Worst stage door experience- Page 4

[Comden Green]

Posted: 6/21/16 at 9:46pm

Macavity - you made me smile.    Clever.   

- and yes, it needed to be said.  

[mpkie]

Posted: 6/21/16 at 9:58pm

¿Macavity? said: "Sounds like Les Mis needs a better baricade. (Bu-dum-tsk)."

 

"You at the barricades listen to this! No one is coming to help you fight! You're all alone! You have no friends!" s'all true :'(

 

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 6/22/16 at 12:57am

Thank you very much! ^

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/22/16 at 12:38pm

This thread reminded me of one of my favorite stage door moments. I've told this story before, but after 33 VARIATIONS, I was enamored with Jane Fonda and was talking about her career and people on the other side of the barricades were shouting "Jane! Jane! Over here!" And she turned around and loudly said "Can't you see that I'm speaking to someone? I'll be there when I get there". then she turned back around, apologized an continued talking to me. 

 

I almost pissed myself.

 

 

[Comden Green]

Posted: 6/27/16 at 9:26am

Jordan Catalano said: "This thread reminded me of one of my favorite stage door moments. I've told this story before, but after 33 VARIATIONS, I was enamored with Jane Fonda and was talking about her career and people on the other side of the barricades were shouting "Jane! Jane! Over here!" And she turned around and loudly said "Can't you see that I'm speaking to someone? I'll be there when I get there". then she turned back around, apologized an continued talking to me. 

 

I almost pissed myself.

 

 

 

"That's a cool story.     

 

[sydney16]

Posted: 7/17/16 at 2:45am

ChiTheaterFan said: "Here's mine. I did tell the theater. And I don't ever go to stage doors that are that crowded anymore. 

 

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?page=2&thread=1086994

Yeah, um, the same situation with the same man happened to me recently at the Something Rotten stage door. I don't think I'll be stage dooring at crowded places anytime soon either...(I'm 16).
"

 

Updated On: 7/17/16 at 02:45 AM

[meepsnyc]

Posted: 7/18/16 at 1:20pm

To all of you who brave the crowds at stage door: you're so much braver than me. Kudos.

I've never done stage door before, but when I was 14 years old and lived in a state far, far away from NYC, a kind soul from a Broadway message board like this one got Hugh Jackman to sign and personalize a Boy from Oz playbill for me. She FedEx'ed it to my house with some pictures of him signing it, and it became one of my most cherished possessions for years. I still have it.

In hindsight, giving out my address to some stranger was a pretty stupid thing to do, but all turned out well and I will always remember that random act of kindness. So wherever that person is, I hope they know how much that meant to me!

[Bell0708]

Posted: 7/21/16 at 6:52pm

Leaf Coneybear said: "I met Anthony Rapp after If/Then and I'm not sure if it was because it was late or something, but he seemed very unenthusiastic. The crowd was nothing, it was in Chicago, not Broadway, so really it was about 20 people, no barricades needed. I've heard that he is usually very excited and nice at the stagedoor so it was a bit odd, he had a black hoodie with the hood up and wouldn't smile for photos. I get that they don't owe you a smile or a photo or really anything at the stagedoor, but my daughter was really disappointed after admiring him for a while.

Maybe he was having an off night, my daughter and I met him at the SD for if then in Boston the other night and he was very nice.

"

 

[NotCarylChurchill]

Posted: 11/9/16 at 7:03am

Comden Green said: "I know it's best if we avoid actor stories but I'm going to tell one anyway.  

Matilda.  I was in awe of Bertie Carvel.  After the show, I got in a spot to have my poster signed.  The crowd was positioned in a semi-circle.  I stood about halfway around the circle behind some kids.  Mr. Carvel came out the stage door and walked directly to our spot.  He began to sign all those around me.  I held out my poster - not intrusively, not in front of anyone, just so it could be seen.  He didn't sign it.  He continued to walk away from that spot to finish half of the circle.  That's ok.  I'll just wait until he comes back to do the rest of the group.  Or not, even, it's not that big a deal. 

He finished that group and walked directly back to where I was standing to begin the rest of the group.  He began to sign. I held up the poster. Not intrusively, not over anyone. Patiently.  But as he finished everyone nearby, he began to move away from me, signing others.  I was the only one there.  I had a poster. I was holding it out.  It was so strange.  I spoke up and asked if he would sign it.  He did.  

Ever feel invisible?  The only way I have rationalized it is that he felt I was too old to be getting autographs with all these young people.  I can't imagine any other faux pas I had committed.  I can't imagine how he could not have seen me there - twice.  And yet see every other soul standing there.   ??

 


I rarely do stage door anymore.
"

He's the moodiest person I've ever known. I'm certain it was nothing to do with you.

[Comden Green]

Posted: 11/9/16 at 7:26am

He's the moodiest person I've ever known. I'm certain it was nothing to do with you.

 

"

Interesting.      

Of course his performance was magnificent.  

Thanks  for your comment.  

Im still surprised how it affected me.  

[kjck89]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 11:50pm

I personally love stagedooring because from my experience, I've met and had memorable conversations with actors and fellow audience members while waiting. It is a hit or miss whether or not you will meet your desired actor/actress, but I always keep that in mind every time i fall in line that they may not come out or sign and that they don't have any obligation to.

 

That being said, I do wish that when there is a growing line at the stagedoor for a certain actor they would make an announcement if they aren't going to sign. I just remember the If/Then stagedoor line since Frozen had just come out there were so many little girls dressed up as Elsa and it was pretty late and they were waiting for Idina. Most of the actors came out and after 45 minutes (barricades still up), the stagedoor attendee made an announcement that Idina had left and would not be signing. Nothing against actors not wishing to stagedoor that night, but I think just better communication so people don't get their hopes up only to be disappointed.

 

On another note, being the only one at the stagedoor is honestly the best and worst experience in my opinion (mostly happens in non-NYC theatre) only because you can have incredible, full-blown conversations with the actors, but at the same time it's so intimidating especially when you realize (sharpie in hand) that the group of people you were waiting with are actually their friends & family.

[ajv2001]

Posted: 11/16/16 at 8:59pm

I've never REALLY had a bad stage door experience so I'll post a good and a bad

 

Best: (2 experiences, same show): (not technically stage door but...) My mother and I are friends with Adam Pascal, and when he was in Disaster! we went back stage to say hi after. Being a huge Kevin Chamberlin fan, after Adam left, we went up to KC to say hi. He was the nicest!! We talked for awhile and he signed my Seussical CD. The second time we saw Disaster! we stage doored and being a huge Roger Bart fan as well, I brought my Charlie Brown CD and he got so surprised when he saw it, and signed it "like he did when he was snoopy", by drawing a paw print, and also stopped to take a picture.

MADE MY DAY!!!

 

Worst:

In the Heights closing night. I was 9 years old...I met Lin manuel Miranda (at the time I had no idea who he was but my mom forced me to take a picture with him lol, to which he said "I'll take a picture with ANYONE wearing a Kermit The frog Hat!!" after getting our picture, as we tried to get out, we were repeatedly shoved into the barricades, and no one cared about the little 9 year old who couldn't breathe and was crying.

[MoDance0934]

Posted: 11/16/16 at 11:33pm

I saw Wicked with my boyfriend back in July. It was Rachel Tucker and Jonah Platt's final matinee. I met Zach Pisner, Dawn Cantwell and Jonah. The stage door attendant announced that because it was Broadway Barks, Carrie St. Louis was not coming out since she had to rush over there. He also announced that Rachel was not coming out (apparently she doesn't sign during matinees). I wasn't disappointed, but the woman next to me had an earful for the attendant. Clearly a crazed Wicked fanatic. She made an effort to push and shove every little kid of the way whenever an actor would come out. I tried making conversation with Jonah, and she nudged me and told me to "get away" from her. 

[mahnuma]

Posted: 11/17/16 at 1:36am

I saw Hamilton in Chicago on my birthday (woo!) a few weeks ago, but had no idea where the stagedoor was (and was crying too much to be coherent anyway). My friend saw Hamilton earlier this week, and we were meeting for dinner so I grabbed my Playbill from home and ended up meeting her at the theater and going to the stage door to take the chance to tell the cast how much I appreciated them etc (I'm not really an autograph person).

Anyway, the thing is, I saw it with Joseph Morales, and Miguel Cervantez was playing Hamilton that afternoon. Turns out, I am a terrible liar!!! He came out and when he got to me I 100% froze. Internally I was like "You can't say anything! You didn't see him!" He looked at me and after a way longer pause then should have ever existed kindly asked "Did you enjoy it?" To which I responded: "I cried the whole time!" (which is true of the performance from two weeks ago haha). He said, "That's what makes it good, right?"

I know how absolutely trivial it is because they meet so many people, but I was mortified and felt so bad for literally days after so I went ahead and bought one of the released lottery tickets from tonight. Met him again, it was lovely, got to tell him how lovely his voice is.

Side note: I told Jonathan Kirkland I thought his voice was very beautiful and he thanked me and said many people don't like it, but that's okay, which was super sad :/

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 9:49am

I gotta say Anastasia now. It was the most crowded stage door yet and people were pushing against each other. The cast was just as sweet as last year (Christy and John are too pure for this world), however when Ramin came out, he went to both people next to me and did not acknowledged me and the beginning of the line at all. I don't know if he accidentally skipped me or purposely ignored me. I put my playbill slightly next to the people between me's playbills and kept saying his name over  and over again after he skipped me (I couldn't just tap him on the shoulder. That'd be rude), but he just kept going. Didn't help that the people between me didn't help me either. Oh well.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 10:08am

I don't stage door but my daughters sometimes do it and I just wait for them with my wife. All their experiences when I have been with them  have been very pleasant. 

[briansb]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 10:53am

I'm sure this has been mentioned before on this thread, but my Hamilton stage door experience was one of the most stress-inducing experiences I've had on Broadway thus far. I saw the show last May when the original cast (minus King George) was still playing. After the show, my family and I rushed out to get a good position at the stage door. Luckily, we got right up against the barrier they put out. However, about 5 minutes later, crowds start pouring in. I wouldn't mind if they were Hamilton show-goers, but virtually every Playbill in the vicinity of me was to a different show. Tons of Les Mis people from next door, a bunch of American Psycho playbills, etc. It was insanity how many "Les Mis" playbills I saw Lin sign. People started pushing so hard to get to the front, at one point physically trying to pull my brother backwards to get in front of him (I held on to him and the divider for dear life). It was comparable to trying to get to the front for a major headliner at a music festival, and I surprised with how many people were outright rude in the moment. I overheard a kid behind me bragging about how he's never seen the show, but comes to the Hamilton stage door every time he's in the area to try and complete as many signed Playbills as he can before he sells them.  I felt really bad for people who did pay for tickets and couldn't manage to get to the stage door because of all the people. It was utter chaos, but luckily the Hamilton cast was amazingly nice.

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 12:26pm

disneybroadwayfan22 said: "...when Ramin came out, he went to both people next to me and did not acknowledged me and the beginning of the line at all. I don't know if he accidentally skipped me or purposely ignored me. I put my playbill slightly next to the people between me's playbills and kept saying his name over  and over again after he skipped me (I couldn't just tap him on the shoulder. That'd be rude), but he just kept going."

I've met Mr. Karimloo three times now (twice in London after Love Never Dies and once in New York after Les Miserables) and he has been very gracious every time. I can't explain what happened to you, except to say that it's very unlike him and perhaps he was just having a bad day personally or was in a hurry to get somewhere after the show. Sorry!

[Impeach2017]

Posted: 12/19/17 at 6:24pm

This might be a 'tradition" that needs retiring, if only for security reasons.  It's like some sort of gauntlet forced upon them - very creepy and sad.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/19/17 at 6:31pm

Not every actor comes out the stage door. Many tweet that this is the case. I don't think many are being forced.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 12/19/17 at 6:38pm

My favorite stage door experience- from long ago- but also so weird- was waiting for Barbra Streisand at Funny Girl- and the crowd was really enormous- Barbra passes by me wearing her brown baseball cap and carrying her poodle Sadie- but she was so pretty- and so small- it did not look like her to me- so almost as if I did not see her- I was so caught up in the legend of her in the sixties that she almost did not seem real- I did see Funny Girl though- on an off matinee a month before she left to London- and she put on a lackluster show and I was quite disappointed.

[Bell0708]

Posted: 12/19/17 at 8:44pm

I got his autograph too after IfThen and he seemed nice, but reversed. My daughter was with me and I told him "You have a real Renthead here" when he signed for her and he laughed and looked me right in the eye and thanked me when I complimented him on his performance, his eyes are gorgeous, BTW!

[Bell0708]

Posted: 12/19/17 at 8:49pm

Sorry, I meant to reply to a quote, I'm referring to Anthony Rapp,

[Bell0708]

Posted: 12/19/17 at 9:02pm

And I forgot I already told that story on here, my bad, I'll crawl back to my corner now

[mmFan]

Posted: 12/19/17 at 10:12pm

I met Anthony Rapp as well after his one man show Without You.  I had lost my mom just beforehand as well, and he was very kind.