Your thoughts on something Patti said at the stage door...?- Page 2

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 7:48am

It's true of course but also kinda bitchy.

Why couldn't she just say thank you and something like it's hard work but and then some words of inspiration.

I just love that if someone like Idina Menzel or a cast member from SPRING AWAKENING said this everyone would be attacking them and calling them rude but because it's Patti, it's ok. Granted they have less experience in the business but still. Whatever...

Anyway, I think it was a bit rude.

[dramarama2]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 8:17am

LOL, ppc1979

Posted: 8/17/08 at 8:39am

Show biz can be a very tough life. So can selling life insurance. You think getting only 2 out 45 jobs is some sort of unbearable burden? I was laid off from a job and sent out over 500 resumes to land ONE job. And when I got it, I got no groupies lining up to tell me how wonderful I was. If, somehow, a younger person took the time to compliment me and say I was his inspiration, I think I could be a little more gracious.

But, as someone pointed out, Ms LuPone isn't that sort of person. And somehow, people love that about her.

[Hiram]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 8:57am

I would love to hear how Elaine Stritch would have responded to that innocent young man. He probably would have thrown himself off The Brooklyn Bridge. Compared to Stritch, Ms. Lupone would most likely have come off as Miss Congeniality. And I love Stritch! My favorite tough theatre broad! I'll forgive her anything. Updated On: 8/17/08 at 08:57 AM

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 9:05am

I don't blame her for saying that. She's been dealt quite a bit of crap in her career (Sunset Boulevard, anyone?)

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 9:28am

But sometimes that crap pays for the pool in your house!

I don't know how Patti usually responds to stagedoor comments, but having to get through the crowd, I can imagine she doesn't have the time or energy to be anything but succinct and to the point. The fact that he got more than a "thank you" means that she took the time to register the comment, and thank you is implied in the rest of the sentence.

[glitterandjazzhands]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 9:29am

"I don't blame her for saying that. She's been dealt quite a bit of crap in her career (Sunset Boulevard, anyone?)"

Thank you! The woman knows what she's talking about. She's been in this biz for a while and knows the ups and downs. Yes, winning a Tony is one of the greatest accomplishments a theatre actor can recieve, but the crap you have to go through to get it... I've read in many articles, interviews etc. that she's always told aspiring theatre artists like it is. It sounds like the man was just overwhelmed and thats what brought on the tears, not her comment. :)

[Becky2]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 9:42am

I agree that she could have phrased it better. But that happens to everyone, I suppose. I know there have been times where I've said things, and then later recognized in what ways I could have said it better. And in her defense, she was being honest (probably doing the guy a favor!) People who want this to be their career need to be prepared for the hard work involoved, as well as the fact that they may never succeed at it at all. I know there are a lot of talented performers in the world who are unemployed. There are only so many roles to be filled, and a lot of people going after them.

[Patash]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 9:49am

I think her message may have worked. You might call this an example of tough love. Many acting teachers and professors paint the nastiest picture imaginable about a life in the theatre. Why? Because if there is any earthly way a person can be talked out of it, then they don't belong there in the first place. Only those who are willing to put up with the worst of it can really be successful. This kid started crying? What does that tell you? He's way too sensitive to be an actor -- his dreams that it is all "pretty" and "glamorous" have been dashed. He should take the hint and find another profession. If he had responded, "OH, I'm well aware of that, but I HAVE to do it" -- that would have been a whole different matter. That Patti may be a tough cookie, but she's a smart one too.

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 10:42am

If only She had told Him to go get a real job and to leave the acting to the talented ones!

She might have suggested carpenter, auto mechanic, or marine biologist...or any other profession that is in short supply, does mroe to help mankind, and earns more cash!

Then...and only then...would those tears of gratitude be justified!

:)

[James885]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:14am

She told it like it is. And she knows what she's talking about. Like someone said earlier, the business is tough and you've gotta be thick-skinned to survive. Anyone who thinks that it's just so glamorous and easy is just naive.

Updated On: 8/17/08 at 11:14 AM

[BroadwayBelle2]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:35am

I don't think what Patti said was a big deal, give her a break!

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:38am

But, as someone pointed out, Ms LuPone isn't that sort of person. And somehow, people love that about her.

Do you think Ethel Merman would have been any sweeter? Her bitchiness is legendary and people still love her for it. You just take these performers as they are and try to separate their onstage work from their offstage persona.

Patti may not be the most warm and fuzzy person at the stage door, but the fact is that she still signs autographs for everyone waiting every night and signs and returns all her fanmail within a week or two.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:40am

I'd say that guy is pretty fortunate. He got advice from a renowned thespian and LuPwnd all at the same time. Lucky bastard!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:41am

Tone goes a long way...without hearing her it's hard to have an opinion. (How many of us HERE have gotten slammed for something we've written because a reader inserts their own tone?)


Regardless: the kid cried? Oy.

[BroadwayBelle2]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:42am

I know how exciting it is to see her in person but, she comes out to sign autographs and leave, not start up conversations.
Updated On: 8/17/08 at 11:42 AM

[BroadwayDivaaa]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:44am

Honestly, he proablly teared up when she looked him in the eyes and if Patti was his inspraition that proablly hads a big impact on him. Also, it's not as if Patti was lying to him; she told him the truth. It's not as if after she said "Honey, it ain't pretty" she said "you're an idiot for wanting to be in show busniness run away now." That would have been bitchy. If he wants to be in show business he PROABLLY already knew that. Also, I agree with someone who said that Patti knows first hand that show business isn't pretty. I mean 29 years after winning her first Tony she finially wins a second one! She knows the ugly side of this business! So cut her some slack.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:51am

Moral - don't go to the stage door for emotional support. You are a total stranger, and you are standing in the street, asking someone who is exhausted after a day's work to be your mommy.

[je veux te voir2]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 12:06pm

you guys keep saying "he clearly can't tough it" and he has to develop "nerves of steel," etc. Someone having tough skin and being capable in the business, has NOTHING to do with having 3 seconds to say something to your idol, and them using those 3 seconds to knock down ur highest hopes.

And he wasn't asking to start a conversation, which is the only place her saying "it's tough," would fit perfectly. If she wanted to sit him and down and talk about how difficult the business is, thats different. But her spending two seconds to say that, and move on is clearly a distasteful thing to do.

You can love Patti Lupone and disagree with her, but its obvious that a lot of you simply want to support her in this BEACUSE she is Patti Lupone. I'd love to see you go up to your idol, tell them you admire them and hope to be them someday. And the only words they say to you are "Honey,It's tough," to move on to the next guy.

Maybe once you've actually met your idol, as I have mine, you will know what its like to have them speak to you. And if they say something purposesfully discouraging, I highly doubt you will be saying "Thats tough love."

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 12:26pm

Anyone posting in this thread who thinks that "there are different ways to be a grown-up" is not yet one.

I haven't commented at all on the the fan's response to her comment because that doesn't matter. Humility, compassion and graciousness should be extended by all people to all people because it's the kind way to behave, not because of the way someone might react to it.

All of that being said, I wasn't there either, so I don't know the exact circumstances. I'm simply responding to the original poster and the scenario presented. I will say this though: Neither Ms. LuPone nor anyone MUST pay ANY attention to fans lined up at the stage door. She could go out a different way if she doesn't want to be bothered. She's entitled.

Posted: 8/17/08 at 2:02pm

AS always Miss P gets it right on the nose. I'd stand outside her stage door any time.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 2:05pm

Why, thank you, JoeKv. That was a sweet thing to say.

Would you like me to sign your Playbill?

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 4:24pm

I don't know that the 2 things (meeting Patti & her advice) have anything to do with this person crying.

When my friend and I first met Patti, it was a huge moment for him. His mom had died when he was 13 and she was the one who had brought him to see Sunset Blvd. She was the one who really developed his love of Patti and her music. Meeting Patti had another level. All Patti said was hello and he (at 28 years old) started crying.

So, what I'm trying to say is that we don't know what was going on with this "kid" who met Patti. There may have been a lot of other things going on with him.

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 4:31pm

Hey...

The original post asked for "our thoughts" and we gave them. Most folks around here know how to respond to such a request...others, however, do not.

Peoples' thoughts on a subject don't need to be critiqued, or discarded, or questioned.

If you want to bitch about people's thoughts and opinions on the subject, go start your own thread.

The guilty ones know who they are...

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 4:41pm

Anyone consider she was making a joke? That's classic LuPone humor.