what do you think of show groupies???- Page 7

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:13pm

This thread is becoming too complex.

Updated On: 12/29/05 at 05:13 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:17pm

"I'm finished trying to communicate with you people."

"You people". Wow, I don't know whether or not that's an insult.

Anwway, I think it's a good idea to quit this discussion, insomniak. I wish you well.

I've said what I think about it, and I'll quit too. Take care.

Updated On: 12/29/05 at 05:17 PM

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:19pm

That was not an insult. I'll tell you when I'm insulting you.

[TheBlonde]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:19pm

for insomniak. wear with pride.

Updated On: 12/29/05 at 05:19 PM

[Violet Tree]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:24pm

I was forced to stop being involved with theatre because my school was so exclusive. I can't afford to see more than a small handful of touring shows a year. You know what? I'm alive.

How can this be?

I have other interests. I'm a complete person who doesn't wither and die when one aspect of her life falls through. It's called independence and I can promise that you'll enjoy life a lot more if your happiness does not hinge upon two hours of one person's singing.

Do something worthwhile- for others, maybe, but for yourself, too.

I'm finished trying to communicate with you people.

I am so sad for you that you let your exclusive theatre dept make you a quitter. Too bad. I have the same problem at my school and I refuse to quit, because that is really what makes people unsuccesful in theatre. Quitting. And so what if you can't afford to see other shows. Others don't. And why the HELL do you care if they see shows mulitiple times. How do you think shows and actors make money? Not when people don't see the shows. Some people enjoy theatre, a lot. Who are you to tell them it's a bad thing? Theatre is underated as it is. I am thankful for the people who do love this beautiful artform. Stop worrying about others and worry about yourself.

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:31pm

"That was not an insult. I'll tell you when I'm insulting you."

Um, I wasn't talking to you, don't flatter yourself. If I do every speak to you, I'll tell you.

Updated On: 12/29/05 at 05:31 PM

[thespian geek]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:32pm

I'm an actor. That is my "do something worthwhile", okay? Being on Broadway has been my dream since I was 9 and I'm working on getting there. I'm working my ass off, actually. Until I can actually be up there performing with these people, seeing shows and seeing them perform is what helps me get by

As VT said, I'm sorry you were forced to stop, but I'm not in your shoes. You're not in mine. You DO NOT understand the whole story and you DO NOT understand where I'm coming from, period.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:33pm

Jane, I would still categorize what you describe as being a fan, even a groupie, but not being obsessive.

Maybe because I am a bit older, but what worries me is fans who create alternative universes and then start believing them to be true. I think the vast majority of groupies/fervent fans are just that. Now, if the only thing one talks about is a particular show and and/or a start, then to me it crosses the line. But, you are right, it is entertainment, and if you want to talk about it among friends, compare and contrast performances, while that is not my personal cup of tea, I have no problem with it being yours.

Again, the issue I have is with fans/groupies/obsessors whose only focus is on the show or the performer. Whose sole purpose of the day is getting up and talking about this person or show. Who cannot appreciate anything else because of the obsession, interest, or it bleeds into every single fact of life. It is unhealthy to do this, regardless of whether you are talking about a pop star, a broadway show, and movie star, a single sports team, LOTR, Star Wars, . . . To me it is just too much.

Just my opinion.

I hope that makes it a little more clear.

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:35pm

thanks for the reply, youwantitwhen-How much do you want to bet I'm older than you, lol? This all happened to me waaaaaay back when!

[Violet Tree]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:36pm

Maybe because I am a bit older, but what worries me is fans who create alternative universes and then start believing them to be true.

Woah.. That's kind of creepy.. Wow. I am not sure I have ever seen them act that way, but now I am curious.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:40pm

Violet - people create a universe where they think they actually have a personal relationship with a star - where the courtesy at the stage door is something much more, a special bond between star and fan. I had a HS friend travel from show to show with a band because she just knew the boys appreciated her being there.

I could go on, but I do not want to get into too much detail about other people's lives.

[Violet Tree]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:43pm

YouWantitWhen????- Ooooo yeah that. I know exactly what that is. I myself don't ever feel comfortable being that way since I oneday want to work beside them. I try and be professional.

[Soupy]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:44pm

I think some of you guys are looking into this a little too much.

Theatre is fun. Altar Boyz is fun. That is why people go multiple times. Even if you can't understand why, they ENJOY it. The show, the actors, the friends they make through it, the whole experience.in general... I don't know, I don't care, really, WHAT they enjoy about it, just that they do. And who is anyone to say what someone else likes is wrong? What these people are doing, myself included, is harmless.

I agree, there are some scary fans, but as far as I'm concerned, they are a very small minority in the Altar Boyz fandom, at least. I've seen Altar Boyz so many times I've lost count, but I haven't seen people be THAT bad. Some can be a little over anxious, I think, but most mean well. We're not running around stalking the Altar Boyz, I can promise you that.

And I think it's absolutely ridiculous for anyone to tell me that, instead of doing something I enjoy, I should give my money to charity. That is just silly. It's a nice thought, but.. things don't work that way. I've given hours upon hours of my time to charity. I'm all about that. I should not be made to feel guilty for using like $21 a week of money that I worked for to go see a show I genuinely enjoy.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:45pm

I like pie, too. Updated On: 12/29/05 at 05:45 PM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:48pm

Pie is good.

I had some homemade apple pie last night, after we had our Channukah party.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:51pm

Mmm. Pie.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 5:53pm

Soupy is smart.

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 6:10pm

Soupy, I'm so glad you've reiterated what I've been saying and that we see this issue the same way. I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon....

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 6:26pm

Well a couple of things...

First off, I want to apologize if something I wrote was misunderstood. When I said one doesn't love someone as they do, I simply meant as they do, in their way, I wasn't trying to say one does not love someone or that one person loves a person more than another--I just meant as they do, in different ways. People express their love for things differently, and all I was trying to say is a person who thinks it's ridiculous for some fans to do what they do really doesn't understand how or why fans would do this, it's kind of back to point of the suicidal girl...we just don't live in their heads, you know? How you act as a fan has no bearing in my opinion of how big a fan you are, it's just how you choose to express your love. Sorry if that was taken another way.

But...I don't mind giving specifics. B/c so many bway events are benefit performances, also memorabilia that goes to BCEFA...just since September...I have given $745 to different charities. That doesn't include $200 I donated to the Hurricane Katrina fund. Not saying I should be praised or anything, just demonstrating that I mostly indirectly give lots of money to charity in addition to all the shows I see...

Finally...I think there is a lot more to people who view theatre as a "necessity" than just being "spoiled." I had a friend who's brother died 2 years ago, she spent the year attending lots of shows and it helped her to get through the very difficult time, to want to go on living, and get out of depression. I know a friend who had a mental breakdown after going away to college and got through that as well by seeing lots of theatre--now she's back in school doing very well. And there are plenty of people who are clinically depressed or have been dealt very difficult circumstances that they do need something like theatre or sports or a TV show or whatever to get through everyday, to have a reason to get up in the morning. I'm glad they embrace that instead of either committing suicide or lying in bed all day and not going anywhere and essentially not living.

[Soupy]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 6:31pm

I like pie. I like soup more, though. =P

And I may or may not have originally typed "I like poo" first, instead of pie. Oops!

And thank you, Jane2, for being sane! lol.

Posted: 12/29/05 at 8:28pm

I don't think the term "groupie" is appropriate for Broadway shows/stars anyway. Groupies are girls who hang out wherever they can to meet rock stars and perform sexual favors or a variety of other humiliating stunts just to be in the presence of famous musicians who are usually losers. They often have absolutely no class at all. If you want to see what a real groupie is like, rent the film "Sid & Nancy," the story of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. Can we think of another name besides Groupie ??

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 8:32pm

Goodness, do you really want to open that door as ask people on this board to make up terms for those who might otherwise be considered groupies?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 8:38pm

Sure, that's the original meanining of the word, but it's been used in a much wider sense for a while; I think it goes without saying that people here using the word "groupie" meant that they performed sexual favors for the actors.

Still... pot... kettle... awfully close.

[AsLongasImSingin]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 9:02pm

I have been reading this board ever since they first came out, but had to reply to this thread when I read about the craziness at Dodger Stages. A month or two ago, I was waiting for a friend (yup, an actual, real-life friend...we went to school together) who was in one of the shows at Dodgers.

I see an extremely attractive young man (no idea what show he was in...he wasn't on the Altar Boyz poster so I guess he wasn't from Altar Boyz) surrounded by a gaggle of girls...once of which is wearing a...

wedding veil.

Um. Yeah. Those things with tulle and lace that brides wear on their heads on their wedding day?

And it wasn't like, "Oh, we're here for a bachelorette party and being silly". This girl was plainly lusting after this young man (which I can understand, he was mighty attractive) but was wearing a wedding veil and making him take pictures with her. To tell you the truth, I felt embarrassed for her...but it was like a trainwreck. I just couldn't look away.

The man was being very nice to her (I'm guessing this girl was in her early 20's...old enough) but had such a "WTF?" look on his face it was almost comical.Things like THAT I feel are crossing the line a bit. True, I do not know the facts, but they definitely did not seem like they were friends.

So, I hate the term "groupie", since I know I have seen my share of shows multiple times...but as others have said, seeing a show multiple times because you love the show and it makes you happy=no problem. Running around in a bridal veil and squealing? Seems a little off for me. And believe me, I have NOTHING against acting silly and dorky.

Just my two cents. There's a time and a place for everything...theatre lobbies and stagedoors aren't the place for some things.

[greenegirl87]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 9:12pm

Aslongas, thats a terrible story! I would have been embarassed for that girl too! That sounds like something that would have been very painful to see.