what do you think of show groupies???- Page 4

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 7:02pm

Hey there Ruprecht, I only made 9 posts and one sentence out of 73 in this thread (:^) Please feel free to post anywhere on a message board! I'm pm'ing you btw.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 7:06pm

Jane, I should have been more clear, I wasn't flaming, I simply meant I was enjoying the conversation between you and Sirliir and didn't want to join in the fray but I felt the need once the Altar's were mentioned by a couple other posters.

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 7:07pm

A large number of altarholics are in college and I think that's the median age group. A few of the younger ones come with their mothers which I think is commendable.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 7:15pm

I guess I missed the ones with chaperones, they're legion!

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 7:16pm

ya gotta hang out there more!

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 7:23pm

Well, I would but now that I've written this, I'm afraid the altar's will hunt me down and kill me.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 7:35pm

Ruprecht, dont have any hestitations about joining in. However, I do have a quick question. I have yet to meet the Altarholics. How do I spot them?

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 7:39pm

You really can't miss them. There are about 5 to 10 of them and they're always at the bar, waiting, just waiting.

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/27/05 at 10:17am

"I have yet to meet the Altarholics. How do I spot them?"

They are right here on this board-beware!!!

[SirLiir]

Posted: 12/27/05 at 10:47am

Hehe What behaviors are consistent with Altarholics? I have yet to see the show.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 12:33am

The Altarholics are just different people who have seen Altar Boyz a lot. They are the same as Rent heads ... but what always bothers me is the need to group every fan for a show in teh same category. Rentheads and Wicked fans - notoriously crazy, but so many people on this board are people who enjoy those shows, but are very nice and very calm. I supposed I am considered an Altarholic, but when one of the boyz refers to me as one, sometimes I feel the need to correct them. Yes, I see the show a lot ... yes I speak to them on a frequent basis, but I have seen so many inappropriate things done at that stage door that I would never do and I think that is why most of the boyz are consistently nice to certain "Altarholics" Because they respect them for supporting the show and maintaining a respectable distance. Just because people wait at the bar (which as a headsup - is considered the stage door for that show) for the boyz after the show, it is no different from the people who wait after Rent for the performers ... I just felt the need to stress that no all fans of Altar Boyz should have that tag.

[AnimeKait]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 3:11am

I'm one of the original Altarholics (which used to mean we love the show, the cast, the message, and we come very often to see it cause we need the fix) - came when I lived in NY for a month, and even came back twice after that this year to see the original cast (I live in CA). I'd say it was a little crazy back then, but back then, it wasn't like it is now. Even if I am going against my "people", I agree about ruprecht's observation that many Holics diss and make fun of the actors behind their backs. I don't understand why they do that, and as an actor, I'M offended.

If they knew the kind of things being said about them . . . that stuff isn't just a joke or playing around because they know the actors SO well. It's mean, and rude, and hurtful,and the ebay craze? THAT was scary. Hence, I stepped away from it a long time ago. I can only say my admiration and love of the show and the actors grows with their tolerance and patience.

~Kait Updated On: 12/29/05 at 03:11 AM

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 3:27am

ok... so i'm really excited that a topic i started about a week ago is now at 4 pages long... that never happens... that was it! haha

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 3:47am

I hate when people feel the need to criticize the Ebay auction. Half of the proceeds went to charity - I know a lot of people only paid that money knowing that half of the money was going to a really good place. It would have been better for all of it to go to charity, but any donation, no matter how much, no matter in waht form, is a nice gesture.

And I don't think being an "original Altarholic" is ... well, I don't know. Take a look on these boards - many people make fun of a lot of their favorite actors in jest ... and consider it something that is allowed in moderation just because they may have a closer relationship with that actor.

Sometimes, I think its a matter of people recognizing their boundaries and as long as they know them, other people should not be so quick to judge. I have seen some Altarholics cross lines, I have also seen some Altarholics say "mean" things about actors joking around and then walk up to that actor, tell them about it and have a good laugh.

It's always good to have the full story - which you may not always have ... especially if you aren't there all the time (no offense Kait, its already impressive how supportive you are all the way out in CA)...

And before anyone starts attacking me and saying I am defending the Altarholics, I feel I should stress that I definitely don't agree with some of the fans of Altar Boyz. But, there is some crazies in every fandom and just because the craziness is hyped at Altar Boyz ... consider the show. Its a BOY BAND WITH HOT GUYS ... I think that would induce craziness in any female sometimes :)

Um ... pardon my rambling - clearly, I have insomnia tonight. I hope I came off sounding somewhat concise and not rude.

[rd2ruin]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 4:41am

Thanks for the rambling, it was necessary to clarify the intentions of those that support the show. I think it needs to be said that what is being supported is talent. It is not just limited to this one show, but the endeavors of any of these actors/writers/director/choreographer, as well as their significant others. We are supportive because we want to see them all succeed. It is a most beautiful and unusual wave of interest, not quite like anything I have ever witnessed before. It certainly didn't hurt having them in the audience the night it was re-reviewed. Four new actors were recognized for their tireless work, because this fan base has kept up the joy, by spending their hard earned dollars to see it time and again. It's not just to see the show, but because it brings people together, just like the Dodger Stages has created a new unique way to experience theater. So let's all just lighten up a bit and realize that it's NYC and you wll always have a few loonies on the loose, but the rest is the stuff that is helping redefine the New York off-Broadway scene and it's all good if not downright inspirational.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 9:48am

I'm surprised it took this long for the Altar's to start responding. And Kait, all the actors who these women "admire" and worship know most, if not all, that goes on behind their backs. Thankfully, most seasoned professionals understand the love, hate thing that goes on with fans, especially Broadway fans. The access they have to the actors makes the madness that much more amplified on every level. Still, there is no excuse for how some of them operate, access or not. I stand behind everything I've said.

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 9:57am

I'm the sort of person that DOESN'T want them to recognize me.

I'm a serious repeat viewer. I get a show that I like and I will see them OVER and OVER. And while I will stage door once if I feel like I want a signed windowcard... (and I do adore those...) I just don't want them to know how many times I've seen the show. Misplaced guilt? I don't know. I think mostly I feel like I'm too old to be that obsessed with something. But I am anyhow.

Example - my morbid obsession with "See What I Wanna See" - which I saw a sickening 10 times (god love the rush) - people would ask me how the stage door situation was... and I seriously wouldn't know, because I was out of there faster than a jackrabbit after it was over, sure the cast was noticing my obsessiveness in that tiny theater.

Groupie, perhaps. But I wasn't bothering anyone!

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 10:02am

"Groupie, perhaps. But I wasn't bothering anyone!"

And there is the main and necessary distinction you've all been looking for.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 10:10am

Wait one second Ruin, you're not seriously suggesting that the reason the TIMES gave the new cast of Altar boys a rave was because you and your posse were in the audience screaming your heads off , do you? If anything, it probably drove them insane. That, in a nutshell, is what's so scary about your groups' delusional self aggrandizing as a whole.

I'm not going to bother to list the countless times a hit show, with a new actor(s) has been re-reviewed with absolutely distruptive screams for the performers and it did less than nothing to sway the reviewers' pen. Please, a little reality check will hopefully go a long way.
Updated On: 12/29/05 at 10:10 AM

[TheBlonde]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 10:42am

Ugh, posting here wasn't ever my plan -- and I'm sure what I have to say is just gonna carry SO much weight since it's my first post -- but... I dunno, don't y'all think it's a little tacky to rip on people that some of you haven't even seen? I'm not gonna say myself that some of the Altarholics aren't scary people, but there ARE some of us who don't behave like squealy, over-excited teenyboppers... but that's true of every fandom, isn't it? You have the crazy people that go too far, and they're usually the ones that people see because, well, they're causing a scene.

As far as what the guys in the show think of the fans, I'm not in their heads so I can't say... but we've gone out to other shows with them, had drinks, parties... No, it's not friendship and that's I think where the disconnect is for a lot of the people who take the whole thing way too far, but it's clearly not them finding us annoying either. At least not all of us.

And for the record, a bunch of us were asked by one of the boys to come to the NYT re-review show, actually. AND were moved up to better seats only if we promised to be loud.

So... say what you will, but I'm comfortable with myself and my own actions.
Updated On: 12/29/05 at 10:42 AM

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 11:23am

First of all, I do know the altarholics and see them all the time. Most of them are lovely and well behaved. I like them and only have a problem with a few of them. I don't want to embarass anyone by recounting the events but in the past a certain few have done things which COULD have caused serious repercussions to themselves and the theatre. There has been juvenile behavior on the part of a certain core group and they know who they are.

The altarholics may not know that from time to time patrons will complain about missing parts of the show because of their incessant screaming and yelling during the performance.

I believe when you say that some of the fans were asked to be at a reviewed performance. Every house papers when critics are expected.

[rd2ruin]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 11:26am

RUP...what ever made you so angry? I've been to the show, alone, when there have been no 'holics' in the audience and I've been to the show, when there have. "Screaming your heads off" is not exactly what I would call the interaction, but for this particular show, there is supposed to be a certain amount of audience participation. This is not Light In The Piazza! When the show is more 'sedate' frankly (as an observer) it just doesn't play as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I kind of thought it was the intention of the creative team (who by the way, continually interact and give positive input towards this group's initiative) to get the audience on their feet by the end of the show.

So, if you personally have a bone to pick or were on the receiving end of some display that you found offensive why not just have out with it? Your boards have that certain ring to them, as if you 'know' more than the rest of us. You just sound way more intense (and not in a good way) on this topic then the casual lurker.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 11:41am

I feel like this whole argument has been done before.

It is really pointless because unless you know and interact with the Altar Boyz fans or see them interact with the boys, then the comments are really based on nothing.

And yes, of course, we, as Altar Boyz fans, are going to come defend our actions, Rup, because it is offensive to say such harsh things about people you don't even know. For the record, you were a Trailer Park fan - well, I did not agree with some stage dooring actions at Trailer Park - a looot actually, but you don't see me automatically grouping you in with those people.

Jane2, thank you for your kind words. As for the overexcessive screaming, a lot of the Altarholics get asked to od that by the boys and creative team. I have seen some people complain, but a lot of those people are older and don't really understand/enjoy the concept of the show .... it is supposed to be a boy band concert. Where would NSYnc have been without ten thousand screaming fans every show? :-P

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 11:50am

I think that with every show that has a fan base such as the ones we're discussing, there is a mutual win-win situation. They both benefit from each other. The fans benefit from loving and seeing the show and cast and enjoying whatever the relationship is between them and the actors. The show becomes a very important part of their lives, and in some cases unfortunately it becomes their entire lives.

ON the other hand, the show benefits from having a large fan base which encourages new patrons and hopefully new fans. They sell lots of merchandise to them and appreciate the added spirit in the audience. It doesn't hurt their egos, either. As I said, it's a win- win situation.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 11:56am

Well-put. Although I do agree that there will be those fans in every fandom that go overboard by leaps and bounds and give all the fans a bad name. I hate when that happens!