I guess BWW is kind of an alternate reality in that sense-- every talented lead performer is a 'star' to BWWers, while the average American probably wouldn't know who, say, Raul Esparza is.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
I consider anybody on Broadway to be a star because they are definitely more famous than I am I guess... They just aren't the average person in my mind. :P
In addition to the people I posted earlier in the thread, I'd have to add:
-Philip Seymour Hoffman (One of my greatest acting influences. Took a picture and talked with me for several minutes even though they were holding the elevator for him down the hall! haha) -Daniel Radcliffe (The Equus stagedoor was a mob scene. I'm not a Harry Potter fan, but I am a fan of Shaffer, so he ended up chatting with me about the play the whole time he was signing my side of the barricade. Really cool, down to Earth kid.) -Julie Andrews (Absolutely divine. It was like meeting the Queen. She couldn't have been more perfect.) -Tony Kushner -Anika Noni Rose -Laura Benanti -All the [tos]sers (I think everyone of them told me they liked my tie! Haha! Then at the Flea Market, Hunter and Jeff were fighting over my 1980 Richard Burton 'Camelot' shirt!) -Donna McKechnie -Molly Shannon -The entire original cast of August: Osage County
"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
-best12bars
"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290
* Natalie Joy Johnson :) * Becky Gulsvig (have a pic with her/but I look horrid and fat!) * D.B Bonds
but then someone else mentioned Brian Stokes Mitchell and I remember seeing him this past 4th of July with his family in Union Station (DC) doing the touristy thing before the 4th concert!!!
I didn't want to bother him and no one seemed to know who he was but me.. I walked by him and I knew but didn't approach.. walked outside (proceeded to kick myself) gave my son to my husband and quickly walked back in and shook his hand (told him didn't want his autograph cause I didn't want to take up his time) he was very sweet and chatted with me for a bit and his wife thought my son was adorable!!
Even though I have never been to a broadway show, I have still met nice broadway stars at the Muny in St. Louis. Those would be: -Daniel Reichard (I saw him in the show twice and remembered me when I said hi the second time)
-Will Chase
Guess what? I have flaws. What are they? Oh I don't know... I sing in the shower. Sometimes I spend too much time volunteering. Occasionally I'll hit somebody with my car. So sue me. No, don't sue me... that's the opposite of the point I'm trying to make.
I haven't gone stagedooring much, but I remember at B&TB, I was pretty young. Christy Carlson Romano signed my little Disney magazine with Kim Possible on the cover. She said it was cute and was really nice. It was her opening night and she signed for everyone despite the HUGE crowd.
kchenofan's computer is broken right now. This is her fridge. Now, you can leave a message, but say it slowly, so I can write it on a post-it note and stick it to myself.
Christian Hoff I met him both at Pal Joey, and Tommy reunion concert. He remembered me and talk to me for awhile. Always Friendly to everyone at Stage door.
Kathy Lee Gifford Met her at Pamela's First Musical, such a sweet heart.
Carol Shelley, Billy Elliot met her at the 1st preview. I talked to her about how she reminded me of my late grandmothers.
Herbie: "Honey, Don't you know there's a depression?"
Rose: "Of Course I know, I Watch Fox News"
-(modified)Gypsy
Broadway Schedule
December 5th- Hamilton, On Your Feet
December 19th- Noises Off, Edith Piaf Concert at Town Hall
Mandy Gonzalez. You'd think she gets paid a million dollars to stand there and sign autographs. She just seemed so truly excited to see everyone.
Really, the entire ITH cast was very nice.
"It means nothing to come and sit in a theater night after night and immerse yourself in fantasy, only then to walk out the door and be unchanged in reality. This show will live on in our hearts. But where it truly must survive is in our actions, our compassion and our generousity of spirit towards one another." - Adam Pascal on the closing of RENT
I know that I am not the only one on here that has to disagree with Lea Salonga as being one of the "nicest" stars. Back in her Eponine days, she was not so pleasant. Oh, the story I could tell....but it may put me back in therapy!
That's too bad Tommy...I've never met her before, which might explain a little bit...
But I would like to add to my list:
I met Marissa Jaret Winoker last night and she signed everybody's playbill and posed for about 50 pictures. And there were so many people there! Harvey did not take pictures, but he was nice about it and he did sign for everyone. Also Constanten(sp?)-(Link)-was incredibly nice and posed for pictures with everyone and delt with the annoying 9-15 year olds who were going crazy over him.
I'll also add the closing cast (and most previous casts) of RENT.
Aaron Tveit and Alice Ripley
"Sometimes on the strip, the dreams you come in with, ain't the dreams you leave with" ~Rock of Ages
"I'm a butterfly, trivial and small, and in the greater scheme of things, I don't mean much at all." ~The Story of My Life
"Forget Regret, or life is yours to miss." ~Rent
I met Lauren Zakrin and Rhiannon Hansen this past summer. They were both very nice.
The cast of Billy elliot is also very nice. I think it is so cool and funny that the 3 Billys will sign,pose for pictures, and carry on conversations with everyone.
I imagine that meeting Julie Andrews is far more pleasurable than meeting the queen.
Jon Groff is a complete sweetheart, too nice. (literally, too nice. I mean, it's one thing to let people hug you, but kiss you?! Come on). Kristen is also really nice, she really brightens up any room she walks into!
Though not really broadway, the touring company of Ave. Q. is also really nice. I went to two of their shows and ended up talking to them for quite a while after both.
Like many others here, I've been lucky enough to have several lovely encounters with some really gracious and kind Broadway performers, but the best will always be
good old Douglas Sills. He's just such a wonderful, kind man.
I wish he'd find his way back to the New York stage!
Jonathan Groff. and i have an excellent reason. At stagedoor the first time I saw Spring, it was cold..it was February...after meeting him I waited around, just for the heck of it, lol, and the stagedoor man was putting the barricades away. Jon started helping him, by picking them up and putting them against the theatre wall, as he was doing it, he stuck out his tongue and smiled. it was the cutest thing i have ever seen. I have never seen a Broadway actor help a stagedoor man/woman out, ever. They usually just walk away or whatever, but he helped him. So adorable and kind!
A few others... Hayley Podschun, Shannon Durig, Matt Doyle, Lisa Brescia, Nikki Snelson, and Niki Scalera.
Many are sweet. But my standouts: Kristin Chenoweth. After a concert at Lincoln center she signed autographs for every single person waiting, and before getting into her car to leave she asked if everyone who wanted something got it, and she stood there smiling and waving for people to take pictures. The sweetest thing. Sutton Foster as well. She actually listens to you and pays attention. Takes her time and makes small conversation. So sweet!! Jennifer Cody as well. I caught her before Shrek, and she was the most chipper, excited, friendly thing! She was making conversation and was overjoyed to stop!