Sitting next to a celebrity at a theater- Page 3

[Pgenre]

Posted: 12/19/09 at 7:49pm

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

[theatreguy]

Posted: 12/19/09 at 9:32pm

I sat next to Angela Lansbury at Dividng the Estate last year. Didn't say anything, but I couldn't help glancing her way every now and then to see how she was reacting to the show.

I also sat across the aisle from Hugh Jackman at Grey Gardens.

[emmabk]

Posted: 12/19/09 at 10:11pm

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...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/19/09 at 10:12pm

I just sat next to Alan Rickman at THE UNDERSTUDY =) =) =)

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 12/19/09 at 10:34pm

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

[winston89]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 1:16am

I was at a performance of Rent during Tim Howar's stint in it as Roger, standing in the SRO section right beside me was Ruthie Henshall. We ended up talking during the intermission and I found out that the only reason she was standing in the back was because she brought along with her one of her daughters. She was a total delight and very friendly. Not only did we chat at intermission but we ended up walking out of the theatre together, chatting while she was waiting for Tim to come out.

Also, there is a Broadway performer who I refuse to name for reasons of privacy who takes the same line of the LIRR as I do. When I am coming home from a show and we run into one another on the train she takes the time to talk to me about it and often starts the conversation etc. Quite fun if I may say so myself.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 1:35am

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.

[heo1128]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 3:01am

One time while doing standing room at Next to Normal, I stood next to Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt for the first act, and overheard them making comments about the performance...does that count?

[pennypingleton1994]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 4:14am

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.

[DivaBrigader]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:42am

We braved the weather to see "Streetcar" at BAM last night and spotted Alec Baldwin, Patrick Stewart, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Mariska Hargitay (one of my faves) in the audience. Alec and Mariska left at intermission I think because of the weather and Mariska has a young kid at home.

[Hank]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 1:48pm

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.

[Marway44]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 6:14pm

I sat right next to Joe Biden at "Billy" back in April. He initiated the conversation as I didn’t want to bother him. We spoke about what I do, and I told him it was an honor to meet him. He told me it was to be here, especially with such nice neighbors as myself and my Mom. He signed a Playbill for each of us and wished us a great night and told us how nice it was meeting us.

[wendilin622]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 6:23pm

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

[bwayfan3]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 6:27pm

I sat behind Eden Espinosa when she went to see Wicked in S.F.

[mc1227]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 6:36pm

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!!

[Marway44]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 6:42pm

Thanks Wendilin! It was pretty cool!

[wendilin622]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 6:51pm

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?

Posted: 12/20/09 at 8:42pm

I had Rosie O'Donnell sing the ENTIRE SCORE to Taboo right behind me.
Needless to say I had to go back and see it again.

[Marway44]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 8:47pm

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.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 9:06pm

I sat one row in front of Ethel Merman at Torch Song Trilogy. She did not look happy with the show and her eyes were shooting daggers at anyone who even looked like they MIGHT approach her. She was with a younger man (might have been her son).

Updated On: 12/20/09 at 09:06 PM

[dtzumbrunnen]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 9:13pm

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!

[jeffmiele]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 11:08pm

not me at all.. but my grandparents met joh lennon years before i was born.. they talked to him at intermission, got an autograph and my grandma got a kiss on the cheek.. he approached them becuase they were sitting alone duuring intermission and he was bored while yoko was at the bathroom

[italianpride888]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 11:35pm

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.

[vlegra]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 12:02am

I sat beside James Earl Jones During "Blithe Spirit"!!! Pretty intense having an 2 amazing female actors I look after performing for me while one of my heros are sitting right next to me.

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 9:37am

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.