Who is the most pleasant actor you've encountered at the stage door?

[TopHat143]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 12:15am

I usually wait for the actors when they come out of the theater and ask them to sign my Playbills. and the most pleasant actor/actress whom I had the privilege of meeting is the cast of N2N esp. Ms. Alice Ripley. She was simply divine and she took her time signing Playbills and carried a conversation and had a picture taken as well. Also, I like Michael Cerveris and Hugh Jackman, both were just endearing and really care about their fans!
Who's yours?
Updated On: 11/30/09 at 12:15 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 12:19am

Backstage is not the same thing as the stage door.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 12:23am

This thread could go in so many different directions - First off, let us define the word "backstage"....

[proptart101]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 12:35am

In many years of working on shows I have yet to have an unpleasant experience with an actor or actress backstage.

In public, in front of "fans", that's another set of stories.

[Basely Tearful]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 12:38am

So many James Barbour jokes...

Which one to use is the real dilemma.

[Q]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 12:46am

Does TopHat's av look like Zepka, or is it just me?

Well, since it just changed, I guess not. Updated On: 11/30/09 at 12:46 AM

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 2:26am

Caissie Levy (Hair). Really sweet gal.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 2:47am

Popular topic:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?page=1&thread=993024&boardid=0

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=916937#2718231

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=923550#2780670

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=928951#2879348

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=981077#3696162

There's some gems in there. There's also a couple threads on worst and rude stage door appearances.

Updated On: 11/30/09 at 02:47 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 3:10am

Of course most of them will be nice at stage door. What's not to be nice about? If it's an experience they don't enjoy (and many do not) they don't have to greet their fans at all.

Just remember: they are actors. How they act in front of you is NO indication to what they truly think of their "fans". It's not like they go home and think, "oh, that fan in the blue shirt was so nice, I must make them a scrapbook." They don't give fans a second thought once they walk past you. Some even compare notes on the creepiest fans at SD. Really.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 6:08am

...sometimes cruel reality just poisons the soul and destroys a healthy illusion, which makes someone happy. Why, oh why, must some try to make others miserable, instead of choosing to spread happiness? NOT all actors are cut from the same pattern...leave room for hope from the fan, kindness from the actor, and the real possibility that after the fact, only pleasant memories will be gathered.
I, myself, do not like to stage door. I might make exceptions for a special show or actor. Actors are humans, and they all have their ups and downs, good days and days when they just want to be left alone. I respect that, and have enough sense to realize that SD is part of their PR, and treat it accordingly.

[brochatkid]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 7:56am

Gavin Creel and Michael Rupert...both so, so nice and down-to-earth.

[mikeyb16]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 8:27am

Rachel Stanley & Rebecca Thornhill.....2 incredible west end stars and down to earth!!

[madbrian]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 8:31am

The vast majority of folks we've met at the stage door have been very cordial (I only wait when my kids want an autograph and/or photo). But by far, the best experience was when I took my daughter to see the off-Broadway show Dog Sees God. I didn't know what to expect of the young cast (America Ferrera, Eliza Dushku, etc), but they couldn't have been more gracious. They spent time chatting, posed for plenty of pictures, and seemed very at ease with it all.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 9:03am

I normally don't post in these threads, but after recent events, I just have to throw in some love for Justin Kirk. He's one of my favorite actors ever and someone I had wanted to see on stage for years. I babbled at him pretty incoherently after the show, and he could not have been nicer or more gracious.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 9:25am

Hands down, Sarah Jessica Parker and/or Elaine Paige.

[Jon]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 9:30am

Karen Ziemba.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 9:57am

Bill Irwin

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 10:09am

(I only wait when my kids want an autograph and/or photo). But by far, the best experience was when I took my daughter to see the off-Broadway show Dog Sees God. I didn't know what to expect of the young cast (America Ferrera, Eliza Dushku, etc), but they couldn't have been more gracious. They spent time chatting, posed for plenty of pictures, and seemed very at ease with it all.

You are a step ahead if you have kids with you. The actors don't want to be seen acting nasty to an adult in front of their children.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 10:58am

The entire cast of Finian's Rainbow was so sweet at the stage door...I met Chris Fitzgerald, Jim Norton, Chuck Cooper, Kate Baldwin, and Cheyenne Jackson and they were all so nice and gracious with everyone who was waiting.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 11:11am

The sweetest I ever met:

Linda Eder
Christine Andreas
Sam Harris
Veanne Cox
Chuck Wagner
Debbie Boone

[AbbyNormal13]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 11:47am

Roger Bart and Chris Fitzgerald as well as the entire cast of Finian's Rainbow.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 11:55am

Without a doubt, Cherry Jones. Granted she was not mobbed, but she had lengthy interactions with each fan then proceeded to have an even longer conversation with a gaggle of fans, myself included at the stage door about her performance choices, their thoughts on the piece ("Faith Healer") and she could not have been more low-key, calm, grounded or gracious.

I think actors create more hysteria by being aloof. I think if they relax and stay present, the fans calm down and the interactions can be wonderful.

Cherry was a clear example of graciousness and humanity. I'll never forget her authenticity.

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 12:02pm

I have to agree with the OP about Alice Ripley, who was absolutely sweet to every one of her fifty or so fans outside the stage door. I also have to give a shout-out to Jonathan Groff and Gavin Creel, who were both extremely nice.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 12:02pm

some many, but definitely Greg Jbara.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 12:10pm

Raul Esparza