Thank you to whoever just FINALLY mentioned GARY BEACH. He's the nicest guy ever and guess what he just told me the other day. He's playing Tenardier in the Les Miz revival! How awsome is that!
You are young, life has been kind to you. You will learn.
For the life of me I can't remember if I responded to this, so here I go again.
Billy Crudup -- absolute doll, so adorable Anthony Rapp -- very nice and really makes a point of talking to everyone if he can Adam Pascal -- such a sweetheart, great eye contact. I met him in non-stage door context so I really got to have a good conversation with him Kristin Chenoweth -- so bubbly and sweet. She gave me a big hug too. Marc Kudisch -- really nice Mary Testa -- such a warm and endearing personality Norbert Leo Butz --- so funny and nice
"I wish the stage were as narrow as the wire of a tightrope dancer, so that no incompetent would dare step upon it." Goethe
The last post in this thread is from March 2006. Continuing on...who are the nicest Broadway stars you have encountered. Also, which stars are the nicest to work with?
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
I went through all the pages of this thread. It was like going thru a time warp. Anyway, the nicest Broadway stars / and other theatre artists I have encountered (in no particular order): Angela Lansbury, Marian Seldes, Chita Rivera, Patti LuPone, Max Von Essen, Kyle Dean Massey, Natalie Cortez, Deidre Goodman, Cheyenne Jackson, Kerry Butler, Tony Yazbek, Robert Cuccioli, Nick Adams, Tony Sheldon, Patina Miller, Charlotte D'Amboise, Terra C, Dylis Croman, Bianca Marroquin, Ryan Lowe, Jason Patrick Sands, Matthew James Thomas and Jonny Orsini. To my recollection, I don't think I've ever run across any meanies. I've taken pictures with all of them, with the exception of Jonny (I forgot to ask.)
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
MICHAEL CERVERIS! At the last minute he filled in as host for the National High School Music Theatre Awards. He was so kind and encouraging to all of the kids there. We saw him after Fun Home too - just a genuinely kind heart, I was so impressed by him.
Laurie Veldheer, Clay Thomson, Ann Nathan, Chris Rice, AJ Holmes, all of the Broadway Matilda kids (too many to mention!), Beth Malone, Sydney Lucas, Emily Skeggs, Roberta Colindrez, Zell Morrow, Joel Perez, Oscar Williams, Madelyn Morrow, Gabby Pizzolo, Lauren Patten, Marrick Smith - all were very, very kind.
Victoria Clarke & Uzo Abuda blew me away with their kindness when we saw Cinderella and Godspell and how they chatted with me and my family for a few minutes. Also, James Monroe Iglehart, Peter Gallagher, & Gabriel Ebert were gracious as well!
EDIT: How could I forget Sierra Boggess? I met her at a student thing, 2 years ago. And she couldn't be any sweeter.
There are several I could mention, but Andrea Martin is hands down the nicest people I have had the pleasure of meeting on many occasions (and not at the stage door.)
As of my recent New York trip, I have plenty of additions: Kelli O'Hara, Ken Wantanabe, Beth Malone, Emily Skeggs, Heidi Blickenstaff, Kate Reinders, Brian D'Arcy James, Elena Shaddow, Max Von Essen, Leanne Cope, Veanne Cox, Robert Fairchild, and Jill Paice. Everyone was so gracious!
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
Most of the Broadway actors I've met (at stage-door or otherwise), have been nice. I don't know if I could pick one has been the nicest, but Brian Stokes Mitchell came to my mind first. I met him at an event a few years ago, and he was one of the sweetest, most charming people I've ever encountered. Every time he introduced himself to anyone in the room he would say "call me Stokes."
I could write a book considering the many years I have worked in the trenches of restaurants in California and New York. Celebrities of film and stage all tend to be pretty well mannered in the restaurant environment but I think I would have to give the prize to Victoria Clark who literally introduced herself and her guest to me. I know Dr. Ruth is not a Broadway actress but if she were she would be right up there with Victoria.
Restaurants aside, Ken Wanabee is very sweet. Probably no surprise since he was crying for Kelly when she won the Tony. He treats everyone respectfully and has a positive attitude and I have no doubt he led by example in The King and I company.
Cherry Jones has a luminous warmth that came across from a brief exchange during an intermission of a play. It is what makes her such a wonderful actress.
On a side note Russell Crowe is a huge tipper as is Montel Williams.
Cynthia Nixon is very much herself and I have always given her credit for coming in with her girlfriend the day the NY Post outed her on the cover. I thought most people might have stayed home and watched movies that day but not her....she obviously is a very strong woman.
Oh yea, Ruthie Anne Miles was darling when i met her after K&I. Ken was really cool, but everyone was swarming him, so I could hardly say hi to him. I got a photo though :)
This is the most superficial thread! 'Nice' is all relative. You fawn over a performer & what are they gonna do but be pleasant & friendly back - but they're actors?! Only those close to them really know their true character. This posting might as well just be titled "Bwy performers you have met."
I agree with some of the others who've said Michael Cerveris and Jonathan Groff. Only met Michael Cerveris once, but he had a real warmth to him. Jonathan Groff seems to really engage people in conversation and treat them like fellow human beings. Sierra Boggess is very sweet too.