Well, when I went to see Wicked, I went to the stage door (it was that weekend in December when it was snowing like mad) and I waited about ten or so minutes and a policeman came out and said "There'll be no signing tonight. You can go home." There couldn't have been more than seven people there. I was disapointed, I got over it.
Right - but at least someone came out and gave you an explanation. That's all I'm asking here - a little humanity for heaven's sake!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
but then, when you speak to one, you open a can of worms and everyone either gets pissed cause you talked to someone else but not them, or you have to stay and explain to each person which would have taken as long as signing or you have to yell out a general explanation and then people bitch that you are full of yourself for asuming that they are waiting for youy.. even if they are!
That's why I said she could have said it on the way to the car. Once to the whole group as she was walking past. Unless there were hundreds of people, that's all it would have taken. Not like every person there wouldn't have been paying attention to every word she said.
Leading Actor Joined: 9/27/03
No matter what occupation we have, we owe one another courtesy. Just walking out a stage door and totally ignoring people is RUDE. A wave, thank you or a smile is the least one person can give another waiting for him or her. No excuses for Idina or any other person who demonstrates rude behavior. We are talking about bad manners.
Thank you, Lou, for saying it more efficiently than all my posts put together! :)
I thought she just stayed and signed, but didn't take any pictures.
But anyway, my point is...she is a different person than you and she handles it differently. It doesn't mean she doesnt appreciate her fans. She has said that she's very bad at meeting people after shows and she knows it.
Of course it'd be nice if she said something, but sometimes she just doesn't...for whatever reason it is. It doesn't make her a bad person.
If you read the post, you would see that wasn't the case. And if she KNOWS she's bad about it, maybe she should try a little harder. And I didn't read anything that said she was a bad person. I've never met her, I don't know her, I have no authority to make that kind of judgement. I'm just saying, be human. Like we all have to be every day in our jobs, whether we're tired or sick or hungry or annoyed. That goes for all of us as well as all performers. They don't get special dispensation for being rude or unpleasant - actually, they do, but they shouldn't. I've worked with plenty of stars, and I have to say the biggest Broadway stars (of the ones I've dealt with personally), no matter how awful and miserable they are to the people around them on a daily basis, are WONDERFUL to their fans - because they KNOW that that is where their bread is buttered.
Leading Actor Joined: 9/27/03
Idina has always been gracious when I've seen her after the show. She's not very talkative, but she always signs for everyone, as far as I've seen. Someone like Nathan Lane, however (and yes, I know he reads here), has been rude and brusque every time I've encountered him. I once complimented him and he mocked me and threw it back in my face. He is a brilliant performer, but as a person he is severely lacking in appreciation for his fans or in common courtesy. Idina is not rude, but merely a little withdrawn.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/24/04
Alight guys. I deleted my posts. Lets just go back go the original board topic and end this. Thanks. -Penny
wow, that's all I can say is, wow...........
Swing Joined: 7/2/04
I've seen Wicked twice, once in November and once in March. Although I've never caught a glimpse of Kristen or Joel, Idina exited through the stage door both times and signed for everyone in line. She answered questions that were asked and posed for pictures with the smaller children in the crowd. I'm sure she gets tired of answering the same questions...how long to get the make-up on and off, etc.
I agree with the others who have posted here...no actor or actress is required to have a "meet and greet" with fans after their performance. Do NFL or NBA players stick around and sign autographs? When you attended you last rock or country concert, did the artist stick around and sign your $35 t-shirt? I think we have to give the actors and actresses who do, even occasionally, make an appearance at the stage door and greet their fans, a round of applause.
I'll echo whoever said you're on crack if you can't fathom a performer being shy. That's *about* the most asinine thing I've read on these boards yet - Robert DeNiro, Anne Bancroft, Nathan Lane, Megan Mullaly, Barbra Streisand, Nicole Kidman, I could go on and on.....all are shy people "in real life" - and "real life" begins where the show ends!
Acting 101 is learning to become someone else when you're acting. That, in and of itself is what draws so many shy people into the art to begin with! I am a very shy person, especially after I've just performed. You feel exposed, tired and in a way, embarassed, even though you know you've done great work.
I don't know why I keep feeling compelled to write on this. I have no need to convince anyone of anything - I think I just can't believe that there are people out there that think all actors HAVE to be extroverts and are REQUIRED to "stage door", regardless of whatever else they might have to do in their lives.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
I dont see it as much as a obligation for stars to sign autographs and/or taking pictures but more of having to do with their image or just being nice and acknowledging their fans. You cant comdemn people because they wont sign, just be happy for the stars that do take the time to do it.
Videos