re: Awkward Stage Door Moments

[defyinggravity42694]

I never really get star struck but when I saw Wicked (in New York) and Annaleigh Ashford came out and came over to me, I totally froze and uncontrollably I was like....

"I saw you in Legally Blond and you were amazing as Glinda, I love you!"

At the time, I was 13, which is why I think she thought it was more adorable than creepy, anyway she was like...

"Oh that's so sweet." and she was totally nice and perky.

As you can see... it was extremely awkward.

[defyinggravity42694]

I never really get star struck but when I saw Wicked (in New York) and Annaleigh Ashford came out and came over to me, I totally froze and uncontrollably I was like....

"I saw you in Legally Blond and you were amazing as Glinda, I love you!"

At the time, I was 13, which is why I think she thought it was more adorable than creepy, anyway she was like...

"Oh that's so sweet." and she was totally nice and perky.

As you can see... it was extremely awkward.

[defyinggravity42694]

I never really get star struck but when I saw Wicked (in New York) and Annaleigh Ashford came out and came over to me, I totally froze and uncontrollably I was like....

"I saw you in Legally Blond and you were amazing as Glinda, I love you!"

At the time, I was 13, which is why I think she thought it was more adorable than creepy, anyway she was like...

"Oh that's so sweet." and she was totally nice and perky.

As you can see... it was extremely awkward.

[suicidalmickeymouse]

During Anthony and Adam's run in RENT:

This crazy obnoxious mother in pulling people's hair and kicking people to get them out of her way, and puts her daughter up against the railing. She looked about 14.

Anthony comes out and the girl starts SCREAMING her head off. And it wasn't just one scream, she kept screaming and jumping up and down.

After awhile of her screaming, Anthony finally makes his way over to where me and the insane girl was, and Anthony was all like, It's okay chill out!

She does, and here is their convo:

Girl: OMG! It's my birthday, and I can't believe I'm meeting you.
Anthony: Oh, how old are you turning?
Girl: 18.
Anthony: (looks at her, raises eyebrows, signs my playbill, walks away)

I was embarrassed for her.

[MyLife]

"At the time, I was 13, which is why I think she thought it was more adorable than creepy, anyway she was like... "

Defyinggravity, so that makes you all of 14 now? If you said that today, it would be cute. I think if anyone said that, she would laugh. Just a nervous fan :).

An awkard moment for me... one time when I was at RENT, I was sitting in the front row (first lottery seat, center aisle). During Xmas Bells, Steve (played by Justin Johnston at the time)dropped his squeegee off the stage and it hit me in the face and cut me. I got a signed poster by the cast but I had to give the squeegee back. Anyway, after the show, Justin came out and was like "I am soo sorry, are you okay?" and jokingly i said "Yeah, but I am going to sue you." He got a look of terror in his face followed by a nervoud laughter. I felt really bad, and forgot that my sarcasm may be hard to understand if you don't know me. Luckily, I I realzied this and told him I was joking and all is good... I hope... Suing is not a joke people!

[esparza 333]

MyLife That is hilarious.

[folkyboy]

why didn't i start reading this thread when it first started? this totally made my night! these are hilarious!

[lmw8880]

I have three, two at the same performance of Rent and one when I saw it at a later time.

The first time I saw it, I was squished in the madness of the barricades. My friends and I were in the front and kept on getting pushed. Anthony dropped his sharpie and couldn't find it. I offered mine (the cover was off and ready to go)when he nicely pointed out that I had blue ink all over my neck.

During the same visit to Rent when Adam came out, my friend (who kind of has a big mouth to begin with and is super loud)kept on making comments about Adam's tattoos. She had noticed he had a new one and kept on going on and on about what it could be and mean. After a few minutes of debating, she asked Adam a question and it. Turns out he had heard her talking about it the entire time (we were right up front and he was making the rounds around the barricades). He kind of mocked her (which was way more funny than awkward) and as a result, made my birthday complete!

The last one was about a month later. I wanted Anthony to sign my Rent book. Once he came over to me we were chatting a little bit (I have met him a few times and he has to be one of the nicest people I have ever met). We were laughing about something when this person from behind started shouting "how is...." and proceeded to name about three or four different names. Anthony just shook he head (as he looked a little annoyed)and answered, "fine, thanks." I wasn't going to pry and ask what that was all about. he shook his head and answered, "that girl just screamed to ask me about my cats." He seemed very uncomfortable at that point. We finished our conversation and I called it a night. It was weird.

[haddaddy3]

At Grey Gardens, right after they announced their closing, Bob Stillman comes out and some weird guy is like, "So, you're closing huh?"

Bob: Yeah.
Weird Guy: Ticket sales were down?
Bob: Yeah, but we've been sold out since it was announced.
Weird Guy: Is that why you did it?

Yes, Bob Stillman made the decision to close Grey Gardens, specifically so ticket sales would boost in the last month. He just ignored the guy's comment and kept signing Playbills.

[gypsyrl]

Okay, Patti LuPone is my freaking idol and when I waited for her after Gypsy I was so star struck I have no idea what I said. All I know is I got home with two playbills signed and a signed head shot of her. So that was pretty awkward, hopefully I will redeem myself next time.
There was also this time I waited for Bebe Neuwirth after Chicago and it was wicked freezing outside so I was one of only about 10 people waiting. She said she wasn't doing pictures (which was weird because, there were only a handful of us), but I asked her to sign an original book of the musical that I had and we had like a 30 minute conversation about it and through the whole thing my friend was taking pictures like crazy and I felt bad because she said she wasn't doing them, but it was kind of funny.
Also, in Curtains there's this girl in the emsemble who looks like the girl who plays Bambi (names are escaping me) and I thought it was Bambi so I was really energetic when I asked for her autograph and a picture and I was giving her all these compliments on her dancing and she was looking at me like I was crazy and I didn't know why until she told the person next to me that she was not Bambi and it was really awkward.

[ClumsyDude15]

Juliash---> I wasnt the one who asked him for his autograph, I didnt even recongize him until glitterandjazzhands had been the one to draw attention to him.

[xoangel2789xo]

Pretty much everything I do is awkward.

At stagedoors or just meeting people in general I get more inarticulate than my usally inarticulate self, so lately I haven't bothered as much.

This wasn't at the stagedoor after the show, but I was passing it on the way to Kyotofu and Gerard Canonico was coming in the opposite direction. You know that thing where you both move to the same direction and then go back again to where you were and it looks like this ridiculously awkward thing? I think that was the second time it happened to me that day. He had this wth look on his face.

[IsolatingAge]

When I was thirteen I hugged Christopher J. Hanke at the Rent stagedoor without asking first. He was so terrified of me. I *facepalm* myself about that every frikkin' day. Probably the stupidest most fangirly thing I've ever done.

I've gotten much more mature. I don't hug, or even ask for hugs from the actors anymore. I realize that at the stagedoor, the actors are just thinking about getting home and eating the other half of that turkey hoagie still left in the fridge.

That probably ranks up there with one of the stupidest things I've ever done.

Also, I once told Gideon Glick that I loved his accent, and he said "What accent?"

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

"I don't know if I would fully call this a stage door experience but it was an experience none the less. I saw Tim Hower when he was in Rent. He was talking to a couple of people me being one of them after the usual stage door crowed left and died down. Everyone left and it was Tim and me talking etc. We both ended up walking and talking on our way towards the subway. We didn't realize that we were both going the same direction on the same line so we were just walking and talking on our way to the subway. Someone stopped him on the platform and asked if he was in Rent because she thought that she recognized him. He said yes and gave her an autograph and chatted with her for a second and then went right back to talking to me. I found it funny while we were on our way to the subway he joked about how he was in NYC for a bit and still the subway system was confusing the hell out of him. I commented that the NYC subway system is a confusing one if you don't know really know your way around it. Fun, yes. It was just interesting how this wasn't planned out at all and I didn't intentionally walk with him etc and it just happened."

Tim Howar is always very chatty! He came to know My friends and I by the end of his run so every time at the stage door he would talk to us for like a half hour. One time he started talking to us about Corn and his Band if I remember correctly. He was so nice and sweet. But I was barley talking it was just him and he asked me something and I was speechless, words just didn't come out, after a few seconds words came out but I was very shy. On his last show we went backstage with him and he was talking to us for a long time and we walked out and he still needed to clean out his dressing room and there were a bunch of people waiting outside, we felt bad.

On that same night we got and autograph from Chris Hanke and we asked if he would ever come back to the show and he says "No!, only for the money if I do"

[bundy5000]

About Lupone's son..well not really... I am not obsessed but just proudly admire Carolee Carmello and I have seen pictures with her family since she is married to another well known broadway actor but anyways I was at the Broadway cares Event "Pamela's First Musical" and Carolee's family attended well her sister and Carolee's children since her husband was in the show too. I said OMG you have beautiful children and she said "Awww Thanks" and I looked at the daughter and said you have your mothers eyes and the girl said "yeah I know" but in... well let's say spoiled way lol

[amoni]

"I feel bad for him for the both of you. He because idk how you even know what he looks like unless you're a complete stalker. And you because you're a stalker."

Oh give me a break, someone asked Patti Luopne's kid for an autograph. She didn't shoot him, I doubt he's scarred for life. A stalker? Get over yourself. I don't know the kid, I have zero desire to meet him but I do know what he looks like. She doesn't exactly keep him up in a bell tower. Some of you people are very strange.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp0NDiohlic

[theminutepast]

My awkward moment was freezing up when I finally managed to catch Sutton Foster pre-show and having her walk past me. And then minutes later having Andrea Chamberlain tell me to try again tomorrow like it was some sort of game. Anyway, I'm glad I don't stage door anymore. Autographs and that stuff aren't important to me anymore.

I feel bad for Kate Burton in the story someone told above: "My first time seeing Spring Awakening, I told Kate Burton that my favorite part in the show was when she showed the audience her boobies." How embarrassing for one, not to be taken seriously, and two, to be recognized for your body and not your talent.

[MuppetManiaMan]

At "Hairspray" a while back, Michelle Pawk was playing Velma. Well, she came out of the stage door and smiled really big, waiting for people to get excited about her. Nobody said a word. Nobody knew who on earth this woman was! She just stands there awkwardly, smiling like a goon, saying "Hi...." to a few people as she walked by. I felt so bad for her. So, I'm like "Michelle! You were fantastic! Will you sign my Playbill?" She perked up a little and seemed very glad SOMEBODY "appreciated" her. That was my good deed for the day.

[MuppetManiaMan]

Double...

[shh282]

Skylar Astin, SA: Both my roommate and I went to school with him and was planning on mentioning it somehow, although we didn't really know each other there I thought it'd be interesting conversation. All I could come up with is

Shh: "So, have you visited North since you left?"
Skylar:" Nah, I'll get on that soon though. You guys go there now or?.."
Shh: " Nah, we graduated last year we go to NYU. "
Skylar:" Ohh well you're not too far behind me, next thing you know you'll be on broadway too!"
We really didn't know how to respond so we kind of laughed at that thought, and he gave us a look and moved on.

Anthony Rapp, Rent- I think it was my 2nd time seeing him in Rent and I had my Threadless red shirt on, and it had a band with a rooster to symbolize "rock out with your****out". There were a bunch of younger people around and he asked me what band it was supposed to symbolize and I tried to explain but I was getting over being sick and was very soft spoken. I kept having to say Rock out with your****out, and just saying the word****in front of young teenagers so many times made me quite uncomfortable.

Lin Manuel Miranda, ITH. I had just won the lotto in order to take my mom to see the show for her mother's day present. I saw the show during previews and thought it was wonderful and it was the only new musical my mom wanted to see so I was over excited about my win. I was walking away from the lotto action when Lin Manuel Mirana was walking out of the stage door.
Shh: OMG I AM SEEING YOUR SHOW TODAY I AM SO EXCITED: waves tickets:
Lin: Oh wow, that's great. did you win the lotto?
Shh: YEAH IM TAKING MY MOM FOR MOTHERS DAY - SHES ALSO EXCITED
Lin: Awesome, I hope you guys have a really great time.
Shh: OH I KNOW WE WILL - HAVE A GOOD SHOW
...god, I never felt like such a fan girl before, looking back on it makes me cringe.

Kathryn Hahn, Boeing Boeing. I adore her in all her random movies roles- so when I found out she was in this I went wild. and at the stagedoor I was thoroughly excited to meet her. She was the first out and I was the first on the stage door line and she said "Hi Did you guys enjoy the show?" and I went on to say

" Can I just say that I adore you. I've seen a lot of the movies that you are in and you play so many random characters and I just love them all. A lot Like Love, How to Lose a guy in 10 days, Win a date with tad hamilton, anchorman, I just really and truly adore you. and this show tonight and your performance made me adore you more."

She was very kind and took a picture with me but my roommate thought she thought she seemed really anxious and wanted to get away from me asap. :X oops.

[legally_popular]

I’ve never really had any awkward moments, but I thought this was kinda amusing…
Jennifer Damiano approached us to sign our playbills after Next to Normal.
Jenn: “Did you guys like the show?”
Us: “Yes, we loved it.”
Jenn: “Did you cry?”
Us: “…yeaaa.”
Jenn: “Yep… sad stuff…”
I just thought it was kinda funny how she asked us if we cried, it still makes me laugh to this day, lol.


Also, I have to agree about the approaching Patti’s Lupone’s son as being a little bit inappropriate. It’s not stalking, but he is not a performer and the way the girl acted was just a little too much. I have seen friends/family of performers but would never talk to them, even if they’re a performer themselves (i.e. Sebastian Arcelus entering/exiting the Wicked stage door to see Stephanie after he wasn’t in Wicked anymore).

[Theatreboy49]

funny you mention Jenn. When I saw her go on for Ilse at the stagedoor she walked past just about everyone cuz i guess she thought nobody wanted her to sign. And i saw a few cast members talking together and so i approached her and was like you were amazing can i have a picture and would you sign my playbill and she seemed so overjoyed and so lili cooper took the picture on my camera. And Lili then asks me how I liked the show and the fan boy in me came out to say I had a DVD of the show and that I was used to hearing there once was a pirate instead of the guilty ones and Lili goes "damn I dont even have that dvd wanna hook me up" and she actually bought a bootleg from my friend jeff who sells them. Not awkward but pretty awsome.

[LePetiteFromage]

[LimelightMike]

This one isn't exactly 'awkward' from my point of view, but it is somewhat comical. At the Ambassador, and I was exiting the stage door. So, I finally open thebig ol' heavy door, and step outside and look out at the people waiting behind the barricade. I felt SO bad ... 'cause y'know, I'm not a big name or anything. It was humbling, but at the same time, I just remember smiling, kindly nodding, and walking to my car.

[jeniferrenepatricia]

I had two awkward moments at the stage door. My friend, Tony, and I saw "Chicago" when the revival first went up. I was waiting for Ann Reinking to come out for an autograph, and Leonard Nimoy walked passed us, obviously coming out of the same show. Tony yelled, "Dr. Spock, Dr. Spock!!!" and ran after him for an autograph- he couldn't remember his real name. Mr. Nimoy obviously thought he was insane, and also starting running up the block. Then, when Tony came back to the stage door, Ann Reinking was outside signing my Playbill. He told her that he loved her on "Cheers." Ann Reinking just laughed, thank God.

My next experience was at "Fosse." Again, waiting for Ann Reinking and also Ben Vereen this time. After the show, it was only me and one guy waiting by the stage door. He was standing by the door with at least 20 different Playbills for Ann Reinking to sign. He asked the person at the door when she was coming out at least 10 times, then kept chanting her name, "Ann Reinking....Ann Reinking....Ann Reinking..." and pacing as he was chanting. Needless to say, he freaked me out a little so I left and didn't even wait for the autographs.

[walkedthroughmany]

Sunday in the Park with George revival, one of the first previews.

The only people at the stage door were me, my date, and a mysterious old-ish man.

Jenna Russell came out and the man whipped out an enormous binder and started showing her his collection of pictures and articles on the original production. He showed her all of the reviews, explaining to her that the critics didn't like it the first time around. He didn't ask for a picture or autograph. She had no idea what to say...whenever there was a lull, he would just stare at her for a response and she would concentrate hard on whatever clipping he had displayed and force an "oh my."

When he was gone she turned to my date and I with wide eyes and proclaimed: "Well, that was awkward!"