Sending a letter to cast members...

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 1:22am

So i'm considering writing a letter to Norm Lewis over at the Broadhurst Theater and enclosing a souvenir program from the Les Miz revival along with a request for the cast to sign it. Is this a bad idea? I have heard that people have sent playbills and requested that specific cast member's autograph, but what are the chances of the entire cast signing it? Or do you think I would have to send it over and over to each principal cast member of the show?

PM or reply with any suggestions! It would be GREATLY appreciated!

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 1:26am

I sent over my playbill with a letter to Aaron Lazar requested politley that if he could, I would also appreciate any other cast members' signatures but I didn't want to be a burden and he sent back my playbill with his signature and Norms, Daphnes, Celias, Alis, Adams, Garys, and Alexander's. (plus an autographed photo of himself. YAY)

So maybe it could work the same for you?

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 1:37am

Oooh thats wonderful! Thats all I really want anyway!

[jenna2]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:21am

Is this a common practice? I've always wondered...

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:26am

Sending letters?

[jenna2]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:32am

Yeah, sending letters/playbills directly to an actor at the theatre. I wasn't sure if you'd have to send them via the production company or their agency or how that worked. (pardon my utter ignorance on the subject...)

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:36am

Yup you can send them directly to the theatre. Usually if people want autographs, especially if they send playbills or anything like that, they include an extra self-addressed stamped envelope for the actor to send back so that they don't have to go out of their way to send you back stuff. It's cool people do it all the time, for everybody and every show. It's very common.

[jenna2]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:41am

Cool! Thanks for the info Sally!

[actor]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 10:04am

If you don't include a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) don't expect to get anything back.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 10:07am

If you bought the program, I wouldn't sent it, 'cause you'll never know if you'll get it back. Send a Playbill.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 10:08am

I have a similar question along these lines:

I'm seeing "Grey Gardens" in February and would really love to meet Christine Ebersole after the show. I've read on the message boards that she lives in CT and, since I'm seeing the Saturday evening show, I'm sure she would be absolutely exhausted. Would it be bad etiquette to write a note to her asking that I possibly meet her or should I just wait at the stagedoor and hope for the best like everyone else?

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 10:11am

Christine does sign autographs for every performance I've been to - so you should be safe.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 10:13am

Do you know her feelings on pictures? I know some actors really don't like to and I'm just trying to know my limits before I pester her.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 10:13am

Not bad etiquette, just very stalker-ish.

Christine is a lovely woman and she signs autographs after every show, matinee and evening.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 10:14am

That's the other thing. I don't want to come off as a stalker.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 10:23am

True, a SASE is the way to go when sending directly to cast members at the theaters. But, if you're requesting a whole cast signature, that may not always happen. Remember, there's always a lot of "stuff" happening at the theater and often things get misplaced, people forget, etc. Another factor is that some actors are really good at keeping up with writing back and some simply are very busy or just not as good at writing back.

RE: arranging to meet a cast member; that's an "ify" thing as well. Sending a note at the stage door may or may not always work, depending on what the actor has to do after the show AND if the stage door person even gets the note to the actor in time. Most popular actors expect stage door fans, so no, it's generally not considered stalking, unless you repeat the same process too many times, imo.

It's all hit or miss many times, so you just have to take your chances. Unless you "know" someone in the show, it's always a risk. But no harm in trying. Just don't take it personal if you don't get what you want. As I said, it gets crazy on Broadway.

Updated On: 12/29/06 at 10:23 AM

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 4:06pm

I'm so torn as to what to do! I'd die if I lost this program...

*semi-bump*

[Elphaba984]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 4:36pm

i would send a playbill, if you have an extra one. i did that when i saw ragtime to try and get Marin Mazzie's autograph and i never got it back. i would have been pissed if i lost the colored program that i bought. but then if you are in the area you could go to the stage door and keep trying to get everyone to sign it. that's what my friend and i did after we saw the show. we met everyone except alexander geminani.

p.s. is that gary beach in your pic?

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 4:58pm

If you are really worried about sending your program...you could send a letter asking whether or not he'd mind signing the program. Then wait for his response, and if he says he'll sign it, mail it in. That way he'll be expecting it. But still, you never know.

I purchsed a "The Last Five Years" Playbill off of eBay and was on pins and needles when I sent it to Norbert Leo Butz at "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." He sent it back in record time AND had Sherie Rene Scott sign it for me. I'm so glad that I bit the bullet and sent it.

In the end, though, it's up to you as to whether or not you'll send it. We can't make the decision for you. If you do send it, be sure to bump this and tell us the outcome!
Updated On: 12/29/06 at 04:58 PM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 5:23pm

My question is the grey area of just coming out of a show and about a half a block away from the theatre?

Just today, I was walking to get a soda, and I saw Brad Anderson, Tyler Hanes and Pec-licious Howie Michael Smith, and I wanted to lick them - I mean, say hi to them - but at what point do they become civilians?