Will The Stage Door Come Back - Page 2

[msmp]

Posted: 6/4/21 at 4:07pm

Philly Theater Girl said: "I think Aaron is out there after almost every show but there are some castmembers I've never seen like Danny Burstein and Karen Olivo."

I don't think Danny Burstein has ever stage doored for Moulin Rouge, though I could be wrong. The only time I saw Karen Olivo was after the second preview in Boston; she didn't come out any of the other three times I saw the show, either in the tryout or in New York.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/4/21 at 5:27pm

JGPR2 said: ""I think the stage door will come back so less known cast members can meet people, get on their social media, and kind of build uptheir popularity. Everyone well known will skip it and say "Want a shout out? I'm on Cameo".

Bingo, you nailed it."

Then maybe - just maybe - ensemblists and swings can get the love they deserve.

Updated On: 6/4/21 at 05:27 PM

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 6/4/21 at 7:02pm

Philly Theater Girl said: "I think Aaron is out there after almost every show but there are some cast members I've never seen like Danny Burstein and Karen Olivo."

msmp said "I don't think Danny Burstein has ever stage doored for Moulin Rouge, though I could be wrong."

He used to stage door at South Pacific.

[Charles Pierson]

Posted: 6/8/21 at 8:13pm

JayElle said: "

Springsteen eventually did ticket holders only b/c it became chaotic with dealers and fans. Toward show's end, he stoppedb/c of unruly fans."

Springsteen signed every night up to and including the last night, he never stopped signing.  For both ticket holders and non ticket holders.  Towards the end of the run, yes there were two different areas on each side of the door, one dedicated for ticket holders,  and he stopped on both sides. 


 

 

Updated On: 6/8/21 at 08:13 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/8/21 at 8:46pm

ghostlight2 said: "Philly Theater Girl said: "I think Aaron is out there after almost every show but there are some cast members I've never seen like Danny Burstein and Karen Olivo."

msmp said "I don't think Danny Burstein has ever stage doored for Moulin Rouge, though I could be wrong."

He used to stage door at South Pacific."

He stage doored a few times for me as well, though I think it was a matter of personal choice and protection given his situation. He has a relatively exhausting role, while also raising his children and was managing his wife’s care as she progressively worsened. I could TOTALLY understand him not wanting or having the time to stage door.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 6/8/21 at 9:41pm

Serious question here: do that many people actually buy Cameos? 

[JayElle]

Posted: 6/9/21 at 12:09am

Charles Pierson said: "JayElle said: "

Springsteen eventually did ticket holders only b/c it became chaotic with dealers and fans. Toward show's end, he stoppedb/c of unruly fans."

Springsteen signed every night up to and including the last night, he never stopped signing.

Untrue. I was there. Barrier set up by exit from parking garage and pushed back on other side.. He came out door and got in limo with wife. Was last week of show. He stopped for no one. He just waved.



"

 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 3:06pm

The stage door should be the last thing on your mind right now. We're not 100% out of the woods yet with COVID, with many people refusing to get vaccinated. Even if cases go down, they're coming back in the fall, which means they're going into cold/flu season. Actors have families. A lot of them. Do you seriously think they'd want to put their families at risk? And i doubt even if younger performers want exposure, just being ON STAGE is exposure. Your need to say hi to them, to get a selfie, to get a shout-out for your cousins sisters significant others birthday isn't more important than their health and safety. Come on.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 4:07pm

Mind ya business.

[JayElle]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 7:18pm

Hearthemsing22 said in part:  "The stage door should be the last thing on your mind right now. We're not 100% out of the woods yet with COVID, "

Cast members are not required to stage door. Those who choose not to, won't. Those who do, will.   Last year, many shows simply posted a "no stage door" sign. History could repeat.  The fans are outside on the receiving end.  The ball is in the hands of those inside when the show's nightly/afternoon performance ends.   

We'll soon find out the next move.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 7:56pm

JayElle said: "Cast members are not required to stage door. Those who choose not to, won't. Those who do, will. Last year, many shows simply posteda "no stage door" sign. History could repeat. The fans are outside on the receiving end.The ball is in the hands of thoseinside when the show's nightly/afternoonperformance ends.

We'll soon find out the next move."

It's not that simple. The situation right now is that a lot of people feel pressured to "choose" to stop. My guess is the next move will be from the union. 

[JayElle]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 10:31pm

Again, Hearthemsing...the ball is not in the hands of the fans. Danny Radcliffe in Lifespan of a Fact said he greeted his fans because they put him where he was. It was astounding to see his guy go down the line taking a selfie with whoever wanted one. Security said one night he handled over 200 people. On bad weather days, he'd pre-sign Playbills that security distributed post-show to folks who appeared at the stage door. He unexpectedly showed up at the Harry Potter ticket line sometimes to greet fans and he even wasn't in that show. On the other hand, his fellow Lifespan cast members left via the front door so their fans waited there. 

As I said, the final decision rests not with the fans, but I agree with those in this thread who wrote that it will be back in some form at some point.

For those who actually attend shows and support the art by buying tickets, they know stage dooring is a long-standing tradition that works for some actors, but not all.  And no union has the legal authority to tell actors what they can and can't  do in their personal, finished-with-work time.  That commentator might want to spend time and money going to shows and participating at the SD to see reality.

 

 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 11:01pm

I agree that, at the appropriate time, stagedooring will return. My guess is in the spring, hopefully in a far more controlled fashion. Actually, very very few people who regularly attend the theatre would ever dream of stagedooring, and actually very very few people of any kind do. In its present form, it is of fairly recent vintage. 

Regarding the union, it's a safety issue, well within its legal authority and one that many members have addressed. I think you misapprehend how the union would be involved. The situation will be handled with the league, in the same collective bargaining context in which everything else is handled. If people are disbursed from the stage door area, problem solved.

[JayElle]

Posted: 6/13/21 at 9:12am

"Regarding the union, it's a safety issue, well within its legal authority and one that many members have addressed. I think you misapprehend how the union would be involved."

Get a law degree and license instead of dispensing inaccurate legal advice. 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/theater/actors-equity-health-safety.html

https://www.theproducersperspective.com/?s=stage+door

Updated On: 6/13/21 at 09:12 AM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/13/21 at 1:28pm

JayElle said: "https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/theater/actors-equity-health-safety.html

https://www.theproducersperspective.com/?s=stage+door"

Neither of those articles speaks to any point I have made. I stand by everything I said because, despite your suggestion to the contrary, I do know what I am talking about. (Also, TBC, there is no "advice" in anything I dispensed.)  Maybe you should know a little more about what and who you are talking about before making comments that betray a lack of knowledge about both.

[JayElle]

Posted: 6/13/21 at 6:43pm

Hogan's Hero.  A 1960s TV show, with the lead played by Bob Crane, a murdered porn addict who filmed woman he had sex with.   Nice hero.

The comments and articles I submitted have relevance. The producer Ken Davenport confirmed that actors are not contractually obligated to attend the SD and that the decision to SD should rest with the individual actor.  The producer wrote:

"And with Broadway booming, the crowds around the doors of hit shows often spill into the street, as selfies get snapped and autographs get signed by the hundreds. You can’t buy that type of promotion . . . because when people fall in love with actors, they also fall in love with the show they’re in." 

Davenport, a professional explains why the SD is more than just a fan experience.  It has significance for some actors as well. 

Davenport continued: "Actors in Broadway Shows are not only more accessible than any other “celebrity” out there, but in my experience, our actors WANT to be more accessible than any other performers out there."

If true, then the SD will be back because the willing actors and their fans will want it back.

Davenport continued: "And as fans and Producers, we should be so thankful that they’re willing to give that extra hour or more that it can take to sign every Playbill and take every photo before they can head home."

Good point Davenport.

And as for The NY Times article about Actors Equity, anyone reading it would understand there were several thousand members unhappy with AE.   When union demands become unreasonable, shows can be canceled..and in Dallas...it was.

"....[s]ome of the union’s safety requirements are “over the top.” Like what? “Having to have special air purifiers in apartments where actors are staying by themselves,” he said, “and the implication that people working with the theater should not associate with anyone else while they’re working on the play. I don’t know of any other business doing that."

Not even high-exposure hospitals do that.  That is not an enforceable or reasonable clause. The union does not have legal authority to regulate a cast member's behavior off the clock.  Even if the production company contracts such a clause at the union's behest, it would likely be unenforceable both contractually and realistically.

Will they sequester actors like a jury with a guard outside their door to prevent other human contact? No.   Can the theater owners shut the SD & post their "No SD?"  They did before, and I formerly said, they could do it again.

NYT's article continues:

"Now the 51,000-member union, which for the last year has barred almost all stage work in the United States, is in the cross hairs, under fire from some of its own members as it tries to navigate a path that keeps them safe and helps them earn a living. Quietly simmering frustrations erupted publicly last week, when more than 2,500 union members signed a letter, circulated by a Broadway performer (Tim Hughes, Hadestown) and signed by Tony winners and Tony nominees, plaintively asking, “When are we going to talk about the details of getting back to work?”

In response, AE president Shindle pushed getting vaxxed as the primary solution.

In summary, if actors see the SD as the means to promote themselves and want to be with their fans, that should be their choice as Davenport wrote. AE is not the prison warden.  

As for my knowledge, my background is extensive, especially when it comes to spotting legal BS when I read it.

So, let's turn our attention.  How about a contest to find you a more uplifting avatar?  Now that would be a nice effort on your part, and I'm sure lots of chatters would kindly offer great suggestions. Time to bury the porn addict's exploitation of the women he hit on.  Makes Weinstein look like a puppy.

There are so many current and historical theater/film/tv actors worthy of mention. How about Jimmy Stewart? Broadway, film, and tv star. Was also a Major General in the US Air Force during WWII.  Flew bombing missions over Nazi Germany.  Was promoted to Brigadier General in 1959 in US Air Force Reserve.  Now there's a real hero..great actor...and an all around nice guy.  

For a photo, there's a vintage playbill of Jimmy playing Harvey, a role Jim Parsons reprised 64 years later.

https://www.playbill.com/article/vintage-playbill-harvey-starring-james-stewart-1948-com-194602

 

 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/14/21 at 12:54am

well let's deal with the Hogan issue first. I gather you missed it but this has been discussed before. The avatar is of a beloved fictional character in a beloved fictional show. It is not an avatar of the actor about whom everything you say is correct. If you want to find a pic from the show that de-emphasizes Crane but still honors the show and its name, I'll consider a switch. So that's that.

In my experience, the stage door is not beloved by actors and I would put my experience on the subject up against that of a producer of flops (suggesting that maybe just maybe his opinions on marketing are questionable) who is best known for taking advantage of actors and investors, but you are of course free to listen to anyone you choose. The fact remains that nothing he said or that the Times article said speaks to my points. You'll note, for instance, that I acknowledged that regrettably the practice will make its way back at some point. Regarding the Equity rules of which you speak, first of all they are now moot, as everyone expected them to be before Broadway returned. They were promulgated to address, in a crisis mode, the extreme and intolerable risks that were being made possible by the action of what I'll call the idiot states. Why are you still talking about those protocols that plainly were intended to prevent unsafe conditions at the threshold. That said, you are dead wrong about the legal status of requiring bubbles. And to anyone unaware of any business doing that? Here's a suggestion: get your head out of the bubble it's in. That's laughably myopic. 

Look, I get it. You want stage-dooring to return. You feel entitled. You don't give a rat's a$$ about the uncomfortable position you put others in. No need to try to embellish that with irrelevant nonsense; just own it.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/14/21 at 1:09am

Hogan is correct. A union represents its members and their grievances which often relate to safety. Right now unions (of all professions) are in the weeds addressing return to work COVID protocols. It’s daunting because each person can have very different complaints. However if enough actors are saying they want stage door crowds banned or policed it is the unions job to bring that to producers and theatre owners. Not saying it will happen it is grievance or actionable. Actors instrument is their voice. A virus that attacks the respiratory system is grave threat. They do not know who is vaccinated and who is not at the stage door. They are entitled to feel safe at work.

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 6/14/21 at 10:03am

Personally, I think it would be a reckless idea to bring back stage dooring this year. Particularly with the emergence of the Delta variant, we don't even know how the fall is going to go, with regards to Covid. Best to play it safe, and bring back necessities first, and maybe the stage door can start back up again in spring '22. This has long been my view (even before Delta), and I have made it known to a few of my actor friends, who agree.

And I say that as someone who personally loves stage dooring.

Updated On: 6/14/21 at 10:03 AM

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 6/14/21 at 4:35pm

JayElle said: "Again, Hearthemsing...the ball is not in the hands of the fans. Danny Radcliffe in Lifespan of a Fact said he greeted his fans because they put him where he was. It was astounding to seehis guy godown the line taking a selfie with whoever wanted one. Security said one night he handled over 200 people.On bad weather days, he'd pre-sign Playbills that security distributedpost-show to folks who appeared at the stage door. Heunexpectedly showed up at the Harry Potter ticket line sometimes to greet fans and he even wasn't in thatshow.On the other hand, hisfellow Lifespan cast members leftvia the front door so their fans waited there.

As I said, the final decision rests not with the fans, but Iagree with those in this thread who wrote that itwill be back in some form at some point.

For those who actually attend shows and support the art by buying tickets, they know stage dooring is a long-standing tradition that works for some actors, but not all. And no union has the legal authority to tell actors what they can and can't do in their personal, finished-with-worktime. That commentator might want to spend time and money going to shows and participating at the SD to see reality.



"

Remind me-was that after a global pandemic that killed thousands of people? No. Also-actors have families. Again, we’re not 100% out of the woods because what if people who come to the stage door are people who have refused to get vaccinated? Too many factors. If that’s your priority you may want to re-examine it. It’s not why you see a show. And don’t even get me started on those who haven’t seen a show but wait anyway…it may be back, but I hope there are some serious changes and ways to manage it so that doesn’t happen.
 

The stage door is not needed. It’s not pivotal. You will survive without meeting an actor at the stage door, without a selfie, without a personalized greeting for some family member or friend. Trust me, the world will keep turning. Put any thoughts of the stage door away for now. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 6/14/21 at 4:36pm

Also-I saw the OP post about swings and understudies. They get love and respect when people SEE THEM PERFORM. Not when people meet them after. That’s not how it works.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 6/14/21 at 5:03pm

Sutton Ross said: "Mind ya business. "

If this is directed at me-this is a public forum. I don’t have to. But thanks! :) 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 6/14/21 at 5:15pm

@hearthemsing22 I'm not quoting you directly, because I want to address a couple of things you said (in multiple messages).

1.) I would personally argue that we will never be 100% out of the woods. We're not out of the woods with the flu. There are still outbreaks (albeit isolated) of measles, in under-vaccinated areas. We even still see scatterings of mumps in the US (again, at very low levels).

2.) To the point about ensemble/understudies/swings, while it's true that the stage door is not part of anyone's ticket, in the age of social media, people's presence at the stage door can up their following, and thus, give them a career boost. It's not just about love and respect, it's also about street cred. Zach Adkins managed to build a really solid following of fans, when he was in the ensemble of Anastasia, largely because he was so personable with people at the stage door. This enthusiastic following eventually led to him being promoted to playing Dmitry, full-time. Now it doesn't hurt that he's also incredibly talented, but it's hard to argue against the correlation between his stage door rapport, and the rapidly escalating fanbase. I will personally admit, I had no idea who he was the first time I saw him at the stage door (I believe this was the second time I saw the show), but his kindness was something I remembered, and I found myself watching for him in future performances.

3.) In general, ease up a little bit. This is a message board. As you said, a public forum. All people are doing here is speculating what may be the future of the stage door, in the near-to-mid-term future. Nobody is being harmful, and I personally think the abrasiveness in the direction of posters here is a tad unwarranted. I agree with some of the points you've made, but in general, ease up on the gas a tad.

Updated On: 6/14/21 at 05:15 PM

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 6/14/21 at 5:24pm

BroadwayRox3588 said: "@hearthemsing22 I'm not quoting you directly, because I want to address a couple of things you said (in multiple messages).

1.) I would personally argue that we will never be 100% out of the woods. We're not out of the woods with the flu. There are still outbreaks (albeit isolated) of measles, in under-vaccinated areas. We even still see scatterings of mumps in the US (again, at very low levels).

2.) To the point about ensemble/understudies/swings, while it's true that the stage door is not part of anyone's ticket, in the age of social media, people's presence at the stage door can up their following, and thus, give them a career boost. It's not just about love and respect, it's also about street cred. Zach Adkins managed to build a really solid following of fans, when he was in the ensemble ofAnastasia, largely because he was so personable with people at the stage door. This enthusiastic following eventually led to him being promoted to playing Dmitry, full-time. Now it doesn't hurt that he's also incredibly talented, but it's hard to argue against the correlation between his stage door rapport, and the rapidly escalating fanbase. I will personally admit, I had no idea who he was the first time I saw him at the stage door (I believe this was the second time I saw the show), but his kindness was something I remembered, and I found myself watching for him in future performances.

3.) In general, ease up a little bit. This is a message board. As you said, a public forum. All people are doing here is speculating what may be the future of the stage door, in the near-to-mid-term future. Nobody is being harmful, and I personally think the abrasiveness in the direction of posters here is a tad unwarranted. I agree with some of the points you've made, but in general, ease up on the gas a tad."

And in general, I can express my opinions how I want. I’m not harming anyone. I’m not directly attacking anyone. I have strong opinions. It’s not a crime. They’re speculating, and I’m responding to the speculation. If you can’t deal with my comments block me. Don’t try to monitor my comments. 
 

Yes you’re right. His persona at the stage door was the only reason he got promoted. And the same with Olivia from Mean Girls, that was the only reason why she got to be Janis full time, right? Instead of, idk, talent??? Proving herself on stage? It might contribute, but it’d be quite a stretch to say it was the main factor. 
 

All I’m saying is that stage dooring should 

1. not be a theater goers main priority right  now 

2. Not a reason to see a show because it’s never guaranteed and a fun bonus, not a requirement for the actors 

Please don’t try to monitor my posts. Again, if you can’t accept my strong opinion, block me 🤷🏻‍♀️

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 6/14/21 at 5:28pm

hearthemsing22 said: "BroadwayRox3588 said: "@hearthemsing22 I'm not quoting you directly, because I want to address a couple of things you said (in multiple messages).

1.) I would personally argue that we will never be 100% out of the woods. We're not out of the woods with the flu. There are still outbreaks (albeit isolated) of measles, in under-vaccinated areas. We even still see scatterings of mumps in the US (again, at very low levels).

2.) To the point about ensemble/understudies/swings, while it's true that the stage door is not part of anyone's ticket, in the age of social media, people's presence at the stage door can up their following, and thus, give them a career boost. It's not just about love and respect, it's also about street cred. Zach Adkins managed to build a really solid following of fans, when he was in the ensemble ofAnastasia, largely because he was so personable with people at the stage door. This enthusiastic following eventually led to him being promoted to playing Dmitry, full-time. Now it doesn't hurt that he's also incredibly talented, but it's hard to argue against the correlation between his stage door rapport, and the rapidly escalating fanbase. I will personally admit, I had no idea who he was the first time I saw him at the stage door (I believe this was the second time I saw the show), but his kindness was something I remembered, and I found myself watching for him in future performances.

3.) In general, ease up a little bit. This is a message board. As you said, a public forum. All people are doing here is speculating what may be the future of the stage door, in the near-to-mid-term future. Nobody is being harmful, and I personally think the abrasiveness in the direction of posters here is a tad unwarranted. I agree with some of the points you've made, but in general, ease up on the gas a tad."

And in general, I can express my opinions how I want. I’m not harming anyone. I’m not directly attacking anyone. I have strong opinions. It’s not a crime. They’re speculating, and I’m responding to the speculation. If you can’t deal with my comments block me. Don’t try to monitor my comments.


Yes you’re right. His persona at the stage door was the only reason he got promoted. And the same with Olivia from Mean Girls, that was the only reason why she got to be Janis full time, right? Instead of, idk, talent??? Proving herself on stage? It might contribute, but it’d be quite a stretch to say it was the main factor.


All I’m saying is that stage dooring should

1. not be a theater goersmain priority right now

2. Not a reason to see a show because it’s never guaranteed and a fun bonus, not a requirement for the actors

Please don’t try to monitor my posts. Again, if you can’t accept my strong opinion, block me ??‍♀️"

Okay, so it's very clear that you either just skimmed my post, or are purposely twisting my words to fit your narrative. That, combined with the fact that I'm pretty sure I know who you are IRL, will preclude me from engaging with you further on here. I hope you have a nice day.