Question about gift giving to a cast member

[Broadwayluva]

Posted: 4/10/07 at 9:38pm

Hi everyone, I amd going to New York next week to see anumber of shows and one of them is Mary Poppins because I am a HUGE fan of one of the swings in the show. I had met him in Boston when he was on the tour of Wicked, so he has met me before. What I was wondering is, and I want you to be truthful, is it weird bringing a cast member a gift of some sort and if it isn't what do you suggest? Thanks a lot and take care.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/10/07 at 9:52pm

Most broadway guys really love paper weights with scorpions in them or Russian nesting dolls.

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 4/10/07 at 9:52pm

I suggest giving him a nice, large SEARCH BUTTON.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 2:36pm

The last day of "Man of La Mancha", we gave the cast a tray of cookies from a bakery in Brooklyn--- they were gone in a few minutes !!! BUT... I agree about the food thing... we hedged as well, but we had asked a few of the castmembers prior to buying it, and they said it was "ok"-

[siny]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 2:40pm

How about if the cookies are individually wrapped ? Would they still throw them away ?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 3:53pm

I personally would refrain from giving him any sort of 'gift', unless you know him quite well. Judging by actor friends of mine who get 'gifts' from repeated stage door visitors -- it kinda gives them the creeps. You waiting for him after the performance is a nice enough gesture alone. Seriously.

A gift is apropo if it's his birthday or it's his final performance, but again...the protocol really applies IF you know him a bit, not just knowing him from your stagedoor visits.

Think about it -- how would you feel if some stranger gave you a Starbucks gift card, just because you're in a show? It really makes no sense. If you knew him a bit, it's still a bit odd, but more applicable.

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:01pm

If somebody gave me a Starbucks gift card just because I was in a show I certainly wouldn't be complaining...

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:04pm

Gifts from people you don't know very well can be creepy, especially if you are in the public eye. How about getting him something like some REALLY nice underwear or a scrapbook of photos you've taken of him without him knowing.

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:05pm

Underwear and pictures might be a bit creepy...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:08pm

I always wondered what the fangurls thought Idina and Kristin did with all the crap they were constantly being given.

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:14pm

I've never known a Broadway actor to return a basket of money. Actors love baskets of money.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:14pm

The gift that always fits!

And, not creepy!

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:21pm

Since no one liked my suggestions, how about a new bedspread? Tell him you noticed his old one is looking rather warn.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:31pm

Bring him something that is uniquely Boston(or whatever city you are from). Maybe a t-shirt that says "Boston" or "Harvard". Or maybe a baseball cap with a Boston logo.

Updated On: 4/12/07 at 04:31 PM

[Blonde]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:35pm

I wouldn't give someone food. If they don't actually know you, even though you may have the best intentions, there is no telling if you doctored it or put something harmful in it. I would think most are suspicious of that so not a good idea.

[My2cents2]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:37pm

What a nice thing to do...but make sure the reason you're giving this person a gift is clear. That may avoid the whole "creepy" thing a bit. And while I do agree that just waiting outside the backstage door to say hello (especially if the Swing wasn't on) might be enough, if you MUST give them something keep it simple. You don't to be "THAT" person everyone is chit chatting about in the dressing room in an awkward way....there's a way to do everything. :)

*Having swung a show before, I'd have been flattered if someone stopped by just to say hello and how much they respected me. That's very cool. Sometimes, depending on the show and how often they get to go on, swings can be very underappreciated...since the audience doesn't see them every night.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 5:32pm

It'd be nice to just stop by and say hello, and both men and women on Broadway don't mind some flowers for the dressing room - it's always a nice gesture.

[BDavis0092]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 6:04pm

You wouldn't have to wait for him to give it to him. You could give it to the stage door manager and have him give it to him. A little less creepy if you ask me.

[TLKfan]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 6:28pm

I gave the Boyz at Altar Boyz an Easter candy box from See's just as an appreciation because I love the show and they were all really nice about it and didn't seem freaked out. I even gave one to Gary Adler and he was nice and chatted. Of course I got it because it was Easter weekend, but yeah it can be hard to decide what is a good gift.
I made a CD mix of music to a cast member and he liked it, plus it was something he could throw away after he put it on his computer or whatever.

[jochang621]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 6:19pm

I talked to one of the Altar Boyz on tour, who said some members of the original off-Broadway cast received ipods from their fans... he said it though with awe, *not* in the spirit of, "Isn't that creepy?"

insane.

[mrslovett7]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 8:24pm

This sounds geeky, but my mom makes jewelry and after a performance of Sweeney Todd I gave Lauren Molina, Diana DiMarzio, and sent backstage to Patti, earrings. Lauren and Diana gave be big hugs and I got like 3 thank you emails from Lauren. and a week later I got a note from Patti on her cute stationary that thanked me for them.

so, I'd say go for it. everyone likes gifts!!

[genwesclark]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 11:24pm

I'm sure this message is too late...

I don't know which Mary Poppins swing you were talking about... but if it's the one in your picture, he really loves poker. Get him something poker related.

Don't ask how I know that.

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 11:51pm

I remember on the night a bunch of the Les Mis cast was leaving 2 girls brought Aaron Lazar flowers, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
But well, that's him.

I'd go for something simple like that.

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 5/2/07 at 12:32pm

I talked to one of the Altar Boyz on tour, who said some members of the original off-Broadway cast received ipods from their fans... he said it though with awe, *not* in the spirit of, "Isn't that creepy?"

Jochang, those were the new CIA-issue iPods with the GPS units and cannisters of sleep gas installed to make stalking easier, right?

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 5/2/07 at 12:53pm

personally I think bringing gifts to the stage door is a bit stalker.... unless you have a personal relationship with the person outside the stage door...