I was at Saturday night's performance. It took about an hour for him to come down, but so worth the wait. He was charming and very accommodating. There were approximately 30 people waiting and he signed everything, posed for pictures, chatted a bit. A class act all around.
The stagedoor experience with Norm Lewis was one of the highlights of my trip a couple weeks ago. He was really nice, and he even came out with Michele McConnell and one of the Hannibal dancers and introduced them to the small crowd. I'm so glad your experience with him was wonderful, as well! He truly is a class act.
"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire
He was lovely with my 12 year old son after the Sunday night performance on 7/6. Signed and posed for pictures and even had a chat with him. A genuinely nice guy.
I recently had my first trip to NYC about a month ago, and I bought a ticket for this show specifically to see my favorite actress- Sierra Boggess.
I'm a huge fan and the thought of seeing her was incredible! However, Sierra hurried her way through with everyone and was actually kind of awkward. Not anything like she appears in interviews and such. It was actually a huge let down for me.
On the other hand, Norm Lewis was the added bonus- and he surely was a class act. He's the only actor I saw all week who took the time to converse with his fans and pose for photos with each. It was the perfect ending to my trip. So glad I met him!
Sierra came out before Norm. She signed a few items, said she couldn't stay for pictures, then left. Nothing awkward about her, but definitely hurried. Greg Mills was in as Raoul. He was very gracious. Signed, posed for pictures and seemed very appreciative and almost surprised at the crowd reaction to him.
I'd Imagine Norm is the last one out most nights, that makeup takes a while to get off.
"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
I saw Sierra at the stage door last Thursday and Saturday. Both times she was one of the first out the door and hurried through the crowds on the phone with her car asking where he was. The only people she really seemed to engage with were small girls who knew her from Mermaid, etc. She signed as she walked past and took a few photos but it clearly wasn't something she wanted to do on at least those nights.
I agree Norm is fantastic and well worth the wait. Charming and gracious.
Hello, I'll be seeing the Thursday matinee in a two weeks. Does anyone know if Norm usually comes out after a matinee show? I know that sometimes performers don't; just didn't know what anyone had experienced.
While I may be wrong, I'd Imagine whoever plays the phantom stays in between shows on a 2 show day. I doubt they'd go through the hassle of doing the makeup twice.
"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
"However, Sierra hurried her way through with everyone and was actually kind of awkward. Not anything like she appears in interviews and such. It was actually a huge let down for me."
"I saw Sierra at the stage door last Thursday and Saturday. Both times she was one of the first out the door and hurried through the crowds on the phone with her car asking where he was. The only people she really seemed to engage with were small girls who knew her from Mermaid, etc. She signed as she walked past and took a few photos but it clearly wasn't something she wanted to do on at least those nights."
A prior commitment, perhaps?
I imagine she'd be exhausted; not all performers are going to take their time to photograph and sign things for everyone waiting at the stage door.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
So does Norm. What's the big deal? Also, considering how exhausting the show must be, I'm sure we can forgive a few stage door occurrence where she doesn't stick around.
Jonart, when I took the backstage Phantom tour in Las Vegas, Tony Crivello mentioned that he had to get the makeup done for every show. I wouldn't be surprised if Norm Lewis has to have his redone as well, on a day when there are two shows.
There's a funny story about one of the Phantoms who popped outside (Hugh Panaro?) in makeup and, I guess, walked down the street. People supposedly freaked because they didn't realize it was makeup, although I'm a bit skeptical about that.
Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.