I'm going to the show on Sunday and of course would love to be able to a signature of Hugh/Daniel. I read the old posts of what a mess it was , has it gotten any more organized or does anyone have any suggestions. Saw Jude Law on Sat and they put ticket holders on one side and on lookers on the other. Do they do that at Rain?
As of last Saturday it was a total mess. I wasn't at the show but I made the mistake of trying to walk down 44th Street after the show I was at. It was a madhouse. There were so many people on both sides of the street that it was impossible to walk on the sidewalk. We had to walk in the street and people were stopping to stare so it was hard to even walk down the street. At one point I had to stop because I couldn't get through the crowd and a woman on the sidewalk across the street from the theatre scream at me to move. She yelled it wasn't fair and she was there first. I had to bite my tongue because I was tempted to tell her to buy a ticket to the show if she wants to see them so much.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
Yeah, it was pretty bad last Sunday. I didn't stay to stage door, so I can't say anything specific about the organization/barricade situation, but it looked like a mess as I was leaving. There were people everywhere. It did look like some of the other shows have tried to take charge, though, as there was a guy standing outside of the Music Box Theatre holding a sign that said "Quite Please" to remind people that a performance of SUPERIOR DONUTS was still in progress.
Even before the show it looked like a madhouse. As I was walking down 45th street to Red Mango I walked right past Hugh Jackman on his way into the theatre, and there were probably about 75 people waiting. And while it looked like he was very accommodating, his face had a look of "I can't wait to just get inside this theatre".
I've never really understood the hysteria around the stagedoor thing - why can't people just enjoy the play/musical and then go on to dinner/drinks/disco etc.? Don't they realise that their ticket price doesn't actually include meeting the star(s)/getting photos/autographs?
Just tonight I was attending a showing at the London Film Festival in the company of Tom Ford, Colin Firth, Sir Ben Kingsley, et al. I got to walk down the red carpet and got a few comments from the 'public' and even a few (accidental) photos - that's part of the fun of buying the tickets, after all. Some people thought I was famous just because I was there (hey, I was dressed up!). Who's to say that the experience of the public was any less than that at a Broadway theatre? Some people went home thinking that they had seen a 'celebrity', even though it was just me! What's the difference, really?
p.s. Of course, I'd like to think I am a celebrity but, sadly. that's not the case ...(yet).
"I've never really understood the hysteria around the stagedoor thing - why can't people just enjoy the play/musical and then go on to dinner/drinks/disco etc.? Don't they realise that their ticket price doesn't actually include meeting the star(s)/getting photos/autographs?
Just tonight I was attending a showing at the London Film Festival in the company of Tom Ford, Colin Firth, Sir Ben Kingsley, et al. I got to walk down the red carpet and got a few comments from the 'public' and even a few (accidental) photos - that's part of the fun of buying the tickets, after all. Some people thought I was famous just because I was there (hey, I was dressed up!). Who's to say that the experience of the public was any less than that at a Broadway theatre? Some people went home thinking that they had seen a 'celebrity', even though it was just me! What's the difference, really?
p.s. Of course, I'd like to think I am a celebrity but, sadly. that's not the case ...(yet)."
Seriously? No one gives a crap on this particular thread about what you think of the hysteria that surrounds stage doors or even that you felt like a celebrity at the London Film Festival. Many of us don't get or understand the hysteria that comes with certain interests but those who participate should not be ridiculed for their passion. Now, do you have anything useful to add regarding the topic at hand-- Is A Steady Rain stage door more organized?.
I was in NYC several weeks ago just before it opened and it was "hysteria" at that time so I would expect that it is going to continue to be that way.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I don't know if "ridicule" is the right word but I did sense an attitude of "holier than thou"
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
It's not bad if you are able to prepare yourself for what you're in for: a lot of rudeness, a lot of pushing. Both men sign autographs for both sides and take photos with everyone they can. It helps to be at the front of the barricades.
I also have an extra Playbill signed by the two of them if anyone is interested in buying it.
Updated On: 10/17/09 at 11:00 PM
jeffrey2, I got your pm but I can't answer you because it's saying you don't accept private messages. Can you change your settings? Or just pm me your e-mail address. I may be gone for a while but I'll try to answer you tonight. You're going tomorrow?
Hugh Jackman used to arrive that early, but lately he's been arriving more like 60-70 minutes before showtime.
I have a feeling that the huge crowds make logistics difficult for post-show separation of those with ticket stubs from non-attending onlookers who arrive before the performance ends. But that would certainly be a much more equitable way to handle the stage door.
I found it relatively easy to get a the playbill signed after the show, i also requested a signed playbill which I mailed an SAE to the SD, which came after less than a week, so my wife has one and I gave one away.
Was in the city yesterday seeing Olenna which is right next door. Came out and people were queing up already for Steady Rain even though it was still about 10 minutes from being over. I am seeing the show in November but had photos of both actors that I was hoping to get signed. To the right of the stage door is an open "pen" for people to line up in. I actually got in and was in the lower corner near the cars (Thanks to someones posting suggestion). The pen on the left is opened after the show gets out and only people with tickets are allowed in there - there was someone checking ala Equus.
The pens dont really seem to matter because the actors don't know which is which. Jackman came out 1st and worked the front of the pens very quickly. When he saw my photo he said "sorry Mate, I'm not signing memoribilia". Craig came out next and said the same thing.
They will only sign Playbills.
Hugh spent maybe 2 minutes and wisked off. Craig stayed much longer.
Thanks for the help. I went today and it was a mess. What everyone has said about the baracade system is true, you think you have a great spot, they check off your ticket , put you in a pen , and then eventually close off the the sidewalk and let everyone from behind or just walking down the street to be in front and your in the back. I did manage to get some pictures, however my wife who loves Jackman was shut out because of her height and was pushed and shoved and eventually got out of the line very mad at the whole situation. Its a very busy street to have all of that action.
I'm going to see this show tonight. How has the stage door been recently? It is impossible to get a picture with either actor? I've always valued pictures much more over autographs, but I'd be happy to just get an autograph too.
I was at the matinee show yesterday (12/2) and it was crazy! There were so many people waiting in the barricades that didn't even see the show! Luckily, my mom was holding me and my sister a spot in the front corner behind the barricades so we had a great view! Hugh & Daniel were so sweet and smiley ... I shook both of their hands (that made my life)! They didn't take any pictures or sign any autographs since they were doing the BC/EFA auction for the shirts backstage right after the show. That was disappointing because I really wanted to get their signatures! But otherwise, I had a great time :) Updated On: 12/3/09 at 06:31 PM
Ugh, this is embarrassing, but I stagedoored twice about a week and a half ago.
Yeah, it's still pretty crazy, probably the worst one I've ever witnessed. I would recommend waiting on the left side of the stage door (left if you're facing the theatre) get there before everyone else, and then once the stage door manager guy starts to move the second barricade to create the walkway for Hugh and Jack (he moves it like, literally one minute before Hugh comes out), haul your ass over and get to the front of the barricade.
I doubt they're going to commence with the playbill signing for the rest of the run, even if the charity drive is over by now. And I'm surprised that they used to pose for pics because they don't anymore. But they're both really sweet for the 1.5-2 minutes that they're there for before they hop into their escalades. They'll both shake your hand even if you're not offering it and if you're in the front of either barricade and ask nicely for a hug they'll give you one. But that's about it. Updated On: 12/3/09 at 06:33 PM