The Heiress Stage Door

[Misha515]

Has anyone stage doored the Heiress over the last few weeks? Planning to go in a few weeks and wanted to know if it has been crazy seeing as how Jessica Chastain is nominated for everything this awards season.

[AC126748]

I don't stage door, but when I saw it three weeks ago there were already at least 30 people waiting by the time I made it to the curb from my seat. This was after Chastain had received her Golden Globe and SAG nominations.

Just from what I've gathered on here, though, it sounds like Chastain makes a point to sign and talk to everyone, no matter the crowd size.

[Misha515]

Thanks AC126748. Will be curious to see what happens now that she won a Globe last night. I can imagine there will be more and more people as time goes on.

[broadwayjim42]

Stage doored the Saturday matinee and both Jessica and Dan came out and signed for what seemed like everybody. Both very nice, willingly posing for pics. Crowd seemed dominated by "Downton" fangirls (and fanwomen) but Dan took it all in stride. I mentioned to him that my son shares his name (first and last) and he kind of grinned, but the fanwomen went "awwwwwwwww."

[Misha515]

Cool! They both seem really nice and very accomodating. I keep seeing all these videos with massive amounts of paparazzi and it's making me nervous that it will be mobbed.

[broadwayjim42]

There were maybe 75-100 people on Saturday.

[CarlosAlberto]

I stage doored this---which I rarely do---but I couldn't resist the opportunity to be in the midst of Miss Chastain. She was so sweet to me...signed my playbill and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

[FindingNamo]

"I couldn't resist the opportunity to be in the midst of Miss Chastain."

Wow. That *is* accommodating.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Aye, Carlos, the white girl loved the papi chulo!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

I know this is a sort of tedious question, but I'm finally seeing this tomorrow (could not be more excited) and was curious how long it takes for Chastain to come out and sign. Considering it's supposed to be freaking freezing tomorrow night, I just want to be prepared if I have to wait a while. Anyone?

[Misha515]

When I went it took about 20 minutes or so for her to come out. I guess there have been a LOT of people stage dooring these days so be prepared to wait for your turn. Both she and Dan do get to everyone though.

[kevinr]

Glad to read that! I am seeing the show on the evening on February 7th. I am hoping to get my "The Help" dvd and the windowcard signed by them both. Does David Strathairn ever use the stage door?

[Misha515]

I have not ever heard of anyone seeing Strathairn exit via the stage door. Judith Ivy does sneak out there, though!

[kevinr]

I wonder how he is with fans when they approach him on the street by his alternate exit. I guess most of the people who attend the show and want to meet someone, are there for Ms. Chastain and Mr. Stevens.

[mikem]

I've been to the Heiress stage door twice. Very few of the cast members come out the stage door -- maybe 3 other people besides Chastain and Stevens. I did not see Strathairn or Ivey either time.

The barricades themselves are extremely short, so the crowd is fairly deep. Stevens signs for everyone within reach, but not everyone is within reach. He is very nice, although there is a some fan hyperventilating with him. He seemed to take it in stride, though.

Both times I went, Chastain had visitors, and didn't come out for 45 minutes or more. But when she came out, she spent a lot of time taking photos, talking, and signing for everyone. She is also very nice at the stage door, and pretty dedicated. I went the night before the Golden Globes, and she signed until close to midnight, taking her time and not rushing at all. Then she said she was going directly to the airport to catch a flight to LA for the Golden Globes. A lot of actors would have been more rushed about it, or bailed completely.

In addition to winning so many awards recently, she also was the top-billed actor in both of the top 2 movies at the box office this weekend. I think that was the first time that has happened since Leonardo DiCaprio did it with Titanic and The Man in the Iron Mask back in 1997. This is really her time.

[FishermanBob]

"Glad to read that! I am seeing the show on the evening on February 7th. I am hoping to get my "The Help" dvd and the windowcard signed by them both."

@kevinr - So you can sell it for $120? LOL

[kevinr]

No, not yet....lol.....I am making room for new ones but possibly selling off some of the older ones.

[Godolphin]

I waited tonight in the bitter cold for 30 minutes or so and only Chastain and Stevens came out but were very nice and signed and posed for photos with everyone there(about 25 people)
I was hoping to get most of the cast to sign my Playbill and asked one of the guys if David Strathairn was coming out, and he says no and he never signs.

I enjoyed the play and the staging is very good, try and see it before it closes.

[Misha515]

Wow. . .only 25 people? The cold must have scared people off!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Saw the show last night and can very happily say I loved it. So far, my theatergoing in 2013 has been off to a stellar, stellar start with this, PIANO LESSON, and GOLDEN BOY. Loved all three of them.

I was really not prepared to enjoy the show as much as I did. And I thought the cast was fantastic for the most part. Chastain nailed the part (can she do ANY wrong?) and Judith Ivey was wonderful as usual. Out of this, PIANO, and GOLDEN, this was absolutely the fastest of the three (which are all about 2 hours and 45-50 minutes long). I had a wonderful, wonderful time and wished I hadn't waited so long to see it.

The stage door had about 30 people and Chastain came out at about five after 11 or so, with Stevens following a few minutes later. They both could not have been nicer, standing outside in 2 degree weather to chat it up with fans and take pictures and sign with each of us.

[Misha515]

I agree that Chastain was excellent in the part and the other cast members were just as strong. Were you in this crowd? This video was posted on her site and she is just sooo nice to the fans here it's unbelieveable. Can't believe that anyone showed up it was so cold!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4282522023295

[suestorm]

Chastain nailed the part (can she do ANY wrong?)


WICKED, i agreewholeheartedly, though some on this board were of course negative believe it or not about her performance,which is just idiotic if you ask me... and she chatted with me after the show like we were GFs!!! Dan was sweet too. I didnt see Judith though
I will say though that i did like Golden Boy a little bit better, but thats quibbling. didnt see Piano

[Jordan Catalano]

I'd love to meet David Strathairn! Would someone PM me with where this alternate exit is? lol

[ArtMan]

Jordan, there is another exit on 49th street. Right across from Chicago's stage door. That's where I caught up with Ben Stiller, when he was in the play (forgot the name) with Edie falco.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

I'm not in that video (I probably was gone by then) but the way you see her talking to the fans there is how she interacted with EVERYONE. She even gave me a hug. I'm not a stage-doorer, and I'm really not one to fangirl over anyone, but Chastain is just an honest to goodness first class performer and person.

She's in that elusive, rare group of actors who can seemingly play almost any part that is thrown their way. I mean, look at her two Oscar-nominated performances. My mom saw ZERO DARK THIRTY last weekend and literally didn't believe me that "Maya" was played by the same person who was "Celia Foote" in THE HELP. She really has an incredible range.

And you can just tell how much she loves what she does and how much she truly, genuinely appreciates the people who support her. It's so nice to see someone who is so sweet and appreciative also be so wildly successful. Although I'm sure she doesn't need my well-wishes, I hope she keeps acting for as long as she can. And that she comes back to Broadway soon! THESE are the kinds of "movie stars" that should have a welcome invitation to Broadway, as far as I'm concerned.



End rant.