Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
#1Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/4/17 at 11:39am
I hate to start a new thread about this, but I had a question about leaving an item to be signed at the stage door of the theater. I just ordered a copy of War Paint for my roommate's birthday, and I would love to have (at the very least) LuPone and Ebersole sign it before we go see the show on her birthday later this month. Can I just stroll over to the Nederlander and drop if off with the stage doorman with a note explaining what I'd like and then pick it up a few days later?
Thanks!
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Broadway_Boy
Broadway Star Joined: 10/22/05
#2Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/4/17 at 11:42am
Absolutely not. Please do not ask anyone to do this for you. You can write to the stage manager with a self addressed stamped enevelope included and he or she may get it signed for you and send it back on his or her schedule.
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#3Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/4/17 at 11:44am
No way they want to start encouraging this sort of thing.
#4Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/4/17 at 11:48am
Well then I'll just give her the book and she can get it signed on her own time, if she'd like.
Thanks!
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Broadway_Boy
Broadway Star Joined: 10/22/05
#5Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/4/17 at 11:52am
Why not go to the stage door after a show and get it signed yourself? That way you don't risk losing the book. If you don't want to do that, mail it to Patti and she will send it back and then mail it to Christine and she will do the same.
Check out the app Todaytix if you haven't already for theatre tickets around the world. My referral code is DGHVR
#6Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/4/17 at 12:09pm
I was actually thinking that, but even though I only work a few blocks away from the Nederlander, I live in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, and waiting until after an evening show during the week would bring me home around midnight. I'm keeping that in mind to see if maybe a weekend matinee would work better, though.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#7Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/4/17 at 12:15pm
givesmevoice said: "I'm keeping that in mind to see if maybe a weekend matinee would work better, though."
Just make it a Sunday...
wonkit
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/30/08
#8Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/4/17 at 5:36pm
Actually, this worked for me once, but first I wrote to the performer whose autograph I wanted and got his permission to leave something, including what the item was and when it would be left and picked up. Worth a try perhaps.
Theatrefanboy1
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/15
#9Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/4/17 at 6:25pm
It really is interesting. I have had this work and not work in weird ways:
One time I was waiting at the stage door (foolishly after a matinee, wondering why no barricades or people were there) after Daniel Radcliffe was performing. I was waiting their and this kind woman asked me if I was waiting for Dan. It turned out that she was his manager and was going in to see him between shows and asked if I wanted to leave with her what I wanted signed and if I wanted anything personalized and that she would leave it back at the stage door for me. - Like I realize that was a super kind moment and should never be expected.
Then years, back I've had moments where I was waiting for Nathan Lane (which I know is hit or miss) and I asked the stage manager is there was anyway of leaving it for him to sign (I was young) and he said I could leave the poster there, but there would be no guarantee that he would sign.
In contrast as well, the stage manager at a show Matthew Broderick was in said that if he wouldn't sign and do the whole picture thing that she would get back program and bring it up for him to sign and make sure he met me.
Similar to James Earl Jones, who's assistant came to me to get my program and brought it back signed.
Sutton Fosters hair guy and driver both were on the look out for her for me. Her hair guy told me over his smoke, "I will send her back down her, if she misses you on the way in."
Really, it all just depends on the situation. Though I think you are more likely if you were to be there in person instead of leaving it off.
Best!
#10Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/6/17 at 2:41pm
I did this a few times when I was a young'un and was never told it was (or responded to in any way that would suggest it was) egregious in any way. The stage door attendants were always very friendly to me, and because I was polite and not demanding, they were happy to help. I can't remember what my reasoning was, since I lived in NYC and saw shows all the time, but the most vivid memory I have of doing this was when Raul Esparza was doing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and I had a particular thing I wanted him to sign, but I think was in my period of being phobic of trying to form sentences at him at the stage door. Anyway, I stopped by one day mid-afternoon, and the man at the door could not have been more lovely. I told him I had included a sharpie and a note, as well as an SASE if that was easier, but he offered to just call me when it was done. Not 4 hours later, he called me and said I could come by at my convenience to get it. Raul had personalized the thing and kindly returned my marker, too. I don't know. Maybe it was ballsy and I had no idea, or maybe I just got away with it because I was young and shy and nice, but like I said, nobody ever gave me side-eye about it.
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#11Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/6/17 at 3:46pm
I'm also one to attest that stage door personnel are genuinely nice and if approached in a calm and polite manner, they will help you get whatever you want signed. They are in the area that the entire cast and crew enters the theatre therefore it's convinient, etc.
Back in the 1970s when I was a kid, I use to roam the theatre district in the afternoons and many stagedoors would have their doors open. I would always peep in and ask if I could see the backstage and sets. Every single stagedoor employee sitting by the entrance would let me roam around as long as I didn't touch anything. There are countless Broadway productions I was blessed to have seen their backstage areas in between shows.
#12Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/6/17 at 3:49pm
I don't do it often, but I always have had amazing experiences when I do. It never hurts to ask!
#13Leaving items at the stage door to be signed
Posted: 4/6/17 at 3:58pm
I did something similar after a performance of American Psycho, which I was over the moon with. I met a cast member I was friendly with and gave her a check for BCEFA and also gave her my poster and I picked it up before attending the final performance of the show. I like to think it's a rare piece of memorabilia from a show gone too soon.
