Dirty Rotten Egos and All Shook Up- Page 2

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:12pm

It's a hard call. I'm sure they wanted some fresh air. After all they are shut away most of their lives in the theatre. We forget that when we go to the theatre we are there for magic, a good time. They on the other hand are doing strenuous work. I try to always look at both sides of the situation.

That being said, I'll never forget Kristin Chenoweth for giving me fifteen minutes of undivided attention after the 4th of July matinee last summer. Can you imagine? She must have wanted to get the heck out of there and get the most of her brief time off. I guess Ms. Chenoweth displayed the attributes of a true star.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:12pm

Still, It would have really made a fan's day. Sometimes a star doesn't realize that.

As much as I love when the actors do amazing things for their fans, and are totally accomodating, and as lucky as I am to have had nothing but experiences that make some of my most cherished memories, and as much as I wish they were all so great - it's not their job. Their job is what they do on stage. We need to realize that, and be accepting of it.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:15pm

And Glebb, most of us are shut up all day, when the actors are mostly free to be outside, in our offices or classrooms. And the "strenuous work" is work they chose because they love it. How many people actually are lucky enough to love their work? I'm sorry, I get tired of the "poor Broadway actor" argument.

[amourdujour]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:21pm

luvtheEmcee, isnt their job, in essence to entertain? To make people happy through art? Sure, they were taking a break, but I'm just saying common courtesy would be to turn, smile, and get on with your lives. Then again, if I was the actor, I probably wouldnt! Knowing me, I'd be like "Kid, can't you see I'm eating? I've been working nonstop and I just want a bit to eat!"

[Becky]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:23pm

I completely understand why they may have decided it was time to go back in. The minute you go up and talk to them, it's more than likely going to draw attention to them (especially if you ask for an autograph and/or photo.) They aren't going to have the time to stand around talking to people - especially that close to call time - so they decided it was time to head on in. For all we know, they could have been wrapping up outside and heading in anyway - not necessarily because of anyone approaching them.

I know it doesn't ease your disappointment, but I've met both several times and they couldn't be more sincere and gracious.

Many performers have said it time and time again....before a show is not the best time to approach them.

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:24pm

And they are shut away nights and weekends, when most people are going out to brunch, lunch, dinner, jaunts in the park or to a movie or even a play/musical.
Yes, they get to do what they love to do but that does not make it any easier.
I find that people who are not there do not understand. I'm not trying to be judgmental or snooty with that comment. I'm trying to look at both sides. My friends constantly tell me that they would trade with me in a second, to be in a creative atmosphere all the time instead of a desk or something like that. But work is work. No matter the profession.

[amourdujour]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:26pm

Oh man! Such controversy!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:28pm

There is a difference - having now been in both positions, currently working in my first professional performing job after 20+ years of office work, it is a billion times better to be doing what you love and using your own gifts. I'd much rather work nights and weekends doing this than 9 hour days five days a week doing what I don't like.

And I guess my friend is a rarity - thrilled and grateful that she's been able to make a living doing what she loves for over 25 years. I'm surprised more people don't feel that way, when there are so many others in this country alone who have to work at jobs they hate. It actually boggles my mind.

[amourdujour]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:29pm

What are you currently doing fpr professional theater Rathnait62?

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:30pm

No matter if you love what you're doing or not, acting is still work. I don't know how many people would be so gracious to deal with an "overtime" issue before the workday has even started.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:32pm

amour, you'll laugh, but it's an industrial film for Hadassah - a parody of FIDDLER for their Annual Meeting. I'm Yenta the Fundraiser! I can't believe I'm getting paid for it. Just can't believe it. I'm having the time of my life. To be paid to sing is just the most glorious thing ever.

And Ga, at my office jobs, I often had to (or sometimes chose to) eat lunch at my desk. And in that situation, I would often have people coming to me to ask for things while I was eating and supposedly on break. However, I had to be gracious and accomodating as I chose to spend that time at my desk, which made me seem available. Not very different from this situation we're discussing.

Updated On: 5/15/05 at 06:32 PM

[broadway86]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:35pm

Scott has always been rather friendly. However, I've met Butz several times, and he has always come off as arrogant. I would say that it is just me, but I know others who say the same thing.

[amourdujour]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:38pm

Well Rathnait, it does sound like fun! I hope when I'm older I'll get paid to sing, too, no matter how silly it is. It;s what I love! For now, I'm doing community theater.

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:42pm

I hardly ever want to meet the stars.

I'm lucky that the two I wanted to meet, Kristin Chenoweth and B. D. Wong, were nice to me.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:44pm

Rath, I eat at my desk all the time, and do work while I'm there. But I don't *have* to.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:44pm

Glebb, I'm definitely not the stage door-ing type, but the good part about my friend being in the theater is that I always get to go backstage with her after every show we see. I get to meet everyone that way, and they're always pleasant in that situation. Lucky me! I guess it's worth the rest of it.

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:48pm

That's cool Rath.
Somehow I always get to meet the ones I want. :)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:55pm

And, Glebb, what more could you ask? That's great.

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:55pm

I am another person who doesn't buy the "poor Broadway actor" argument, that is, if they have work. I would give up any job to be able to work in professional theatre when I'm older, no matter what hours I would have to work. I'm sure most of the performers could easily drop out of the profession and get office jobs.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 6:59pm

Generally, I usually stand in the middle of this dispute. There are times that fans are incredibly annoying and there are times that stars are absolute bastards. It depends on the case. I do believe that when you choose the job, being nice to your fans is not part of the job, but it is a responsibility. And on this case, I don't buy the "oh, I am in a hurry because the show is starting and I am anxious " attitude. If you are anxious, honey, what are you doing on the street ? You have a place all of your own to relax before the show and it is called a dressing room !
Updated On: 5/15/05 at 06:59 PM

[broadway betty]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 7:30pm

broadway86-I've also met Norbert several times and he has NEVER come off as anything other than gracious. When he exits the stage door, he has this expression like "you guys are waiting for ME?"

[itstheM]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 7:38pm

Greek-exactly. and it wasn't like we were waiting for them, we just happened to be in the same place at the same time. Like I tried to say before, but maybe it didn't read well, I wasn't mad at them for not taking a picture I was upset at the attitude they gave us, we didn't do anything to be brushed off like that.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 7:54pm

I was walking down 8th avenue yesterday and was THISCLOSE to Hank Azaria, waiting for a light to change. I ignored him (sort of) so he wouldn't think i was a pesky fan, but i SO wanted to say something.

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 7:56pm

Maybe the fact there were 11 of you was part of the problem. They may have been more willing to be accomodating had it been only a couple of people, but with such a large group converging on them, they might have feared they'd get tied up a lot longer than they could afford to be - especially if other people noticed the crowd and joined in. That isn't to say they couldn't have been nicer about fleeing, but I can see why they might have wanted to make a quick exit.

[broadway86]

Posted: 5/15/05 at 8:02pm

betty-

I have never seen that kind of attitude from him. One example: I was talking to the stage manager from "Wicked" one afternoon, and Butz enters. The guy says hello to him, and Norbert scoffs and rolls his eyes. I had no idea what that was about.