NEXT TO NORMAL Replaces Rush with Lottery- Page 3

[yeomansden]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 8:35pm

@Emcee

Word.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 8:43pm

that's good I guess

[EveHarrington]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 9:52pm

Emcee, this is my problem with the obvious attention-seeking behavior most of these young kids display. Ask them and they'll claim that they do it out of love for the show, every single time. If all you want is to experience the show or have an experience you love, why do you need to harass the actors at the stage door and on facebook? That's not relevant to your experience of a show, the characters, the plot, the music, etc. It's completely tangential and is only relevant if you're engaging in the kind of status-whoring, attention-seeking crap that ruins the experience for a lot of people, or at least scares some people off.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 10:05pm

I know you're more or less agreeing with me, but... it's not all kids. Maybe it's often kids, but this isn't an age thing; there are kids who behave with more maturity than some of the adults who engage in this kind of behavior. So, I guess I'm just saying that I don't think it's fair to lay it all on young people.

I also think talking with actors after a performance can be relevant to your experience at the show. But if you're going to a show over and over again expressly with the intention to try and force a friendship, then yes, I agree with you. It's also hard for me to knock that generically, or to say it's impossible to form relationships with artists, because I have done so based simply on my love for a show -- but the distinction is that that shouldn't be your reason for going. If you go looking for it, it won't be organic.

Updated On: 10/5/09 at 10:05 PM

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 10:16pm

Emcee, I totally agree with you. I've had several experiences with shows I just don't get tired of and pack an emotional punch for me every time (Next to Normal being one of them), but I do think that for some people it turns into a contest rather than just the joy of having the experience of seeing the show. I'm a little disappointed about them switching only because it would be nice to go and be sure I'd be getting a seat, but the crazies have really been getting out of hand.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 10:22pm

I've never rushed this show, but having passed the line on several occasions on a weekend when I am in town, i acknowledge this may be a good move. I love the show, and have seen it more than once spread out through the three runs, but the crazy fans scare me, especially when they are not kids. Lotto seems the fairest and sanest way to go given the state of crazy fandom right now.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 10:27pm

Emcee agree 100%


Also this is deffinetly the best thing. It gives Normal people like us who cant, or really dont want to, wait on a rush line for 7 hours, have a chance of getting cheap tickets.

I would have no problem waiting a hour, maybe even a little more in line, but it just couldnt be done with these fans lining up practially the night before.

I wonder if the change was implemented because of some complaints about the people waiting outside every night.

[doubleentendre]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 10:37pm

The problem is also furthered by the fact that this activity is being encouraged by certain members of the N2N camp. Case in point, Ripley's personal assistant is just as in the thick of it as some of these ridiculous younger (and occasionally older) people and encouraging the ridiculousness instead of merely tolerating it or perhaps trying to better the situation by ignoring it.

A part of me wonders how the rest of the cast/creative team feels about the lengths Ripley and Co. have gone to to encourage the crazy. They all can't be happy with it....

[ashley0139]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 10:45pm

I am just shocked and disappointed that they are doing this right AFTER the crazy summer months. Why wait until the craziness dies down and then do it? Why not do it at the height of crazy, aka over the summer.

Oh well.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 10:48pm

I agree. I think one case in point is Jen who does not like to stage door at all. I wouldnt put it past her that some of the crazies are the reason why.

I think a big part of the problem is that Most of the younger kids (even older people) think it would be so cool to have a friend in Broadway and the fact that Alice tries to "befriend" them is like a dream come true.

I remember she would even hand out buisness cards saying "Add me on facebook". These fans think she actually is their friend and it makes them act completly weird.

I think this is more than enough proof to back my statment up,
On facebook a couple of months back someone commented this on Alices facebook.

"Hey I know I just met you at the stage door yesterday for like a minute but we should get to know each other better and get coffee sometime, if you dont want to because we dont really know each other I understand"

I dont know if its more creepy than it is sad.

[bybubble]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 10:49pm

Perhaps, with the Winter coming, they are trying to discourage people being out in the street all night long? that could be one reason.

[EveHarrington]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 11:06pm

"but... it's not all kids. Maybe it's often kids, but this isn't an age thing; there are kids who behave with more maturity than some of the adults who engage in this kind of behavior. So, I guess I'm just saying that I don't think it's fair to lay it all on young people. "

That's fair. I've seen 30+ year olds engaging in the same behavior. My statements obviously only apply to those emotionally disturbed people who feel the need to go to the stagedoor every night. If you want to go once to get an autograph or a photo or make a comment? I have no problem with that. Going back every time you see the show IS creepy.

"I also think talking with actors after a performance can be relevant to your experience at the show. But if you're going to a show over and over again expressly with the intention to try and force a friendship, then yes, I agree with you. It's also hard for me to knock that generically, or to say it's impossible to form relationships with artists, because I have done so based simply on my love for a show -- but the distinction is that that that shouldn't be your reason for going. If you go looking for it, it won't be organic."

I'm sorry, I hate to blanket statement like this? But I have to say, yes, some performers are interested, more tolerant than others, etc. etc. They'll talk to you, some go so far as to give out contact information, phone numbers, emails, etc. But hundreds of people claim to be the one person to have found "true relationships/friendships" through stagedoor and 9/10 times it's completely untrue, they're just blinded by what they want the situation to be. Not saying that's true for you, but it's usually the case. It just creates a completely unbalanced relationship that's somewhat unhealthy for a myriad of reasons. Have a life. Make real friends. Why exactly does anyone "need" a friend on Broadway other than to try and feel special? Unless you're working in the business, there's no reason to even try or bother with exchanging information.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 11:26pm

I like you ^

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 11:32pm

No, I know what you mean. But as someone who was not all that long ago a teenager, and who still sees adults behaving far worse than many young people, I just wanted to point that out.

I agree with you -- in part. But I think a blanket assumption like that leaves out the fact that many people who SEE theater and enjoy it, or who grew up fans of the art, now also work in the business (not that I didn't say "at the stage door," I said based on my love for a show). But I do agree that often there is an artificiality, which comes from the one-sided nature of fans and admirers wanting it so badly, or caring more about the status symbolism than the person. That goes back to what I said earlier, about the inorganic nature of like, setting out to attain a friendship. I think the bottom line there is that it's just difficult to make any sort of blanket statement about an issue that's not at all black and white. And I don't blame you for your skepticism, but unfortunately it's not something anyone can really argue without getting sort of personal, and that's not something I think many of us (myself included!) are about to do.

Updated On: 10/5/09 at 11:32 PM

[legally_popular]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 11:33pm

Not only do I get annoyed and incredibly creeped out by these people, but I truly feel sorry for them. Don't they have anything else going on in their lives instead of obsessing over a show so much? Can't they find real friends instead of forming faux "friendships" with performers based on sstagedoor experiences? And what's with all the creepy comments on Alice's facebook and all the gifts and whatnot?

I can't believe Alice encourages it too. I know that some of of the cast and staff are uncomfortable. There was one circumstance about a certain woman discussed before (...who has since changed her user name ), but she is just one of the many and the younger ones seem even worse. I'm just saying that they're not all young people.

I do not have a problem with seeing the show multiple times, but it seems like they fight for the cast's attention - the loud crying during the show, the stage door behavior, etc.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 11:39pm

The tears are legit cries. Cries for attention.

I understand the show is a emotional rollercoaster but asking Alice

"Did you see me crying when etc.."

Come on.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 10/6/09 at 12:34am

I can see both sides of the situation. I communicate with some of those girls on facebook and I think they're sweet and definitely harmless, but I also see how it's completely off-putting. What bugs me is when people think the stage door is more important than the show. It's not. If you think it is, your priorities are wrong. I love doing the stage door, but that's not what it's about.

I'm pretty sure that none of the girls in question asked Alice Ripley out for coffee. Anyone with a functioning brain would know not to do that. I can only assume that Alice doesn't mind the whole thing because she encourages it. I guess as long she's okay with it, it's not really a problem. I'm just glad I'm able to distance myself a bit or else my inner fangirl would probably take over.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 10/6/09 at 12:55am

I couldnt find the coffee post however I found these to make up for it (If you dont believe they are real you can simply look on her facebook yourself)


Erin ****** August 31st 7:37pm
"hey, my birthday is next tuesday, and you're welcome to have lunch with me if you want, it's in pittsburgh. i can't do dinner, sorry, but lunch would be cool, around 11, let me know!"

Jonathan **** August 26 10:43pm
"Hi, I don't know if you remember me, but I went to the Next to Normal stage door on August 14, even though I haven't seen the show yet..."

Erika ******* August 4 6:51pm
"Alice you ar sooooo amazing and the fact that you hugged me is amazing!! we should hang out soon"

Updated On: 10/6/09 at 12:55 AM

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 10/6/09 at 12:58am

I know that people posted that stuff. I've seen it too. I was just saying that it wasn't any of the people who were referred to before. Sorry I wasn't clear.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 10/6/09 at 1:04am

No need to apologize.

I do understand what you mean. Alot of her fans are nice/normal people. I met one girl on her page and actually became very good friends with her.

But some people are just completly out of it. For one thing I would never stage door a show that I didnt even see yet.
Its a shame because the show is really good but most go for the "Ripley" factor and nothing else.

It makes me think that if Alice leaves the cast, it might not survive.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/6/09 at 1:08am

Well said Emcee.

I can understand if people want to wait outside at 3:30 am to rush a show they have been dying to see for that one-time experience (or even doing it a couple of times), but I don't understand how people engage in repeated behaviors and turn it into some status thing. It even gets to the point where they feel entitled to have a certain seat.

Recently, I rushed a show. I was probably about 6th or 7th in line. The group at the front of the line had gotten there at 4:30 a.m. I didn't get there until much later (probably around 8 a.m.). One girl in this group bragged how she saw the show more than 10 times. Despite them getting there before me, I ended up with a seat in the front row on the aisle, while the group sat directly behind me. Two people in this group (including the girl who saw it multiple times) would not stop complaining before the show started and did not understand how they possibly could not get a front row seat since they were first in line. They felt entitled to have this front row seat just because they got there first.

The reason why it ended up that way was because two box office windows were selling student rush. Perhaps one window sold all the front row tickets and the other window sold other seats throughout the theater. Either way, it did not matter. I could sympathize with them if they were in the rear mezzanine or in a really crappy seat, but both seats were equally good, so it was annoying to hear these people go on and on about it.

I am glad this show has switched to a lotto, giving people an equal opportunity to see the show at a cheaper price.

Updated On: 10/6/09 at 01:08 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/6/09 at 1:09am

I know that people posted that stuff. I've seen it too. I was just saying that it wasn't any of the people who were referred to before. Sorry I wasn't clear.

The people being discussed here have said/posted plenty of creepy stuff on Alice's facebook page. I know who they are, too.

[doubleentendre]

Posted: 10/6/09 at 1:15am

I think we ALL know the biggest culprits of the creepy factor. Sadly, the ones who were the super creepiest of all at the beginning are now merely homely chorus girls in the glittery extravaganza that is the N2N fangirls.

While walking home from work last week (past the Booth) one in particular, that I'm unfortunately quite familiar with, was seen at the stage door six out of eight shows this week, maybe more as I didn't walk past during matinee time. And, I know for a fact this person didn't see the show at all in that eight show span. It's called stalking. Stop it.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/6/09 at 1:17am

I wonder how long it is going to be before people start complaining about someone rigging the Next to Normal lotto.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 10/6/09 at 1:19am

As soon as a certain fangirl doesnt win a ticket.