Ever have someone be rude at a stage door? — Page 3

Have not done the stage door thing often but I have never had anyone be rude. Some are more outgoing and friendly than others but I just think it is nice they even do it.

Updated On: 4/19/18 at 07:12 AM

During the original Broadway run of ANNIE at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre), Alice Ghostley (replacement Miss Hannigan), never stage doored. As a young teenager I frequented ANNIE every few weeks (family member in the show), and Ghostley never left thru the stage door after a performance. Everyone else did, even Bill Berloni, the trainer/dog wrangler of Sandy and her standby Arf.

nsguy45 said: "Wasn't Scarlett Johansson leaving via the front exit during Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to avoid the stage door?"

Maybe on some days, but I have a Playbill that I got hand-signed by her that says otherwise.

TBH, she was a bit cold, but it was also January, so I can't fault her.

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But going back to the main thread, and like Stage Door Sally had said, Tony Shalhoub is one of the great ones. I've met him three times (Lend Me A Tenor, The Price, and The Band's Visit) and he was pleasant each and every time, especially at The Price, when it was closing night and he had an after-party to head to, but smiled and said "I have to go, but I'm going to sign very quickly for you guys".

Each autograph I get is a nice touch. It doesn't make or break the experience for me at all, and it shouldn't for you guys.

In theory stagedooring is nice: it's a chance to thank the actors for their work and get a picture or autograph, and the actors get to meet some fans. It's not for everyone, actors and theater patrons alike. But I have to say it's really sad how crazy things have gotten. In Chicago whenever I see a show it's very calm, usually 10-20 people, no barricades, no security. You can have conversations with the actors and everyone is patient. But New York is a totally different story! At some shows (Waitress, Great Comet, Groundhog Day, Oh Hello) the crowds have been very contained, calm, and honestly just genuinely happy to see the actors. But some shows are just out of control. Actors are faced with the difficult decision of coming to the stagedoor and being a bit grumpy (understandably) and called rude, or not coming at all and being called rude. Not ideal.

NievesG said: "quizking101 said: "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"



This makes me sad to hear I waited last Thursday and there were about 20 of us so the crowd wasn't crazy and everyone was so sweet. James McArdle joked with us about both of his accents as apparently some people were surprised to hear it; a couple gave Lee Pace flowers; and of course Garfield was extremely gracious and made sure to get to everyone. After a performance like that, I'd want to jump into my waiting car, too.

This thread makes me remember meeting Oliver Platt after Guys and Dolls (2009). There was literally no one outside and my mom wanted to wait. I was a freshman in high school at the time and extremely shy and Platt was just gushing to my mom about how he loves meeting young people after shows. Anyway, that's my trip down memory lane.

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For what it's worth, Garfield, Pace, Gough, Stewart-Jarett, and Malone all came out last night and were lovely, and the crowd of about 50 was VERY well-behaved. This was just a small blip that I happened to catch wind of.

It wasn't always this crazy at the stage door, and I blame social media and the incessant need of many people to document every moment of their life with selfies, etc. Also, social media gives some the mistaken notion that they are really friends with the performers, so they need to feel validated by a one-on-one encounter. Plus, throw in the wolf pack of autograph seekers who are looking to get stuff signed, so they can sell it on eBay.

Updated On: 4/19/18 at 12:18 PM

Jordan Catalano said: "Last week, Diana Rigg said she didn’t “have time to deal with all y’alls dumb ignant a$$es” and pulled out her iPhone and started taking pictures of fans saying “How you like this, huh? $hi!!!!!!!!!t, Bi!$h.”

But she’s british so I just assume that’s how it is over there."

I actually laughed out loud at this one. Thank you, Jordan.

Updated On: 4/20/18 at 03:13 PM