Swing Joined: 4/14/09
Ms Lupone is performing tomorrow night for a gala opening of a new Detroit suburban theatre. Unfortunately, my fan support does not match my budget for benefit performances.
I would love to meet one of my idols and have her sign either my Encores! "Gypsy" Playbill or her wonderful book. I'm not sure if the theatre has a proper stage door or what any setup would be like.
Have any of you encounterd Patti at a door, etc? She has a "reputation", but I think she is just passionate about her work and from her book and other interviews seems direct but a very nice woman. With that talent you can have some attitude.
I just don't want attitude directed toward me or considered stalking. Her hotel option is pretty obvious but that borders on privacy. Just curious how she is after a show, etc. She's obviously there to work and I respect that. Let me know if I should try. Thanks!
I met her after a show in NC in 2009. It was raining and very cold. And she signed for everyone and chatted with us all. Amazingly real and sweet women.
Updated On: 5/22/11 at 02:08 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
I love "sweat" women.
I met her after I saw one of her performances in the Sweeney Todd revival back in 06. She was very warm and "sweat."
That being said, she was also a bit diva-like when someone tried to get her to sign some CD they had of her's, I don't even know what it was, but the next thing I knew, she said "Absolutely not" and walked away. Don't bring the playbills. She won't sign, most performers wouldn't, it's considered sort of strange.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/10
I met her at a book signing for her memoir. When I asked politely if I could get a picture (the person running the event, whom I asked for permission, said it was allowed), she replied that she doesn't take pictures.
Based on my experiences, she doesn't pose for pictures at the stage door. That definitely was the case at the "Gypsy" stage door. This huge guy said ahead of time, that Miss LuPone would NOT pose for pictures. There's nothing stopping you from taking a picture of her. If you write to her ahead of time, you can request to meet her backstage following a show/concert. If you don't hear from her, that prolly would be your answer. She normally has a list of about 10 or so, who are allowed to visit with her briefly backstage. That's how I was (last) able to meet with her backstage in 2009. She doesn't always meet people backstage ( or accepts gifts) after a show, as I found out when she performed in Austin in April 2010. from RC in Austin, Texas
If you thought she seemed like a sweet woman after reading that dreadful book she co-wrote, I recommend re-reading it.
I have a picture with her from after NOISES OFF. She wasn't totally "with it" when she took the pic and is wearing these huge weird sunglasses with yellow plastic suns covering the lenses and she has her mouth wide open smiling and it's the most amazing pic.
But every time I've seen her at the stage door she's been nothing but amazing. She does love her fans from what I can tell and will chat and sign most anything. I love her to death.
She's always been rushed, but accommodating, when I've seen her at the stage door. I've heard from friends who have gone to the stage door after concerts outside of the NYC area, though, that she's chatted and stayed around a little longer.
Jordan, I think you should scan that picture, because it sounds delightful.
It's not the best picture of Miss Patti. Friends have told me she looks like a demon ready to eat whoever was taking the picture. But I LOVE IT.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/28/09
I think she didn't pose after Gypsy because it was pretty crowded. I have seen pictures of her with friends of mine after Sweeney and Women on the Verge..., so she does at least occasionally...
Chorus Member Joined: 12/20/10
I got a picture with her as well. It was after one of her concerts and she actually stopped and chatted with me for a few minutes even though there was many people at the stage door. I even got a picture.
I'm seeing Patti's show next week, and definitely planning on stagedooring. Do you think she'd sign the LP of Evita that I have? Thanks!
smallworld, when I saw her & Mandy on Broadway, they were both more than happy to sign my Evita LP set. Now the treasure of my collection.
Thank you for the reply! I think it'll look wonderful with her signature on it.
Just hope she writes something resembling her name and not "Putz" like she wrote on mine.
Don't bring the playbills. She won't sign, most performers wouldn't, it's considered sort of strange.
Why is it that some performers won't sign old Playbills or other memorabilia, and will only sign stuff for the show that they're currently in?
At women on the verge she signed my Gypsy subway poster. it's like 3ft x 4 ft and she was super impressed, and she even took my silver sharpie instead of signing in black when I asked. she was in a rush as usual but was really nice
Why is it that some performers won't sign old Playbills or other memorabilia, and will only sign stuff for the show that they're currently in?
Probably because they'd rather be acknowledged for the work they did that day and not the work they did 20 years ago.
I've brought things from performer's past performances - not even Broadway related because they were widely known for television roles - and they had no objections.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/26/11
The reason for some is autograph stores and they don't want those people to make money off of them.
After WOMEN ON THE VERGE, I went to the wrong stage door, and Patti was the only one to come out of it, and she happily signed my WOTV playbill, window card, and GYPSY playbill. She was very nice and gracious, but definitely rushed, and she sped right off in her SUV.
I managed to sputter the word "inspired" out when speaking to her, as I was in such shock that I was meeting her and stammering nonsensical sounds.
I saw Patti in concert in Pittsburgh a few months ago. After the performance there were probably about 75 people waiting outside afterwards by the stage door. The security guards had us form a line and come into the stage door and file past her as she signed things. She politely ignored any requests for photos, and they kept the line moving very quickly, but she was polite and very friendly/nice. I think she just likes respect and wants to get to everyone. If all 75 people wanted to stand there and ramble on about how much they love her and stop her to pose for a picture, it would take forever to get through everyone.
Being that this is a benefit, she might have obligations to appear at a reception, etc. (if there is one) after her performance. She might not stage door because of this.
If you DO decide to stage door, it might help you to "blend in" a bit more if you dress up and make it LOOK as if you were just in the benefit concert.
If she does sign, don't expect much more than her quickly signing one (maybe! two things) saying "Thank You" and then moving on to the next person. Let us know how it goes!
I had an amazing experience meeting her in 2008 in San Antonio. Remember, RC?
My Dinner With Patti
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