Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

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Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 12:21am

I can't IMAGINE that Bette Midler is signing autographs at the stage door. But I don't seem to recall it being discussed...

__________________________________________ "Sometimes – there's God – so quickly!"

Updated On: 5/5/13 at 12:21 AM

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 12:26am

Yes, she does.

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 3:03am

She signed for about three people the day I went. Didn't find her to be friendly.

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 4:31am

A funny/sad story (I'm not sure which):

At the performance I attended, a Sunday matinee where Bette called line about 10 times, I met a man who has been a devout Bette fan for many years. We were standing together at the Stage Door chatting as we waited, both of us right against the barricade in a prime location. He has never been able to get a picture with her, as she very rarely takes them with fans but he has collected many autographs. This regular guy, Joe Schmo, for whom $200 was probably a lot, offered to donate the amount to her charity right then and there for a picture.Bette's reply, and I quote: "Do I look that cheap to you?", followed by a signature Bette cackle.

Now, I'm sure she was joking. At least I'd like to be sure. But she didn't take the picture, nor did she sign his Playbill. Or mine.

I'm not saying she HAS to sign, or HAS to take pictures. But I found the encounter to be a bit of a turn-off.

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 4:42am

You write she doesn't have to sign or take pictures but if she doesn't it's a turn-off and sad. I can see how the behavior isn't exactly endearing but why can't it be value neutral? She gives everything she'd got onstage. Why can't that be enough? If she'd called line only 4 times, would you cut her more slack?

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 4:46am

No. I wouldn't have. The performance I saw was pathetic, and I paid good money to see it. I don't care if it was a preview or not - her knowledge of the material at that point was unacceptable, and people had paid a lot of money to be there.

As for the stage door - I don't care if you don't sign my Playbill. What was the turn off was her remark to the guy who wanted to donate $200. Small change to her, but a lot to him. But that's how much she means to him. (No, I was that guy. I wouldn't and couldn't pay that much for a picture. With anyone.)

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 4:48am

And just want to say, for me it's not all about an autograph. Saw TALLEY'S FOLLEY tonight and was so overwhelmed and moved by Danny Burstein's performance, that thanking him afterwards was enough and I forgot to ask him to sign the Playbill.

If a star doesn't sign, I don't mind. Am I a little disappointed? Sure. But some handle the not signing business very well. But there are some stars who don't handle the stage door graciously. This was one of those moments.

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 7:38am

I checked on Youtube and it showed her signing playbills after the show, but I don't know currently....

Darreyl with an L!

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 8:27am

I meant to say "No, I was NOT that guy." Apologies.

And she DOES sign. But not for very many people.

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

#10

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 9:40am

Last week she maybe signed for 50 people and web took pics with a few people.

#11

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/5/13 at 6:39pm

She's not a prostitute who stops for $200 bucks. That dude was out of line for putting her on the spot and her response was humorous and classy.

The problem with someone like Bette stopping is that ultimately she will disappoint someone or piss someone off no matter what she does. Its almost better for her to smile, wave and get in her car.

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

#12

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/7/13 at 12:18am

When Bette asked "Do I look that cheap to you?", I would have said, "You've been kidnapped by K-MART".

#13

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/7/13 at 9:51am

I wouldn't have cared that she didn't sign my playbill. I would've been a little disappointed, but I've been passed over before.

I thought her response was anything but classy, and it stunned more than just me, and the man who asked.

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

#14

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/8/13 at 2:09am

When you are a "supposed" star and have to call for lines 10-15 times during a public performance then you have no business signing for anyone and should get in your car and have them drive you straight back to Hollywood so we don't have to see your sorry ass in NYC.

#15

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/8/13 at 2:27am

That's telling her, srg, and the tens of thousands who've been happily watching the performances which - if I'm not mistaken - have been free of calling for lines since previews.

#16

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/21/13 at 1:04am

I went and saw the show tonight and waited after at the stage door, it took a while but she came out and signed for those on both sides of the barricade. I really wanted a picture but noticed that she seemed rushed but when she got to me I asked and she said sure! really surprised me!

Darreyl with an L!

#17

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/21/13 at 11:17am

I saw the show a couple weeks ago on a Friday, and she came out and signed after. It looked like she signed for pretty much everyone who was there, although I didn't stay after my turn. They said she wouldn't pose for pictures, but if you asked for one while she was signing, she said, "Lean in," and she'd look up and smile for a second so you could take a picture. I was able to snap a quick one while she had my Playbill. She was friendly enough, but she didn't stop and chat much in an effort to keep moving quickly, which is totally understandable.

Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters. ~ Wicked
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent

"He's a tramp, but I love him."

#18

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/22/13 at 8:20am

darreyl102 - I was there at the barricade last night too.

The young girl next to me was there for a second time becuase in her prior visit Bette accidentally grabbed her Playbill and resigned a second time over the first one. When Bette came out last night this young girl commented to me "wow, she is in a much different mood than the first time I waited here."

I noticed Bette smiling, laughing, chatting, signing and posing for pictures with fans. I did hear her say "a picture is fine if we can do it as I am signing" but she did momentarily stop to look up and smile for the picture.

She was signing within about 20 feet of the door and did not walk the entire barricade line to sign. The crowd did not appear to be as large as I expected. It was orderly. Maybe 2 people deep at most.

I did not see any professional autograph "hounds" as it was made clear that she was only signing Playbills and the poster of the show.

#19

Does La Bette do the Stage Door Thing?

Posted: 5/22/13 at 8:53am

Maybe she has warmed up to the stage door thing, then. I might have to go back with my Playbill and give it a shot. I do love Bette, but the whole ordeal put a bad taste in my mouth...

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

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