Flowers to Broadway performer @ the theatre?

[broadway_rockergirl]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 12:35pm

How's it work? Never done it before, want to send some for opening as I'm out of town. Suggestions?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 12:37pm

Does this person know who you are? If not I wouldn't send flowers. If you really want to spend money make a donation to a charity in their name. But never send a gift to someone who doesn't know you.

[lalarox]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 12:38pm

Just send them to the theater stage door with the performer's name on them, and the name of the theater. It should be no problem!

[broadway_rockergirl]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 12:41pm

Yes, they do know who I am. Otherwise why would I send flowers? DUH. Thanks for the replies. Will I need a local florist or can I go with an online company?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 12:43pm

You can do either. But yes, just address it to the stage door with the person's name. It'll get there, people do it all the time.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 12:45pm

You can use anyone....I'd be sure that all have access to a Nat'l delivery. The problem is making sure someone is around for delivery. B'way houses are probably able to handle it.

(I think the poster was worried that you might be sending flowers to a b'way performer that you are a fan of; instead of sending to someone you know personally.)

Updated On: 3/25/09 at 12:45 PM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 12:49pm

Please don't "duh" me. Do you know how many performers get flowers and gifts from people they've never met? It's a perfectly logical question and by learning the answer it helps me to better answer your question.

When I sent flowers I usually use one of the online stores such as 1-800flowers, proflowers, or ftd. Just plug in the name of the performer and the address of the theatre. They'll get it.

I usually check out all three sites to see who has something that I'm looking for. I don't always do flowers though. I've sent spa sets (soaps, lotions, etc) to women and they've always been a hit. You can get them at any of the sites I listed above. They last longer than flowers and are useful (especially after a tiring performance). Recently, I used the popcorn factory for a guy.

Updated On: 3/25/09 at 12:49 PM

[broadway_rockergirl]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 12:53pm

Sorry to duh you. Guess I never thought that you would send flowers to someone you didn't know personally. A fan letter, sure, but not flowers.

I did think about sending something other than flowers. I'm going to do a little shopping today. Thank you for your help.

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 12:53pm

Try to avoid 1-800flowers.com if you can. I used to work in the PR department there - you wouldn't believe the number of orders that never make it to the recipient. Both floral and gift. It's a little scary....

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 12:59pm

"Try to avoid 1-800flowers.com if you can. I used to work in the PR department there - you wouldn't believe the number of orders that never make it to the recipient. Both floral and gift. It's a little scary...."

Wow, I've never had an issue with them but I'll keep that in mind.

"I never thought that you would send flowers to someone you didn't know personally. A fan letter, sure, but not flowers."

It happens all the time...gifts, flowers, food, etc. That's why I mentioned the charity thing. Any time someone who's a fan asks what to send that's why I suggest.

Also, if you can find something that somehow relates to the show they're in that's a good idea too. Once, I'd found a doll that was wearing an outfit similar to one of their costumes. It was an absolute hit.

[mimi6]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 2:40pm

I've sent flowers to people I don't know, it' a normal way to appreciate their performance.

[Geridith]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 2:46pm

I wouldn't use ANY online retailer to send flowers EVER. I've also worked for one of their call centers (small world, ha) and all they do is call a local florist for you and skim a profit off the top. You send them 80 bucks, your recipient gets 45 worth of flowers. Thats not an exaggeration. Local florists are usually much nicer too.

[thetheatrekook]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 2:47pm

Edible Arrangements is one of my favorites. I've had them deliver to all kinds of locations - schools, homes, apartments, stage door...never had any issues! And they are YUMMY!

Updated On: 3/25/09 at 02:47 PM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 2:48pm

No, not really. You're spending $40+ on someone who might not even appreciate it. A normal way to show your appreciation is to write them a letter. A heartfelt letter from a fan is more appreciated (and less creepy).

People in the public eye need to be very careful. Too many crazies out there. The flowers could be sprayed with something that could make them sick if touched or inhaled. If I were on Broadway I'd trash any gifts from anyone I didn't know.

Updated On: 3/25/09 at 02:48 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 2:54pm

A lot of actors believe having flowers in their dressing room is bad luck.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 4:31pm

"A lot of actors believe having flowers in their dressing room is bad luck."

Or are allergic. Which could end up very bad if they're about to go on stage.

Gifts from strangers often end up trashed or donated. That's why I suggest the charity thing. If you have a serious need to spend money then give it to someone who really needs it. There are so many charities that allow you to make donations in someone's name. And they'll send a card to the person to let them know.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 11:57pm

I think BCEFA has an opening night section that links w reliable suppliers of goodie baskets, flowers and champagne.
You send a gift, the supplier sends $ to a good cause.
Win-Win.

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 1:01am

Updated On: 6/13/09 at 01:01 AM

[boombaboy]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 7:40am

There is nothing wrong or creepy with sending flowers to a performer you know or simply admire. Since when did giving a gift become so fraught or politically incorrect? Flowers are appreciated by most people. There are more than enough opportunities to give to BCEFA, so if that's what you want to do then by all means, say it with flowers!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 8:55am

"Since when did giving a gift become so fraught or politically incorrect?"

Since our society has become so celebrity obsessed and every stage door has "fan girls" who think they're "best friends" with the cast. Every fan encounter has the opportunity to turn creepy and potentially dangerous.

Look and what happened with Shawn Johnson just earlier this week. People need to realize that being in the public eye can be dangerous. You hear about stalkers every day. Just the other day I saw a news report on one of the national news programs about a news anchor in a small town. A man has been stalking her for years and she doesn't even know who he is. Never met him as far as she knows.

Sending flowers or a gift to some stranger just because you admire them seems innocuous enough. But, really, it's too much money to spend on someone you don't know.

I urge people to save their money. The best way to admire a Broadway performer is by seeing their show and keeping it running. I'm sure they'd appreciate keeping their job much more than a gift from a stranger.

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 9:03am

There's absolutely nothing wrong with it and the VAST majority of people do appreciate your thoughfulness. If you are sending them for an opening night though - you might want to take a look at the video on Broadway.com that Greg Jbara made on opening night. There were HUNDREDS of flowers being delivered and each actor had to go fetch their own at the stage door as they arrived. (There were so many that they couldn't allow them to stay there or they would block traffic.) As soon as Greg went up two flights of stairs to his dressing room, he heard another announcement to come back down to the stage door to pick up his flowers. There were so many that they overran the little dressing rooms. Any other time would be fine though. Or, as Greg says, booze is always welcome.

Billy Elliot - Opening Night

Updated On: 3/27/09 at 09:03 AM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 9:28am

I'm sure a vast majority of those flowers are from family and friends.

I heard a story of a fan who sent a $500 check to her favorite performer to cover rent during the strike last year. (the check was returned)

I'm not arguing that is is a nice thought or gesture. But the few have ruined it for the many. I just feel that, with today's economy, there are better ways to spend your money.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 1:40pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there still somewhere in New York where you can get an actual old-fashioned telegram hand-delivered? If so, for the price of flowers that can and will die quickly, you could send a heartfelt and unique message that would get posted in the dressing room on this person's mirror - and probably be the only one there.

The tradition is a century old and it screams old Broadway.

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 2:15pm

Yes - here:



Hand delivered telegrams