Boys in the Band Stagedoor- Page 2

[Sarah329]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 4:31pm

I stagedoored a few weeks ago on a Wednesday matinee. Brian, Michael, and Robin all came out and took pictures. We waited around 30 minutes and those three were the only ones who came out. I might go back because I reaaally wanted to meet Matt and Andrew.

[Lg48432]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 10:29am

Back in June I was lucky enough that all the guys except parsons came out. I went to a Tuesday night. Today was very very different. First off, Parsons foot should be healed enough to stage door right? The first thing the guard said was I don’t know who will come out. Jim is a given to not. He might not be coming out regularly for the rest of the run.

Note * I didn’t actually stand at the barricade but I was standing way behind it waiting for a friend and then a car to go back to JFK so I saw it all.

On the note of Parsons, I have heard that a few people have noticed him leaving the theatre as all the people watching are also slowly leaving - out the front door. Hiding in plain sight basically. I can’t confirm this - I didn’t go and stand there and try to find Waldo basically,

I was at the midnight showing but also was there early enough to see the stage door after the 8PM show. Tuk Watkins, Michael Benjamin Washington , Robin de Jesus and Brian Richardson all came out.

After the midnight show the first one lit the door was Matt but he literally ran by with a smile and wave, it was really strange to see him do that bc when I was there he spent a good amount of time at the stage door. Andrew came out and talked to a group of people ( not stagedooring) that he obviously knew for a good 15 minutes and then quickly signed some Playbills when then escorted directly to a car waiting for him. Quinto came out, waved and security followed him as well bc he came outside the barricade and was speaking to a few people he knew. Security was close enough that no one approached him: Then he was also led to a car with his partner - who came out with some other people behind him.

I was waiting at the edge of Schubert Alley and 45th and that’s where I saw all the guys escorted into cars ( except Bomer bc he ran by too fast for my head to figure out what just happened and no clue on Parsons or Carver actually)

Of course, Michael Benjamin Washington , Tuk Watkins, Brian Richardson and Robin De Jesus came and sighed and did photos.

A security guard was telling a friend that the guys have been really fickle about coming out bc a week or two ago there was a fan that stage doored 12 days in a row and obviously hadn’t seen the show but kept bringing things each time for the guys to sign. Homemade craft type things. And eventually the guys and security made the decision to ask him to not come back because something weird was going on. He said some of the really intense fans have due to the kind of fame a big part of the cast has ( the intense intense boundary less fans that make it hard for other fans to just get a picture anymore with someone or autograph. It’s pretty sad. Security tonight was ridiculously tight when it came to the actors. They never left their sides to keep the fans away while they were talking to someone they knew or something.

So, I would say, Michael Benjamin Washington , Robin De Jesus, Tuc Watkins and Brian Richardson are pretty much a given and will spend time to chat and stuff.. Carver seems to come out a lot too. Andrew signed tonight but by signed I think he spent less than 5 minutes making his way down the barricade and at the end went straight to a car.

Parsons : good luck. If you caught him before the broken foot: you were lucky. If you catch him before closing night - you’re even luckier. I wouldn’t try and stalk him at the front door bc...boundaries?

Bomer has gone from 10! Love my fans to 6 or so with I love my fans but some of you have scared me and I’m tired and want to go home. From what I’ve seen; he moved down the barricade a lot quicker.

Quinto : I apparently was really lucky that he stayed to sign when I was stagedooring June 5 when I went the first time. So, like Parsons - he seems to be more likely to wave hi / bye without stopping but he does sometimes stop.

Did I miss anyone?

[moira8]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 12:11pm

I was a the mignightd showing last night, and was actually surprised to see a barricade when I got out of the theater. I didn't wait for anyone to come out because I can't wait to go home and sleep. So kudos to the actors who came out and took time to sign and post for pics and chat with fans, but I can certainly understand those who just wanted to go home. They've had a long day with two shows with just a couple of hours of rest in between.

[Lauren2]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 12:39pm

I am pretty sure I was standing next to the person (crazy fan) that you were talking about when I went to see it and ended up stage dooring. Not exactly sure but I am pretty sure they were a female. But no it was a little creepy, they wouldn’t stop talking about the play, stage dooring and meeting the actors. They had gone I would say 8-10 times before that show and was going more after that day as well. I went to a matinee and the person even told most of the actors they were coming back tonight. I also saw them at Harry Potter another day as well so I just think they are a Broadway stalker in general but definitely loved Boys in the Band.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 1:19pm

When I saw it June 23rd and stagedoored after, I was sitting in front right Orchestra against the wall so by time I got out I was a few rows from the barricade. There were 3 or 4 ladies who had stagedoored the show several times. In fact, I think that night was the first time that they had actually seen the show. I was nice to them though as they handed my playbill up with theirs to be signed. I wonder if these are same fans people are talking about. They didn’t seem particularly scary although I’ve never stagedoored a show more than once and have never stagedoored a show I didn’t see right before. The closest I came was when I went into Junior’s on a cold November afternoon to warm up with a hot chocolate (with Bailey’s, natch) or two. When I left I exited through the back/side entrance to avoid the crowd waiting to be seated. When I walked out, there was a huge, cheering crowd. It was Bradley Cooper signing and taking pics after The Elephant Man. I took a couple blurry photos/videos from a distance and moved on. Lol

Updated On: 7/27/18 at 01:19 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 2:39pm

broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "see my NEW picture as my avatar...that is me and Charlie Carver at the stage door after an amazing performance just last June...he even knew which way the lighting would be better for our selfie...such a cutie!!"

Tip for everyone else: If Mr. Carver offers to take the pic for you, LET HIM. He's really good at, and he will tell you so. I trusted him to take mine and it turned out to be my best pic of the night.

[Lot666]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 2:55pm

Lg48432 said: "the guys have been really fickle about coming out bc a week or two ago there was a fan that stage doored 12 days in a row and obviously hadn’t seen the show but kept bringing things each time for the guys to sign. Homemade craft type things."

This sort of behavior really irks me. If you're going to stage door, I think you should exhibit minimal standards of respect and courtesy, which include having actually seen the show and only asking the performer to sign things that are related to that performance (e.g., ticket, Playbill, program, or window card).

At the Harry Potter stage door on Sunday, there was a person standing next to me who presented every single cast member with a notebook of sorts in which they asked the performer to (and I'm quoting) "Sign your name, and then underneath it write your favorite line from your character". I felt so sorry for the actors, as they tried to disguise their amazement at how inappropriate this request was. Some of them quickly scribbled something in the notebook so that they could continuing moving down the incredibly long barricade line, while others just sort of threw their hands up and shrugged their shoulders as if to say, "I just can't even".

[Lauren2]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 3:04pm

Oh that’s really weird! That stage door was great tho and they were all great. Like Paul will legit talk with you, Sam with the guy who plays Amos and the guy that plays Sorting Hat. I did ask the main characters what their favorite illusion was but I heard in a interview that Sam literally likes being asked that and will answer and he did. But they are all so sweet and will make conversation. The one problem I had was actually with other people in line.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 5:29pm

Lot666 said: "broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "see my NEW picture as my avatar...that is me and Charlie Carver at the stage door after an amazing performance just last June...he even knew which way the lighting would be better for our selfie...such a cutie!!"

Tip for everyone else: If Mr. Carver offers to take the pic for you, LET HIM. He's really good at, and he will tell you so. I trusted him to take mine and it turned out to be my best pic of the night."

and we both have the proof to prove it...

[Lg48432]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 5:46am

Agreed, my photo with Charlie Carver was very good ( it was photobombed by 2 older ladies - literally waving at the camera but Carver knows how to take selfies and is really sweet) when I asked, he was like - here, it’ll be better if I take it and out of all the photos , other than the photo I had taken outside the barricade so a friend took it. He joked that yeah, selfies are better that way and it’s a good idea ... until I drop someone’s phone. He was really sweet. But, this was back on June 5th - early in the production. I didn’t think but I should have had Joe Mantello sign my playbill because during the midnight showing, he flew in from LA to see it and he was sitting behind me.

But, it has been a pretty obvious change of energy at the stage door with the actors. The ones I mentioned that basically always find out still take their time and will talk to you , etc. The others if they come out move down the barridcade very efficiently. I think they still sign all the Playbills or whatever when it’s in front of them but they’ve obviously got the stage door “how to do this quickly, efficiently and also smile and say thanks one million times”

But, if anyone has seen photographs on Instagram : you can notice the difference in how many actors are coming out.

Also, just my opinion on Parsons , he was my favorite before I saw the play. I slightly disagree and I think Quinto is amazing but I do agree that the connection with Parsons character was weaker than expected. But back to Parsons, I’ve broken my foot exactly how he did and he broke his foot 2 months ago. If anyone saw his latest interview on Jimmy Fallon, he kind of dances up and actually does a little kick with that foot. Yes, I know he is on it on stage in special shoes but I would honestly expect him to be back at the stage door by now. Or at the least to walk by and say hi. I do know, yes : stage dooring is not part of the role in acting on Broadway and Parsons has some very Uhm “intense” fans and I’ve heard most people that mention him also mention Sheldon and I’ve seen an incident where he’s been called that at the play and of course during interviews- I normally hear someone in the audience scream Bazinga or Sheldon so I can understand him not wanting to come out on such an important groundbreaking personal play and have another role he’s played thrown in his face. I just do wish he would at least say hi but that’s just my thoughts. I understand why it’s probably just much easier to leave after the play and wind down without all the energy at the stage door because he still has a lot of fans at the stage door but now quite as many as before.

The amount of people at the stage door is also a bit less ( I think ) from when the play was just starting.

But yes, I also notice many people who haven’t seen the stage just waiting at the stage door ... BEFORE the barricade is even put up. And even after, I’ve heard people admit that they bought the playbill from eBay but haven’t seen the play.

I stage doored only on June 5 but I’ve seen posts on IG and from what I saw on the night of the midnight show and from what the guard said to me while I was waiting for my cab really made me mad and sad that some crazed fans have cost other people the opportunity to meet some of the cast. I’ve grateful to have said hi and have pictures with everyone except Parsons but it’s not very common anyone that everyone comes out. I expected everyone to come out quickly after the special midnight performance but if I had stage doored that night, I would have been disappointed to see Matt just run by , Andrew laughing and talking to a group of people right next to the barricade and then just sign quickly and leave. Quinto just waved and stood right outside the barricade but talking to someone 15 or minutes and leave without saying bye to the fans again. The atmosphere has just changed a lot from 2 months ago.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 8:27am

i am really just amazed at how people here are sort of complaining about the lack of enthusiasm the cast of BOYS now has for the stage door...here we are nearing the end of an exhausting run and what do they expect...the stage door is a gift no matter who shows up or doesn't...yes i would have loved telling MATT BOMER how much i loved him in WHITE COLLAR...and yes i would have loved telling JIM PARSONS how i have watched TBBT more times on reruns then i care to admit...but you know what i was thrilled with the men who came out that night i saw this Brilliant production...i did not think about those who did not come out...

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 8:33am

Lg48432 said: "I’ve broken my foot exactly how he did and he broke his foot 2 months ago. If anyone saw his latest interview on Jimmy Fallon, he kind of dances up and actually does a little kick with that foot. Yes, I know he is on it on stage in special shoes but I would honestly expect him to be back at the stage door by now. "

It might be sort of how JCM kept Hedwig injured for the duration of the run after he messed up his knee. By the end, he was clearly able to do the whole show again, but I think it was making sure the audience who saw him with the cast didn't think they were getting less of a performance, so he made the choice to finish the run with the altered book to account for Hedwig's injury, etc.

So, perhaps Parsons feels he didn't sign for half of the run because of his injury, so he should make it fair for all of those people by not signing for anyone? It isn't a stretch to imagine people seeing pics of him signing now online and bitching that he didn't do it when they went, etc. And if he's not a huge fan of signing, it may not have been a difficult path to justify, heh.

[amoni]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 12:37pm

Saw the show on the 4th of July matinee, no evening show scheduled. Walked out of the box office after picking up tickets to see a white SUV coming into the alley. It was Parsons. There were three, I repeat 3 people standing there waiting for him, one was a pro (you know what I mean, has the bag full of 8 x 10's) the other two were together and had the show's windowcard. The couple were ultra polite, "Excuse me Mr.Parsons.... Parsons walked straight to the stage door passing the three and ignored them as if they weren't there.

Yes, I know, before all the "he doesn't owe anyone a signature" advocates start squawking, I agree. What he does owe anyone is acknowledgement that someone is a fellow human and is talking to you. I talked to them and they were proud that this was a full out cast in an iconic play finally on Broadway and will be framing the windowcard to hang. As long as I was in the alley after the show, they got everyone but Parson who didn't come out. They said they may try to get him before the run is over. My respect level for Parsons evaporated that day. Not everyone is out to make money off him. The best I ever heard a celeb rebuff autograph seekers was a calm Liam Neeson with a "Sorry Fellas, I don't do that", and everyone understood. BUT he saw them.

[JayElle]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 1:45pm

Understandably, cast members tired of the aggressiveness and self-dealing.  On multiple occasions, security said Parsons felt threatened, and from what I saw this past week, I can understand that.  Zac Quinto apparently has had enough as well.  I was there several times pre-show watching from a distance.  When an actor walks towards the door with head down, stiff-shouldered, accompanied by a body guard or talking on the phone, that body language says it all.  One clueless girl said, "he was on the phone." I replied, "yes to keep from talking to us.  Wasn't it obvious?"

Yes, the regular Fantastic Four emerge to support the fans and carry the load for the remaining cast who do not. But even lately, Michael Benjamin has tired. 

 I suggested to the security head they adopt the same routine as Springsteen. Fans with ticket stubs  on one side of the barrier. Those without on the other. No selfie sticks. That would keep some of the pros away. And refuse to sign multiple copies of the playbill or materials unrelated to the show. The night I obtained Quinto's graph on my poster, security announced in advance that he would not take selfies so don't ask.  When inconsiderate fans asked for a selfie anyway, Quinto turned around and went back inside for security to reinforce the policy. Then he reemerged.  Limitations may only net something, but something is better than nothing which is what it is now.  

The inconsiderate behavior of many has made it bad for everyone.  Tuc commented to one person that she asked him to sign a playbill from Phantom....Duh???   Would seem to me if they set and enforce strict ground rules at the outset,  perhaps the situation would be more tolerable for the cast.  Sometimes you just got to call out the rude behavior of folks like the Ebay seller and others.

 

[mikem]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 2:11pm

I wonder if Parsons might have reacted differently if the autograph dealer hadn't been there (and the autograph dealer might have been waiting for him multiple times before).  I believe he signed regularly for all his prior Broadway shows, so I think he's fan-friendly in general.

[Danielle49]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 2:45pm

Yikes. I didn't realize how bad this stage door has gotten. I went to one of the first previews and everyone came out but I missed Andrew Rannells, the main draw for me to attend the show. I did something I hadn't done before or since: I went to the stage door the next day to see if I could catch him then (also missed him at Falsettos back in 2016). I kept my head down the whole time because I felt like one of them would recognize me from the day before. Wouldn't you know it that Rannells was the only one who didn't come out. I don't see how fans could come day after day like that. It's weird to say the least.

The stage door has always been an extreme environment, but with the celebrity culture only becoming more crazed and lack of etiquette (or awareness that there is an etiquette) when it comes to performers, I'm surprised actors come out at all.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/28/18 at 3:21pm

I'm really surprised Andrew Rannells comes out infrequently now. When I went (late June) the security guards mentioned that he's one of the people who "always" comes out.

[Lg48432]

Posted: 7/29/18 at 12:48am

amoni said: "Saw the show on the 4th of July matinee, no evening show scheduled. Walked out of the box office after picking up tickets to see a white SUV coming into the alley. It was Parsons. There were three, I repeat 3 people standing there waiting for him, one was a pro (you know what I mean, has the bag full of 8 x 10's) the other two were together and had the show's windowcard. The couple were ultra polite, "Excuse me Mr.Parsons.... Parsons walked straight to the stage door passing the three and ignored them as if they weren't there.

Yes, I know, before all the "he doesn't owe anyone a signature" advocates start squawking, I agree. What he does owe anyone is acknowledgement that someone is a fellow human and is talking to you. I talked to them and they were proud that this was a full out cast in an iconic play finally on Broadway and will be framing the windowcard to hang. As long as I was in the alley after the show, they got everyone but Parson who didn't come out. They said they may try to get him before the run is over. My respect level for Parsons evaporated that day. Not everyone is out to make money off him. The best I ever heard a celeb rebuff autograph seekers was a calm Liam Neeson with a "Sorry Fellas, I don't do that", and everyone understood. BUT he saw them."

Was he wearing his boot? I’ve seen paparazzi photos of him ( via Instagram so I’m not sure how accurate the dates are ) from mid July where he’s seen walking around with his husband without a boot. 

Also, I rarely hear Parsons brought up without the word Sheldon or The Big Bang Theory and I can imagine not wanting to continue dealing with fans who aren’t there to see him for his excellent theatre work in this groundbreaking show but to meet “Sheldon Cooper” 

But, I still wish he would acknowledge his fans. He’s seemed quite friendly in the past. I wonder who has made him feel threatened. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/29/18 at 1:26am

I think Parsons mentioned in an interview on one of the late-nights that the boot was no longer entirely necessary, but has now a pair of orthopedic shoes for support.

[BroadwayBoy214]

Posted: 7/31/18 at 5:38pm

mikem said: "I wonder if Parsons mighthave reacted differently if the autograph dealer hadn't been there (and the autograph dealer might have been waiting for him multiple times before). I believe he signed regularly for all his prior Broadway shows, so I think he's fan-friendly in general."

 

I tried one time at Studio 54 before Harvey, and was alone with my playbill and he just walked right by without even looking at me lol.  I know he didn’t have too and that’s fine, but some sort of acknowledgement would have been nice. 

In the past, he usually signed after the play. It was always quick but he was still nice enough to do it everyday.

Updated On: 7/31/18 at 05:38 PM

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 7/31/18 at 5:47pm

"What he does owe anyone is acknowledgement that someone is a fellow human and is talking to you"

No, no he doesn't.  You don't know him, his life, what he's been through, or how he is feeling. He does not need to talk to or look at anyone, ever.  The entitlement on this thread is disturbing.  

Updated On: 7/31/18 at 05:47 PM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 7/31/18 at 6:07pm

As someone who has been on the receiving end of an ignored response, a smart aleck response, a nasty response and a roll of eyes response I don't know which is worse.  I think if I had to choose which negative response to receive, I would pick,receiving an ignored response.  But I disagree with entitlement.  If one is polite in their asking and not demanding or rude, at the very least what is wrong with replying "no sorry".  Or "not today".   Even Samuel L Jackson, who was notorious for turning down requests, was "polite" when I asked him if I could take a picture (not a selfie).   He responded No!  I then said  "well at least I asked first"  (instead of just taking the picture) Then laughing he stated "well you did".  I still didn't get the picture but at least I walked away from the interaction with a positive story.

[Will3700]

Posted: 7/31/18 at 6:32pm

My sister and I saw the very first preview and I wanted to stage door to get my window card signed so my sister said she'd just wait for me out of the way somewhere. The crowd was crazy but I was able to get close enough to hand my window card over the head of a younger girl who said she didnt mind and I was getting autographs when my sister got my attention and said it looked so exciting she would take pics of the the actors for me .I was getting most everyones autopgraph when Jim Parsons walked by but I wasn't fast enough so I missed him but I did get the others and everyone was so nice and friendly and appeciative. When I got back to my sister she had pics of all the actor for me and told me that she had said " Hey Jim I'm from Texas" and he yelled back " Hi Texas and shook her hand. she said if she'd known I hadnt gotten his signature she would have. So I think Mr Parson's is a nice guy and a great actor and maybe we should give him a break.

 

[darreyl102]

Posted: 8/7/18 at 8:20pm

Sad to hear, I'm seeing the show this week, but I assume it will probably be the same experience everyone seems to currently be having. I really wanted to meet Boomer, Carver and Rannells , all of who I've been fans of their work for years but never gotten to meet them.

[JayElle]

Posted: 8/7/18 at 11:57pm

In the last week, the cast gets a lot of back stage visitors. Parsons staged door on Monday and Tuesday.  As for the crazy fans, I told off one on Monday night.  Last Saturday, she had the audacity to ask Charlie Carver to take her pix and poster and have Parsons sign them.  She was also bothering Jim's bodyguard/driver while he sat in the car waiting for Jim.  She shocked Tuc when she handed him a picture of himself when he was in the 6th grade, as if he didn't have one.  I think the shocked look was more about her nerve.  She returned Monday night with all the pix she took on Saturday...several dozen....wanting to get the cast to sign them.  Folks around her questioned what she was doing.  She pushed her way next to me.  

I told her she was a classic stalker with a sick obsession. She's never content with an autograph on a poster or playbill.  She brought every magazine these guys were in and had them sign it over the past 13 weeks.  Nothing was ever enough.  She claims she doesn't sell them, so she's  hoarder.   She was always grilling me for information about anything I did or said. I finally told her to move away from me or I'd call the police and have her arrested for harassment.  She moved.  

I've seen her bribe security guards at Mean Girls and she bragged about it. Whether she got anything from bribing them, who knows, but she's clearly a sick puppy.  Also an earlier post said security had to tell a guy not to come back. He was peddling home made stuff.  I saw that guy.  

I was very happy to get the cast to sign my poster. I couldn't imagine ever asking a cast member to sign things from other venues.    One stage door person told me she was at Kinky Boots when Brendon Urie was there and the nuts knocked over the barricade to get to him.  Another told me Tyler from Hansen quit signing all together b/c "he had some problems as a result of it."   Security at all the theaters should set ground rules.   Someone is going to get hurt or some crazy fan may pull another John Lennon, God forbid.