Do you think actors are obliged to appear/sign at the stage door?- Page 2

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/18/10 at 9:31pm

I must also say that most Broadway performers are very generous at stage door, and quite a few seem to enjoy it.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 4/18/10 at 9:33pm

Y'know.... it's not as if actors don't know about stage doors and Broadway. If an actor doesn't want to interface with the public, there are all sorts of places he/she can practice their craft beyond New York. Signing autographs has been a Broadway tradition for over a century. Hell, every Ziegfeld girl seems to have met their millionaire husbands that way.

If a performer doesn't want to share face time with the public, that's their prerogative, I suppose, but to say there is no obligation to meet the fans is ridiculous.

Most actors will spend their lives dreaming of having the public line up for just a fleeting, flashbulb illuminated moment in their presence and never have it happen. Anyone who has seen a Broadway show knows stage doors are part of the deal. Those that proclaim they don't want the attention are somewhat suspect.

[hannah_bway]

Posted: 4/18/10 at 9:41pm

Those that proclaim they don't want the attention are somewhat suspect.

I would humbly disagree. Presumably actors are actors because they had a talent and a passion for the field. Yes, it's a field where there's more interacting with the public and it provides a "fan" relationship, but I don't think that every actor wants this aspect of it.

[Piper3500]

Posted: 4/18/10 at 9:41pm

of course they are not obliged to do come to the stage door. i was actually surprised when i heard that about Nathan Lane, but he has been at this for a long while.

some casts come out and actually spend time like saying "thanks for spending 200 bucks and enjoying it" some don't.

like said in this thread, they are all different. i would never be grudge anyone and it is a plus but not the reason to go to a show.

advice: go on a very very very cold night.

[winston89]

Posted: 4/18/10 at 9:49pm

allofmylife, has the thought ever popped up that actors aren't acting due to the spotlight, that they enjoy acting? Follies days are long gone and so are the mentality of the Broadway fan as well as the kinds of people that are theatre fans.

Hell, I was really shocked to see Kerry Butler sign autographs when I saw her in Xanadu. Granted, she did have a security guard with her to walk her from the stage door to the subway due to the fact that she had a stalker. Or how bout the story involving Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs getting death threat letters due to the fact that they are an interracial couple?

The point that I am trying to make is that the kinds of people that are hardcore theatr fans and that wait at the stage door have changed over the years. So, its not all glitz and glamour like you make it out to be.

[sorano916]

Posted: 4/18/10 at 9:50pm

This thread reminds me of a blog post that John Gallagher, Jr. wrote a few weeks ago.

"Hello! I’ve done it. I’ve created a blog. I can’t imagine I’ll be frequenting this site that often and when I do I’ll always link the posts on my twitter page but feel free to check back in from time to time for updates. And now a word regarding the stage door at the St. James Theater…

If you have ever come to see a play I’ve been in or attended one of my concerts before then you may have some sense of how vital it is to me that I get a chance to meet the people who have taken an interest in my work or any project that I’m lucky enough to be a part of. If you came to see American Idiot on Broadway this past week then you might have noticed that I’m not really holding up my end of the bargain this time around. I just wanted to take this opportunity to formally apologize for that and explain myself. Quite frankly American Idiot is the most challenging thing I’ve attempted as a performer to date and as much as I want to make sure I sign every playbill at the stage door it is far more important to me that I make sure I am giving the best and most reinforced performance I possibly can each show from the curtain’s rise to the curtain’s fall. Sadly, that often means going straight home after evening performances and staying in the theater to rest after matinees. This all said, whenever I have the energy and the opportunity to come out and meet all of you wonderful people, you can count on me to do so. It is my sincerest hope that everyone who has offered me their support and helped make it that much sweeter to do what I do will also offer me their understanding in this matter and know that my appreciation is forever.

With unyielding gratitude

John"
Source

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/18/10 at 10:03pm

"This poor dead horse."

I humbly suggest this one is a little different, singtopher. I'm more interested in what posters here consider "rude" when it comes to actors at the stage door. I'm not asking who's naughty or who's nice - more that if you consider them naughty, what is it specifically that you think they're doing wrong?. Take Winston's case:

"However, she was acting like someone was twisting her arm to wait and sign autographs. And, had the attitude to go with it. "

So, Winston, you consider it rude that she didn't have the proper attitude according to the perception that you had in your head - because I assume you aren't claiming to know her actual thoughts. Did she say "Here, a$$hole, here's your autograph?" or did she just sign it without pleasantries? She did sign it, yes? What more did you want?

@Jordan, if he was down there anyway, you must have done something else to piss him off. Was it excessive or improper skirt-swishing?

Blaxx, the worst I could find on the link you provided was:

"I think that one of the worse is Charolette d'Amboise. She seems so rushed and just not happy to be there."

Seeming rushed and unhappy is a "horror story"? Or is even considered rude? In any case, I thank you for your civilized response and call a truce. I'll look for your PM at your convenience.

"If an actor doesn't want to interface with the public, there are all sorts of places he/she can practice their craft beyond New York."

Where people will still look for their autographs, allofmylife. Do you suggest that someone who wants to act shouldn't pursue that career simply because they prefer not to interact with the audience once the they leave the stage?

[GatorNY]

Posted: 4/18/10 at 10:28pm

Q: Do you think actors are obliged to appear/sign at the stage door?
A: No.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/18/10 at 10:40pm

"I must also say that most Broadway performers are very generous at stage door, and quite a few seem to enjoy it."

Absolutely agree, most of them revel in it, blaxx. I know of one actor who literally spent an entire hour after the show talking to a fan, long after everyone else was gone. Most actors enjoy it most of the time, but some, quite frankly, don't enjoy it at all. I agree they are far in the minority, though everyone has their nights.

I love that letter of Gallagher's, sorano. Honest, well-written, heartfelt, and absolutely to the point. Thanks for reposting it.

eta: "If a performer doesn't want to share face time with the public, that's their prerogative, I suppose, but to say there is no obligation to meet the fans is ridiculous."

Isn't that a contradictory statement?

Updated On: 4/18/10 at 10:40 PM

[Disneywed]

Posted: 4/18/10 at 10:59pm

obliged? no.
do they occasionally have bad days and not feel like it ? sure.

BUT they don't dig ditches, empty bedpans or get shot at for a living, so a meet and greet seems like it wouldn't kill them.

I do get both sides of the topic, really. I just think it would be great if the person working the door would say, X isn't coming out, thanks folks...before it gets silly.

I know...not a popular opinion. But its mine. :)

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 12:43am

HOW MANY TIMES CAN THIS QUESTION BE ASKED ON THIS SITE?



I think any actor has the right to punch you in the throat if you bother them when they are trying to leave their place of business.

[winston89]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 1:00am

Ghostlight, Two things, one is that I think that perception is the wrong word choice here. I think that it would be proper to use that word if, for example if I was a die hard fan of her's and waited for ages to see her onstage and get her autograph after, only to discover that I had thought that she was this total sweetheart only to discover that she is something else altogether in person.

I have felt strongly about two things when it comes to waiting at the stage door. One is that the actors don't have to do it so fans should be lucky with whomever they get coming out who chooses to do it.

Secondly, if an actor chooses to do it I would assume that they are going to be nice about it since we have established in this thread that no one can force them to do it.

However, as for the case with Van Der Pol, she was signing autographs, taking pictures, but was rather rude about the whole process as if someone was forcing her. Now, I do remember hearing stories from other people around that same time on here who have had similar experiences with her when she was in Beauty.

I was trying to search to find them but no luck.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 1:00am

Amen to what DIVA said!

Updated On: 4/19/10 at 01:00 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 1:16am

But should Nick Adams be allowed back in that bar?

[B3TA07]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 1:25am

No, but we have to admit that it's widely acknowledged that there is a social stigma of skipping out on it. Whether we agree with it or not.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 2:23am

"I think any actor has the right to punch you in the throat if you bother them when they are trying to leave their place of business."

And I'd thought you'd suggest the use of a tazer, Diva.

"HOW MANY TIMES CAN THIS QUESTION BE ASKED ON THIS SITE?"

I'm sorry if you find this repetitive, Diva, but I don't think this question has been asked this way. My main curiousity is what do fans constitute as rude? Winston hasn't answered that question, but only says the actress acted like she was forced. How does that manifest? Were two guys with a gun at her back(Kiss Me Kate reference, jk). Did she not make small talk, did she not smile? Did she roll up his playbill and smack him with it? Did she actually give him an autograph? What did she do that was rude? Looking like she was being forced to sign (and btw, yes, there are other exits to the Lunt Fontaine)? Another poster thought it as rude that an actress seemed rushed and wasn't happy to be there. Some fans have gone so far as to refuse to support performers in the future because they haven't had the chance to meet them or they somehow felt slighted by the performer.

I'm curious as to what fans think they're entitled to from an actor, and if they think a performer is rude, to give a specific reason for that. Honestly, I don't think anyone has asked that. It's no big deal, but a vague curiousity of mine and I'd like to thank all those who have answered.

"No, but we have to admit that it's widely acknowledged that there is a social stigma of skipping out on it. Whether we agree with it or not."

Whether it's right or not,B3TAO7, I completely agree, and have said so in this thread

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 2:32am

I kind of agree with allofmylife in some way. It IS a time-honored tradition, so while they're not obliged, you do have to wonder why Ethel Merman could handle it but this generation of Broadway actors can't.

To be honest, I wouldn't mind half as much if their fanbases didn't come up with every excuse in the world ("They want to get home to their husband! Their kids! Their dog!") to justify it instead of admitting (to themselves and others) that the actor just doesn't want to do it.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 2:53am

As others have said, if people do come out, they should at least be civil. I've encountered some performers who didn't look too happy to be doing it, but none of them were rude.

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 6:14am

Yes, I'm sure there are some. There are definitely actors who, if only once in a while, think "I don't really want to go out there, but it'll reflect poorly on me if I don't."

[winston89]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 11:30am

orangeskittles, I feel that Broadway has changed since the days of Merman performing and everything that goes with it, including getting autographs/pictures at the stage door.

You have to realize that it is apples and oranges when talking about Merman's Broadway (so to speak) verses the Broadway of today. A lot of the people who are so keen on waiting at the stage door for autographs, are overly enthusisastic fans. We do know that they have the tendency to think that they are either BFF's with the cast members or that they are on first name bases with them or whatever. Things that weren't happening when Merman was on Broadway because during her time, Broadway was something that reserved for those who were welthy and considered a high class event. Not the case anymore. I do fee like if you change the kinds of peoeple that do go to the theate and do take an intereted in waiting at the stage door, you change how the whole thing is viewed by both other audience members and preformers alike.

And, Ghostlight to answer your question about me waiting at the stgae door when Van Der pol came out. When the guy next to me said "good job" or something of that nature to her, she responded with an attituded filled "yeah whatever" causing the guy (he was next to me) to turn to me with both of us having a confused look on our faces. Realizing that he just said good job and didn't tell her to F--k herself or anything like that.

When she got to the kids at the end of the line she brushed them off as if they didn't matter after she had taken some pictures with some of the audlts there.

Those were just a couple of exampels, I like I said, had no preceptions of her or how she was going to act. I do like to think that if an actor is going to be signing autographs that they are going to be nice during the whole precedings due to the fact that no one is forcing them to do it. I guess I was a little taken aback by Van Der Pol's attitude that showed that she would have liked to have been anywhere else but that stage door.

[angelplays]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 11:38am

Wasn't there some talk that Van Der Pol was being contractually forced to sign? Or was it claiming that she was contractually not allowed to? Seems like I remember there was some claim of a contract clause or something.

[winston89]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 12:06pm

There was talk of that. However, I don't think it was out of contract that she was signing. I think that it was due to the fact that that Disney at that time was kind of pushing their leads to sign due to the fact that they were trying to extend the child's experience at the theatre beyond just the show itself.

I have always been under the impression that anything aside from doing the show 8 times a week is extra and is not something that can be put in a contract. Not only is this refering to signing at the stgae door but things like PR spots on news shows etc. Sure, you might get paid, but at the same time you can also say no without there being any issue.

[BrianS]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 2:46pm

"Signing autographs has been a Broadway tradition for over a century. Hell, every Ziegfeld girl seems to have met their millionaire husbands that way."

Winston kind of covered it, but is this quote really true? And was it always the mob scene it is today? While I've heard that there were occasionally men waiting at the stage door with gifts (something I'm sure no actor would object to), I've heard from older generations than I that the stage door used to be a much quieter and more respectful affair. Hell, in All About Eve they make it look completely out of the ordinary for her to go to the stage door.

It seems unfair to say something like "this generation can't handle it" when this generation lives in a culture where media makes people think they are best buddies with a performer because they accepted a facebook request. It's an apples and oranges comparison to what a performer in the 50's experienced.

And as it was said, in certain theaters, an actor can't necessarily avoid the stage door as an exit point.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 3:09pm

"dig ditches, empty bedpans or get shot at for a living"

All of which can be preferrable to dealing with some of the psychos at stage doors.

I kid...I kid.

As for the punching in the throat joke...well...

I'm an actor. A nobody actor, but an actor none-the-less. I've had people stage door for my autograph, stop me on the street, come up to me drunk in a bar to sing some of their favorite song from the show I was doing, and interrupting my breakfast with a friend to tell me they loved the show. And in every, single situation, I was thrilled. It means I did something right. And I consider the inconvenience minimal compared to the rush you get when you know your work affected someone enough to talk to a total stranger. Now...if I were to achieve more fame and be bothered all the time, maybe my opinion would change. But as of right now, it's a total ego boost that I welcome.

So...No. Actors are not required to stage door and be polite. I just require that of myself.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/19/10 at 3:32pm

"I'm sorry if you find this repetitive, Diva, but I don't think this question has been asked this way."

How many different ways can you ask the same question? It's still the same question!

Besides, Winston, don't you need to start another thread about how someone didn't let you get away with something?