Jessie Mueller Stagedoor — Page 2

Okay. It seems this thread is going somewhere near an attack on Jessie's character, so I admit that I went to the first preview and joined the insane stage door crowd in hope to have my poster and playbill signed, finding out that Jessie, as mail handler described, is one of the nicest people I've ever met. Since the crowd that day was literally insane and a lot of people in it probably wouldn't get the chance to meet the cast or get a signed playbill, I was helping someone behind me who passed me another poster and several playbills. When Jessie came out, she was really nice and kindly reminded me not to smack other people because I was holding the posters over my head (Yes, that sort of crazy). I wouldn't do stage door if I don't like a show, however big the star name is, but I won't be upset if the cast doesn't come out. You are paying serious money for the show, not for being starstruck. Moreover, she might opt not to come out because after doing such a physically and emotionally taxing role, going through the stage door mob every night is a total nightmare and potentially keeps her from giving the next day's audience their money's worth.

I have to admit, I have never heard an unkind word about Ms. Mueller. I really think the stage door stuff has gotten out of control and I do remind my niece that these performers work hard and must be wiped after a show. I think the young people are a bit star struck. I personally like the fact that she is not on social media. I think everyone is entitled to a bad day - I have seen Waitress and her performance must be emotionally draining. I have much respect for her and she does seem genuinely nice.

I’ve been watching lots of interviews and videos Jessie has done recently (even one recorded on Thursday) and find it very hard to believe that she is a rude/ignorant person. She always seems very grateful and grounded. Maybe there’s more to it than anybody realises considering she used to stage door? I’ve seen pictures which show the stage door at Waitress tends to be really busy and I can’t say the thought of people who I don’t know approaching me and shouting my name would be particularly enjoyable. She seems to have many loyal (!) fans and there have been lots of stage door horror stories (not from Waitress necessarily but definitely other shows with a similar fanbase) so maybe she’s worried about her safety? Seems to me as though she’d rather focus on the job in hand and not feed the madness.

I met her a couple years back at Beautiful. It was probably about 5 mths after she won the Tony so her star was starting to rise. She couldn't have been nicer or more genuine if she tried. There were probably only like 20 ppl waiting but she took time to speak with absolutely everyone, looked you straight in the eye and seemed genuinely interested in what you had to say. That Beautiful stage door had to be the most pleasant experience I've had after a show. Maybe it had to do with the location of it but it seemed that everyone had actually seen the show. I get the impression that she is somebody who loves what they do but just wants to live their life. I don't think she can be faulted for not coming out into the madhouse of a stage door. At the end of the day it is a job- I know there are many times at the end of my work day that I don't want to talk to anyone and just want to get home. Performers are no different and I don't think they can be faulted for that.