Posted: 4/12/15 at 2:26am
Just wondering how the stagedoor situation has been lately? I heard Kelli O'Hara wasn't coming out as often anymore. Any news on her and the rest of the cast?
Posted: 4/12/15 at 11:19pm
I went to a matinee, and Kelli came out (signed, posed for pics, talked, etc), along with many of the ensemble members and supporting actors (such as Ruthie Ann Miles and Ashley Park). We waited for a while and Ken did not come out. He might have come out eventually, but if he did, it would have been after everyone gave up.
Posted: 4/12/15 at 11:30pm
Thanks for your comment, what day of the week did you go and what was the date? Wondering if it was after that comment on the previews thread where they said Kelli wasn't coming out. I'm seeing the show this coming Sunday, the 19th.
Posted: 4/12/15 at 11:50pm
I saw the show on the 4th, so it was AFTER the comments on the thread about her not coming out. Interesting to read in that other thread that she is being "mobbed". The three times I've seen her at the stage-door (including King and I), I've seen nothing but civil and respectful crowds. Can't help but wonder if there was some exaggeration going on there.
Posted: 4/13/15 at 6:36am
Ok great thank you. I'm sure there might have been some exaggeration somewhere. And proabably you didn't see Ken because it was in-between shows on a 2-show day. Thanks for the input.
Posted: 4/13/15 at 1:52pm
thanks for the information! bfreak will you let us know after you go?
Posted: 4/13/15 at 2:12pm
"thanks for the information! bfreak will you let us know after you go?"
Absolutely! Not 100% sure if I'm going to stage door yet since I'm going to be with a few relatives (I don't think they'll mind though) but even if I don't I'll certainly let you know.
Posted: 4/13/15 at 11:57pm
"Can't help but wonder if there was some exaggeration going on there."
Hey, I didn't see it. I just reported back the reason the guard gave us for why she went out another entrance.
Posted: 4/14/15 at 12:09am
Fair enough. I bet the guard was exaggerating a bit, then.
Posted: 4/14/15 at 12:20pm
When I went to the stage door after a Saturday matinee, I think there were only 6 people, including me. Kelli 'OHara was very gracious in signing my Playbill and cheerful. However, I witnessed a weird confrontation between a lady and Kelli that made me feel uncomfortable and I could tell put Kelli on the defensive because the lady was talking about how she had cancelled a show or backed out of a contract to do something and how disappointed her family was, and then Kelli was adamant that she had not signed a contract and the lady was like "I saw it--" to which she responded. "I have no idea what you are talking about because I did not sign a contract." Kelli walked away with an annoyed/confused look on her face and headed back inside. I could see how dealing with rude fans would sour a performer from going to the stagedoor.
Updated On: 4/14/15 at 12:20 PM
Posted: 4/19/15 at 7:32pm
Hey guys. I am so disappointed but I didn't get to stage door today after the show. No one else in my family wanted to. The show was so amazing and fantastic though.
Posted: 4/20/15 at 12:09pm
The confrontation between weird woman and Kelli just makes me so sad. Why do some people have to make everything be about them? Whatever happened to "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything"?
Posted: 6/18/15 at 1:09am
Posted: 6/18/15 at 1:16am
I really don't understand what that incident was all about, but that woman sounds like a crazy bitch. Kelli is so sweet, it bothers me that she puts up with that crap...oh well, that's showbiz I guess.
Posted: 6/18/15 at 1:23am
I've seen the show three times now and Kelli and Ruthie have come out each time. Ken has came out two of the three times. All three are very friendly and generous with their time and will often chat for a while with you, especially if the stage door isn't too busy. The whole cast really is a class act.
Posted: 6/18/15 at 3:04am
I'm planning on seeing The King And I this summer and I'm never done any kind of stage door experience at all, so I'm wondering, Can you bring other things for an actor to sign? I was thinking about bringing my Light In The Piazza CD for Kelli to sign, but if that isn't appropriate, of course I won't bring it.
Posted: 6/18/15 at 7:53am
I'm sure Kelli wouldn't mind signing your CD at all, especially since it is supporting a past theatrical work she did. The only time it is considered inappropriate is like if a big movie star is in it and autograph sellers show up with like a million photos and memorabilia to sign and nothing related to the show that was just presented.
Posted: 6/18/15 at 7:58am
On Saturday, we had to leave early because my sick father was tired. We missed Betsey (the understudy), but we saw Ken, Ruthie (who is ADORABLE), and 2 ensemble members.
But, I was going to make a thread about this. The people at the stage door were horrible. Instead of waiting in line, EVERYONE mobbed/surrounded them! I could hardly get Ken because of the people. Is this normal?
Updated On: 6/18/15 at 07:58 AM
Posted: 6/18/15 at 8:10am
"On Saturday, we had to leave early because my sick father was tired. We missed Betsey (the understudy), but we saw Ken, Ruthie (who is ADORABLE), and 2 ensemble members.
But, I was going to make a thread about this. The people at the stage door were horrible. Instead of waiting in line, EVERYONE mobbed/surrounded them! I could hardly get Ken because of the people. Is this normal?"
I noticed that too. When I went, Ken was surrounded. I do think it is partly due to the way the Lincoln Center stagedoor is situated, but yes, didn't like to see that. Kelli was incredibly nice to everyone, as were Ken and Ruthie Ann. I didn't see Ashley when I went.
Posted: 6/18/15 at 8:36am
When I went, only three of us stood behind the barricade. The rest of the people just stood wherever they wanted. I think the problem is there is no one from the theatre there to tell people where and what to do. People are going to try and get away with anything until they are told otherwise. My small crowd was not horrible, just unorganized. When Kelli came out, she purposely chose not to stand behind the barricade and came out to us to be closer. Fortunately, for me and the other two guys she started at our end of the barricade. Kelli, Ken and Ruthie were all very nice and signed and took pictures with whoever requested it. (This was the Wednesday night before the Tony's)
Posted: 6/18/15 at 10:31am
I was there about a month ago and the stage door situation is definitely a little weird. They have a natural barricade there but no one uses it ... so the actors kind of choose not to give themselves that buffer. It was just a cluster around both Kelli and Ken and it wasn't a huge group so it was fine, but it was definitely a little weird. There was no security for them.
Posted: 6/18/15 at 10:43am
The two times I've gone Ken is immediately surrounded, literally a wall of people around him. But he signs and takes pictures with everyone. And he usually comes out pretty quickly which is great because half the people will leave after they've met Ken. Like someone else said, the actors choose to walk around the little barrier thing as it really is kinda weird.
Ruthie and Kelli have both been so sweet. Kelli will definitely sign your piazza CD. Everyone tries their best to get to everyone but since it's not really an orderly line, you should also be observant just in case so they don't miss you.
It should also be noted that Kelli has both missed several performances or is performing while sick and therefore isn't stagedooring. From my knowledge she hasn't stagedoored in over a week, and Ruthie was out yesterday as well. Just in case the poster was going today or tomorrow, don't have high stagedoor expectations!!
