stage door culture- Page 3

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 12:19am

This thread reminded me of a comment I heard a fan make at an of-Broadway show. The cast had attracted group of regulars who acted like they were "in" with the cast because of their "support" for the show. One afternoon, the ticket sales were pretty bad. One of the young women in this group of "regulars" declared how happy she was that the theatre was less than half filled because it meant that their favorite cast members would have more time for them at the stage door.

Altar Boyz?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 12:19am

Jacques Brel?

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 1:02am

I was just amused that hundreds would line-up to meet DHP after a show? I know he has a lot of fans but older people don't tend to stage door much? :) TLM? That made a little more sense to me.
I was thinking too, aren't most of these children with their Parents? Not that it helps much. Most of us have seen "Willy Wonka" by now.


I've only gone to a stage door once and people were excited to see their favorite actors but it was fairly contained. Thanks to a barricade. The population has gone up! I think also, since Theatre Tickets are so expensive, it gives kids and grown-ups more incentive to meet a favorite actor? It's difficult to meet many at a Hollywood shoot.

I think what is more relevant is that we do have places like Ebay that tempt others to use actors to pad their incomes. It's up to the actor though to judge what they are going to sign or not. If you get too generous, people will take advantage of you.

I've gotten an autograph to give to a friend who couldn't see a show but they were a good fan of the person. I was honest about it and I did see the show so they didn't seem to mind? The picture part sometimes bugs me. Only when it starts to make it a competition to see who can get the most attention from any one actor. That does bug me some. When people get upset because they feel ignored or they never seem to have enough autographs from this person or that? It has to be uncomfortable over time.

I believe though this behavior is as old as time. We just hear about it more thanks to the internet. I remember reading stories of Beatles Fans climbing through windows. Who can forget the fans too, who would pull out their hair or rip their clothes? Just to have a "piece" of them? It has to be difficult to have people say they are "in love with you" when you have barely met? I don't think it's a problem with collector's though or for memorabilia. I like to think stuff comes from a private collector but I have seen now, that usually isn't the case any longer.

It may be too much to ask for money for your signature but I agree, at least the person asking for it should pay to see the show. You never know? You may win over a lifelong fan. Hopefully in a good way? I don't understand why anyone would have to see any one show over and over again? If they are one of your favorite performers hopefully you will be able to see them in many different shows? It's nice to support a variety of shows if you can afford it. If you like it? That's good. I think it can get scary if someone is only coming to see any show just so you can spend five minutes with some of it's performers, over and over again. It really depends on your relations with them and your motives too? I can see some fans are just wild about a show and the cast. Many of you seem to just be good fans and are trying to help others learn more about a show that you enjoy. That's always been the case for me. I enjoy getting more information from fans of Broadway Shows. I don't mind giving our information if I think it can be helpful. I try to be careful when I do.

I just say don't sign stuff for sellers unless you don't care. I can say the night I had to go there actors who seemed in a hurry were not harassed. It wasn't Rent, Wicked or TLM though either. If you like doing this often then I think you have to just deal with the crazies the best that you can.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 1:09am

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 1:27am

LizzieCury FTW... as always.

[Revolutionary]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 1:49am

The groupies-of-the-unnamed-off-broadway-show... The first thing that came to my mind was Jaques Brel too, lol. Man, that show brought the crazies out. And the stage door drama and catfights that went down there is still priceless, even to this day. Yeah, you girls know who you are.

Anyway, I've never felt the strong desire to stagedoor every single show that I go to. I'm selective because honestly, I'm not that interested, it's not worth the effort, and I hate standing around waiting for anyone, let alone people that I would never want to take a picture or make pointless chitchat with in the first place. If I go, it's got to be a show that I LOVE, otherwise I'd rather just leave asap and smoke a cigarette. And fortunately for me the shows that I love are few and far between and they don't seem to attract the crazy teenage fan clubs like some others do. So it's all good.

[blaxx]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 1:52am

Why can't Lizzie have her own sitcom? Why?! I'd watch it every night!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 8:33am

From All About Eve:

MARGO: Autograph fiends! They're not people - those little beasts who run in packs like coyotes. They're nobody's fans! They're juvenile delinquents, mental defectives! They're nobody's audience! They never see a play or a movie, even--they're never indoors long enough!

[SwtHrtBallerina]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 11:47am

I've been stage dooring since I was 17. I've been extremely fortunate in that I haven't had to wait in long lines (b/c the shows i've gone to are either in Chicago, or nat'l tours in Minneapolis). My favorite part is getting to talk with the performers and see the "behind the makeup" of the person. Of course I've gotten my share of pictures and autographs, but I love talking with the people and congratulating them.

Lately I've taken it a step further by writing to many of them in person. It's great to get responses!

I don't know what it was like "before my time", and granted I've yet to go to a show in NYC, but all my experiences have ALWAYS been very plesent. The one time I was in Chicago waiting to meet the Wicked cast, I was the ONLY ONE at the stage door!! It was pretty sweet to get each and every performer one-on-one!