I'm a stage door kind of guy, and I was realizing the other day while going through all of my memorabilia that I have the met many performers multiple times through various shows I have seen. While I have a lot of doubles (Jessie Mueller, Tyne Daly, Judith Light, Jefferson Mays, Caissie Levy, and the list goes on), I found the the most frequent autograph I have gotten over the years was Bryce Pinkham (from BBAJ, Ghost, and now Gentleman's Guide).
I'm curious to see what is the common multiple amongst the rest of the posters here on BWW.
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Robert Creighton is my only triple (Chicago, Anything Goes, Drood) there are a lot of doubles, having had Chicago posters signed three separate times now.
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
Patti LuPone. I've seen her in Gypsy and Sweeney on Broadway, plus countless concerts.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Isn't one autograph enough? Since the actors do not always sign for everyone at the stage door, it seems a little selfish to get your third or fourth and others in the same crowd may not get their first. What does one do with all these autographs anyway?
"What does one do with all these autographs anyway?"
They stuff them in a box that gets put in the back of a closet. Luckily they come to life and talk to each other so that's why people need autographs from every celebrity because they need friends.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
Isn't one autograph enough? Since the actors do not always sign for everyone at the stage door, it seems a little selfish to get your third or fourth and others in the same crowd may not get their first. What does one do with all these autographs anyway?
I'm pretty sure the OP was referring to multiple autographs from the same actor after different shows.
I have three Judith Light signatures and pictures: Lombardi, Other Desert Cities, and Assembled Parties. She truly is one of the most kind and warm actresses at stage door.
Actually i understood that - but if you have an actor's autograph from show A, why do you need the same actor's autograph from show B - that was where I meant someone might be shut out who had neither. But then I guess I don't really get stagedooring for autographs anyway, though I admit it is fun seeing the actors after the show - extending the fun of the event and all that. But that scrawl of a name on a scrap of paper or even on a program - what's the big deal?
As of now, I've only gotten two autographs from Ashley Spencer and Sierra Boggess. I am going to be seeing Beautiful in about two weeks, so maybe Jessie Mueller (whose autograph I've previously gotten from 'Nice Work') will be joining the list...
Sorry jemjeb2, I hope my message didn't sound condescending!
To me, it's nice to have all (or most) of the autographs from the cast on a window card, Playbill, etc.
For example, I have 1) Judith's autograph on a Lombardi poster along with the entire cast 2) her autograph in the Other Desert Cities text along with the rest of that cast and 3) her autograph on Assembled Parties poster with a few of the main cast members. In the instances where I've met a performer more than once, it's more about having their signature as a part of a (wonderful) whole.
For me Signatures being back memories of the show, the cast and the feelings that come along with that. they hang on my walls and allow me to look back on some great theatre experiences i have had.
"Fran Drescher...but they're all stamps so it doesn't count."
Zing!!!
"Isn't one autograph enough? Since the actors do not always sign for everyone at the stage door, it seems a little selfish to get your third or fourth and others in the same crowd may not get their first. What does one do with all these autographs anyway?"
Everyone here is always so concerned with other people being selfish lol.
Different items have different significance - if you had Patti LuPone sign 15 Gypsy playbills, that COULD be selfish/greedy iF you doing so is hindering someone else's ability to do so - but everyone has equal opportunity every night so if you see Gypsy 15 times and stand at the SD 15 times...well, so be it. Having her sign one thing from each of her shows on the other hand - I see absolutely no issue.
If you aren't one for autographs, obviously you won't understand those who like to collect them. That conversation/debate has occurred here so very many times and the non-interested party never sees the other's point of view. They mean something to the recipient, and that's all that really matters.
And as for mine - I have most of my stuff on display. CDs in a wall-mounted rack, posters framed, etc.
Since this thread will attract people who know, does anyone have any views on Triton frames for window cards (either wood or metal) vs. the ones on the Playbill store?
I have to say, once I got an autograph, I don't personally see a need to get it again. I can see a few instances where it would happen, but I don't think I would seek out a second or third autograph from the same person.
Thanks, gleek! I may go Triton just for the wood, still TBD.
"Then why come onto this thread to post?"
Any thread that involves stagedooring in any manner will have more people questioning/abhorring/criticizing the practice than having the actual conversation intended by the OP.
I buy the window card for every show I go to, they are all framed and hung up, It makes for more of a conversation piece if they are signed. The only stage door I have been to multiple times was chicago, and that was 3 different performances several years (and new posters) apart
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
Anthony Rapp 2. I don't really collect autographs. I saw his show "Without You" in Toronto and wanted to ask a couple questions, so I waited in line for autographs. Then, waiting at the stage door for If/Then, to try to talk to Jerry Dixon, Anthony came out and asked him about the future of "Without You" and got him to sign the "If/Then" poster. So, we're friends now right?
Unfortunately, Jerry Dixon never came out. (obviously no pun intended)
The only other autograph I can remember getting as an adult was Mitch Albom, which I got in one of his books for a friend's present.
I have bought signed show posters to support Broadway Cares at events. But, I would have paid the same price without the sigs.
For me, it would be Andy Karl (Jersey Boys, Rocky). He is an amazing actor and singer, and is one of the nicest actors I have met. And also Norbert Leo Butz (Catch Me If You Can, Big Fish), who is also very gracious at the stage door. I put my autographed playbills in my playbill binders, which sits on my shelf.
Thinking about it now... I haven't seen many performers in more than one show. I saw Jeremy Jordan twice (West Side Story, Newsies), but missed him both times at the stage door - got an autograph by fan mail though. Saw Kelli O'Hara in Nice Work and Bridges, but only got autograph once. Saw James Monroe Iglehart twice (Memphis, Aladdin), autograph only for Memphis. And I think that's it... Looks like I got to see more shows, haha...