Federer avoided the crowd "

She did often, but she is such a kind woman. And like Joanna, I guess she just didn't go for the whole crowd thing.

Did she ever go on for Julia?

[tralala]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 11:59am

Every professional actor has to avoid fans to some degree, because the reality is there are people who, if given an inch will want ten miles. Not to mention the many nutjobs.

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 12:00pm

Great story, Glinda2! (About the autograph.)

I've personally never done the stage door thing at any Broadway show. I don't get to NYC that often for one thing, and it really doesn't interest me that much for another. I have gone back to the stage door at local producations, but those were cases where I knew actors in the production -- used to do some various volunteer work for a company many of them were in, so I knew them and they me. Even so, that was usually a quick hi, maybe a hug, a "you were great in the show" from me, an "it's good to see you, thanks for coming" from them ... and then everyone goes their separate ways.

At least a couple of times while at the stage door of local productions (your story helped remind me of this), I have politely asked a child actor to sign my program while waiting for those actors I know to come out. The kids loved being asked both times. I saw a local prod. of Inherit the Wind, I guess it's been a year or two ago, and when I asked the 12 year old boy who played Howard McClain if he'd mind signing the playbill (after also telling him I'd enjoyed his performance) he simply beamed and signed inside where his pic and bio were. I thanked him and his (I assume) dad said to me as they continued on their way, "You just made his day!"

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 12:04pm

Some of you actors don't get it. The gazillions fans at the stage door is a gray area of your job. The gazillions of fans at the door isn't part of my job but there are other things that ARE and I deal with those.

Some of the actors who have responded make yourself out to sound like your job is somehow more important and more tedious and more difficult and more nerve-wrecking than the "regular" folks. It isn't. Let's be more considerate of us, blah blah blah. Woe is me mentality. Rather pitiful.

[leefowler]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 12:18pm

I worked on "The Producers", so here's a story about something that happened with Matthew Broderick.

We were in previews in Chicago, and there was a big group of us at a table in a restaurant. Someone asked Matthew for an autograph, and he graciously gave it (Matthew is REALLY nice). The same lady came back in a few minutes, and asked him to do it a second time, only this time, to sign it "Ferris Bueller". Matthew declined politely, saying that he doesn't do that. The lady got upset, and said, "but it's for my dad. He's 81". Matthew said he was really sorry, but he couldn't do it. This lady turned to me, and said, "is he kidding???" Eventually she left, angrily.
Matthew was upset the whole night, wondering if he should have just signed the damn thing, feeling like he just disapointed a dying man.

I'm not famous, but I occasionally am in the company of famous people, and the way they're often treated by strangers is astonishing. Not to mention the people who wait at stage doors armed with 30 posters and programs, that they intend to sell on E-bay. It frankly makes me wonder why anyone would ever want to be famous.

And one last question: What in the world do people do with autographs, anyway?

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 12:21pm

"What in the world do people do with autographs, anyway?"

GOOD QUESTION. I'll never get it. I'd bet most people just throw them into piles with their other meaningless autographs. I suppose some fangirls might sit and stroke Idina Menzel's signature saying "OMG she TOUCHED RIGHT HERE!" And then I guess there are some people who just get signatures to sell them. Other than that, you got me.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 12:38pm

I get autographs for the sole purpose of remembering that night. It's a way of making it official. It becomes more of a memorabilia. But I will never sell them...ever. It's just a great way of knowing that I met them.

Every show that I am in, I exit through the stage door. I don't stop and wait for people to run up to me. I go through the door and immediately start making my way to my destination. But if someone wants to speak with me, I will. It doesn't bother me at all if they recognize me and ask for my signature or a picture. I'm glad to speak with audience members and share the performance, because we're performing for them, so their opinions matter the most to me whenever I'm in a show.

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 12:43pm

leefowler, for what my opinion is worth, I think Broderick handled that situation perfectly, as best he could under the circumstances.
If he doesn't sign "Ferris Bueller" (and why on earth should he, after all? He may as well sign "Santa Claus" or "Mickey Mouse" lol), then that's that; he has the right to say no to anyone and everyone when it comes to silly requests like that. Chances are he wasn't disappointing some 81 year old man at all ... chances are that woman was just saying that because *she* wanted a "Ferris" autograph. Matthew sounds really sweet ... sorry to hear it upset him, he should have just shrugged it off.

I know of actors who are known especially for some certain role who do sign their character names along with their own, but that is their choice. My (late) dad met Ken Curtis years and years ago and got his autograph on a piece of paper. Curtis signed his name and added "Festus" underneath.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 12:56pm

"Some of you actors don't get it. The gazillions fans at the stage door is a gray area of your job. The gazillions of fans at the door isn't part of my job but there are other things that ARE and I deal with those.

Some of the actors who have responded make yourself out to sound like your job is somehow more important and more tedious and more difficult and more nerve-wrecking than the "regular" folks. It isn't. Let's be more considerate of us, blah blah blah. Woe is me mentality. Rather pitiful."

First, I am not an actor.

Second, if the management puts in in their contract that they must do the stage door x times a week, then it is part of their job.

Otherwise, it is something that stars can do, and perhaps many do because they like the attention, and they believe that it is beneficial to their current position and will perhaps create popularity for their next job. But, it is not required.

And, why does merely loving to sing and dance (and apparently doing it well) automatically mean that you lose your right to privacy, and the right to say no to fans who may want a piece of you? Many who are "stars" are actually shy in public, and from what I have read, the crowds especially make them uncomfortable. Would you prefer that someone have a panic attack because they "have to" sign? I want people do to what makes them comfortable.

I think it is wonderful when people sign. But, it is their choice. Not their obligation. And, BTW - if their job was not so important or different, then why would you be seeking the autograph?

[MOXIEINTHECITY]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 1:26pm

Second, if the management puts in in their contract that they must do the stage door x times a week, then it is part of their job.

I often wondered if some actors were required to stage door. Makes me wonder if the Sweeney Cast is one of them. From what it sound slike on here, that stage door is like happy hour with out the cocktails. Maybe they have to do it as part of promotion for the show? It's actually an ingenious way to get people to buy tickets.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 1:35pm

I'm a bit guilty as charged -- not much anymore, but in the past -- in terms of just having a pile of stuff that lives in a box... mostly because I haven't figured out a good way to display my Playbills as of yet. I have signed posters that are hung, but that's the obvious use of a poster. I am starting, though, to feel like... what's the point of an autograph? If you really think about it, it's a weird concept.

It amazes me how many times people are willing to have the exact same discussion about rights and entitlement, and if an actor *should* be required to sign and pose for pictures, or if it's part of the job or not. I mean, can you all not realize and accept that you are just not ever going to agree on this? It's a waste of everyone's time to keep re-hashing the same things every other week. You might as well just copy and paste your posts from the last time there was a thread like this.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 1:42pm

I am reminded of something Cyndi Lauper told me after 3penny Opera. After my saying how she deserved a Tony nomination, she responded with "I've got time....besides, I don't do it for that. I do it for you guys."

I recently read a story here on BWW about Ali MacGraw giving a pregnant woman her phone number, in case she went into labor in the city (she was a tourist alone, apparently).

If someone like Cyndi Lauper or Ali MacGraw can sign autographs & have actual conversations with every person in the crowd (without seeming annoyed), certainly others can do it to. Hell, even Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington did it.

Is it in their contract to sign autographs? No.

Should they? 100% Yes, in certain situations. Actors aren't made by the parts they play. They're made by the fans they gain. If an actor walks around like they rule the roost, thinking they're better than everyone else, who would want to be a fan?

Updated On: 7/3/06 at 01:42 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 1:46pm

Someone once posted a thread asking when this "stage dooring" phenomenon came about, and I thought that was kind of interesting. It hasn't always been, has it? (At least as far as Broadway -- I know people have pretty much always been out for movie star autographs.) That just brings me to question what you're saying, Yankeefan, in terms of these people being made by the fans they gain. I don't agree with that, entirely. Yes, their fan bases are a big part of their successes, but I don't agree with the fact that the autograph signing makes the triumph. If it weren't an option, and they were still *good*, they'd gain fans regardless. They still *do* gain fans regardless. I think you put way too much weight on off-stage interaction with that assessment.

This is a totally different question from whether it's the actor's obligation and the fan's entitlement, but since when did it stop being about the performance? If people are only getting fans by virtue of how friendly they are and how many pictures they pose for -- if that's what people want and what they have to give -- there's something pretty wrong with that picture.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 1:53pm

"Should they? 100% Yes. Actors aren't made by the parts they play. They're made by the fans they gain. If an actor walks around like they rule the roost, thinking they're better than everyone else, who would want to be a fan?"

In my opinion, that is an absurd statement.

By this argument, a talentless hack could be a superstar simply because he/she accomodates fans' request.

And, how is not agreeing to sign "walk[ing] around like they rule the roost, thinking they're better than anyone else." Your sense of entitlement and your perceived right to the personal time and attention of those you admire is a bit scary, at least to me.

ETA - Typos, damn typos.
Updated On: 7/3/06 at 01:53 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 1:55pm

I don't mean autograph signing, entirely, per se. Emcee, would you be such a big fan of Raul or Adam if you told them "Hey, you were great!" and they responded by rolling their eyes at you, saying something sarcastic, and walking away? They're both very talented on stage, but wouldn't their reaction play some part in how you think of them?

Further, Emcee, I agree with you highly on that last part. I recall standing outside 3 Days of Rain and hearing more than one person say "gee, this really sucks! Julia's not in it enough. Did you know what it was about when you bought the tickets?" As we all know, the bulk of the audience did by tickets for Julia. That does seem pretty wrong. It's an excellent play that was taken for granted. There is an element of "wow, it's Julia Roberts." It isn't for the artistic merit, and it's sad.
Updated On: 7/3/06 at 01:55 PM

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 1:56pm

Seriously, Yankeefan? Since when did talent fall out of the equation? Of course it's great when an actor has support from fans, but they wouldn't be an actor in the first place if there wasn't talent to back it up.

[rentmovie1205]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 1:57pm

I went to see Rent when Jai Rodriguez was in it and he only talked to thin people. It was my turn cause I waited patiently, wasn't screaming or crying over him and then he just runs off. I was just like whatever. I almost talked to him 2x and both times he ignored me.