The Audience Stage Door

[bfreak]

Posted: 2/28/15 at 3:39pm

I wanted to make an official stage door thread for this show. I know on the preview thread that we were discussing a poster's comment who said that when they went Helen had a rule that she would only sign for children 15 and under. Well, that appears to have been a one time thing due to the cold because someone I know who saw the show the other night said she came out and signed for everyone and was very nice. Post your experiences here!

[drewmangroup]

Posted: 2/28/15 at 4:36pm

I noticed a bunch on eBay (not something I would ever purchase!). She has a very nice signature.

[bfreak]

Posted: 2/28/15 at 4:51pm

Cool! Hope to see the show soon. It looks like she's amazing in it!

[atuomala]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 10:18pm

That sounds like an unusual rule and not at all like her. This show doesn't generally attract a young audience so that surprises me. From what I can tell according to pictures of her signing, she signs for everyone at the stage door.

[mattmarkowski99]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 10:25pm

That rule was only for that night because it was below freezing.

[bfreak]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 10:25pm

Yeah, that sounds look a weird rule to me too. Someone I know went and said she came out and signed for everyone and was incredibly gracious! (And the person who I'm talking about is 50) I can't wait to see the show and hopefully meet her!

[atuomala]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 10:27pm

I'm just curious to know if she comes out regularly? The two times I went to see the show (once during previews and on opening night) the barricades weren't even erected after the show.

[bfreak]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 10:30pm

Strange, maybe she just came out quickly or they simply didn't set up the barricades yet. Last year when I saw A Raisin in the Sun they had one side set up for people who didn't see the show already set up, but they didn't set up the actual barricades for people who actually saw the show until like 10 minutes after it ended. It was kinda weird, and could be the situation here.

[atuomala]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 10:44pm

The first time I assumed it was because the weather was being particularly difficult that night, so they were giving the message to people that she wouldn't be stopping to sign that night. And they didn't have the barricades up on opening night for the obvious reasons. I'm hoping that now that the show is opened, they've lapsed into a routine of having the barricades up and she comes out to sign.

[bfreak]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 11:31pm

When my friend saw it, it was in previews so it was probably for those reasons. She's supposedly very nice!

[JBroadway]

Posted: 3/13/15 at 10:19am

Here was my stage-door experience from last night:

i stood outside the stage-door for a few minutes, and they didn't set up the barricades. A few of the supporting actors came out that door (I was particularly interested in meeting Dylan Baker, who did come out and was very nice). After a few minutes, the stage-door guard told us that Helen Mirren would be exiting through the other door, just a few feet from the official stage door. I was surprised that he offered up that info so freely, so I asked if she signs when she comes at that door and he said "sometimes."

I, along with maybe 20-30 other people waited at the other door, and after a few minutes they set up barricades, and Mirren came out right after they did. She was happy to sign autographs and talk with people (no posing for pictures though). She was incredibly sweet and incredibly classy, and it was such a treat to see her perform and speak with her.

[atuomala]

Posted: 3/13/15 at 11:29am

Good to know. Thanks!

[darreyl102]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 3:12am

Thanks for the update! I hope she is in the signing mood when I see the show next week. Anybody else been lately?

[atuomala]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 4:09pm

Stage doored recently and she came out very fast (20-25 minutes after the show ended). She's so nice and a real pleasure to be around. Also, she only signs things relating to the show, which I'm glad because, as a result of that rule, the usual autograph hounds steer clear from there allowing more room for fans.

[bfreak]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 5:10pm

Thanks for sharing. Did she come out of the official stage door or a door close to the stage door? If it's the latter, did the security guards give you instructions? Thank you.

[bfreak]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 5:40pm

Also, was it crowded? Would I be able to get down in time from the mezzanine? Thanks.

[Jspy86]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 12:58pm

My experience was this past Saturday night, April 11th.  She signed my playbill only after quizzing me after the performance.  I was a little taken back, but I passed, so all was good, but just be aware that she might ask you some questions.

[bfreak]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 1:34pm

"My experience was this past Saturday night, April 11th.  She signed my playbill only after quizzing me after the performance.  I was a little taken back, but I passed, so all was good, but just be aware that she might ask you some questions."

 That's a little strange. Do you think she thought you may be a seller and wanted to see if you actually saw the show? I hear she's very nice, but I do think that's a little weird.

[atuomala]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 5:22pm

That sounds very unlike her. When I've stage doored at The Audience, she's been nothing but kind and courteous. She kindly refuses to sign photos (who are from apparent autograph sellers that I've seen going around for years to stage doors) otherwise, she has signed everyone's playbill without question.

[bfreak]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 6:43pm

"That sounds very unlike her. When I've stage doored at The Audience, she's been nothing but kind and courteous. She kindly refuses to sign photos (who are from apparent autograph sellers that I've seen going around for years to stage doors) otherwise, she has signed everyone's playbill without question."

 Yeah, maybe Jspy86 exaggerated slightly. She seems very nice and classy to me. Especially if you have a Playbill with you I don't see why she'd "quiz" you about the show. Maybe she was just asking if they liked a certain part of the show, and the poster mistook the information. Just want to get one thing straight though, she doesn't take individual pictures with people, correct?

[atuomala]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 11:30pm

 Yeah, maybe Jspy86 exaggerated slightly. She seems very nice and classy to me. Especially if you have a Playbill with you I don't see why she'd "quiz" you about the show. Maybe she was just asking if they liked a certain part of the show, and the poster mistook the information. Just want to get one thing straight though, she doesn't take individual pictures with people, correct?"

 

Right, no 'selfies'. She doesn't pose with people, but you can take pictures of her while she's out and signing.

To answer the other questions: I believe she exits out the door next to the designated stage door, but security typically has the barricades up before the show lets out, so that gives you an indication of where she will exit. And, as far as stage doors go, this is NOT very crowded. if you don't manage to get up front, you can ask people to send your playbill forward, or you can send her a playbill through the mail and she will sign it. Not only will you get her 'best quality' signature, but she will inscribe it if you ask. She's very quick when it comes to answering fan mail. It took only a week and a half and she signed and inscribed both things that I sent to her. Here are some 'crappy' pictures from my first stage door at The Audience. I was shaking because I was excited to see her so the photos didn't come out well:

[ArtMan]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 6:41am

Those are really good pictures, considering she doesn't pose and the crowds behind you.  I took one of her exiting Kelly and Michael last year or so.  She didn't stop on her way to the car.  Right before she opened the door I yelled her name.  She looked at me and waved and I snapped the picture.  The picture came out great considering everything.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 6:41am

double post

Updated On: 4/14/15 at 06:41 AM

[Jspy86]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 7:05pm

""That sounds very unlike her. When I've stage doored at The Audience, she's been nothing but kind and courteous. She kindly refuses to sign photos (who are from apparent autograph sellers that I've seen going around for years to stage doors) otherwise, she has signed everyone's playbill without question."
 Yeah, maybe Jspy86 exaggerated slightly. She seems very nice and classy to me. Especially if you have a Playbill with you I don't see why she'd "quiz" you about the show. Maybe she was just asking if they liked a certain part of the show, and the poster mistook the information. Just want to get one thing straight though, she doesn't take individual pictures with people, correct?"

 No exaggeration bfreak.  She asked me if I liked the show, then asked me what happened at the end of the first act.  Believe me when I tell you she singled me out because she was looking right at me.  Guess I looked suspicious or maybe I was near someone who was an autograph hound, but I don't know why she needed to make sure I saw it.

[bfreak]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 7:16pm

"""That sounds very unlike her. When I've stage doored at The Audience, she's been nothing but kind and courteous. She kindly refuses to sign photos (who are from apparent autograph sellers that I've seen going around for years to stage doors) otherwise, she has signed everyone's playbill without question."
 Yeah, maybe Jspy86 exaggerated slightly. She seems very nice and classy to me. Especially if you have a Playbill with you I don't see why she'd "quiz" you about the show. Maybe she was just asking if they liked a certain part of the show, and the poster mistook the information. Just want to get one thing straight though, she doesn't take individual pictures with people, correct?"
 No exaggeration bfreak.  She asked me if I liked the show, then asked me what happened at the end of the first act.  Believe me when I tell you she singled me out because she was looking right at me.  Guess I looked suspicious or maybe I was near someone who was an autograph hound, but I don't know why she needed to make sure I saw it."

 Totally understand. Weird scenario. You must've been standing near an autograph hunter or something because other than that I've heard she's a class act. Don't take this the wrong way but do you look like a somewhat sweaty 50 year old man carrying a large black bag? (LOL, just kidding, but still, do you?) :)