Thoughts? — Page 3

In the almost 40 years of seeing shows on Broadway (I started in 1972 at the age of 7), I have NEVER waited at a stage door to obtain a photo or autograph from any performer.

I still remember being annoyed by my dad when we were exiting Sardi's on W. 44th Street (it was 1978 and I was 13 years old) and Bob Fosse was with his daughter Nicole outside of the Broadhurst Theatre where his show DANCIN' was playing and my dad said I should cross the street and get his autograph. I snapped back "what on EARTH am I going to do with his autograph?!" and went on a rampant about how pointless all of that is: taking a photo, etc. with a total stranger, etc.

Even as a kid I was aware how mundane taking a photo or getting an autograph with/from a performer/celebrity/etc was.

Brody...its mundane to you.(and me, if truth be told) To others it brings great joy. The only time I 'care' about stagedooring is when those (like a bunch in this thread) believe it is their right to get time with the actors, or those that judge the actors that choose not to stage door -- whether it is at all, or just on the eveninng they are there.

I also think there is a difference between stage dooring for a paricular actor whose work you admire, and those that stagedoor as sport or as an every show activity.


As I've mentioned earlier: my 15 year old loves it; My 11 year old waits with me across the street until she is done.

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Some people genuinely look up to and highly admire a musical and its cast. I happily categorize myself as, not just a fan, but a *passionate* fan of musical theatre. The musicals I count as my favorites have both deeply touched and inspired me since childhood and I'd even go as far as saying they are so deeply embedded in my mind, they have had to shape a part of me. I think it's important to distinguish the casual theatre-goer that frequently posts on BWW and the fan who's greatly fascinated by every last aspect of live theatre. Those people that they patiently wait for at the stagedoor are their heros and while they may not be celebrities in the mainstream, the mainstream doesn't dictate to a passionate fan who or who is not a celebrity; it is dictated by their love for the art form.

I stopped stagedooring in my late teens for no other reason other than a desire to avoid crowds. I've been meaning to do it again sometime but I always decide against it. Then again, times have changed and where I used to feel a little awkward for being the only one waiting for an actor or actors/creative team nobody cares about, nowadays I'd feel uncomfortable since safety is now something constantly on everyone's mind. I can't believe things used to be so relaxed back in the day, the sis and I thought nothing of calling out to Jennifer Paz after a performance of Miss Saigon in L.A. and asking for her autograph. She was very gracious and as sweet as ever. Nowadays, she'd likely keep on walking. It was close to 11 p.m. in downtown Los Angeles, which is a ghost town at that hour, and she was all alone walking across the street. Even back then, she probably stopped only because my sis was with me. I doubt she'd have stopped for a lone dude, even if I'm the type who can't harm a fly, hehe.

Not saying there's really anything wrong with it. More power to the bold fan who isn't ashamed of waiting out there after everyone has gone home. Kudos to the fan who isn't swayed by odd looks and awkward interactions with people who deep inside are concerned about their safety, are in a rush to get home to rest before the evening performance, or simply want to go to bed.

What has changed between the teenaged fan and the grown-up me of today is I'm much more mindful and considerate and would rather admire from afar. That's purely personal and not in any way suggesting anyone who stagedoors to be inconsiderate and rude. And I'm sure many actors genuinely love meeting fans at the stage door. It's like clapping at the end of a song; the choice is individual and in no way indicative of manners or lack thereof.

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I used to stage door when I was 16, but what is cute as a young teenager quickly becomes creepy and sad when you reach the age that you're expected to have your own life, interests, etc. that are not dependent on what some ensemble member in Spring Awakening thinks of you.

The deep psychosis and self-esteem issues that often accompany these people should be studied by someone. They would be laughable if they weren't so scary. Most Broadway actors, non-stunt-cast ones, do not live lives of fame and glamour. I can think of someone who is a lead in a very big show right now who has to commute home to New Jersey via bus every night and rarely signs autographs because he wants to make the earlier bus home. Is that rude? Is he blowing off his fans? No.

An actor's job is to perform and to give their best onstage every night. As long as they have done that, that's all your ticket entitles you to and if you choose to hang out and greedily demand someone's time, then you lose the right to complain if they don't want to give it to you.

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All of these mind readers and psychologists who know the hidden motives of others who enjoy waiting for an autograph from someone they admire. Maybe it's because...they enjoy getting an autograph from someone they admire.

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...and yet more likely than all the other supposition I've seen here.

I'm not going to read through this entire thread before I respond, but I would question the premise. Do you think these young actresses are escaping the theatre via a helicopter on the roof? Some folks leave quickly; some take their time. Some have guests back often; others never do. At some point, I guarantee you these folks are leaving the building, and with very few exceptions, there are no secret exits. Beyond that, yes there are those who play this ridiculous autograph game, and those who blow past autograph seekers. Some are very much repulsed by it, which is not a function of being cool, and some young actresses are probably creeped out by it for a variety of reasons. But there is no grand plot going on here.

If simple = reductive, no problem.

The ultimate goal for MOST actors is:
1. Have a paying job, consistently
2. Have a leading role

NOT to be famous or be hounded by fans. (I'm sure some do, but they aren't doing it for the right reasons.) People don't try broadway to become famous. There aren't too many legitimately FAMOUS actors that work exclusively on B'way.

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"Interesting thought. Perhaps the sort of thing people who don't like to think at all often say."

Bit of a dichotomy, that, isn't it?

"You might consider the notion that a reductive sentence like "they enjoy getting an autograph from someone they admire" doesn't even begin to explore the question of "why" - no one was denying that autograph hounds enjoys getting an autograph; but there are people who like to delve a bit deeper and ask, "why do they enjoy getting an autograph?" "

Or you could just recognize that people have been collecting souvenirs from pre-historic times and this is a modern example of that.

"Of course, "why" can be a perplexing or terrifying question to some."

I'd say if you're trying to insult me, try harder - but I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself. You've already strained your logic.

Updated On: 7/24/12 at 05:15 PM

The whole cult of stage dooring is one from the last decade, maybe a teeny bit before that. It's all the Internet generation, in any case. They can stage door, get their autograph, take their picture, and then come directly online and post about it. When I grew up in LA I was rather bold and would occasionally go to the stage door and ask if I could meet the star of the show. In every instance, there was NEVER EVER anyone else there, and I was always taken to the dressing room of the star and introduced to them. We'd have a chat and that would be that. I never asked for an autograph, and I met some really big stars. It was better then. Now it's a game and weird with barricades and security and I don't know why any actor who's just put out energy for two and a half hours should have to endure spending another thirty minutes just dealing with that insanity.

Words powerful, and the best thing about them: there's one for everything so that you CAN say what you actually mean. You don't get to use a word and give it its own meaning.

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Excuse you? Now we're up-in-arms over a word? I haven't misused "heroic" in conversation before today in ages. I will use it now as much as humanly possible.

I'm messing with you. And I understand your frustration. I do my part by not promoting bastardization of the language to the kids at work. Lord knows the number of times I wish to tear my hair out due to some of the things kids say nowadays.

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Updated On: 7/24/12 at 07:16 PM