meanest person @ stage door — Page 3

I know! When I told her how much I loved her performance, she disemboweled my pet dog and used it in a voodoo sacrifice.

I dont think Ive ever had a bad expierience. Ive seen other people who seemed to have. One girl, looked to be about 9 or 10, walked up to Frenchie Davis from American Idol, currently in RENT, and asked for her autograph. Frenchie said no *fakie cough* I have a cold, and walked away.

She choked up a bit, and looked like she was about to cry. Then she went over to Drew Lachey who was outside signing things, and he was nice enough to take a picture with her, sign a playbill and give her a hug. I thought it was very sweet of him.

---

wow, I feel kinda bad now for taking it as an insult. If you're reading this, Betty Buckley, Ike Turner is very sorry, baby!

---

I'm going to be very positive and say that every actor I have spoken to after a show has been friendly to me. I just spoke to Max Von Essen this evening after Dorian The Musical in L.A. and he was quite gracious as were three of his castmates whom I also spoke to. I make it a point to compliment them on their work, and if I've seen them in something else, I comment on that too. Actors like to hear that they are good at their craft (I'm an actor too) and not just fan talk. I don't ask for photos or autographs (two exceptions: Deborah Gibson signed her latest CD for me; I'd just shown her a photo of my collection of just about every CD she'd made; and Steve Sandvoss, star of the film Latter Days, was super sweet to me and the two friends who saw him on stage recently in L.A. and posed for pictures with everyone). Anyway, what does an autograph mean? And a star may not like to be photographed that particular day. I'd much rather have a short and friendly conversation. John Tartaglia was a doll. I'm hoping that Stephanie Block takes over Elphaba because I do want her to sign the program from Funny Girl (Downey Civic Light Opera 1993!) which I have saved. I knew then that a star was in the making. Long post. Sorry to ramble.

Yeah Mel B was never one I was terribly interested in. I enjoyed her performances both times I saw her (but my fodness of her deteriorated after watching abootleg she was HORRID in, and her personality away from the stage) but while I was waiting for a certain cast member, She came out and sat near bar 41 smoking a cigarette and mouthing off with her little group of people. She was maybe 6 feet away, but for some reason she intimidated me enough to not even try to say hi to her.

I guess when youre having vocal problems, the best thing for you to do is smoke a cigarette.

---

These stage door threads are really a bore. I've come to the conclusion that we drag these out every few months to kick around and make ourselves feel better b**ching about those awful stars. I guess it's like a release of anger or something to make us feel superior in some way

We say this EVERY time this thread comes up...and there are those who disagree who feel that a star should sign autographs, do windows and perhaps even come home and cook our dinner and have a romp between the sheets with us before tucking us into bed and tip toeing out the door. Let's all say it together now: 'It is an actor's CHOICE to sign or not sign...there is NO obligation and they are not BAD people if they choose not to sign or if they choose to talk back to a nasty fan'

---

The only stage door I waited outside of many times was at the Imperial when "The Boy From Oz" was still there. The entire cast from that show was unbelieveably friendly and willing to sign things and take pictures (except for Hugh, who would sign things and kiss random people, but wasn't allowed to do individual pictures). It was also great because after Hugh would leave, most of the crowd would leave as well, so for those of us who really respected the talent of the rest of the cast as well, we could wait and see Stephanie Block (my absolute IDOL!)and the others without the crowd.

I think it is part of an actor's job-no matter how famous- to at least be gracious at stage doors. Without the fans, they wouldn't have a job.

---

But see, when an actor seems to ignore someone, or when Idina signed that collage mentioned above, you've got to put it in context.

Sometimes stage doors can be absolute chaos. You're trying to get dinner between shows, or you want to get to the gym before it closes, or whatever, so you are trying to expedite the signing process in the first place.

But you have to add into that how absolutely overwhelming it can be to have a bunch of people yelling to you all at the same time. Whether it's ten or fifty or whatever. You're signing an autograph for a little girl whose mom is telling you she wants to be an actress when she grows up, and with your left ear you're trying to listen to a school group who is whining that they need you to sign NOW because they have to get back on their bus, and couldn't you please please please do it, and someone has their arm around you because their friend is taking a picture, and in all the confusion you grab the collage that a girl is holding out to you and sign it. I mean, if it were me I would do exactly the same thing--rarely do people want to give you things, so I would just assume she wanted it signed.

It's not quite as easy as just writing your name a few times and smiling for pictures. It's hard to listen to ten people at once, and inevitably people go home and say "she ignored me". Not that simple.

And for those who asked, my screen name is such simply because I worry about the legions of 14-year-old girls who are going to blow out their voices trying to belt too high. And because the Wicked-worship on this board is out of control and it was funny.

I'm not saying you own a piece of them. I'm saying that there is no need for performers to be rude or nasty to their fans. I agree with ESM in that you need to put it in context. Sometimes it is just due to the chaos that a performer comes off cold. But when a performer is just mean to the fans by making a nasty comment etc., or by just ignoring them completely, that is another story. I'm not saying a performer needs to spend time with each fan, but they should at least be gracious to them.

---

Updated On: 11/8/04 at 10:34 AM

I understand where you are coming from. And you're right that if an actor has a reputation that is not good, it will effect them. It is not in their contract to be nice at the stage door. By "nice" I mean that they keep any rude/nasty comments to themselves. It does not include signing things etc. Again, I think you need to put every situation in context, like when the performer was trying to catch a train, as you mentioned. Or in a situation with an overly obsessed fan where a performer may need to leave for their own safety. But any uncalled for nasty comment is unprofessional. It is not part of the contract, but any professional performer will keep any nasty comments to themselves.

---

Well, ESM, I welcome you to the black hole that is the BWW message board. Kiss your life, family, friends, and any hobbies goodbye.

---