re: The Good/The Bad...Worst stagedoor experiences — Page 3

AudreyTwoTwo- It's funny your cousin said that about Eden. I've met her on more than one occasion and she's always been a sweetie.

I've never really had a negative stage door experience. I guess the most negative one was when I was afraid of Terrence Mann (That probably doesn't sound right. I don't mean it in a bad way, because i really liked him. I was just afraid to talk to him.)

Some of my favorites: Tina Maddigan, Will Chase, Cary Shields, Kelly Karbacz, Kevin Cahoon, Greg Jbara, Cleavant Derricks, Mandy Gonzalez, Julia Murney, Megan Hilty, Danny Gurwin, Sutton Foster, and Ben Vereen (!).

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BEST: ALL SHOOK UP
--Every member of the ASU cast was sweet as can be. Both times I went, they were so sweet. Once, Sharon didnt come out due to it being a two show in a row day, however, everyone else was sweet as can be. Jenn, Cheyenne, Alix, Nikki, Curtis, all so nice and so wonderful.

Also wonderful is Josh Strickland and the cast of TARZAN expect for Schuler, he never comes out. He's the Michelle Ferder of TARZAN. HAIRSPRAY's cast members so sweet, as are most of WICKED's. Everytime I went the people were so sweet: Megan and Jennifer were adorable. Joey and David were awesome. One time, Shoshana was amazingly sweet, the other very nice, but reserved.

The cast of THE WEDDING SINGER is also amazing. Tina and Stephen are fantastic, as are Felicia, Kevin, and all the ensemble. Rita gets away quite a bit, but seems nice.

WORST:

Michelle Ferder: A major pain, Ran from the stage door avoiding everyone. Little girls screamed "Nessarose. We love you" and she turned, slightly glared and ran off.

Ramona from BKLYN was very testy, and not very friendly. She signed and took pictures, but was very uneasy.

I have never had a bad stage door experience. Every actor I have encountered has been nothing less than gracious. And I am always grateful for any time an actor is willing to take out of their time to talk to fans.

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I forgot to add the entire cast of Tarzan. They were as sweet as can be, especially Jenn, Josh, and Chester. My little brother told Chester that he was the "most favorite one." I told Merle Dandridge that she was in both my first Broadway show (Rent), and my brother's (that day), which she got a kick out of. They were all really sweet to him (and to me), which just added on to what was an already perfect day.

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Shuler Hensley was always so nice at Trailer Park and even remembered me when I saw him at Tarzan, so I find it hard to believe anything to the contrary. I haven't really had too many bad experiences but I will also agree about the actors not having to do anything after they take their bows. What's with Michelle Federer? She's got a tiny role.

The entire Sweeney cast was so willing to talk about the show with anyone who had any questions, or just brought up a specific point.

And about going up to actors at dinner, sometimes the other actors also only know OF the person they approach, but because they share a profession, they think it's okay. And sometimes it's really weird.

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The worst stage door experience? I'd have to go with Amanda Peet as others have said, but I was in no way offended. But I've been pretty lucky because the only time I've really had a bad time is when the crowd is being a pain with pushing and such.

Can I just say that the Jersey Boys stage door is absolutely one of my favorites? Generally the fans are well behaved and very nice to chat with. Actually, one time John Stamos attended the show and exited through the stage door. The fans at the stage door just smiled and some shook his hand or whatever. But once the Hairspray crowd noticed him, people began screaming and surged toward him. He got away before they reached him, but I just thought that was pretty funny. The varying degrees of reaction was amusing.

But really, I'm always so grateful for any actor that is generous at the stage door. Some are more generous than others and will chat for a while no matter how well you know them while some just don't want anything to do with the stage door scene. Are most of my experiences good because I know the stage door is not part of the actor's job? That just may be the case.

Best:

High Fidelity Cast. They are the nicest people, so funny and sweet. All of them took the time to talk to people (okay, so there were like 3 people in Boston) and made them feel special. They're some of the greatest people.

The Wedding Singer Cast (minus Constantine) is incredible. Felicia is great. When I saw it, Tina was running to go to a wedding, but she still took the time to talk to everyone. And Kevin Kern is my favorite.

Wicked tour cast. Again, it's Boston and no one was there, but these were some of the greatest people I have ever met. Particularly Julia and Sebastian.

Spelling Bee cast, but Broadway and Boston. They're just great.

And Greg Jbara. He is the nicest man.

Worst:
Constantine Maroulis. He's so rude. I complimented him, and he glared at me. And he was only nice to people that complimented him about American Idol.

Tom Wopat was the rudest
I've seen to people at a
stage door. Nice people
just being enthusiastic and
excited after seeing him in
the Chicago tour. He was
surprisingly very arrogant
and rude.

um, well, basically, the cast of SWEENEY TODD would have to be THE nicest cast i have ever met. EVER. they were awesome.

um, least favorites- MAMMA-MIA! maybe a few years ago. they all walked past all the fans to go smoke. or TARZAN, just because i embarassed myself trying to meet Kearran Giovanni. so i think she doesn't like me anymore. long story, and i dont want to tell it.

yeah.

I've only gone to the stage door a couple of times considering I have no interest in being surrounded by rabid fans (especially at shows like Wicked). However, I had heard mixed things about Shoshana at the stage door and was curious about what the truth really was. Therefore, I went to the stage door of Wicked in New York when Shoshana and Megan were the leads. Megan was nice and took pictures with a lot of people. Shoshana put her head down and sort of rushed forward. When people would say "SHOSHANA!!!! I LOVE YOU!!! Could you take a picture with me??" She would sort of look at them oddly and then continue with rushing forward. She did however take 2 pictures with fans. (1) With a group of girls and (2) with a very large group of students.

I'm not sure if Shoshana was distracted by something, or simply wanted to leave as quickly as possible. However, the actors do not have to be friendly to every single fan and do not have to take pictures and sign autographs. There is no need to make judgments about someone simply because they wouldn't take a picture with you or wouldn't sign your playbill. Please - these actors/actresses are people just like you. Picture yourself with a hundred people crowding around you shoving playbills and pens at you, and taking pictures. Would you want to sign every little thing and take every single picture? If actors really did this, they'd be at the stage door for hours.

Shoshana was actually one of the nicest people I've met

I have a cute video of her and Ben Vereen I'll need to upload sometime :) it is so funny

It's all relative.
They're all human...
celebrity is so secondary
and we forget it sometimes.

Having done theater myself,
you put so much of yourself
into a character and a stage
presence...the last thing you
want to do is talk to dozens
of people when you finish a
stage. Actors usually crave
serious downtime after a show.

I can't imagine the B'way level
of a show. 8 shows in 6 days???
Wow...!