Stage Door - when do the actors come out ?

[siny]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:01pm

How long would I have to wait by the stage door before the actors come out ? How about if it's a matinee show ? Do they usually come out or do they stay in there until the evening show ? I've been to many Broadway shows, but never waited for any actors, so I have no idea.

[Pippin]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:02pm

it usually takes about 3 hours.

[siny]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:05pm

Egads ! What takes them so long ?

[AngelOfMusic185]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:05pm

go beofore the show if possible.. thats when theres no bars or anything and you will catch them because they HAVE to go into the show but are not guaranteed to come out after the show if its a matinee.. or use another door to leave but go after too. they have to be at the show like an hour to a half hour before the show starts so go way before then to catch em all go after right away to catch those who rush out.
good luck!

[siny]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:07pm

Thanks. Getting there an hour before the show sounds better than waiting 3 hours after the show, that's for sure !

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:10pm

depending on the show -- it can sometimes take 6 hours for actors to leave the theatre. Aside from working in the show itself, they also have other duties like any other employee. Remember, this IS a job!

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:13pm

Putting it charitably, siny, Pippin and Fosse are collectively pulling your leg.

3 to6 hours after the show, there's no one left there except the ghosts (unless, of course, it's a two-show day). Most actors are gone within 1/2 hour, many of them much faster than that.

The only downside of Angel's excellent suggestion is that most actors heading into the show are sometimes running late, and so will have no real time to chat/sign/etc. They're generally more co-operative after a show, though there's no guarentee they won't leave by another exit. Many, many actors opt to stay in between shows on Mat days.

Good luck. What shows did you want to stagedoor, or were you speaking hypothetically?

Updated On: 4/5/07 at 02:13 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:13pm

I actually knew some people in "Cats" who only left the theatre on the equity day off because the makeup was too time- consuming.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:16pm

I don't like the idea of waiting at a stagedoor before the show as the actors are coming in, I think that's kind of invasive and they're getting there are whatever specific time they're arriving because that is usually when they need to arrive in order to have their hair/makeup/costume on and get all done up for the show. I'd say just wait until after the show, it usually doesn't ever take longer than about 45 minutes for an actor to come out, with a few exceptions.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:21pm

Another thing you can do is leave a brief note for them with the doorman at least 1/2 hour before the show (which is when most actors arrive, unless it's a dance show), saying you'd love a photo/autograph/etc, after the show.

Sometimes that helps.

[siny]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:25pm

Thank you ! 1/2 hour to 45 minutes after the show sounds perfect. I would also think that it's not a good idea to try to catch actors if they are late. I really don't want to annoy anyone.

I'll be trying to catch Anthony Fedorov in the Fantasticks. For myself, I met him many times so I don't need it. But I'll have some people with me who will be flying across the country to see him and I would hate for them to be disappointed. And besides as a seasoned Broadway-goer I am supposed to know those things, right ? lol

Updated On: 4/5/07 at 02:25 PM

[kikki327]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:32pm

usually there gone within a 1/2 hour...yesterday i saw A Chorus Line and stayed for the talk back with the cast for about 20 min, and when i got to the stage door almost everyone who didnt do the talk back was gone. we stayed for another 15 min, then finally my friends forced me to leave..so we got a taxi, and as we drove by the theater 5 min later....Ken Alan was leaving....and i wanted to kill my friends.

as for waiting before the show starts...it depends who the actor is and what kind of mood there in. yesterday i was walking by the Richard Rodgers and saw Josh Strickland going inside and i tried to talk to him, but he just waved and closed the door. at The Times They Are A-Changin' Michael Arden just waved, and Marty Lawson and Thom Sesma stayed to talk to me. and the first time i saw Movin' Out i tried to talk to Scott Wise and he ignored me, and then another time i saw him before the show he was extremely nice and took me backstage. so it all depends

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:36pm

It obviously varies by show and by actor, but usually they are all out in less than a half hour, unless it's a night where they're getting notes, which can sometimes take longer. Many actors do not come out after a matinee, but again, there's no way to predict it. It's best not to bother actors before a show. If you want to see them, wait at stagedoor afterwards.

[thekaoboy]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 2:37pm

Waiting by the stage door before a show can be difficult because you never know when the actors may arrive at the theatre. Some actors like to get to the theatre early to prepare, eat dinner, do press, etc. Other times, I've seen actors in local restaurants less than two hours before curtain and they appeared to be in no hurry.

Waiting after the show is a better option, since most actors will want to leave promptly. I'm amazed how quickly some actors can get out of their costume and makeup, get into their street clothes, and get out. Some of The Pirate Queen cast were on the street before me!

If you are concerned about whether an actor will come out (espcially after matinees), then a good trick is to ask whoever is guarding the door. After a few performances, they get a pretty good idea of how long some actors take to come out. Some will even give you a heads up if an actor is on his way out or if they are going to be a while.

[myManCape]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:03pm

I cant speak about Anthony Fedorov personaly, but most of the Fantasticks cast arrives early (60-90 minutes before curtain). But they all come out very fast. That theatre is so tiny I can imagine anyone staying between shows unless their sick or have to do press. Wait after the show in the lobby by the stairs, they will all come out within a half hour.

[siny]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:07pm

They all come out through that lobby ? Not the one with the elevator ?

[myManCape]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:36pm

They must go through the lobby to get to the elevator. So if you stand right in the middle you will not miss them. The stage door is by the stairs, so I would guess most take the steps down (its alot easier to go down 3 flights then up them). But even those who choose the elevator must cross through the lobby to get to it.

[siny]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:44pm

Thank you ! I will do just that.