Ever have someone be rude at a stage door?

[yankeefan7]

Have not done the stage door thing often but I have never had anyone be rude. Some are more outgoing and friendly than others but I just think it is nice they even do it.

[nsguy45]

Tony Shaloub has bodyguards?

[nsguy45]

Wasn't Scarlett Johansson leaving via the front exit during Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to avoid the stage door?

[ghostlight2]

"Wasn't Scarlett Johansson leaving via the front exit during Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to avoid the stage door?"

How is that rude?

 

[BrodyFosse123]

During the original Broadway run of ANNIE at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre), Alice Ghostley (replacement Miss Hannigan), never stage doored.  As a young teenager I frequented ANNIE every few weeks (family member in the show), and Ghostley never left thru the stage door after a performance.  Everyone else did, even Bill Berloni, the trainer/dog wrangler of Sandy and her standby Arf.  

[Stage Door Sally]

As my screen name implies, I like stage dooring and have done it since I was a kid. I have been that gushing fan thrilled to hob knob for a moment with an actor I admire. I have also been more of a quiet, get the autograph and leave fan. I give huge props to actors that stage door. They don't have to and it's a huge lift for fans when they do. I have seen actors be super friendly at the stage door and I have seen rude, and I mean RUDE behavior - yes Constantine Maroulis and Bronson Pinchot, I'm talking to you. There may be many reasons why Tony Shalhoub was silent. So, I would just shrug it off. He's one of the good ones.

[quizking101]

nsguy45 said: "Wasn't Scarlett Johansson leaving via the front exit during Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to avoid the stage door?"

Maybe on some days, but I have a Playbill that I got hand-signed by her that says otherwise.

TBH, she was a bit cold, but it was also January, so I can't fault her.

- - - - - - -

But going back to the main thread, and like Stage Door Sally had said, Tony Shalhoub is one of the great ones. I've met him three times (Lend Me A Tenor, The Price, and The Band's Visit) and he was pleasant each and every time, especially at The Price, when it was closing night and he had an after-party to head to, but smiled and said "I have to go, but I'm going to sign very quickly for you guys". 

Each autograph I get is a nice touch. It doesn't make or break the experience for me at all, and it shouldn't for you guys.

[BWAY Baby2]

I collected autographs as a teenager- as an adult- I find it ridiculous.

[Leaf Coneybear]

In theory stagedooring is nice: it's a chance to thank the actors for their work and get a picture or autograph, and the actors get to meet some fans. It's not for everyone, actors and theater patrons alike. But I have to say it's really sad how crazy things have gotten. In Chicago whenever I see a show it's very calm, usually 10-20 people, no barricades, no security. You can have conversations with the actors and everyone is patient. But New York is a totally different story! At some shows (Waitress, Great Comet, Groundhog Day, Oh Hello) the crowds have been very contained, calm, and honestly just genuinely happy to see the actors. But some shows are just out of control. Actors are faced with the difficult decision of coming to the stagedoor and being a bit grumpy (understandably) and called rude, or not coming at all and being called rude. Not ideal.

[NievesG]

quizking101 said: "Also, another thing to remember is that some people may not sign during BC/EFA collections since they are selling signed stuff to collect donations. Someone near me tonight apparently got real salty (quietly, but loud enough for me to hear) and said “They better come out tonight” after overhearing someone who mentioned that practice happening at another show"

 

This makes me sad to hear I waited last Thursday and there were about 20 of us so the crowd wasn't crazy and everyone was so sweet. James McArdle joked with us about both of his accents as apparently some people were surprised to hear it; a couple gave Lee Pace flowers; and of course Garfield was extremely gracious and made sure to get to everyone. After a performance like that, I'd want to jump into my waiting car, too.

This thread makes me remember meeting Oliver Platt after Guys and Dolls (2009). There was literally no one outside and my mom wanted to wait. I was a freshman in high school at the time and extremely shy and Platt was just gushing to my mom about how he loves meeting young people after shows. Anyway, that's my trip down memory lane.

 

[quizking101]

NievesG said: "quizking101 said: "Also, another thing to remember is that some people may not sign during BC/EFA collections since they are selling signed stuff to collect donations. Someone near me tonight apparently got real salty (quietly, but loud enough for me to hear) and said “They better come out tonight” after overhearing someone who mentioned that practice happening at another show"



This makes me sad to hear I waited last Thursday and there were about 20 of us so the crowd wasn't crazy and everyone was so sweet. James McArdle joked with us about both of his accents as apparently some people were surprised to hear it; a couple gave Lee Pace flowers; and of course Garfield was extremely gracious and made sure to get to everyone. After a performance like that, I'd want to jump into my waiting car, too.

This thread makes me remember meeting Oliver Platt after Guys and Dolls (2009). There was literally no one outside and my mom wanted to wait. I was a freshman in high school at the time and extremely shy and Platt was just gushing to my mom about how he loves meeting young people after shows. Anyway, that's my trip down memory lane.

"

For what it's worth, Garfield, Pace, Gough, Stewart-Jarett, and Malone all came out last night and were lovely, and the crowd of about 50 was VERY well-behaved. This was just a small blip that I happened to catch wind of.

[meb0515]

I saw, “The Band’s Visit,” during previews and Tony Shaloub couldn’t be nicer. He was very receptive to my compliments and was happy to sign my Playbill. One of the praises I start with is complimenting the actor’s performance in the show that I’ve just seen. I also compliment the other work.

I agree with one of the other comments. Signing and pictures are not part of the job. It’s a nice perk but I wouldn’t hold anything against an actor/actress that doesn’t sign or is not responsive.

[sbflyfan]

 

[anislander]

Honestly, I think that it's hard to consider an actor rude if they come out the stage door in the first place. They are adding 15 minutes (at least) to their night just to sign autographs and talk to some fans. I stage door at pretty much every show I go to unless I have to be somewhere straight afterwards and have never encountered someone I would consider rude. If anything, they just clearly have somewhere to be and want to get through the line quickly. That's not rude. 

[Wayman_Wong]

It wasn't always this crazy at the stage door, and I blame social media and the incessant need of many people to document every moment of their life with selfies, etc. Also, social media gives some the mistaken notion that they are really friends with the performers, so they need to feel validated by a one-on-one encounter. Plus, throw in the wolf pack of autograph seekers who are looking to get stuff signed, so they can sell it on eBay. 

[UncleCharlie]

I had an actor, I probably shouldn't say who, at the stage door a few months ago after I asked him if he was enjoying doing live theater, pulled out a Glock, shoved the barrel in my mouth and said "Does it look like I'm enjoying it?' He then pulled the gun out of my mouth and said "Sorry man. I get a little wound up. Wanna take a selfie?" Best stage door experience, ever.

[LizzieCurry]

Heeyuck! Be sure to tip ya piano player!

[GoblinKing2]

I have stagedoored occasionally and saw Wicked this time around in New York and really wanted to say hi to Jackie, compliment her and get her autograph. I thought she was great that night and there’s a YouTube video of her killing No Good Deed that I absolutely love. But when the show got out, it was quarter till 11, cold, and I thought “aw man, just let the poor woman go home”and left. As I get older I’m amazed anyone stagedoors anymore, particularly someone like Idina who draws manic crowds. After what happened to Christine Grimmie, I don’t know how she could feel safe doing it...

[sbflyfan]

Jordan Catalano said: "Last week, Diana Rigg said she didn’t “have time to deal with all y’alls dumb ignant a$$es” and pulled out her iPhone and started taking pictures of fans saying “How you like this, huh? $hi!!!!!!!!!t, Bi!$h.”

But she’s british so I just assume that’s how it is over there."

I actually laughed out loud at this one. Thank you, Jordan.

[nsguy45]

Not rude, but awkward. In 1989, after a joint concert appearance by Barbara Cook and Mandy Patinkin at Symphony Hall in Boston. Barbara was besieged by fans at the stage door, not a soul approached Mandy.

[Dolly80]

This thread is so mean spirited. You have no idea what the actors day was like, or what they might be dealing with in their lives. They are paid to act on stage, not stand in an alley signing tat for sad stalkers who dribble all over them and demand selfies.
Get a grip.

[Jordan Catalano]

You should maybe take your own advice, as far as getting that grip goes.

[Dolly80]

No I’m ok thanks. I don’t stand outside stage door in tears because someone won’t sign my playbill or leaves through another door.

[starcatchers]

Dolly80 said: "This thread is so mean spirited. You have no idea what the actors day was like, or what they might be dealing with in their lives. They are paid to act on stage, not stand in an alley signing tat for sad stalkers who dribble all over them and demand selfies.
Get a grip."

The most mean spirited comment I’ve seen in this thread is yours...

[Dolly80]

I was merely inspired by the initial post to be mean.