Stage door - what am I in for?

So I'm going to NYC next week and hope to meet the following folks at the stage door. Is it possible? Are they nice, most of the time? Do they ALWAYS leave by another door and don't like to meet fans? Just want to know what I'm in for. ANY help is really appreciated!!

Nathan Lane/Laurie Metcalf - November
Michael McKean/Raul Esparza - Homecoming
Roger/Sutton/Megan - Young Frank.
Clay Aiken - Spamalot
Terrence Howard/James Earl Jones/Phylicia Rhyshad et. al. - Cat
Joanna Gleason - her new one that opens tonight!
Dianne Wiest/Alan Cumming - The Seagull

Any comments or thoughts?? -PB

You're in for a lot of standing around, and about 3 seconds face time.

You're going to get yourself an education!

Yeah, you're in for a lot of time standing around amid about 20 to 30 fans either side of the door. When they come out most might stop and sign 10 or more each side, the things thrust at them. They will NOT engage you in any conversation, just saying "thank you" over and over to all those gushing about how they enjoyed the show, how wonderful is the actor, et al.

From your list, they all seem the good sort and probably -- probably will sign and smile ... but really, they won't see you. Still and all, you'll be near and you will have that moment.

Enjoy your shows; please post the results of your StageDoorJohnny-ness!

Good luck at Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. I've walked by there a couple nights and seen people climbing the walls and others waiting across the street.

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Here's what you're in for at Spamalot stage door. Clay Aiken signs autographs often, but not every day. Good luck!

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Sutton and Roger almost never come out the stage door after YF. Megan comes out a lot, but I believe that she is on vacation next week. Check the Broadway understudies website.

As far as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof goes, who is the big draw for the stage door? I've met Phylicia Rashad at the stage door for a previous show, and there weren't many people there. I wouldn't think Anika Noni Rose has a crazed following yet. Terrence Howard is an Oscar-nominated actor, but has he appeared in the kind of role that would lead to stage door madness? Maybe they're there to see James Earl Jones, in which case previous reports indicate they are going to be sorely disappointed. Could someone who's been there shed some light on whom they are all waiting for?

In terms of the shows you've mentioned, I've only seen November and The Homecoming, both of which had small-ish crowds. Nathan Lane did not participate at the stage door, but Laurie Metcalf, Michael McKean, and Raul Esparza were all extremely nice.

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From what I've heard, James Earl Jones uses a separate exit. A friend has been able to meet Terrence Howard and Anika Noni Rose.

When I saw November, Nathan Lane did come out and sign. He was polite. Laurie Metcalf was very nice, though obviously not feeling well.

At The Homecoming they were all very nice. Well...Ian McShane came out and got right into a car, but it seems like he had somewhere to go because I've heard that he's very nice.

The others I'm not sure about, but the pic of Shubert Alley I believe was from Clay's first weekend...and probably not indicative of recent crowds...though I haven't actually walked by there to see.

Just be polite and grateful for whatever you get. Not to beat a dead horse, but the actors don't HAVE to sign and/or pose.

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"I was in Shubert Alley Saturday afternoon (at the Booth stage door) as Spamalot let out and the crowd didn't look anything close to that."

That picture is from Saturday March 15 matinee, as is this one:



And here are Saturday stage door videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSZaL4xo_NE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moMrH0swwdg

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Updated On: 3/18/08 at 10:34 PM

OMG those youtube videos of Clay Aiken are insane

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I saw spamalot in Feb. with my mom... guess who wanted to stagedoor... HA! But yeah, there were 8 other people there. So I think it just depends on if you happen to pick a claymate show or not.

Oh, Sutton and Roger didn't come out either, but it was raining really badly. Megan was a sport though. Ugh my mom chatted her up about Clay!

Updated On: 3/18/08 at 11:57 PM

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 12:11 AM

YouTube has video of nearly every SD since Clay started his run. There isn't a single show where there were less than 50 people there unless Clay isn't going to SD and they announce it if he isn't so you aren't left waiting and wondering.

Lately its easily 100-200 people. Last time, when it was raining, he did SD but instead of signing wet Playbills, he shook everyone's hands that he could reach.

The barricade is about 40 feet long, so with people only 3-5 deep, that's still a LOT of people.