Has anyone ever met a *nice* Joanna Gleason?

[Parks]

I wanted to make this thread earlier...and totally forgot about it-and then I saw a thread about meeting Julie Andrews and what is she like. Well, I've heard nothing but bad things about Joanna Gleason in real life. A source who wishes to remain annonymous says that she is crazy and that she "doesn't like people".

Has anyone ever met her where she's been *nice*? How about back in the days of Into The Woods?

This woman fascinates me.

[ljay889]

Well I heard she is just shy.

I saw an in depth interview with her on TV, and she was REALLY nice.

[Hairspraydoll]

My old high school theatre teacher used to take classes with her and was friends with her. This is like in the 70's. He always has nice things to say about her.

[Rathnait62]

Why is John Lithgow's driver telling you negative things about Mr. Lithgow's colleague? Seems quite unprofessional. Unless you're close to him, in which case, why are you breaking his confidence? You obviously haven't had personal experience with her, so why pass along second- and third-hand information?

[Parks]

Because she didn't come out of the stagedoor after DRS twice and I cried for hours...and nobody was there to comfort me so why not start an angry mob to hunt her down?


Oh, and his driver didn't tell me...it was...another source who wishes to remain annonymous.

[jczelyph]

'Shy' is not a word I would use to describe the type of woman who goes on stage eight times a week, sings, dances and acts, kisses Gregory Jbara and wears only a sheet at one point. Shy, she is not. Attention-seeking but people-phobic yes.

[broadway betty]

I think she just doesn't like the crowds at DRS. I've seen the show 3 times and she's never come out, I'm used to it. It kinda surprised me when she was at the cd giveaway. I wanted to say something cool to her but I was rushed through the line and focused on Norbert, so there you go.

Did you see the broadway.com backstage @ DRS video? She was very charming and funny in it.

[CurtainUp]

JC, a lot of people - friends of mine even - open up on stage but are incredibly quiet and shy when they are offstage. THat's part of the reason they love theatre, because they are being someoen who they are not. It's an escape to the shyness.

[Parks]

She was hilarious in the video, and I really would love to meet her in real life...but seeing how she never comes out of the stage door...

ANGRY MOB!

WHO'S WITH ME?!

[JohnnyJune]

If she doesn't like the attention then she shouldn't be a performer, or marry a famous actor.

And No I've met her at least 6 times and she has never been nice.

[jczelyph]

Who is she married to?

I think it's odd that she'll do all she does on stage and then scuttle away undercover post-show.

[broadway betty]

JohhnyJune: It's easy to say that but alot of performers don't like dealing with fans or crowds. You can't say that they shouldn't be performers b/c it's their passion, they just don't always like everything that goes along with it.

[Rathnait62]

I wouldn't call Chris Sarandon all that famous. He marries famous women and acts a bit.

[jczelyph]

I have never heard of him.

If you perform, expect to deal with fans. Make them your passion if they're not already. And if it's so difficult to interact with other humans, perhaps they could attempt to act a little.

[JamieMcG]

Well onstage, she's playing a role...I don't think there's any requirement that says someone has to be as personable offstage as the roles they play on. The several times I've met her, she's been nothing but sweet. She's also, in my opinion one of the most gifted actors of her generation. She's wonderful in DRS, but she was simply amazing in The Normal Heart last year at the Public.

I think assuming someone needs to be a certain way because of their career or G-d forbid, who they're married to, is a touch absurd. And as I said, I'm sorry for other people's experiences but I've never known her to be anything but extremely pleasant.

[Hairspraydoll]

I don't think that actors have to meet with the public. I don't think they are obligated and I don't think it's fair to say they are rude if they don't. If someone had a bad experience with her, that was "their" experience. It doesn't mean others will have the same experience.

[jczelyph]

I don't think actors should meet with fans, although I appreciate it's probably a bit annoying or not the best thing you want to do after a show. It just makes me have greater respect for those actors who do greet fans. I have no personal experience with Mrs Gleason, but by the sounds of it, she sounds a bit of a sourpuss. Until I meet her, I'll go with that view. It's the best evidence I have.

[JamieMcG]

Isn't it a much better way to live your life assuming someone is pleasant until proven otherwise? Not exactly sure why you would just come to the conclusion she was a sourpuss before you even have a personal experience with her. How about giving someone the benefit of the doubt?

[jczelyph]

Oh McG, have you been to see Lennon. I think you would like it.

[JamieMcG]

LOL...didn't mean to get all crunchy or anything, just seems to me that passing judgement on someone before I've even met them isn't the most productive thing to do...and I'm seeing Lennon Tuesday

[jczelyph]

I think you will like it. I know this in the same way that I know 'You only wear wool and eat a lot of organic granola'.

I do generally live my life positively, this board brings the worst out in me.

[StarUsher]

I worked as her House Manager during Normal Heart and the few rare occassions I talked with her she was perfectly nice. She struck me as someone who is a little high strung but most good performers are. and there are many performers that love what they do and are very good at it but don't handle crowds or fans well. Someone said something to the effect of because she is an actress it is a contradiction to say she is shy. I disagree. People often don't realize how easy it is to be so absorbed in the world of the play and the performance that you all but forget that there is an audience watching.

[Calvin]

Her dad (Monte Hall) is more famous than her husband, and probably her, too, outside of Broadway circles.

And many actors are quite introverted. Watch Harrison Ford or Nicole Kidman get interviewed -- they always look incredibly uncomfortable. It doesn't mean they don't appreciate their fans or aren't nice people.

On a much smaller level, I don't mind doing anything on stage. But, if I was ever asked to give a speech or something that expresses my own personal feelings, that would be a scary experience for me. So shyness and acting are not mutually exclusive.

[jczelyph]

OK, let's not all technical here. Anyway, I still standby what I said. But she may indeed be a little gem. There are certainly people on Broadway who have a much better reputation, deal with people well and have no negative stories floating around.

[etoile]

I'd be more wary of those telling the stories than of the people they talk about. You don't tell a story unless you have some type of motivation or agenda. And when one knows what that is, you can better determine the veracity.

I'd also like to remind some here that may have have taken notice that there are some very intense and obsessive "fans" on these boards. You don't know the security concerns anyone, especially those in the public eye, may have. Cut her some slack until you've walked in her shoes.