Even I would NEVER dare to ask her for a backstage tour. I know my limitations. I think the original poster should be glad if he gets to see her backstage and poses for a picture in her dressing room. Even then, there are steps to take: First, you ask her. If she's okay with it, she tells you who to contact at the stage door. With that okay, you get on a visitor's list. After the perf, then you go to the stage door. There's someone with the show (I forget who) who has that prized visitor's list in her hand. You mention your name. Once she's verified your name is actually on the visitor's list, then you are ushered inside and asked to wait with the other people. I think the celebrities go first and then us. I remember waiting to see her after her performance in "Sweeney", I saw Tom Wopat and others seeing her as well. Once it was my turn, I went there with a guy who worked with Miss Patti in "Noises Off". When she saw me, she called me by my first name and said something funny: "Is this your "friend"?" ...the guy next to me. I had the impression she thought that that guy was my "special" friend. I chuckled at her little faux pas. I don't figure that Miss LuPone does backstage tours...unless you're a family member or a really good friend of hers. In any case, by the time her show ends, she's obviously exhausted, but has to get dressed in civilian clothes to greet her dressing room visitors. Once that happens, she still has to greet her adoring fans at the stage door. Yes, she does answer her fan email... with brief responses.
Here are a couple of emails I've received from her:
from my email (10-1-2006)
Dear Miss Patti: I'm just writing this little note to say "hi". I hope all is well in your little corner of the world. There is something else. I've started a new thread in the Broadway World.com theatre forum. The topic is: "Suggested Titles fora future Patti LuPone autobiography. I suggested a title: "They Either Love Me or Hate Me" . Under the chapter title : RUG (Really Useful Group)..the caption would be "Censored." When you do write an autobiography, any preliminary thoughts for a title? Inquiring minds want to know.. Sincerely, Roman in Austin, Texas... your official Patti LuPone FANatic in the Lone Star State P.S. I had a wonderful time seeing "A Chorus Line" at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco this past July. Any plans for your to see it on Broadway?
Her response (dated: 10-7-2006)
Hi Roman, I saw it on opening nite and was a bit disappointed. How about "My Grandmother Was A Bootlegger"? Catchy! Love, Patti
Email #2: my email to her from 3-17-2007. She responded back on 3-20-07.
Hello Miss Patti: Here are my questions I submitted to her website).
Question #1: Have you heard another singer's interpretation of one of your songs? (her response: Yes, I've heard other singers sing songs that I've sung.)
Question #2: What would you think of a male singer performing one of your songs, like "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (I've heard John Barrowman singing "Being Alive" on a recording.)
(her response: "Being Alive" is written for a man.
Question #3: If you could be a tree, what kind of tree would you be? (With all due apologies to Barbara Walters)
her response: "A palm or a willow".
Question #4: Do you ever have the chance to browse through a theatre forum like Broadway World.com? her response: "No."
from RC in Austin, Texas
"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)
Updated On: 3/13/08 at 10:39 AM
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