Stagedooring a show I didn't see?

[taliax353]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 2:05am

I'm going to New York in the spring, and Im trying to take the advantage of hopefully meeting some broadway stars. One of them I really want to meet is Gideon Glick. I'm not able to watch Significant Other, and I feel like it would be pretty rude if I just stagedoored and asked for a picture, but I'm not sure. Are there any other ways I could meet him? Or should I just stick with stagedooring?

[gypsy101]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 2:16am

how would he know whether or not you saw the show? i don't see an issue with it.

[somechrysanthemumtea]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 2:23am

just try to get a playbill somehow. Tons of people drop them on the floor as they walk out of the theatre. Plus a playbill gives them something to sign. Good luck!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 3:19am

It is considered rude,  by many people. 

[rangersrule132]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 4:20am

As long as you stand by the end of the Line I don't see an issue with it. I've seen people do it all the time and I have done it a few times.

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 5:42am

How exactly are you visiting NYC, desperately want to meet him in person, but can't justify seeing him in his first starring role on Broadway?!

[JBroadway]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 5:48am

It certainly is done, and you could do it without repercussions if you really wanted, but as others have said, it is considered a breach of etiquette. I would strongly encourage making time to see the show if it's important to you to meet him. 

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 7:29am

There is no way anyone is going to know you didn't see the show and try to shame you. Just do it. At Oh, Hello I was standing next to two young women and mentioned that I was going to get out my sharpie for the guys to autograph my playbill. They said, don't bother they bring their own plus they take selfies with your phone. They had done this before and did not see the show that night. They just liked getting photos with them. Except for me, I don't think anyone else would have known that. And I don't think anything less of them for it.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 7:49am

Stage Door Sally said: "They had done this before and did not see the show that night. They just liked getting photos with them. Except for me, I don't think anyone else would have known that."

It sounds like those women had seen the show already though, even if it wasn't that night. I think that's a notable difference. I have, on occasion, gone back to stage-door a show I've already seen, if I wasn't able to go to the stage-door on the day I saw the show. But I wouldn't have felt comfortable going to the stage-door if I hadn't already seen the show on another day. 

 

[10086sunset]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 9:14am

^ Well said PThespian...

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 09:14 AM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 9:49am

Those same people saying it's bad are the same people who break rush line rules, don't turn off their phones during a performance, arrive late to the performance or late after intermission disturbing the people around them, singing badly during the performance, wooing during the performance, eating or chomping during the performance and talking during the performance.  It's amazing that there are people out there who do at least one of the above consistently, but then choose to call out someone who is stagedooring a show they didn't see.

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 09:49 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 10:30am

No one called anyone out. The op asked for opinions, and people offered them. 

 

Where you're hypothesis comes from is insane.  And for the record, I'm guilty of none of those things.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 11:26am

"No one called anyone out. The op asked for opinions, and people offered them. "

Exactly and I agree with your opinion.
 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 11:29am

"Those same people saying it's bad are the same people who break rush line rules, don't turn off their phones during a performance, arrive late to the performance or late after intermission disturbing the people around them, singing badly during the performance, wooing during the performance, eating or chomping during the performance and talking during the performance.  It's amazing that there are people out there who do at least one of the above consistently, but then choose to call out someone who is stagedooring a show they didn't see."

 

I too, am guilty of none of those things you mentioned. Not sure how you made that leap. In fact it's quite the opposite. The people doing all those things you mentioned are usually the same people who go stage-door shows they haven't seen. 

 

"Just because you get his autograph doesn't mean people who saw the show won't."

 

That's probably true in this case, but in many cases, there are so many autograph-hounds and other such people clogging up stage-door barricades, that many of the people who saw the show don't get to meet the actors. I've seen it. I've been one of those people on several occasions. 

 

"If you walk through the theater district, and pass a theater where a big star is appealing, you will see s lot of people lined up behind the barricades while the show is still in progress."

 

Yes, many people wait outside shows they haven't seen. Just like many people take out their phone during shows. Just because many people do it, doesn't make it good. 

 

"Secutity is there and know these people didn't see the.show, but security doesn't say anything. Why? Because they don't care."

 

Security doesn't case because it's not their job to care. They have other things to worry about.

 

"As far as etiquette goes that sounds a little crazy to me. You're not at a black tie event or even inside the theater. You're asking for someone's autograph."

 

Black-tie events are not the only situations that have a set of etiquette rules. That's ludicrous. Asking for autographs has many different rules of etiquette. So does pretty much every social situation ever - it's just that the rules change and have varying degrees for formality. 

 

"Saying you can't ask someone for their autograph unless you saw the show means, in effect, that you have to pay  for it which is ridiculous. Is it rude for people with comp tickets to ask for an autograph? They didn't technically do anything to support the show other than help fill a house."

 

It's not a question of money. It's a question of time and respect. It's respectful to have seen the show in question before going to the stage-door to meet the actors. 

 

"I bet some of the people who will tell you it's a bad thing to ask him for his autograph without having seen the show, which  he gives out free to you and them, would have no problem second acting a show where they are getting something for free that others have paid for. "

 

You bet wrong. Well...maybe some people. I can't speak for everybody, but I have never done that, nor would I. 

 

And look, I'm not saying the OP is a bad person if they decide to go ahead and stage-door the show, but they should be aware that it is considered a breach of etiquette. I get it: sometimes you breach etiquette when you're desperate and circumstances lead to it. I've done it in other areas of my life from time to time. But I'm aware that I'm breaching etiquette and try not to do it frequently. The OP even said that it seemed rude to do it. It's not life or death, it's not like the OP will get arrested. It's just more respectful to have seen the show first. 

 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 12:14pm

I'm not crazy about doing it, personally, but I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with it. I just feel awkward when I do it.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 12:16pm

Whether it's right or wrong is your personal choice. She wants an autograph from Gideon Glick. Though Glick  is a fine actor, there aren't rows of fans 5 deep trying to get an autograph. I don't think this would keep anyone else from getting an autograph.

Edit: auto correct doesn't like Gideon's last name!

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 12:16 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 12:20pm

Glick.

[benmangini]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 12:54pm

Zachary Levi refuses to sign for people who did not see the show. 

[SweetLips]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 2:34pm

Anyone who is silly enough to hang around a stage door deserves to get, or not, whatever they can.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 3:09pm

If you feel good about doing it, go right ahead.

Even though I do not stagedoor, I know that no matter how much I love an artist, taking someone's discarded playbill and getting in the line with those who saw the show (and YES did PAY to see it) would make me feel lousy and it would ruin the entire experience of meeting them.

But that's just me.

 

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 03:09 PM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 7:22pm

dramamama611 said: "No one called anyone out. The op asked for opinions, and people offered them. 

 

Where you're hypothesis comes from is insane.  And for the record, I'm guilty of none of those things.

 

You stated in your earlier post that "it is considered rude by many people".   Whether someone wants to stagedoor a show they didn't see is their business. Not yours...or anyone else. If the actor doesn't want to sign for the person then it is up to the discretion of the actor.  It's none of the business of any one else.  Whether or not you, JBroadway or Yankeefan are not guilty of the actions I listed, is not the point.  I stand 100% behind my statement that those people judging  others are just as guilty of doing one or more of the behaviors I listed earlier or something else worst.  They just aren't going to admit it or see what they are doing is worst behavior then stagedooring a show they didn't see.  That is all.

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 07:22 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 7:45pm

That is still not calling anyone out.  I didn't even voice my own opinion - whatsoever.  No one even told him NOT to do it: HE ASKED FOR OPINIONS, and the op got a variety of them -- and he can do whatever he wants with them. 

 

Good god.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 1/29/17 at 12:21am

taliax353 said: "I'm going to New York in the spring, and Im trying to take the advantage of hopefully meeting some broadway stars. One of them I really want to meet is Gideon Glick. I'm not able to watch Significant Other, and I feel like it would be pretty rude if I just stagedoored and asked for a picture, but I'm not sure. Are there any other ways I could meet him? Or should I just stick with stagedooring?

I can get into my personal experience, but in general, I think it's fine. I've seen people do it before. If you're really nervous about it, maybe tweet at him or contact him through some other form of social media and ask if it's alright. 

 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/29/17 at 3:09pm

"You stated in your earlier post that "it is considered rude by many people".   Whether someone wants to stagedoor a show they didn't see is their business. Not yours...or anyone else. If the actor doesn't want to sign for the person then it is up to the discretion of the actor.  It's none of the business of any one else.  Whether or not you, JBroadway or Yankeefan are not guilty of the actions I listed, is not the point. "

I will echo dramamama 's response, nobody told the poster not to do it and we just offered our opinion. 

[Huss417]

Posted: 1/29/17 at 3:17pm

How long did Anne Baxter hang out around the stage door? :)