stage door questions

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:18pm

I have a couple stage door questions for the upcoming fall. I love stage dooring after shows, though I know the actors arent required to come out I would like to maximize the chances for actors coming out. Im wondering what the God of Carnage door is like after matinees instead of an evening. Do the actors (specifically Mr. Gandolfini) come out after? Also any idea what Steady Rain or Oleanna doors will be like? Will it be as crazy as say all my sons or eqqus was? Im just looking for some opinions since i know those shows arent open yet. Also how is N2N after a Mat? Im trying to figure out which shows to see for evening vs. Matinees. Any and all knowledge is apreciated.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:22pm

I doubt the stage door for OLEANA will be very bad, however A STEADY RAIN will be a mob scene from the first preview to the final performance. I would be very surprised if they didn't have the policy where you needed to show your ticket so you can get into the "cage" to get your playbill/poster signed. If that's the case I would RUN outside after the show, possibly even forgetting the curtain call just so you can get in if you really want to get whatever you have signed.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:22pm

^ You really need to specify which shows you are talking about in the thread itself to maximize the potential for getting the correct answers.

It is impossible to solidly predict future stage door climates. However, expect a madhouse at "A Steady Rain."

Also, I believe the actors come out after matinees of "God of Carnage," but don't quote me on that. I am also not sure which door they exit - there is an alley that at least two theatres share and there is also a regular stage door for the Jacobs Theatre. When I went to see "Three Days of Rain" the actors left the standard stage door; when I went to see "The Country Girl" they bolted out of the alternate alleyway, frankly, like autograph seekers were vermin to be avoided at all costs.

Updated On: 7/20/09 at 01:22 PM

[fgreene1938]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:25pm

Alice Ripley is reported to be one of the most gracious and approachable Broadway actors at the N2N stage door. I know several people who have said she signed dozens of autographs, and one attended a weekend matinee.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:27pm

^ I too have seen Ripley stagedooring, talking to fans for gobs and gobs of time, while in heels. She's definitely quite a lady.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:32pm

Thanks so far for responses. My trip is looking thus far like: GOC, N2N, Steady Rain, Oleanna, Ragtime, BE, Shrek, Hair. I want HAIR to be an evening performance but everything else I dont care either way but I would like to meet some of the stars in the plays as I love their work in all the various mediums of acting that they are a part of. Also, since theres no need for a new thread, for HAIR if im in the center of the orch vs an aisle on the side is the participation that much of a difference or should I take the seat thats dead center in the first few rows.

Updated On: 7/20/09 at 01:32 PM

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:38pm

Considering "Hair"'s grosses I wouldn't be choosey as to seat location. I personally could go either way on being physically touched by the cast.

Also, if you have to choose one show to nix from the list, make it "Shrek." Derivative songs, bad acting from many in the cast (it's hard with the material, granted) and absolutely nothing charming or sweet. It's also overly long. I never saw a show I wanted to run out of quicker.

[fgreene1938]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:39pm

^ Well, the cast does run into the audiences a few times duringthe show so I would imagine the closer to the aisle you are the better your chances are to....ummm....shake hands. I've also heard that Will Swenson is quite a seat climber so who knows, but aisle seats will get you closer to the cast as they spread out. Good luck and that's quite a selection of shows. I'd recommend squeezing in "West Side Story" because it is terrific.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:41pm

Im not nixing a show, im seeing 8 no more or less (due to time since I wont be back for a couple years) and I enjoy the score to Shrek and love the members of the cast, I have never seen Sutton or Brian live and they are two of my favorites so im seeing it for them mainly.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:44pm

^ Since it's not one but two players you particularly want to see then you just might enjoy the show. :) MIGHT. I will say that Christopher Sieber is absolutely fantastic as Farquaad. He knows how to please the audience. I've heard they are all very friendly outside at the stage door as well.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:46pm

Alice rarely comes out after Sunday matinees. Saturdays sort of depend on how she's feeling (tiredness level) etc. All evenings she almost always does unless she's got something going on and can't. But yes, she is extremely gracious at the door.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:47pm

Sieber is a great performer. And he seems to stay true to wanting to do theatre and hasnt made a large jump into film. Also Im a big Daniel Breaker/Passing Strange Fan and never got to see the show. So the case for shrek, despite the problems with the show, seems rather intact. Plus I feel like I could see WSS at any theatre here or there considering the blandness of its lead actors (minus Karen who I saw in ITH).

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:50pm

Shrek is another ti skip the matinee if you for sure want a shot at meeting Brian. He does not come out at all between matinee and evening shows because of the make-up. They are really gracious at the door about letting you come back at night though and not thinking you're weird or creepy. :)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 2:53pm

OLEANNA won't be bad.

GOD OF CARNAGE isn't bad; Gandolfini doesn't usually come out after matinees.

STEADY RAIN will be a street-closing madhouse.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 2:58pm

I really don't get it either, about Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman. I think they're both talented, but still...

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 3:52pm

I saw a Saturday matinee of God of Carnage, and the whole cast (Gandolfini included) came out and signed.

[amoni]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 5:38pm

"I really don't get it either, about Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman. I think they're both talented, but still..."

Darling, they are MOVIE STARS. A whole other breed of star. Movie Stars attract crowds, what's not to get?

[Anakela]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 5:41pm

Darling, they are MOVIE STARS. A whole other breed of star. Movie Stars attract crowds, what's not to get?

lol, seriously- I was going to say to the OP, find pics/video online of what the stage door looked like when Julia Roberts was doing 3 Days of Rain, that'll give an idea of what A Steady Rain is going to be like...

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 5:43pm

^ True. I just don't think of Hugh Jackman as a movie star; I needed to be reminded. I have never seen a single one of his movies.

Come to think of it, I have never seen a single Daniel Craig movie, eithr, outside of the Bond franchise.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 8:39pm

Just yesterday I stumbled upon a couple of videos on youtube of Hugh Jackman signing at the stage door for The Boy from Oz. The crowds were huge for him, sometimes gathering on the opposite side of the street and IN the street as well as both sides of the stage door, so imagine how huge the crowds will be for both Hugh Jackman AND Daniel Craig.

The worst I've seen personally was the crowds for Daniel Radcliff after Equus. Wow! There were tons and tons of people up 44th on both sides of the street. I didn't even see the show and wasn't stage-dooring, I just needed to walk up 44th.. it was hell walking through all those people.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 12:52pm

I figure the door will be insane because of them but i hope they will have some people to control it so that everyone doesnt start pushing and shoving and knocking people out of the way. Stage dooring is fun but i would of course prefer ya know, not getting killed.

[jayclay]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 1:11pm

Just this past Saturday night we heard Alice Ripley saying she does not come out after matinees because she needs to rest and stay focused between shows. I'm sure there are exceptions and sometimes she does come out, but I wouldn't plan on seeing her after a matinee. When she comes out at night she spends a long time with everyone, so if you are in a hurry try and get near the front of the line. (The times I've seen her come out she turns to her right and starts there).

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 1:19pm

Just yesterday I stumbled upon a couple of videos on youtube of Hugh Jackman signing at the stage door for The Boy from Oz. The crowds were huge for him, sometimes gathering on the opposite side of the street and IN the street as well as both sides of the stage door, so imagine how huge the crowds will be for both Hugh Jackman AND Daniel Craig.

Hmm, I didn't remember the crowds being that bad when I saw him in the show. Though maybe I just lucked out and went on a slow day or something (maybe it was raining?), because I was able to have him sign my Playbill very easily. Though I'm sure they'd be a madhouse nowadays, since he's even more famous now.