Ever have someone be rude at a stage door?- Page 2

[Alex M]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 1:45pm

BroadwayRox3588 said: "Alex M said: "I agree with all of you that actors never have to stage door and it was nice enough of him to come out but I agree with the original poster that it was a little "rude" or at least I would say odd that he said absolutely nothing to them. I know it was already very nice of him to come out and sign but if he's going to do that the least he could do is say thank you or something to his fans. Just my opinion!"

He might've been on vocal rest, though."

Very true! In that case I completely understand!

[greensgreens]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 2:02pm

LizzieCurry said: "The rude people at the stage door tend to be the ones seeking the autographs, not signing them."

Obviously, you've never "encountered" the tempest that is Nathan Lane.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 2:03pm

Nathan is never rude at the stage door. He tends to avoid it completely.

[mxfish1313]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 2:12pm

morosco said: "The whole stage door thing has become just plain creepy."

I agree and it kinda bums me out. I considered doing it for Angels in America just because I'm a huge fan of the show, but decided not to in the end because, while the cast was phenomenal, they weren't the reason I saw the show. The play itself was the star of it for me. I've only ever done the stage door when JCM reprised his role as Hedwig, and that's because him AS Hedwig was a special case.

I like the idea of it, and it's good in theory, but it's become such a huge thing with the crowds and clamoring, screaming fangirls/boys that it doesn't really serve as anything other than "bragging rights" to a lot of people. When there's 100 people out there, you're not likely to get a meaningful interaction with the cast because they're hurrying to hit everyone. I've worked in production for TV/film in the past and now work with concerts so the idea of waiting around just to briefly engage with someone isn't worth it for me. I'm glad people get enjoyment out of it, but it's too much for me.

[AllThatJazz2]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 3:09pm

mxfish1313 said: "morosco said: "The whole stage door thing has become just plain creepy."

I agree and it kinda bums me out. I considered doing it for Angels in America just because I'm a huge fan of the show, but decided not to in the end because, while the cast was phenomenal, they weren't the reason I saw the show. The play itself was the star of it for me. I've only ever done the stage door when JCM reprised his role as Hedwig, and that's because him AS Hedwig was a special case.

I like the idea of it, and it's good in theory, but it's become such a huge thing with the crowds and clamoring, screaming fangirls/boys that it doesn't really serve as anything other than "bragging rights" to a lot of people. When there's 100 people out there, you're not likely to get a meaningful interaction with the cast because they're hurrying to hit everyone. I've worked in production for TV/film in the past and now work with concerts so the idea of waiting around just to briefly engage with someone isn't worth it for me. I'm glad people get enjoyment out of it, but it's too much for me."

I visited the stage door for both The Band's Visit and Angels in America and was struck by how chill everyone was who was waiting. Everyone was polite, calm, and people on the whole tended to be understanding of actors not wanting to take photos or sign at all. It was a refreshing change from the madness that I've seen at places like Dear Evan Hansen or even Hello, Dolly. 

I echo others in this thread that the rudeness I've encountered at the stage door has been from audience members, not performers. It's not a convention. Your show ticket doesn't entitle you to anything aside from the show you see. If I go to the stage door, it's to tell the performers how much I enjoyed or was moved by their performance and the show. If they sign my Playbill, great. If they don't, who cares? These days I don't even bother after most shows since the crowds can be so unruly.

I know of people (I can't even call them acquaintances, just people who have drifted into my orbit) who essentially stalk the stage door and cast members online via Instagram and Twitter and pout when someone doesn't come out to sign or denies them what they want. They seem to think that because they've seen a show multiple times that the performers are now friends with them. I find it disturbing.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 3:45pm

greensgreens, I said "tend." It wasn't an absolute.

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 3:53pm

AllThatJazz2 said: "I visited the stage door for both The Band's Visit and Angels in America and was struck by how chill everyone was who was waiting. Everyone was polite, calm, and people on the whole tended to beunderstanding of actors not wanting to take photos or sign at all.It was a refreshing change from the madness that I've seen at places like Dear Evan Hansen or even Hello, Dolly."

The DEH stagedoor can be an utter hellhole on a busy night/day.

[geoffreyC]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 4:29pm

"Fans" can now weaponize themselves with social media, just in case their sense of entitlement by buying a ticket for a show is not sufficiently honored by the poor hapless performers graciously signing autographs for them.  btw, when someone brings up their mother, eyes tend to glaze over because they've heard it a thousand times.  

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 4:54pm

Eartha Kitt gave me "the stare" until I reminded her that without fans like me, she wouldn't have achieved her level of success. She ultimately signed my Playbill but never broke her stare or said a word.

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 6:40pm

Nathan and Tony are awesome.  They just don't like as$holes with expectations for them. That's all.  You paid for a ticket.  To watch them act. Nothing else. I hope this clears up the entitlement you thought you had about another person.  

Updated On: 4/18/18 at 06:40 PM

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 7:20pm

I think the original poster is getting attacked rather harshly here. Sometimes we get the chance to meet people we look up to for whatever reason and it’s not always the encounter you hope for and it can be disappointing, whether it just happens to be a bad day, an off encounter, or maybe one of the parties (including the fans) truly is being a jerk. It’s usually a one-time experience and for whatever the reason, it can be deflating.

If actors aren’t interested in meeting fans that day or any other day, they don’t have to and shouldn’t come out. You can tell by body language too if someone just isn’t into it. Why come out at all then. I don’t really see the entitlement here.

So, let’s please put down the torches.

[Alex M]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 7:25pm

greenifyme2 said: "I think the original poster is getting attacked rather harshly here. Sometimes we get the chance to meet people we look up to for whatever reason and it’s not always the encounter you hope for and it can be disappointing, whether it just happens to be a bad day, an off encounter, or maybe one of the parties (including the fans) truly is being a jerk. It’s usually a one-time experience and for whatever the reason, it can be deflating.

If actors aren’t interested in meeting fans that day or any other day, they don’t have to and shouldn’t come out. You can tell by body language too if someone just isn’t into it. Why come out at all then. I don’t really see the entitlement here.

So, let’s please put down the torches."

I agree. Whenever someone brings up stage door here everyone always gets crazy.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 7:46pm

I don't think people are entitled to anything from actors. I hate that actors are now expected to perform after the show for the crowds who are stage dooring. They are playing a role and I imagine some times it's emotionally draining and physically tiring. Then they have to pretend to be people's best friends outside the theatre because fans are now conditioned to expect celebrities to BEG for their fans love like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and whomever else because they know they are under a microscope and people will report back and spread the news on social media if a celebrity wasn't 100% perky and extroverted and so utterly grateful with false modesty when they exited a show. 

That said, as justified or excusable it is, some times people really are rude on both sides. People have bad days and/or they are going through something really personal that nobody knows about.

Btw, I think Shaloub's behavior as described in the OP wasn't the most admirable behavior, but it's far from the rudest thing I've read people celeb or not do.

Updated On: 4/18/18 at 07:46 PM

[taylortrensch]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 7:54pm

Wow, first world problems huh. Tony doesn't owe you anything, get over it

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 7:59pm

Here's the thing. I feel like if you are having a bad day/not in the mood/don't want to deal you should simply avoid the stage door. If you're going to go out there and sign programs and smile and chat, then do it pleasantly. There are performers who do not like stage dooring and never do. Nathan Lane is one, isn't Victor Garber another? And I don't think Patti Lupone stage doors either. 

And stage dooring is not always this awful horrible thing that imposes on the performers. I was at the stage door of one show that was closing prematurely and the cast was very crestfallen and stayed and chatted with the fans for over an hour, talking about how disappointed they were. They were venting to the most sympathetic audience possible. 

[theaterdarling]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 8:04pm

Dollypop said: "Eartha Kitt gave me "the stare" until I reminded her that without fans like me, she wouldn't have achieved her level of success. She ultimately signed my Playbill but never broke her stare or said a word."

Wow. Though a tale of long, long ago, your story is a perfect example of obnoxious and entitled fan behavior that most on this thread frown upon.

Even after all these years you are happy to pass off your rude behavior as something admirable. You embarrassed and shamed Eartha Kitt into providing you with an autograph with a snide remark! What a coup! What inspiring theater lore! As others have mentioned, Eartha Kitt owed you a wonderful performance for the price of your ticket and not obeisance (or her signature). I'm sure she held up her part of the bargain. I am embarrassed for you that as a grown person you needed to guilt a performer into signing your Playbill immediately after they already entertained you for two or so hours.

Kitt, may she rest in peace,  was known to be cold and aloof to even CELEBRITIES and FAMILY MEMBERS who visited her backstage, so how did you expect her to act towards a stranger who stuck a Playbill in her face outside the stage door? But boy, you showed her.

Hey kiddies, object lesson, sometimes older is not wiser:  instead, respect the barricade, don't push and shove, take a picture if you must from a respectful distance (God, don't accost an actor for selfie-really, really, really-it's selfish), give some applause when they come, forgo the autograph-again, really.  Be dignified. I have no idea why an actor would want to come out to anything else and, therefore, I don't begrudge any of them leaving the theater by any other exit. I salute it. I assure you that you paying your hard earned money for a ticket and your applause, laughter, tears IN THE THEATER is ample demonstration of your appreciation and affection-- that is their lifeblood. They don't need your mindless comments when they are trying to come down from that night's performance and just want to get home. Why is it okay to demand more from actors then they have already given you in the theater?

And in dollypop's  instructive example, they certainly don't need or deserve your snark,-- if you must, save it for Twitter.

[S394206H]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 8:16pm

You should never expect anything from people at stage doors- Lucas Steele didn't say one word to me at the Great Comet stage door, but I didn't care. I found out later that he was on vocal rest, but I was just grateful I got to meet him and get my playbill signed- no one owes you conversation. Lots of people will argue that if they don't want to engage then they shouldn't stage door, but I applaud them for choosing to still meet and sign for fans, even if they have a good excuse not to.

[greensgreens]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 9:11pm

I have seen Nathan use the stage door several times over the years and I hope he doesn’t do it anymore as people have mentioned. I have no problem with actors who don’t stage door and don’t like it, that’s their thing. I do find it to be odd to come out the stage door and then act abrasive to people who, for the most part, aren’t malicious at all and only want to wish you well. Actors, especially at Lane’s level know exactly what’s going to happen when they walk out that door and make a conscious decision how to deal with it. If you don’t like to be recognized and expected to do things for random strangers, just use the other exit. It’s easier than trying to re-educate the public on stage door etiquette.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 9:14pm

greensgreens said: "I have seen Nathan use the stage door several times over the years and I hope he doesn’t do it anymore as people have mentioned. I have no problem with actors who don’t stage door and don’t like it, that’s their thing. I do find it to be odd to come out the stage door and then act abrasive to people who, for the most part, aren’t malicious at all and only want to wish you well."

In his defense, it is the door from backstage to the street. He considers the stage door to be a noun, not a verb.

[Papi2013]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 9:44pm

I used to love the way at first Bette would stage door after Dolly.  She wouldn’t sign or really pose with anyone.  But she would shake everyone’s hand.  It was very classy.  Tons of video of it on that site. Then she stopped doing it I was told out of a security concern.  Too many nuts at the stage door.  Or maybe it was a crowd control thing. 

[EllieRose2]

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

Tony most likely was on vocal rest too.  As he was every night he was in that production.  

 "In his defense, it is the door from backstage to the street. He considers the stage door to be a noun, not a verb."

Exactly.  He literally uses the door to get out and into his car.  I don't believe there is another door out.  They should have secret tunnels for actors though.  Just because I think that sounds cool 

[mc1227]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 11:24pm

LizzieCurry said: "The rude people at the stage door tend to be the ones seeking the autographs, not signing them."

^^^^^THIS!!!

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 11:57pm

At ANGELS IN AMERICA tonight, lo and behold, Nathan came out of the stage door and respectively waved while heading directly to his car. After 8 hours of watching that show, I could only imagine how tired he was, so it was a nice cameo.

Also, another thing to remember is that some people may not sign during BC/EFA collections since they are selling signed stuff to collect donations. Someone near me tonight apparently got real salty (quietly, but loud enough for me to hear) and said “They better come out tonight” after overhearing someone who mentioned that practice happening at another show

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 12:04am

That almost sounds threatening.  "They better come out tonight".  Jesus. Some people will just never understand what they paid for when attending live theater.  

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 12:25am

I told Glenda Jackson that she was amazeballs and she blew her nose into her hand and smeared it on my cheek then loudly farted and walked away, fanning it over my way, all without saying anything to me which I thought was rude.