GYPSY Question -- Laura @ stagedoor?

Hello, BWW! I'm seeing GYPSY tomorrow night and had one little question I'd like to try to get an answer for before tomorrow night: Has Laura Benanti been coming out of the stage door lately? I would think, with her infection, that she's finding another way out to avoid the crowds & cold. So if she's not coming out, if I sent a program/Playbill for her to sign backstage before the show (probably around 5 or 6) with a little note, would I be able to get it back from someone at the door around intermission/after the show?

Many thanks in advance for the answer(s) I [hope to] get!

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Definitely don't count on her coming out of the stage door. She barely ever comes out, but you could try and give them your play or program or whatever. But don't try to catch HER before the show, it's rude and creepy.

I'm not sure if there is a door man waiting by the door. This stage door goes through one of the lobbies so it's a little weird. There might be someone waiting outside the door, I don't know though.

The stage door is actually the same as one of the exits to the theatre. If you are standing right in front of the theatre, you'll have no problem finding it. It's to the immediate right of the front door if you're looking at the theatre.

I heard that she's been having some stalker issues, which is why she stopped coming out the stagedoor. She's a total sweetheart, so at least know that her reasons for not coming out and signing are well-justified.

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The stalker problem has been occurring for a long time now - as far back as SWING!, I believe. It died down for a while, but it's starting to be a problem again.

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When I went to the CD Barnes and Noble signing she and Leigh Ann were the nicest ones on the table. They were funny and sweet and talking to the fans. I was wondering why she never came out cause she was so nice and loved the fans but I guess this is it.

But I think if you were to send something back to her she would be more than happy to sign it.

^Meanwhile, Leigh Ann, Patti and Boyd who go out the stage door ALL the time barely ever get sick and only missed a couple of shows (has Boyd missed any at all?).

I'm only kidding. I love Laura and respect her choice not to go out the stage door, especially if it can increase her chances getting sick again/making it worse or puts her in danger of a stalker. I never heard about the stalker issue before, it kinda creeps me out.

I had the opportunity to meet her at the flea market this year and she was as sweet as can be.

Updated On: 1/8/09 at 07:09 AM

According to the staff at The St. James, Benanti also had a stalker-like problem with someone she met while doing THE WEDDING SINGER (a poster on this board, no less) who continues to think they are "friends" even though she has made extensive efforts to cease contact with them.

The person in question has come around at GYPSY several times, which is also one of the reasons she started using the alternate Jujamcyn office exit when leaving the theater.

I am sure her proclivity for illness also had something to do with it.

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Updated On: 1/18/09 at 01:35 AM

^Completely agree. She's really friendly and has said before that she loves to chat with the fans at the stage door. Too bad she can't do it that often due to the circumstances.

It's kind of mind-boggling to me how someone with such unbelievable talent and beauty can be so down to earth and funny. I am in total awe of her when she's standing right there.

When I was at the stage door, Laura put her head down and walked right by everyone who was calling for her. She never looked up.

On the other hand, Patti was as chatty as could be. She talked to every single person there and she was introducing her friends who were with her to everyone in the crowd.

Except for Laura, it was a great stage door experience.

Dollypop is correct.

Laura's stalker issues have been going on long before THE WEDDING SINGER, somethingwicked. It's something to do with some man who used to come by the theater all the time and something with a plastic bag though the real story I don't actually know. It's part of the reason she had a car during TWS' run.

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From what I remember, Laura's timeslot at the autograph table and photo booth was from 1pm-2pm. I was there during that entire time waiting to get a picture with her and then Patrick Wilson. There were so many people there that it probably ran past 2pm, which would explain her hurrying to the St. James for a 3pm show.

The highlight of the flea market for me was definitely meeting her (and Patrick too). I could see into the booth while I was waiting in line. She was really funny while they were setting up and was doing some weird dance moves and things, like waving her arms in the air while they were announcing her. It was so much fun to watch her be her normal, silly self. She was really friendly with each person who got a picture with her. When we went to get our picture, Laura was like, "I'll be in the middle 'cause I'm tall!" And she seemed genuinely touched and appreciative of our compliments about Gypsy and her performance. It was so cool to meet her!