Stage Door Incident - DEH

[CurtainUpNYC]

Hi all, 

I am new to this message board so please forgive me if I am positing this in the wrong area but I wanted to share a rather disturbing incident that took place at the stage door of DEH on Sunday evening post matinee. 

Taylor came out to sign for what seemed to be 300+ adoring fans, one of which was an older gentleman who must have been in his late 40's. He was demanding a photo with Taylor, Michael and Rachel whilst puffing on a ginormous fat black chunky cigar. This thing must have been at least 10 inches long and the amount of smoke pouring from it was intense. The stench of the cigar smoke was enough to make anybody feel sick.

When Taylor and Rachel refused a photo and commented on the cigar smoke, the guy went crazy and started shouting abuse and vitriol at the cast leading the security guard to escort them to their respective cars and drive off, leaving many fans disappointed and upset. I actually couldn't believe what I was seeing and the guy just stood there puffing hard on his cigar. 

Was anybody else in attendance and saw what happened? I can't believe events such as the one I have described actually happen at stage doors. No wonder actors are reluctant to come out and sign after the show.

 

[sdrick]

CurtainUpNYC said: "Hi all,

I am new to this message board so please forgive me if I am positing this in the wrong area but I wanted to share a rather disturbing incident that took place at the stage door of DEH on Sunday evening post matinee.

Taylor came out to sign for what seemed to be 300+ adoring fans, one of which was an older gentleman who must have been in his late 40's. He was demanding a photo with Taylor, Michael and Rachel whilst puffing on a ginormous fat black chunky cigar. This thing must have been at least 10 inches long and the amount of smoke pouring from it was intense. The stench of the cigar smoke was enough to make anybody feel sick.

When Taylor and Rachel refused a photo and commented on the cigar smoke, the guy went crazy and started shouting abuse and vitriol at the cast leading the security guard to escort them to their respective cars and drive off, leaving many fans disappointed and upset. I actually couldn't believe what I was seeing and the guy just stood there puffing hard on his cigar.

Was anybody else in attendance and saw what happened? I can't believe events such as the one I have described actually happen at stage doors. No wonder actors are reluctant to come out and sign after the show.

Sorry you had to witness behavior that can mar your evening at the theatre.  Low class behavior.

 

[dearalanaaaa]

CurtainUpNYC said: "Hi all,

I am new to this message board so please forgive me if I am positing this in the wrong area but I wanted to share a rather disturbing incident that took place at the stage door of DEH on Sunday evening post matinee.

Taylor came out to sign for what seemed to be 300+ adoring fans, one of which was an older gentleman who must have been in his late 40's. He was demanding a photo with Taylor, Michael and Rachel whilst puffing on a ginormous fat black chunky cigar. This thing must have been at least 10 inches long and the amount of smoke pouring from it was intense. The stench of the cigar smoke was enough to make anybody feel sick.

When Taylor and Rachel refused a photo and commented on the cigar smoke, the guy went crazy and started shouting abuse and vitriol at the cast leading the security guard to escort them to their respective cars and drive off, leaving many fans disappointed and upset. I actually couldn't believe what I was seeing and the guy just stood there puffing hard on his cigar.

Was anybody else in attendance and saw what happened? I can't believe events such as the one I have described actually happen at stage doors. No wonder actors are reluctant to come out and sign after the show.

"

I'm so sorry to hear that happened to you! Unfortunately, this is one of the worst stagedoors I've seen or been to in quite awhile. On Platt's last day, there was a massive amount of pushing and people waiting outside before the show even let out, and I saw several teens waiting BEFORE the show for people to come in and get photos. Back in June, it was tolerable at best, but now I would refuse to go there unless I had a very good reason. I heard lots of other incidents, but this is a terrible stagedoor overall. Applause to security for dealing with all of these people and troublemakers!

[broadwaynerdnewbie]

dearalanaaaa said: "CurtainUpNYC said: "Hi all,

I am new to this message board so please forgive me if I am positing this in the wrong area but I wanted to share a rather disturbing incident that took place at the stage door of DEH on Sunday evening post matinee.

Taylor came out to sign for what seemed to be 300+ adoring fans, one of which was an older gentleman who must have been in his late 40's. He was demanding a photo with Taylor, Michael and Rachel whilst puffing on a ginormous fat black chunky cigar. This thing must have been at least 10 inches long and the amount of smoke pouring from it was intense. The stench of the cigar smoke was enough to make anybody feel sick.

When Taylor and Rachel refused a photo and commented on the cigar smoke, the guy went crazy and started shouting abuse and vitriol at the cast leading the security guard to escort them to their respective cars and drive off, leaving many fans disappointed and upset. I actually couldn't believe what I was seeing and the guy just stood there puffing hard on his cigar.

Was anybody else in attendance and saw what happened? I can't believe events such as the one I have described actually happen at stage doors. No wonder actors are reluctant to come out and sign after the show.

"

I'm so sorry to hear that happened to you! Unfortunately, this is one of the worst stagedoorsI've seen or been to in quite awhile. On Platt's last day, there was a massive amount of pushing and people waiting outside before the show even let out, and I saw several teens waiting BEFORE the show for people to come in and get photos. Back in June, it was tolerable at best, but now I would refuse to go there unless I had a very good reason. I heard lots of other incidents, but this is a terrible stagedoor overall. Applauseto security for dealing with all of these people and troublemakers!"

Oh man I was there for Platt’s Last day and that was just a mess. Like I didn’t even want to stick around I just wanted to leave but it was hard to get around people there. People at the stagedoor that entire weekend were rude as hell (I went for the weekend) and were super annoyed he didn’t sign at all his last weekend. I mean they weren’t even grateful that he gave a small speech the Saturday weekend night show. I’ve been lucky that other than that weekend I had really good expierences at the SD.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

CurtainUpNYC said "an older gentleman who must have been in his late 40's."

That actually made me laugh.

[dramamama611]

^Yup, me too.    

 

I'm sure SOMEONE captured it on their phone and will be on social media soon.

[thresholdofrevelation]

I'm so sorry that that happened to you! I saw DEH on 2017's Superbowl Sunday and Platt, Faist, Roland, Lloyd, Park, Thompson, and Dreyfuss all came out but people were generally respectful, and I was very happy with people's general stage door ethic. However, I saw Kinky Boots May 26, 2017 which was Brendon Urie's first night and it was first night and it was horrible (though  guess that's to be expected). There was a lot of pushing and shoving from all directions and people were scrambling to the front to get to the actors. People ignored the other actors from the show, and there were a lot who left the show during bows and even some before bows, just during the final song (And I hear that this was an issue during Brendon's whole run). Many people at stage door hadn't even seen the show but just wanted to see Brendon, and they had their arms all over my face and they kept screaming. I did end up getting photo and signature from Urie, but it was such an ordeal that I'm sure it was worth it. I know that this behavior continued to the point where Urie had to stop going to stage door. Bad stage door stories are disheartening to hear, I'd like to think that us theatre fans are better than this, but the past few stage doors I've been to have been very nice in the attitude of actors and fans alike, which I am very pleased to see. Hopefully instances like these become few and far between, but anytime an actor becomes as popular as Platt or Urie, there will unfortunately be more instances like these.

[the sentinnel2]

i worked security during Brendan Urie's time at kinky boots. that first night was a disaster as we did not know what we were in for. after that first night we had a better understanding of what we would have to deal with. over the next ten weeks it was hectic but controlled as much as two security guys and Brendan's security guy Zach could control. We also tried to keep an area saved for people who were actually watching the show but some of the unticketed complained that we were mean so we were told not to do it anymore. I worked How to Succede with Dan, Darren and Nick and it was a little more orderly because we were assisted by the police who controlled the street and each of their drivers stayed at the theater while the show went on so we could put barriers on either side of the stage door and they could go right to their car after signing, unticketed fans were kept on one side of the stage door and the area near the theater exits were kept for ticket holders who were watching the show, we had three guards for how to succede and one would check tickets to allow entrance to that spot. it was fun but hectic and the kids who came to show were better behaved than the adults who brought them.

[UncleCharlie]

Was it this guy again?

[Browneyes142]

I'm sorry that happened. Sounds very unpleasant for all involved. Thankfully, I saw DEH in previews. There were maybe 20 of us at stage door.

The smallest stage door I ever did was Indecent after they extended. There were two of us. Got to have great conversations with the actors who were truly grateful for the fans that helped them get extended.

The worst I ever saw was The Great Comet. I went during Oke's run but after the controversy. It was so crazy I couldn't stand to stay there. The security guard mentioned that during the show, someone had stolen the wrap (not sure the right word for the giant graphics covering the doors)from one of the doors.

[EthelMae]

Sounds ghastly and the reason actors don’t come out or go out a back way.
As someone noted here, when there are only a few people waiting, it can be a delightful experience. I’m thinking YEARS ago before all social media, cell phones and cameras, etc. I remember having wonderful conversations about the theatre after a performance with the late Victoria Mallory and Tony winning Patricia Elliott of A Little Night Music-original cast-at the stage door as well as getting their autograph, having Ken Jennings, of the OBC of Sweeney Todd, take me backstage and chatting with Valerie Harper after a performance when she went into The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.
But this was back when there were very few people waiting after. People didn’t even know where some Stage Doors were located.
I know it’s different now and maybe because I’m old(er) or because of today’s hysteria and bad behavior in the theatregoing experience all around, I would never wait after a show anymore. I leave, hopefully smiling, and if I feel the need to absolutely reach out to an actor, we do have so many other ways these days to do that.

[EthelMae]

Sounds ghastly and the reason actors don’t come out or go out a back way.
As someone noted here, when there are only a few people waiting, it can be a delightful experience. I’m thinking YEARS ago before all social media, cell phones and cameras, etc. I remember having wonderful conversations about the theatre after a performance with the late Victoria Mallory and the late Tony winning Patricia Elliott of A Little Night Music-original cast-at the stage door as well as getting their autograph, having Ken Jennings, of the OBC of Sweeney Todd, take me backstage and chatting with Valerie Harper after a performance when she went into The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.
But this was back when there were very few people waiting after. People didn’t even know where some Stage Doors were located.
I know it’s different now and maybe because I’m old(er) or because of today’s hysteria and bad behavior in the theatregoing experience all around, I would never wait after a show anymore. I leave, hopefully smiling, and if I feel the need to absolutely reach out to an actor, we do have so many other ways these days to do that-and the Actors I’ve contacted through Facebook, have been so polite and pleased in their responses to me. It’s a civilized way to express your appreciation of them for all their hard work. 

 

[Danielle49]

The Dear Evan Hansen stage door is the worst I have ever been at - it was Ben Platt's final weekend, which maybe added to it, but regardless it was hellish. There were tons of people who didn't see the show. About ten people near me had seen the show about 7 times each but apparently showed up most days of the week to the stage door to fuel their Ben Platt fan pages. (A conversation I heard them have.) I assumed the madness would end after Platt left, but I guess not.

[CurtainUpNYC]

UncleCharlie said: Was it this guy again?

 

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!