Sitting next to a celebrity at a theater — Page 3

Ruthie Henshall sat directly in front of me at a preview of SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS. I had met her twice before, at CHICAGO and PUTTING IT TOGETHER stage doors and she actually remembered me. We both adored the show and I repeatedly told her she MUST recording "I Cannot Hear The City" someday and she said she would love to (this was during intermission, before Kelli O'Hara's heartbreaking reprise of the song). Such a lovely woman. She wasn't too hot on my Florence in CHESS suggestion though (not a fan of "that kind" of score, apparently, LOL).

Also, I hung out with Bernadette Peters during the intermission for FOLLIES. One of the nicest women I've ever met. Lovely.

Lots more, but this is a "sitting next to" thread and not a "who did you randomly meet?" thread.

P

That is so cool that all of you guys have sat near/next to all of these famous people: Angela Lansbury and Stephen Sonheim to name a couple...
I wish I could share some cool celebrity story but no such luck. Maybe soon...

I sat behind Phylicia Rashad at the opening night of Hot Feet. She is absolutely gorgeous and very nice.

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Have sat in the same audience as many celebrities, but I was directly behind Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas at Fiddler on the Roof, and directly behind Judith Light last year at The Story of My Life. Also sat across the aisle from Sarah Jessica Parker at Company.

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I was in the same audience as Chita Rivera as well as some Spring Awakening tour cast members when I saw Bye Bye Birdie. I didn't approach anyone though. Chita was a few rows in front of me, but I didn't realize it was her until afterwards.

Nicholle Kidman, with her kids and a lady friend at an early preview of Shrek. They left at intermission.
Also, many years ago, a few rows behind Mick Jagger and Neal Young together at a performance of Bus Stop staring Mick's then wife Jerry Hall in Montclair, NJ.

Marway wins for coolest. Easily. What a fantastic story.

What's with all these celebrities leaving these shows at intermission?? Pretty disburbing trend. I'm sure they wouldn't want people leaving their shows!!

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Just what a great story to have and tell later on in life. You got to sit next to a sitting Vice President at a Broadway show. Super cool. Did Secret Service have to check you out first? did they check out everyone in the theatre? Was Jill fabulous?

Wendilin,

Jill looked incredible! Secret service was on the roof tops and as you came in the theatre. You could only buy the seats around him via credit card as each person was run through NCIC. Also the secret service stood by him at intermission.
They had the ear pieces and some had the sun glasses.

I think what impressed me most was just how friendly he was.

I sat right behind Raul Esparza the Friday after opening night of Equus. Everyone pretty much left him alone, until I couldn't stand it anymore and said hello as we were exiting the theatre. He was very gracious and let me take a pic, which turned out great. One of the best broadway souvenirs I could ask for!

My dad sat behind John Travolta and Kelly Preston when he saw Chicago. John left before the final curtain call though. My dad heard him talking to the usher before hand and he wanted to leave early in case there was a commotion after the show was over.

I sat down the row from Bernadette Peters at the dreadful Kelsy Grammar MACBETH revival. I sat next to James Lapine and his wife at CHICAGO (he was kinda rude). I sat just behind Vanessa Williams at the same CHICAGO performance.

As an usher I seated MANY celebrities. The ONLY two I ever said anything to (other than here's your seat) is Mark Linn-Baker whom I had admired so much in the ...FORUM revival, and Laura Linney because I think she is the best thing since sliced bread (and she had just done the movie MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, and since I'm from WV - where the movie takes place - I wanted to say something about it).

There's a bunch more, BUT my favorite story is...
I got naked with Stephen Sondheim in the bathroom of the old Roundabout Criterion Center after a performance of the LITTLE ME revival. Okay, actually, he used a urinal and I went into a stall and changed my clothes. I had ushered and had something else to do and so changed out of my usher attire. I wanted to so badly, but I didn't say anything because I wanted to let the man pee in piece.

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