re: The Good/The Bad...Worst stagedoor experiences- Page 6

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 4:19pm

The cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Into the Woods (the only two shows I've staged doored at. I'm planning to do the same for Spring Awakening) are the nicest people in the world. Ellen Marlow even let me shake her hand.

And I met Victoria Clark after The Light in the Piazza. They were doing donations for Broadway Cares. I complimented her performance and congratulated her on her Tony. She was so nice.

[Revolutionary]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 6:30pm

I like the way you seperate your sentences Scot. I feel like I'm reading a poem.

[BroadwayBaby21]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 7:50pm

One of my best stage door experiences was at Avenue Q. Everyone was so polite and friendly, especially Barret Foa. He's such a sweetheart. and one of my friends jokingly asked him to go to prom with her, and he smiled, said yes, and kissed her cheek for a picture. :)

Also, Joey McIntyre was really nice at the Wicked stage door. I saw Wicked four days before Idina left, so stage door was PACKED, yet Joey still took a picture with me and signed my playbill and talked with me for a few minutes. Sadly I didn't get to see Idina that night, since it was getting really late and she didn't come out yet.

My one experience at a stage door that I wish was better was at DRS. Norbert wasn't taking pictures with people, and was kinda in a bad mood while signing autographs. But Lucie Arnez and Greg Jbara were soo nice. :)

[DevDev]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 9:01pm

I hear all these negative comments about Norbert and I'm just like... what? Everytime I stage doored DRS was after Norbert had vocal trouble and didn't talk much. And yet, without him talking I knew how appreciative he was of fans. And he always came out after a performance (even after a matinee when all he would do was sign and take pictures and go right back inside). Even the night he was headed off with Michelle for the opening night party of Three Days of Rain, he signed for everyone who wanted autographs before heading back inside and exiting out another exit.

As for the picture thing. He only takes pictures if he has enough time to take pictures with everyone who wants one. If he sees a lot of people at the stage door waving cameras, he's obviously going to say no because he just doesn't have enough time. That being said, on his last performance in NYC, he spent a good half hour (maybe more) taking pictures with everyone who wanted one and signing absolutely every thing that was thrown at him.

He's a great guy who I just can't help but defend. Yes, he probably has had his bad days, but I can't imagine him being anything other than nice and appreciative (even without his voice!)

[starvingartist.]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 9:05pm

I waited at the stage door for The Color Purple and it was pouring rain. The stage manager let my friend and I in BACKSTAGE. We met the entire cast, got to peak on stage and took a bunch of pictures. LaChanze and the girls are incredible. :)

[ashley0139]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 9:33pm

He's a great guy who I just can't help but defend. Yes, he probably has had his bad days, but I can't imagine him being anything other than nice and appreciative (even without his voice!)

I have to agree. When I went to DRS, Norbert came out very quickly and, while quiet, was very nice. He was obviously in a hurry but signed everything and took pictures. He had come out very quickly after the show, so I didn't have time to get ready for him and he even waited for me to get my L5Y cd out of my rather large purse. Very appreciative.

[BlueforBroadway]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 10:28pm

I had a good stage door experience at the Wedding Singer when I went a couple of weeks ago. I didn't get to see Stephen or Laura, but all the rest of the cast came out and signed Playbills. Constantine came out and signed and took pictures for a long time. He seemed really happy to be there. There's some video available of him at the stage door on the site that can't be mentioned here. You can see him taking care of anyone that wanted a photo or autograph.

[javertim]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 11:34pm

The best stage-door experience for me was John Pinette. I spoke with him very briefly after seeing him in Hairspray and told him how excited I was about getting his CD sometime. And with that, he said "hold on a minute," went inside, and came back with a copy of his CD. Of course, I asked him how much he was selling them for and he told me it wasn't for sale -- it was a gift. What a kind, delightful man.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 2:07am

My best stagedoor experience are when I'm invited to meet the actor in their dressing room. I had the pleasure of getting invited to meet the amazing Montego Glover and Anne Duquesnay after a production of "Cookin' at the Cookery" as well as another time to meet Tovah Feldshuh after Golda's Balcony.

[IntoTheNight]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 10:48am

Constantine came out and signed and took pictures for a long time. He seemed really happy to be there.

-----------------------

I also had a very good experience when I went in October. He must have been in quite the mood that night as well, because he chatted with my friend and me for a few minutes in addition to signing things. He wasn't rude to us at all. And the rest of the cast was gracious and warm too.

[Jimmcf]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 11:54am

I did finally post my Betty story...it is back on page 1

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 11:55am

I really think Jersey Boys has one of the nicest casts around. They are always so sweet. JLY is so gracious and sweet, Christian and Bobby are hysterical and Daniel is a litte quieter but so sweet. And Michael Longoria is just a ball of energy with great hugs. The girls are really sweet too, especially Jen Naimo. Oh and we had such a great time joking around with one of the security guards, one time Christian was taking too long to come out so he went inside the stage door and grabbed him to come outside. It was really cute.

[avab802]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 12:02pm

Jimmcf, that is definitely a story. Did the poster have a photo of Glenn Close on it? If so I can sort of understand Betty's reaction, but if it didn't have a photo on it I think she was just being a stuck-up diva.

[Jimmcf]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 1:20pm

No - it was not a photo poster (that I would never do).

It was just the 'Sunset Blvd' logo

[bwaydoc]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 12:00am

DRS
I found Norbert Leo Butz to be incredibly nice, especially considering the night I saw him. It was President's Day weekend this past February, right after New York had gotten the huge snow storm and it was absolutely freezing. After the show my friends and I decided to stage door it because my friend was crazy about Norbert from when she'd seen him in Wicked. What we didn't know is that that night they were shooting photos for the new program since Jonathan Price had recently joined the cast. Jonathan Price was a total sweetheart and came out to sign autographs in the middle of doing photos, still in full costume and makeup. As cold as it was, my friend didn't want to leave without seeing Norbert so we waited...and waited...and waited. Finally at about 11:30 Norbert came out, and although I'm sure he was tired and ready to leave after the long night he graciously signed autographs and took pictures with anyone who asked. I was very impressed.

Ave Q
My first time seeing Avenue Q was that same weekend. During "The Money Song" when the puppets/actors come out into the audience Nicky, controlled by Jennifer Barnhart, kissed my sister's cheek. After the show we waited at the stage door, which wasn't that busy. Everyone who came out was very nice, especially Mary Faber. Finally we were the last people there and everyone else had left when Jennifer came out. She remembered my sister from the show and talked with us for about 15 minutes about what we thought and how much she enjoyed doing it. She couldn't have been nicer.

Wicked
I've done the stage door for Wicked several times and every time I've had a great experience. I always found Eden to be very personable and willing to spend as much time signing/taking pics as people wanted. Kate Reinders was also a sweetheart and worried that the picture we had taken didn't turn out well so she had us take another one just in case.

So, nothign too exciting but I've been pretty lucky to have good stage door experiences so far.

[Kevinoes]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 11:34am

It's strange talking about his since I used to be one of the people who used to dash to the stage door and try meet the actors. I've had some lovely experiences (namely Jeremy Kushnier in the AIDA tour and Kristy Cates in Toronto) but frankly, after working with a professional company the last 2 years, I feel like I just wanna leave actors alone after a show. I think one of the few exceptions is me writing to Idina Menzel in London 2 months ago (and within 2 weeks I had an autographed photo from her!). I also recently saw a show with Jeffrey Kuhn in it recently. He was out the door (not the stage door) and my friend said "Good show" and Jeffrey said something simple like "Thanks, man" and went right on his way. He took offense and I thought he shouldn't be. Do some people know what it's like to play a show!? It's a morathon. You really think at 11:30 at night, they want to stand around signing playbills? Mind you, there are very gracious people who will and I totally support but frankly, if someone says they were browned when someone won't sign an autograph, take a picture, or come out of the stage door, I'll shrug. Big deal. I knwo there are other philosiphies, I just think audiences should not feel entitled to feel better aquainted with actors.

My two cents.

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 12:45pm

Hairspray-
I have never had more people sign my playbill! It was crazy. The entire cast basically came out signing, talking, and taking pictures. It was a lot of fun.

Avenue Q-
All of the actors came out and signed and chatted. It was a sweet, intimate stage door experience. Everyone was so nice and so thoughtful, especially Mary, Barrett, Rick, and Jennifer.

Spelling Bee-
Spelling Bee was so much fun becuase I was a speller, so they knew who I was and talked to me. Like Avenue Q, another enjoyable and intimate stage door experience. The whole cast is simply amazing. Sarah Saltzberg is wonderful!

Les Mis-
For the 5th preview, it was awesome! Pretty much everyone came out and signed. No one was in a rush, and they chatted with everyone. Daphne, Celia, and Gary were sweet and charming.

[Joshbstn]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 2:03pm

Carolee Carmello is incredibly nice. I spoke with her and her husband several times, at stage doors (she talked with me during Into the Woods) and while just in the audience of Dessa Rose.

Christine Ebersole was very gracious last saturday at the Stage door after the matinee of Grey Gardens. She must be exhausted after that show.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 2:06pm

Everybody knows how nice Ted Neeley is. I mean, jeez, he's stayed at theatres talking to people till 1 in the morning.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 6:59pm

I just recently (well, almost a year ago) stage-doored my first show (well, I've seen plenty, I just never stuck around after). It was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at their second to last performance. I have to say overall it was a great experience and I have certainly been doing it more often. Kevin Cahoon was so nice! He chatted with my fiance and I for a bit, and so did Raul Esparza, he was also really great. We talked with him about Company coming up in Ohio, and how he hoped it would transfer to Broadway. Marc Kudisch seemed to be in a hurry, but he STILL took time to sign and take pictures. almost that whole cast was a joy. I missed Chip Zien, he snuck right out, but that's okay! The only bad part was Philip Bosco. He was pretty snarky! I was standing by an older woman who had a couple of old playbills and she said earlier she was there with the sole purpose of getting Bosco to sign. Well, she did, but she didn't have an easy time of it. I think because I was right next to her, he signed my playbill, too, but man did he get out quick. I wasn't even going to ask at first, since he seemed kind of grumpy. He's done a lot of theatre, so he's probably just sick of the whole "fan" thing. oh, well, still a great experience!

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 7:35pm

This saturday my friend asked Frenchie Davis for a picture and she said no because she had just gone to the gym and she was sweaty. Frenchie is very nice, but she is a huge diva.

Frenchie Davis goes to the gym??? Mmmm, ok, whatevah...

And for my two cents - yes, it's true that all these performers are by no means obligated to sign autographs, take pictures, etc.
However, I do not believe there is a single profession in the world that justifies not being polite, and especially to those who contribute to your success.
Do they have to do it? No ... but, that does not mean they can get away with not being polite and / or corteous.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 7:42pm

"Frenchie Davis goes to the gym??? Mmmm, ok, whatevah... "

That's what I ws thinking...
Updated On: 11/18/06 at 07:42 PM

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 7:54pm

"Frenchie Davis goes to the gym??? Mmmm, ok, whatevah... "

Yup, she goes to the gym after matinees for about an hour.

And then she goes over to McDonalds for dinner.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 8:06pm

oh yes, the HAIRSPRAY cast was extremely nice. we also got to go backstage, and talk with Shannon Durig for awhile, and she was the sweetest person :)

and yes, THE COLOR PURPLE cast was very nice. wow, i need to see that show again :) they are all awesome

[LI Larry]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 10:10pm

I forgot about one more at "The Best Man" revival with Chris Noth and Christine Ebersole and Elizabeth Ashley among others. We waited for everyone to come out. Most did and were gracious. Michael Learned was a joy. She signed the picture that I took at the flea market even joking that it made her look fat. Chris Noth and Christine Ebersole signed politely even though they looked like they just wanted to get home. Everyone else did. Then some woman in a baseball hat snuck out, stared at me for a second and moved on. We waited and everyone except Elizabeth Ashley came out. Then the guy at the stage door said the woman in the hat was Elizabeth Ashley! He said he felt bad but if he told me, he would have been fired. And she had every right to just sneak out. But I thought it was a bit weird that she went to such lengths to not sign. It doesn't really take all that long.

The only other experience that sticks out is with Bebe Neuwirth at Mario Cantone's show at the American Airlines theater a few years ago. I had asked her for a picture because it is too hard to get one at the flea market. By the time you get there, she's out of the photo booth. She was actually very nice, explained that she hates pictures and just does it for charity. Not rudely at all. I then told her how I took my sister to see her in Chicago just before she had brain surgery and that my sister had just died and thanked her for the nice memory. She was very moved and said that of course she would take a picture. But then I realized (and told her) that I wouldn't make her do that because if I started posing for a photo, everyone out there would also run up and ask her and it would put her in the bad position of declining. She thanked me but that just stuck in my mind. A nice experience.