Stage Door situation 2023

As far as I’ve observed, things have proceeded as normal. I don’t see an overall change since the smaller shows have a smaller crowd and the bigger, star-driven shows have bigger ones.

Some shows are showing intermittent caution. HERE LIES LOVE for example, has a sign that said something to the effect of cast members may decline to stop and sign due to the rise in COVID cases. (Conrad and Lea were knocked out early in the run and Conrad also just had the flu for a week).

I think it’s just important to remember:

1) It’s is not a right of the theatregoer or requirement of the cast member to participate in the stage door experience.

2) Doing so means you and the cast member assume all risks and caveats.

3) If a cast member declines, you have ZERO right to complain about it on any platform

I’m seeing Goodnight Oscar tonight, does anyone know if Sean Hayes is stage dooring?

Theatrefanboy1 said: "I just heard that Shucked has “paused” their stage door situation. Any other shows?

Im also curious since stage dooring has returned has anyone noticed a little less craziness than 2019 or to what level the situation has been (I’m assuming a show like Sweeney Todd must have insanity ) but I’m curious if there’s been any regain of “sanity” at the stage door as well"

Josh Groban posted on his Instagram last night that he wouldn't be stage dooring for a few days. Sweeney is particularly insane and some of the fans seem downright rabid (I remember driving by back in the spring past the Lunt after seeing Parade- you could hear the screaming from the corner of 46th St).

Honestly-all shows should curtail stage dooring for the time being.

BroadwayRox3588 said: "I honestly don't think all shows should stop stage dooring. If some shows want to, that's obviously their call; but it shouldn't be an industry-wide thing. In the grand scheme of things, it's really no more risky than anything else one would do in NYC. You can't avoid crowds in the Theater District. It's literally impossible.

Considering the higher-risk activities actors have to participate in (i.e. riding the subway), stopping stage dooring would have little-to-no effect on covid."

Yes, at this point there is no mandate so some things are "risky". Also, not all actors ride the subway. Some are picked up by a driver. Don't know if Groban is but, he got it.

It's called taking precautions. Even if an actor doesn't get really sick, all it has to do is affect their throat or chest and they are out. As mentioned, I think I had the last one and I had chest congestion which turned into a slightly scratchy irritated throat. And also had a cough. I was blowing my nose after jacking phlem up. And it spread easily and fast.

So I think anything they can do is good to keep the actors in the shows. But it is also up to the actors themselves to be cautious outside of the theater. And they don't have to stagedoor, that is a courtesy they give to fans. If fans don't understand or are upset that an actor decides not to stage door then they will just have to be upset. They will have to get over it. They saw them in the show which is why they were there. Stagedooring is just a perk.

BroadwayRox3588 said: "uncageg said: "BroadwayRox3588 said: "I honestly don't think all shows should stop stage dooring. If some shows want to, that's obviously their call; but it shouldn't be an industry-wide thing. In the grand scheme of things, it's really no more risky than anything else one would do in NYC. You can't avoid crowds in the Theater District. It's literally impossible.

Considering the higher-risk activities actors have to participate in (i.e. riding the subway), stopping stage dooring would have little-to-no effect on covid."

Yes, at this point there is no mandate so some things are "risky". Also, not all actors ride the subway. Some are picked up by a driver. Don't know if Groban is but, he got it.

It's called taking precautions. Even if an actor doesn't get really sick, all it has to do is affect their throat or chest and they are out. As mentioned, I think I had the last one and I had chest congestion which turned into a slightly scratchy irritated throat. And also had a cough. I was blowing my nose after ha,cking phlem up. My cough has gotten better but 3 weeks in I am still coughing up stuff from my chest. And it spread easily and fast.

So I think anything they can do is good to keep the actors in the shows. But it is also up to the actors themselves to be cautious outside of the theater. And they don't have to stagedoor, that is a courtesy they give to fans. If fans don't understand or are upset that an actor decides not to stage door then they will just have to be upset. They will have to get over it. They saw them in the show which is why they were there. Stagedooring is just a perk."

Itotallyagree that actors don't have to stagedoor. However, many of them enjoy doing it. Those who do should be allowed to do so. And those who don't should not be dragged for it."

Agree about actors that want to do it. I was also commenting on if they can't/are asked not to. That was iny head, sorry if it didn't come through in my post.

Updated On: 8/27/23 at 09:55 PM

ACL2006 said: "I've noticed cast members leaving the theater with masks on more and more frequently lately."

The times I've stagedoored over the past couple months (which is honestly hit or miss; I don't do it as often as I used to for multiple reasons), there's usually been at least one actor from most shows who has come out with a mask. Sometimes they sign/take photos.

"I think it’s just important to remember:

1) It’s is not a right of the theatregoer or requirement of the cast member to participate in the stage door experience.

2) Doing so means you and the cast member assume all risks and caveats.

3) If a cast member declines, you have ZERO right to complain about it on any platform"

Well said and I agree with your points 100%.

I don't think anyone should begrudge anyone for taking precautions. At the same time, though, I also think the ship of shaming other people for not viewing covid exactly the same way as you (in general, not speaking to anyone here) sailed around mid-2022. Which is why I don't think industry-wide restrictions are the answer at this point. Rather, I think we leave the decisions up to individual shows to do what they feel is best (as Shucked is doing – I applaud them for going against the grain, whether or not I agree with the decision). I think we need to treat the adults who comprise of more than 95% of Broadway's performer apparatus like adults, and trust them to know what the right decisions for themselves are. Like we do with any other virus.

One thing I think we can all agree on: Anyone who throws shade at anyone for not stagedooring, for wearing masks, for avoiding crowds, or anything else like that, is a bonehead. It costs literally nothing to mind our own business; and like has been said by multiple posters here, stagedooring is an added bonus, and not part of your ticket.

Updated On: 8/27/23 at 01:50 AM

BroadwayRox3588 said: "Another thing I think is important to note: There willalwaysbe new variants. As long as the virus circulates (which it will for the rest of our lives), it will continue to evolve, mutate, and spawn new variants. Just as all viruses do. So if you're among the camp that gets frustrated every time we get a new variant, I think you need to just, for lack of a better phrase (and I apologize if this sounds harsh), get used to it."

You really could've kept this condescending sh it to yourself, asshole. I'm not a child, I'm very aware of this and will continue to be annoyed when new variants pop up.

Updated On: 8/27/23 at 03:13 AM

BroadwayRox3588 said: "QueenTwinnied said: "You really could've kept this condescending sh it to yourself, asshole. I'm not a child, I'm very aware of this and will continue to be annoyed when new variants pop up."

You sure sound like one here."

Wow you really got me with that predictable response. Someone got an A+ in basic internet snark. My point still stands that you could’ve kept that condescending message to your old crabby self.

Bettyboy72 said: "I got COVID this summer while traveling to Ptown. The illness itself was uncomfortable but mild. However, the cough lasted 2 months and if I talked for too long I’d start hacking or my voice would just quit. My MD is seeing more of that and feels it is the new strain. Something like that would be brutal on an actor and vocalist.


It sucks that this disease goes for the respiratory system. I don’t blame any actor for avoiding crowds and masking up. I mean an actor might just be out of a show for a few days but if they get a cough that lasts for months that is pretty precarious."

I got Covid also from Ptown last year. Interesting lol