A Christmas Story as MSG Stage Door?

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 12/14/13 at 6:28pm

If anyone has gone to the show yet, does the adult cast sign after the show?

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 12/18/13 at 4:43pm

anybody?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 2:50pm

I've been backstage at "The Theater" several times and have found there are several ways to exit the backstage area. The cast can--and does--leave several different ways. Not very promising for an autograph seeker.

[Midwest Maven]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 12:42pm

As a poster recently noted on the Facebook fan page of A Christmas Story: The Musical:

# # # # #

While [A Christmas Story: The Musical] itself was every bit as wonderful as it was in 2012, much of what makes a theater trip to New York so special was missing with [the] production this year. . . .

This year's production in many ways has sold and lost last year's soul, heart, and joy.

The four two-show days each week are simply too much for the cast and crew -- many looked just exhausted as they exited for the night. They're hardworking professionals *and human beings*, not workhorses. Three two-show days a week are plenty for anyone, cast and crew most of all.

And it seemed that many of the burly, surly ushers and security people were herding patrons around, and then out, like cattle. Sterile. Cold. Sad. A stage musical is not a rock concert or a basketball game.

It was also quite sad that none of the happy "stage dooring," yet another great stage tradition that makes for wonderful lifelong memories for cast members as well as patrons, that marked last year's run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater seemed to take place at [Madison Square Garden]. . . .

This jewel of a musical and the people who make it possible on both sides of the proscenium deserve a much better setting and treatment. . . .





Updated On: 12/20/13 at 12:42 PM

[Midwest Maven]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 12:52pm

So, in your experience, who's been the best and who's been the worst among A Christmas Story: The Musical cast members when it comes to sharing their time and thoughts with patrons at or near the stage door post-show?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 2:02pm

Maven, sorry to say, but I take offense to the post. Best or worst? The cast is under no obligation to stage door and, as was previously stated, the barn of a space at MSG has numerous exits for the cast from backstage, none of which are really designated as a stage door.

[Midwest Maven]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 3:28pm

broadwayguy2, no one has here said that the cast is under any obligation to "stage door." But as a former actor myself, I know how much it can mean. It's not mandatory, nor should it ever be, but it is a nice thing to do, one for which any thinking patron is very grateful, and should say so to the performer(s). Patrons are the reason why cast members have careers. That said, the Facebook post was not criticizing the cast members at all so much as their arduous schedule and what you call the "barn" that the MSG space is.

Nor am I. I was simply trying to help address jonartdesigns's original question and shed more light on it so s/he might know what to expect.













Updated On: 12/20/13 at 03:28 PM

[bstoll1]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 5:40pm

I saw the show last Friday night and afterwards asked the security near the exit if any cast members will come out to sign autographs and was told by a few different people, sadly no. They leave right away and go home. So, I did not hang around though to see if anyone came out. I wanted to make sure I caught my train.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 6:37pm

With that kind of show schedule, I'd probably want to leave, too, and skip any kind of stage door.

There is no obligation for actors to appease their patrons and this strange belief out there that somehow these actors should do it because they owe their careers to you is absolutely ludicrous. They perform for you in the show. That's how they "repay" you. K?