How do actors respond when you ask them to sign stuff at the stage door from previous stuff?

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:00pm

Are actors typically okay when someone asks them to sign something at the stage door from something they did prior (like even a DVD Cover), or are they typically a bit more reserved?

Thanks,

Andrew

[playbill-love]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:04pm

It completely depends on the person, and to some extent the show. If you're at a show with an insane crowded stage door, probably no one will be signing stuff that isn't a playbill or poster from that show. I have seen (generally younger and less well known) actors get really genuinely excited that someone has like seen their previous work and liked it and come back to see them again, and on the other end of the spectrum seen actors who seem to think it's a little weird or whatever but still sign it.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:08pm

I've had good experiences. I'm assuming you mean have them sign these old things in addition to the current playbill?

For example, after seeing Catch Me if You Can, I asked Aaron to sign a next to normal program and Norbert an Enron playbill, in addition to the Catch Me playbill. Both were very nice about it.

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:11pm

I meant on their own, as I'm seeing "It's Only a Play" on the first preview, and I'm anticipating nothing short of hell, so I figured I'd only be lucky enough to get one thing signed. With this having some higher-named cast members, I was just hoping they wouldn't be insulted if I were to ask them to sign, say, a DVD cover or something. (Again, I'd typically get both signed, if I didn't think it'd be such a mad house, and as much as I love collecting signed playbills, as a film student, I'd much rather collect something pertaining to their a film, if that makes sense at all.)

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:12pm

I'm confused- if you're seeing the play, there shouldn't be an issue. Updated On: 8/6/14 at 04:12 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:13pm

Usually there's gasping and big smiles. But I don't stage door unless I've seen the show, so I rarely am only holding that item from their previous work.

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:15pm

Shouldn't be an issue with what, asking them to sign something previous, or having something for them to sign? The issue is I don't want to press my luck with holding out two items, so I'd rather have them sign something from a previous work, and I'd hate for them to get insulted by my doing so, or look over me completely.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:18pm

I've never gotten an insulted reaction from an actor when asking them to sign items from their previous work -- even if it was a flop.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:18pm

I don't think they'll be insulted. You'll be fine.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:19pm

I've never had a problem with people signing stuff from their previous work. When I saw Patti Lupone in concert she signed 3 playbills for me and was extremely excited to see them again (they were Evita, Anything Goes, and Women On the Verge). Also when I saw Audra McDonald she had no problem signing my poster from Porgy and Bess.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:20pm

A couple actors have asked if they could look through my old playbill because they don't even have one anymore.

[Alix]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:21pm

^^ Same thing happened to me. When I saw Alan Cumming in Threepenny Opera, I brought a Cabaret playbill for him to sign and he was excited to see it and flipped through it for a few minutes.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:24pm

Typically, they all respond exactly the same way.

[Broadwaydreaming]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:48pm

Most actors are ok with signing previous stuff. In fact, I've never witnessed an actor that refused to sign. Most are happy to. It shows you're a dedicated fan. They may even stop to talk to you for a bit. Depends how busy it is. I wouldn't worry about it. Good luck!

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:50pm

Alright thank you guys so much. (Again, as I'm leaning more towards a DVD cover, I was just making sure an actor wouldn't have a problem being asked to sign, say, "Ferris Bueller" or something.)

Thanks,

Andrew

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 4:52pm

Years ago, I waited at the stage door of the Shubert Theater in Boston for Elizabeth Taylor to arrive for that evening's performance of PRIVATE LIVES. I had three or four different 8 X 10 black and white photos I asked her to sign. Graciously, she signed all of them...and then asked to keep one. She must've like it. Of course I gave it to her...

Updated On: 8/6/14 at 04:52 PM

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 5:37pm

I've done this a few times.

Asked Jeremy Jordan to sign a B&C mini poster in addition to my Newsies one. He did so happily, and even asked if I saw the show. I said that no, I'd missed it, but I loved the cast recording and he said he was glad it was made for that very reason.

Asked Andy Mientus to sign my Carrie mini poster and my SMASH painting at the Les Mis stage door. He did so, and even laughed and remarked, "The ghosts of my past!"

Asked Annaleigh Ashford to sign my Legally Blonde Playbill I'd gotten at the flea market (which was also that day I saw Kinky Boots)and she even said how much she missed the show.

I mean, if you know the person hated the show or the work or the experience or whatever (like Christian Bale and the Newsies movie) I wouldn't, but I've had only good experiences.

Updated On: 8/6/14 at 05:37 PM

[jo]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 6:52pm

How about asking them to sign on memorabilia for a future project

I had an old artcard of LES MISERABLES from its original Imperial Theatre staging which I had kept over the years. When I asked Hugh Jackman to sign it for me during his Back on Broadway stint, he had not as yet started filming the movie adaptation of the musical, although he had been announced as the lead. But he signed it graciously.

[gstrus2]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 6:55pm

I brought my Once on this Island playbill to LaChanze and Jerry Dixon to the stagedoor of If/Then in DC, they were so surprised and happy to see it. Jerry looked through it and then him and LaChanze looked together and hugged. Was a nice moment, it seemed like they hadn't seen a playbill for that show in a while.

[valeposh]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 7:15pm

Kelli O'Hara was happy to sign my "The Light In The Piazza" cast album at the Bridges stage door. She commented on what Matt Morrison had written on it and on how much she likes working with him.

[amoni2]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 8:34pm

"Again, as I'm leaning more towards a DVD cover"

I had many actors sign a DVD cover and never had a problem. In fact, I've had more than one take it and read it front and back because it was the first time they had even seen it. It's not like they are automatically sent a copy.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 9:16pm

"I was just making sure an actor wouldn't have a problem being asked to sign, say, "Ferris Bueller" or something"

Honestly I would NOT recommend asking Matthew Broderick to sign anything Ferris Bueller. It's going to be a crowded stage-door and often for that sort of crowd/star they restrict it to items from the show. Also, I remember stage-dooring Nice Work and someone asked him to like quote something from Ferris Bueller and he said "no" very curtly, and seemed displeased at being asked. I realize that's a different matter from an autographed DVD, but given his star status (and reputation for grumpiness at the Nice Work stage-door), it seems like he'd be equally unwilling to sign a Ferris DVD.

[Wickedmonkey332]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 10:03pm

I witnessed Mathhew Broderick shove an eight year old boy away when he was asked to sign a FB poster. Don't try it with that piece of work.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 8/6/14 at 11:13pm

Maddie, it's funny that you bring up Annaleigh and Legally Blonde. At last years flea market I had a window card and she lit up when she saw it! I think she really loved that show.