Stage Door Egos — Page 7

Actually, Audryna, The idea that some fans petulantly DEMAND that an actor sign autographs or "give a kind word of gesture" after the curtain comes down TOTALLY eludes me.

You chide the actor that is rude or doesn't want to engage with the fans afterwards, but once the curtain comes down, their work for the day is finished. If they have done their job well, they hear the applause and cheers from the audience and for a lot of actors that's where they get their job satisfaction - NOT from signing autographs or shmoozing with the fans. And for many members of the audience if they enjoyed what they've just seen on stage, they leave fully satisfied and content with a great night's entertainment. They don't NEED anything else.

Sure, it's great if stars are unfailing friendly and cheerful to fans afterwards. But some stars, for whatever reason, just don't enjoy post-show fan interaction. And that is their right. Once that curtain is down they really don't owe you anything. Maybe those audience members who insist on a cuddly response from a performer post-show just aren't getting the pleasure from live theater that they should be. Perhaps they might find more satisfaction at a petting zoo.

You disdain the unsolictious actor of "not having been brought up right" yet your arrogant attitude bespeaks a remarkably juvenile and outsized sense of entitlement.

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Updated On: 4/30/05 at 08:34 PM

I can't imagine how much patience some stars must need at the stage door, with all the requests for autographs and pictures.

My nominee for Best Sport would have to be Pacino: after a performance of Salome, the very pregnant woman standing next to me at the barricade pulled up her maternity blouse and asked him, "Mr. Pacino, will you please sign my baby?!" He looked totally nonplussed for a minute, but then he said "What the hell?" and he autographed her belly with a Sharpie!

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I read all seven pages of this thread, and I understand your feelings, starlinght, but I respectfully disagree.

I feel very strongly that once the curtain goes down, the actor isn't obliged to do anything else. His job is done.

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In my experience, I often feel awkward coming out of the stage door when folks are standing there with playbills because often times they don't ask for autographs and just sort of look at you. You never want to be the guy who assumes somebody wants your autograph because how embarrassing that would be if they didn't. I know that is the experience of some of my fellow Broadway actors as well so may I suggest if someone out there wants an autograph, please ask.

I think one of the best actors ever on stage (that i've seen) is David de Vries (Beauty and the Beast). I wanted to meet him so badly, I RUSHED to the stage door after the show and waited for a little while, it was kinda funny though, I saw him come out of the stage door with a bike and the entire spandex get up with the areodynamic biking helmet..I guess he assumed no one was there for him and took off on the bike. I was a little upset, but I felt honored for just having seen his performance!

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::applauds him forever::

Out of curiousity, what did he have to say about Taboo? You know, since that film footage is out now and all.

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