Famous People You Have Spotted at Broadway Shows — Page 5

At my first broadway show, Newsies, I saw Rosie O'Donnell sitting in the same row as me about 10 seats down fron where I was!

Sat Behind Sigorny Weaver at ISBY and watched here and her husband? boytoy? brother? have a great time.

John Waters at August Osage County--during intermission grew a set and went up and said hello and how much of a fan I was. He smiled and thanked me and I hightailed in back inside.

Rosie Perez down the row from me at No Child.

Billy Porter, dressed like a naughty schoolboy, at Buyer and Cellar.

Darren Criss at How to Succeed several months before he went into the show.

Tyra Banks at In The Heights.

Patricia Heaton and her bitchface at The Little Dog Laughed (she was there with Project Runway alum Laura Bennett and their respective husbands).

Mario Cantone at The Women.

Probably many more I can't remember...

I thought this would be a fun one to bring back! Here's my short list (that I can remember!) Amy Schumer at Hamilton and Meryl Streep and Michael Urie at Follies in London... also, sat near (but not close enough) to Sondheim when he attended Company post-pandemic.

Happy Memory - Comden and Green at "Bells are Ringing" and he kept up a running commentary on the original producton versus the revival. (What worked then, what worked now, etc. I was hanging on every word.)

Not Happy Memory - Trump and Wife and "Crazy for You" At intermission he went and bought a huge stack of giant candy bars. He threw them at folks who said "Hey Donald" Foreshadowing the paper towels in Puerto Rico, I guess. Once I saw who it was (I came in after the lights had gone down) I wasn't terribly happy for the rest of the show. Even then.



Memories.

There are many but the few that stick with me are:

- Hillary Clinton at POTUS: Between the wink, nods, rapturous applause, and the meaningful chat I had with her at intermission, it was a night to remember.

- Jayne Houdyshell at SLAVE PLAY (the original run at the Golden). I think she had just been announced for THE MUSIC MAN and I praised her performance in King Lear. She was and always is quite kind,

- Sat next to Harvey Fierstein at the revival of Torch Song when it was at 2nd Stage and I was just gagged the whole time, especially hearing him laugh and cry along.

- Kenny Leon and Suzan-Lori Parks during previews of Topdog/Underdog. Obviously they were working but they were also very nice, conversant, and loved hearing feedback.

- Uzo Aduba and Camille A. Brown at FOR COLORED GIRLS (My friend was a close friend/collaborator of the two)

I saw Julia Roberts at one of the Pretty Woman Broadway performances that was dedicated to Gary Marshall. I sat in the aisle seat and she walked by me twice! I have pictures somewhere on my social media, but not sure how to attach them here.

Updated On: 11/1/22 at 09:28 PM