Giving flowers at the curtain call?

[From32ndStreet]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 2:43pm

I saw a morning show host talking about an audience member giving flowers to Hugh Jackman at the curtain call of A Steady Rain. The host added that he felt bad Daniel Craig didn't get flowers....

I've never witnessed any fan giving flowers to a performer on a Broadway stage, but is that common at all? Assuming that the fan isn't running all the way from the rear orchestra or throwing a bouquet onto the stage (which could be dangerous and quite terrifying for the performer), do you find it acceptable?

I've never even thought about it before, but considering that audience members sometimes give flowers at other professional venues, like dance concerts, I wondered what theatregoers' take was.
Updated On: 9/19/09 at 02:43 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 3:46pm

Anyone who goes up to the stage to hand the performers flowers just wants the attention.

If you want to send flowers to the performer, show up early and deliver them to the stage door. Don't use the curtian call to say, "Hey look at me, everyone, I'm giving an actor flowers!"

Updated On: 9/19/09 at 03:46 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 3:53pm

It's not your 3rd grade play. You don't know the people on stage. It's bad form.

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 4:33pm

I saw it done once but it was the guys boyfriend that was giving the flowers at curtain call. It's something I would never do but I have given them at the SD to someone that is leaving the show or someone that is starting.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 5:01pm

I saw someone sitting in the front row try to do it at a performer's last night but he walked right by.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 5:16pm

It usually can be sad, as the person with the flowers is stopping the momentum of the curtain call and making it about them. Performers are almost always gracious, but the person with the flowers is, in my experience, usually a creepy lonely looking person, and 9 times out of 10, they are alone in the first row or first several rows. I agree that if there is a true intention of wishing the performer well, with wanting nothing back, then send them through the stage door. You can always include your email or a business card and you might get an acknowledgement, but don't hold your breath.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 5:32pm

I have given gifts on closing nights or when people leave a show. But it's not to some random stranger. I ONLY give to people I know and know me. That's my steadfast rule. And it's never something expensive. The last time I did it I gave a Christoper & Dana Reeve dogtag and it was very appreciated. I was giving a gift, making a donation, and raising awareness.

And I gave it at the stage door. Not during the curtain calls.

[wonkit]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 8:32pm

Not uncommon for opera and ballet but I have never seen it done on Broadway.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 9:34pm

I actually saw it happen at 110 in the Shade. A guy in the front row gave Audra flowers.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 9:44pm

I don't think I've ever seen someone in the audience give a bouquet of flowers, but I have seen a group toss loose roses onstage. I didn't think that was obnoxious; I actually thought it was quite lovely.

[wonkit]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 11:01pm

I correct my earlier statement: there seemed to be lots of flowers onstage at the final performance of the SWEENEY TODD revival, so someone must have handed them up or tossed them.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 11:03pm

As I seem to recall, flowers were tossed at the TEENY-SWEENEY closing with reckless abandon.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 11:12pm

One time, David Bowie during The Elephant Man (which I saw), a woman or maybe it was a man (I don't remember) went to give him a bouquet, which you could totally do because it was The Elephant Man and he was the star, and Bowie, he bent over to take it, and she pulled out a knife and swiped it at him. He escaped without injury but security got much tighter. I did not see the show when that happened.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 11:18pm

I can't imagine a performer, especially female performer, who wouldn't enjoy the added touch of affection of receiving flowers at curtain call.

I think it is in bad taste to do it, however, if there are two principals and not one.

Otherwise, I think the cynicism of many above me is a little over the top. I think if you're in the front row and want to give a performer flowers you should do it. I like to give flowers to my favorite (female) performers, and I usually send them backstage, but I can think of at least once when I was in the front row and did it - LuPone in "Gypsy." I think she deserved the whole flower shop. It's just a friendly gesture that makes the rest of the audience see how beloved the performer is, and perhaps consider just how special a performance they just witnessed. There is no need to read into it.

Updated On: 9/20/09 at 11:18 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 11:53pm

If you know someone in the show, I don't see anything wrong with it.

But otherwise, I don't see the point.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 1:19am

Rudy, look at the incident that Namo posted above. That details a good reason why a performer would think twice before accepting anything from a stranger - even something as innocent as flowers.

It's not cynicism but, rather, understanding the times we live in. Every performer on Broadway has to deal with people who think they're friends because they took a picture at the stage door or whatever. It wasn't like that decades ago. Sure, there were stagedoor Johnny's and all but nothing at the level it is now.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 1:19am

I nearly forgot that I did the front row rush for "Liza's at the Palace!" back at the end of December and my mom wanted us, with good cause, to give Liza a bouquet of roses at the end of the show.

I never saw a happier face in my life than Liza's when she saw those flowers. In fact, x 2, because another audiene member gave her flowers as well. She took both bouquet up in her arms, smelled them and waved them.

Without a doubt she loved every bit of that attention she was given. Did anyone here see that show? For Godsakes she deserved it.

Also, I had a rose for Angela Lansbury outside the theater after the first time I saw her in "Deuce" and she excitedly remarked in the cutest voice that she loved its fragrance and immediately seized it. Needless to say, her smile will remain emblazoned in my mind for a long, long time.

Updated On: 9/21/09 at 01:19 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 4:06am

1. How do you know that the flower giver WAS a stranger? Perhaps it was a mom, a close friend, a sister?

2. The 'safety' issue doesn't go exist just because it's IN the theatre. Some "looney" could actually be just as dangerous at the stage door, and with more opportunity to get away being outside.

3. I, honestly, think that gifts for ANYONE you don't personally know is a bit weird. ESPECIALLY in this manner: if it's to thank them for an incredible job...how would you know it IS an incredible job until you see the show? I think its just attention grabbing regardless. But then, so is Stage Dooring in general. (I hate that that has become a verb, BTW.) I'm not trying to judge, just sayin'.

[winston89]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 5:32am

I do think that people should be a bit more cautious about what goes on at the stage door. You never know who is out there and what is going to go on. I remember the stories of Kerry Butler's stalker in Xanadu. She was the last one out when I saw it and she walked out with a security guard who escorted her to the subway. Due to the fact that she was the last one out and that I was leaving after I had her signature, I ended up waiting a few moments because I didn't want to create the impression that I was following her and cause even more problems.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 5:33am

I sent Patti LuPone flowers backstage BEFORE one of her recent concerts in LA. I am happy I did. It gave her time to read my letter, and when she came out of the stage door she knew my name and was a complete doll posing for more then one picture and having a nice chat.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 7:04am

"I never saw a happier face in my life than Liza's when she saw those flowers. In fact, x 2, because another audiene member gave her flowers as well. She took both bouquet up in her arms, smelled them and waved them.

Without a doubt she loved every bit of that attention she was given. Did anyone here see that show? For Godsakes she deserved it."

Well, it's Liza. It's all part of the act. Did you really expect her to pout and throw the flowers back at the audience?

[Rudy2]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 7:45am

That's true, but then "...Palace" was my first time seeing her in person, so I wasn't as aware of that as I am now. :)

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 7:49am

I gave a rose to Brooke Shields at the curtain call of Wonderful Town, but that show had a long curtain call and I was on the front row, so I waited till the last minute, and Brooke was a doll, as usual.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 2:58pm

I've never seen anyone give anybody flowers during curtain call, except in shows I've been in where it's the last night and the cast gives the director flowers.

But as far as giving performers flowers - here's my philosophy: unless if you worked with the person or know them to a somewhat personal level, then it comes off a bit creepy. That being said, I've given a performer flowers before but it was after the show and I had worked/seen them in other productions.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 11:11am

It's not cynicism but, rather, understanding the times we live in. Every performer on Broadway has to deal with people who think they're friends because they took a picture at the stage door or whatever; cf, "Starshines" thread.