Broadway fans who cross boundaries- Page 2

[newintown]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 8:09am

"You've never heard the phrase Stage Door Johnny?"

You've got your definition wrong - a "Stage Door Johnny" was never just a mundane fan or autograph hunter; it was used as slang for a certain kind of (generally) wealthy young man who would hang around the stage door, looking to meet actresses and chorus girls for either brief or long-term romance, beneficial to both parties, if you know what I mean.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 10:14am

dearalanaaaa said: "- That kid who saw Matilda 31 times, and now saw Dear Evan Hansen 14 times, including fan day"

OK, but how is this alone an incident? That's just going to a show... a lot, but just going to a show.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 10:20am

no, i knew exactly what it meant but I've never heard your added connotation: just wealthy men, OR a sugar daddy emphasis.  Young men who would hang around hoping to meet (and date) the gals they thought were cute from the stage.   

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 10:25am

The autograph hounds and hangers-on have been around for a good long time throughout the history of theatre and opera. Read the accounts of certain castrati (such as Farinelli) living like rock-star kings. Search eBay for vintage autograph books. The methods and ages of the celebrity seekers may have changed, but it's nothing new.

[binau]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 10:29am

jacksonpotter said: ""Theatre etiquette has deteriorated ever since the Hamilstans and the Fansens came along."

"

Haven’t people been saying this for years? Before these shows it was next to normal. And then before that Spring Awakening. And then before that Rent (maybe that was the ‘first&rsquo. Essentially any show that seems to attract a large following of anxiety-riddled teens and young college students appears to have occasional issues with theatre and stage door behaviour. Has it really got worse in the last 3 years? (It might have. But I’m not sure). 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 10:44am

Theatre etiquette has deteriorated ever since the Hamilstans and the Fansens came along.

You type surprisingly well for a four year-old.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 10:45am

Oh, please, the change in stage door expectations happened LONG before Hamilton and DEH.

[thebookofwhizzer]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 11:23am

One situation that really didn't sit well with me, a girl who went to see Kinky Boots (with Brendon Urie) and sat through the first act recording all his songs. Then gets up at intermission to get a good spot at the stage door, and then went back in to the theater lobby when Brendon sings "Soul of a Man" to record it through the door in the lobby and then goes back out to wait at the stage door until the show is over. Also at the beginning of the video she made (Telling everyone what she did) she notes that "recording it is illegal or whatever" but still proceeds to do it. 

Would like to note, she's not a Broadway fan per say, she was a fan of Brendon.

Updated On: 1/18/18 at 11:23 AM

[saraeo11]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 11:23am

I think it is awesome that we live in a time now where theatre connects to a younger audience. However, people need to realize that acting is a career. Actors don’t want to have the burden of knowing every single thing about your personal life. Especially since people think that they know everything about you, but they really only know your character. People assume that your personality is exactly like what they see on stage or screen. It is awesome for actors to receive support from fans, but there is a line you cross. I think that everyone should be exposed to theatre, also, but all ideas of theatre etiquette has been ruined due to a new community we have in the theatre.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 11:30am

Yes Newintown is correct. That is a stagedoor Johnny. Someone to wine, dine and throw cash around a beautiful chrous. Both get a wonderful time. 

In my opinion the stage door is not a time to make a friend or share one of your stories. It is the time to offer positive regard (brief) for the performance you just saw, get a signature, maybe a photo and say bye. You can smell the poor boundaries people from a mile away. 

There is a woman who I see that appears to be obsessed with Chad Kimball. She seems very unhinged. He seems to humor her though (probably for his safety.) She's a total mess and I've fought with her facebook. I really worry for some actors without the $$$ for protection. A working actor has to fend these nutters off themselves. 

[Dave28282]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 11:55am

bk said: "I've been lucky - the occasional PM or comment I get are very nice and I appreciate it. If anyone got weird they would be gone in a heartbeat because let me tell you, it can turn into stalker stuff very easily - I have a long-time stalker - she's here on this board so let's she if she has the gumption to try and post under whatever her username is now - you'll know it instantly."

That's bad. But you are a working actor on Broadway or a different field?

 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 12:49pm

I'd also turn it around and say that there are also certain well-regarded Broadway stars whose social media interactions with their fans makes me uncomfortable. Javier Munoz is one -- I have nothing but the utmost respect for him as an artist, but I've seen him needlessly be rude to or egg on fans on social media which causes a hot mess of deleted tweets and bad feelings. Cynthia Erivo is another. I also remember one time Laura Benanti took to social media to complain that she didn't get enough applause from an audience member in the front row.

 

[Rainah]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 1:27pm

I will call myself out here. I was at Comet with my GF, and they did the pre show warnings to keep hands/feet/bags out of the aisles and I turned to listen and burst out "Oh! You're Lulu Fall!" At which point she looked at me like I was absolutely crazy and said "Um... yes, I am" 

And then I had to quickly explain that I was familiar with her work from Hadestown and was just surprised that we got probably the one ensemblist I could name. She relaxed visibly as soon as she realised I wasn't about to follow it up with something creepy. Lesson to think before I speak haha. I was pretty mortified and apologized after the show. Distressingly, her response was "Don't worry I've gotten a lot worse/creepier"

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 2:04pm

LizzieCurry said: "dearalanaaaa said: "- That kid who saw Matilda 31 times, and now saw Dear Evan Hansen 14 times, including fan day"

OK, but how is this alone an incident? That's just going to a show... a lot, but just going to a show."

People are always complaining about this kid. Always. There are repeat attenders everywhere, but for some reason, this kid is the only one who gets flack for it. I have no idea why, but it seems really petty to me.

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 4:30pm

I'm a repeat attender at Wicked on tour and on Broadway. No one in the cast(s) have had issues with me but fellow fans have.

I do know some people that have crossed boundaries though and actually got themselves blocked on performers social media accounts.

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 4:34pm

mailhandler777 said: "I'm a repeat attender at Wicked on tour and on Broadway. No one in the cast(s) have had issues with me but fellow fans have."

That sounds like jealousy to me.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 4:35pm

mailhandler777 said: "I'm a repeat attender at Wicked on tour and on Broadway. No one in the cast(s) have had issues with me but fellow fans have."

Genuinely curious, since this is not my wheelhouse at all... what is the appeal for you? Do you stage door every time? I can understand seeing a show multiple times if you really love it, but have never really understood the appeal of stage dooring more than once (assuming the point of stagedooring in the first place is to briefly congratulate an actor and/or ask for a photo or autograph). If you don't mind my asking, what issues have fellow fans had? No judgement, my late-30s self just wants to understand this world better. 

 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 4:40pm

I have also been a repeat attender  at various shows but I rarely if ever stage door. If I do, I lurk in the back and maybe try and get a photo. I haven't gotten an autograph in years...it's not my thing.

So while it may be weird to some to see shows more than once...I'm sure it's not crossing any boundaries. You can see a show once and be annoying as heck.

[dearalanaaaa]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 4:41pm

By my earlier comment about the repeat attendees of DEH and Matilda, I did not mean to come off as jealous in any way. He does stagedoor Everytime which is what I was mainly getting at, where it starts to become creepy to do that. He might be a friend of Michael Lee Brown, which could be a reason, otherwise I don't think there is a reason for repetitively stagedooring.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 4:42pm

poisonivy2 said: " I also remember one time Laura Benanti took to social media to complain that she didn't get enough applause from an audience member in the front row.

"

I’m pretty sure this was extreme sarcasm coming from Benanti. 

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 9:28pm

JudyDenmark said: "mailhandler777 said: "I'm a repeat attender at Wicked on tour and on Broadway. No one in the cast(s) have had issues with me but fellow fans have."

Genuinely curious, since this is not my wheelhouse at all... what is the appeal for you? Do you stage door every time? I can understand seeing a show multiple times if you really love it, but have never really understood the appeal of stage dooring more than once (assuming the point of stagedooring in the first place is to briefly congratulate an actor and/or ask for a photo or autograph). If you don't mind my asking, what issues have fellow fans had? No judgement, my late-30s self just wants to understand this world better.

"

For me it's just being able to chat with them and interact a bit better than on social media. They(cast members) have often told me it's nice to see a familiar face there especially if they are in the middle of nowhere America. 

[Rainah]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 9:49pm

I've stagedoored Hamilton, a lot. Usually whenever I'm in NYC. I usually ask for a signature, make sure everyone around me got one (Or jumping out of the way for someone to take a photo, or offering to take it for them) and if I can offer the actor a specific compliment (While they are signing so I don't take up any extra time). 

I like collecting signatures. It's fun. I have a few pieces I've had for 2-3 years and have slowly been picking up signatures whenever an actor is in a show (or at an event where they are signing). It's cool to see my collection grow. I also like seeing the actors up close/a bit more relaxed, I like showing appreciation for their work and being able to give them a specific compliment (I am of the belief that there is no greater gift you can give an actor). 

I LIKE the distance between fan and actor, I have no desire to friend them on social media. Or, god forbid, make them feel stalked or like I'm taking up their time. I hate the fact that the stagedoor is something actors are feeling pressured to do even when they don't want to.

[Anakela]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 10:27pm

dearalanaaaa said: "By my earlier comment about the repeat attendees of DEH and Matilda, I did not mean to come off as jealous in any way. He does stagedoor Everytime which is what I was mainly getting at, where it starts to become creepy to do that. He might be a friend of Michael Lee Brown, which could be a reason, otherwise I don't think there is a reason for repetitively stagedooring."

How do you know he “does stagedoor every time” unless you’re also there often enough to see him every time?

It’s...odd...to complain about someone doing something ‘too much’ when the only reason the too much could be known is if there’s someone else there too much too. I feel bad for this kid. 

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 10:59pm

dearalanaaaa said: "By my earlier comment about the repeat attendees of DEH and Matilda, I did not mean to come off as jealous in any way. He does stagedoor Everytime which is what I was mainly getting at, where it starts to become creepy to do that. He might be a friend of Michael Lee Brown, which could be a reason, otherwise I don't think there is a reason for repetitively stagedooring."

Why do people care what other people do? If he's not hurting anyone why does it matter. Maybe he's like me and enjoys the interaction. I feel bad for this kid and I have no clue who he is. I personally don't care what people think of me and why I go to the stage door a lot. It's really no ones business.

[ermengarde]

Posted: 1/19/18 at 10:36am

There's just been a subculture of young adults who live in/around NYC and can afford (or rather their parents can afford) to see shows multiple times a month. And I'm talking full price tickets, not lottery or rush. And that of course leads to stagedooring every time and trying to become real life friends with them.

Also there's people referring to people as their mom/dad, to the point where I think I remember someone from Hamilton putting out a tweet that asked people to not refer to him as their son or dad.

And don't get me started on the real life "shippers". The people who think actors who are just friends should be dating and write fanfiction about them, sometimes even explicit!