GODOT Stage Door

For those who have done it, care to share your experiences? I really just have two questions I care specifically about:

-- How crowded is it?

-- Does Bill Irwin come out, and how is he in terms of demeanor/attitude/signage?

Is Nathan skipping out fast before people can get to him, as per his usual behavior?

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I saw the show three weeks ago and after the Saturday evening show they all came out. I think all signed and took pictures except for Nathan Lane, who said he was in a rush (but he did sign for people). I think there were probably 15-20 people there that night. Bill Irwin was exceptionally friendly and taking a picture with John Goodman was awesome.

That's par for the course with him. Never expect Nathan Lane to be nice to you, no matter how much you compliment his performance. It's a rarity.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=34180341&l=13b1f35700&id=26103711

Me and Nathan after the first performance of Godot.

Whenever someone asks about Lane at the stage door, there is always at least one person who says he never signs and/or is rude. I have seen him numerous times at the stage door and he has always been gracious. If you expect him to invite you to dinner or be your best friend, you are looking for the wrong guy. He is by nature shy and is not fond of public displays of affection.

If you are polite and courteous he is fine. I have seen him in a rush if he has an appointment, is going to dinner or is feeling ill but other than that he is there. During the Producers he did leave by another door some of the time because of his throat problems and extreme fatigue.

Unfortunately, many people feel that an actor owes them an enthusiastic greeting...in fact in Hollywood, stars do not come out and see people after a show. Only in NY do you get such access to an actor and it is their perogative to come out or not to come out. If you paid for a ticket and got a good performance that is all the actor really owes you. Most will be reasonable about the stage door but having seen some really poor behavior on the part of audience members, I can see why they really don't enjoy it. And today, there is added 'pay for signature' factor wher someone will ask to have an actor sign 3-4 things and then sell the items on eBay. Doesn't go over well with the actors.

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I met Bill Irwin after Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf in San Francisco a few years ago and he was SO nice. We talked for awhile about the play etc. SOOOO gracious and wonderful.

Updated On: 5/3/09 at 01:14 AM

I totally agree with Sam. I have seen Nathan at the stage door of The Odd Couple, Butley and November and each time he has signed programs for people and even posed a few times for pics. I'm sure it's not his favorite thing to do in the world, but he's done it many times to accomodate fans. Bottom line, if someone doesn't like him, they will go out of their way to find something to criticize. It's tiresome.

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Believe me, I'm not going out of my way to criticize him. I have been nothing but polite and courteous to him and he has actually gone so far as to make disparaging remarks about me. When I was fifteen and adored him, he actually mocked me at a stage door, which kind of destroyed my affection for him. I'm glad you haven't experienced that. I absolutely agree that if he doesn't feel like signing, he shouldn't have to (and besides, I don't stage door anymore anyway - it's just too weird for me), but when there are actually nasty remarks made, I think he should just skip it altogether.

I'm sorry about your experience, ShbrtAlley. Hopefully it is uncharacteristic of Nathan. At 15 that really hurts.

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Just got back.

All four of them come out (relatively quickly too), and all four are more than willing to sign. No one tried taking pics with them so I don't know how they are about photos.

Lane wasn't overly friendly, but he signed for everyone and had a leisurely pace. He didn't rush away or anything. And he was very grateful when I told him I was a huge fan seeing him live for the first time.

Irwin was super-friendly and a bit talkative. Probably my best experience with a "name" actor at the stage door. Extremely grateful.

Glover kind of walked by thinking no one would want his autograph, so we kinda had to walk to him at the edge of the barrier. But after that he was willing to sign for everyone and again, very very grateful for compliments (and I was the only one to congratulate him on his nom!).

Goodman was the only one who seemed a bit grumpy. He wasn't mean or anything, but didn't really seem to care to be there. Very half-hearted thanks. But still, he signed for everyone there.

So overall, a very good stage door experience.

Nathan Lane wasn't friendly, but wasn't particularly mean. He signed for everyone, and when they gave their vacuous comments, he said in a flat demeanor "thanks" or "sure." Not "nice," but did all required of him, I felt.

Bill Irwin was the nicest man in the world, engaging everyone in chit-chat, and got excited when I pulled out my "Rachel Getting Married" DVD. Truly awesome dude. Class act.

John Glover was super nice as well, engaged people in convo, and shook my hand when I mentioned I went to his alma mater and asked what I was doing now that I've graduated.

John Goodman signed autographs for all five people waiting on the right side of the barriers, slightly turned his head and glanced at the three of us waiting on the left side of the barriers, and didn't bother walking over and raced (fairly quickly, for a fat man) up 54th street, towards Broadway, as we called out "Mr. Goodman!" to try to get him to turn around. What a dick.

I'm sorry, I don't feel actors "owe" you anything besides their performance, but in a situation like this, he was already signing, and there was a total of eight f***ing people there (it had just finished raining). I'm sorry, this just rubbed me the wrong way.

Updated On: 5/6/09 at 11:32 PM