Famous People You Have Spotted at Broadway Shows

[romain2]

So we were at the Saturday, May 30 evening performance of An American in Paris when in walked Bill and Hillary Clinton.  This caused quite a stir to say the least.

At other shows I have seen in the audience:  Whoopi Goldberg at Waiting for Godot (sat right behind her), Nicole Kidman at Jerusalem, director Steven Soderbergh at The Play What I Wrote, David Schwimmer at (oops, can't remember which show), and others.

Who are some famous people you have seen in the audience for Broadway shows?

[Jordan Catalano]

The MOST famous person I've ever seen at the theater was Streisand at a performance of PORGY & BESS. But I see celebs at theater all the time. 

[fb1123]

Katherine Hepburn and Shelley Winters in the 80's.

More recently, Jon Voight, Woody Harrelson, Oprah, Rudy Giuliani.

"Buried Child" play author and actor Sam Shepard kneeled beside me during previews

[Brian07663NJ]

Barbara Walters sat behind me at Hello, Dolly!

[Jordan Catalano]

I see Sondheim frequently at the theater and more often than not, I end up sitting right in front of him which always makes me nervous and I can't concentrate on whatever I'm watching since all I can think about is how The Lord is 2 feet away from me. 

[LizzieCurry]

I saw Reba McEntire at Mormon during its first year. And I saw Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio at Jersey Boys in Las Vegas (it was their second anniversary).

[Kad]

I've seen Sondheim as such varied things as Into the Woods in the Park and, most recently, Clinton the Musical.

I saw Sandra Bullock & Sting at Book of Mormon a few years ago, Frank Langella at Hair, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt and many others at the Public.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Rita Moreno (looking terrific)  sat two rows in front of me at a performance of THE BEST MAN, and last September, just a few months before he died, Mike Nichols and Diane Sawyer were sitting with Tom Stoppard at a performance of his play INDIAN INK. Lots of others through the years ......

[Jordan Catalano]

Every time I see Diane Sawyer at the theater, I think "My God, this is the most stunningly beautiful woman I've ever seen in person". 

[lotiloti]

What a sad thread!

[Kad]

Your opinion has been noted.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

I saw Michael Urie, Laura Osnes, and Victor Garber at "The King and I" yesterday.

Oh, Victor. What a fox. 

[mar6411]

I saw Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban at a performance of Stuff Happens at the Public.

[phantomcrazy14]

Susan Sarandon and her sons sat next to me at Fun Home a few weeks ago. And Audra McDonald was across the aisle fro me at The Last Ship. 

[ClydeBarrow]

It seems that I've been to a few shows that other BWW posters attended. I saw Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban at JERUSALEM and Sondheim at CLINTON (also INTO THE WOODS but the one at the Roundabout).

The number of celebs I've seen at the theatre is countless but recently Michelle Pfeiffer (who is STUNNING in person), Jimmy Fallon and Andrea Burns at HAMILTON and America Ferrera at PERMISSION. 

The biggest sighting for me was seeing Dolly Parton at one of the last performances of BONNIE & CLYDE. She was the only person I've really been awestruck by seeing and I almost wanted to talk to her.

[pc1145N2]

I've seen many famous people at shows over the years. One of my favorite moments (and sightings) was waiting at the doors to enter the theatre for "Drowsy Chaperone," turning my head to tell something to my friend and seeing Tyne Daly directly behind him. Wow! We both tried to act cool but I'm sure we failed.

However, the most famous people I've seen at a show at one time was when I went to see BOM during previews. At the show were Kate Hudson, Michelle Williams, Gerald Butler, Toby Maguire and Leonardo Dicaprio.

[RaiseYouUp]

This is not Broadway, but Audra McDonald was in the audience for the opening night (or I guess first preview) of Bull Durham in Atlanta to support her husband in the show. That was cool!

[Hairspray0901]

Most recently, at Hand to God, I saw Sutton Foster. At The Elephant Man, Steven Spielberg was sitting two rows ahead of me and I saw Katie Holmes in the lobby during intermission. In January at On The Town, I was sitting across the aisle from Jerry Stiller (they also called him out for the start of act 2).

A few years ago I was standing behind Didi Conn in the bathroom line at the Al Hirschfeld (I forget which show, though). I also Lance Bass at Priscilla. 

[veronicamae]

Hillary Clinton at Matilda.

[Magalamb]

Idina and Taye when they were still together at Romeo & Juliet.

[Mister Matt]

Gladys Knight* - Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk
Dina Merrill - Chicago revival
Richard Dreyfuss* - Titanic
Barbara Barrie - Amadeus revival
George & Barbara Bush - A Little Night Music (Houston Grand Opera)
Hank Azaria* - The Full Monty
Steve Balsamo - Peggy Sue Got Married (London)

Sandra Bernhard* - Closer to Heaven (London)
Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Beautiful Game (London)
Marvin Zindler - The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (tour)
Danny Devito and Rhea Perlman - The Pillowman
Alex Kapp Horner - Mary Poppins (tour)
Neil LaBute - In a Forest Dark and Deep (London)
Jerry Mitchell - Kinky Boots (tryout)

*chatted with them

 

[jnb9872]

I, too, have seen many famous people at shows but my favorite interaction was with Penn Jillette at REASONS TO BE PRETTY.

I walked up to him (it's hard not to notice him, especially since he was on an aisle seat in front of me) at intermission and told him I had been a big fan of his work and he'd been an inspiration to me. He thanked me and immediately offered me one of his Milk Duds. I do enjoy celebrities with their heads on straight.

[JRybka]

She may not be "famous" to some but I totally geeked out when I sat right behind Ute Lemper and got to talk to her during intermission during Chicago.  And then I was stretching and this older gentleman was standing next to me and was asking me what i thought about Chicago and seeing as i have now seen this production (on Broadway) 8 times, I spoke of my love for it etc etc... Then as i started to walk away, someone informed me it was Barry Weissler. 

[playbill-love]

Sondheim at Heathers. Zachary Quinto right in front of us at curious Incident.

[MegInManhattan]

The Clintons (Bill, Hillary and Chelsea) at "All The Way" last year. Having the secret service presence caused an extra stir compared to most celebrities, and them being at a presidential themed play felt like a special moment.