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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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