Nicest & Worst- Page 5

[HBG]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 7:27pm

Doogie, I agree with you to a point...actors don't owe you an autograph and are not required to come out of the stage door. However, when they do come out, it would be nice for them not to be rude. I don't expect cartwheels, but being cordial is not too much to ask for I think. Like if someone asks for a picture and the actor doesn't want to take one, a polite, "I'm sorry but I can't" would do nicely, but when the actor is blatantly rude I just don't think that's acceptable. That's just common courtesy from one human being to another. If they are in a bad mood, no one can blame them, but just don't come out of the stage door then. But that's just my opinion, and I don't think that because they're actors we should hold them to a lesser standard as far as politeness goes.

[kate2]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 7:28pm

the cast of All Shook Up was so nice and genuine. They really enjoyed meeting their fans and i admire them for that! The world needs more people like them

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 8:04pm

HBG, I totally agree with you. If performers don't want to face the hordes at the stage door, there's usually an alternative (i.e. an alternate exit). If they do come out the stage door (even in cases where there is no alternate exit), they should at least make the effort to be polite - assuming the fans are polite to them.

I'm not talking as one who has had a bad stage door experience, incidentally...I've only done the stage door thing a couple of times, and haven't encountered any blatant rudeness from the performers.

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 8:06pm

Nicest:
Billy Crudup, Norbert Leo Butz, Marc Kudisch, Anthony Rapp, Jeff Goldblum (quirky but nice), Cary Shields, Mary Testa

I had great conversations with Adam Pascal, Tracie Thoms and Kristin Chenoweth at other events (not stage door) and all were soooo nice. Adam is simply adorable and Kristin gave me a big hug.

Worst:
Frenchie Davis... My boyfriend and I were standing outside of the Nederlander after RENT one night waiting to meet up with his brother and he called out "Hey Frenchie" and she turned around with the biggest scowl on her face until he said "Nice job" and then she gave a fake smile.

Not bad, but I am kind of disappointed that when I saw Wicked and See What I Wanna See, Idina did not come out the stage door.

Updated On: 12/13/05 at 08:06 PM

[Doogie]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 8:19pm

"Hey Frenchie" and she turned around with the biggest scowl on her face until he said "Nice job" and then she gave a fake smile. "

But see, HBG... thats what I'm talking about... with Wickedone's quote that epitomizes our attitude towards actors. Ummm.... WHO is to say Frenchie's smile wasn't genuine.... thats all I'm taking issue with... Also how does a person respond to "Nice job" other than to flash a smile or maybe say thank you?

[Doogie]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 8:21pm

Also FYI- when I met one woman once after a concert that was full of MT people..... she was SO warm and SO nice.

I later learned from people who know her a bit more intimately that she is one of the most cold hearted people in MT history. No joke.Just goes to show, stagedoor is no indication.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 9:13pm

Doogie, I don't think anyone presupposes that if an actor is nice at the stage door they're a nice person and vice-versa. A nasty person could be sweet to her fans and a person who has difficulty dealing w/ fans could be the sweetest person to her friends. Ya never know, but we take what we know and say what we know, nothing more(or I hope).

[Doogie]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 9:19pm

Ok, I guess my point is, in one sentence.....WHY DO YOU CARE?

Its nice to get an autograph. That should be enough Why does everyone feel the need to say "OMG, Sara's eyebrow was slightly cocked when she gave me her autograph! It was insincere!!!!"

Really, has it gottent to the point where we are ANALYZING THE SINCERITY OF A SMILE?!?!


this is so horrifically sad.

[ozdustgirl2]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 9:40pm

Greg Jbara- He is such a great guy. Really sweet. I got an autograph and a couple of pictures with him. He doesnt even seem phased by the fact that he is in such an awesome show. He is real down to earth and nice.

Idina Menzel- She is nice when people arent acting like rabid animals around her. I got a couple of autographs and some pictures of her but not with her.

Norbert Leo Butz- Hes a really nice guy. He signed one thing for me then took a friend inside and came back out right to me and asked if I wanted anything else signed. When I ask if I could get a picture with him he said he wasnt allowed but I could take as many of him as I wanted.

Sean McCourt was a really nice guy he signed autographs and also took pictures.

Laura Bell Bundy was a very sweet girl. She told some stories while signing and also took pictures.

[ElphabaRose]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 10:46pm

I have to say Jackie Mason. I was about 10 (maybe slightly older) and going to see The Lion King with my parents and we were walking around the theatre district. He was standing around outside of the theatre that his (then) current show was in. I had seen him in something (probably a movie, but I really can't recall) and my parents encouraged me to go up and ask for an autograph. I did and he spent at least ten minutes talking to us. He was just so kind (and I was really nervous at first).

Megan Hilty and David Ayers are also at the top of the list.

[Leah5290]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 11:12pm

Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Megan Hilty, and Karmine Alers are all on the top of my list...and I've never really had a bad experience, which is awesome.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 11:44pm

Doogie, I'm not sure if we're discussing the same things...I mean I agree w/ you it's pointless deciding if someone's smile is fake or not but if you're asking about the mere title/discussion of this thread...

My desire to read and post in it has nothing to do w/ the fact that I want to give people unpleasant reputations or b/c I think I'm going to become best friends or whatever...but the point is, like I said in my post, I have had extremely enjoyable experiences w/ sweet actors and I do think it can be helpful for people to get an idea of who some of the nicest ones are--I know for me it has made approaching certain people easier or easier to ask for a picture or start a convo, etc. when I know many people say how nice they are to fans.

Again, i'm not sure if you're purely talking about the meaning of the smile or the thread in general but yeah.

[GretchaSketh]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:03am

Stephanie J. Block and Erin Dilly! They are two of my very favorite people EVER. By far they have been the nicest, most wonderful people to me at the stage door. I adore both of them professionally and respect them on a personal level so much!

[Doogie]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:24am

we are discussing the same thing. Either they give you the autograph or they don't.

[Radioactiveduck]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 1:35am

Gah, I forgot someone.

Gary Mauer is the COOLEST person I've ever mat at a stagedoor. He stayed with us and chatted (since we were last) for about 20 minutes, and was so genuine and greatful, and such a great sport.

He even honked and waved when he drove past us while we were leaving the theatre. TOTALLY worth the 350 miles.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 4:32am

Nicest: Alvin Ing. He asked me out for a drink after a performance of Flower Drum Song in Sacramento. He doesn't drink and I was driving back to San Francisco so we sat at the bar at the Hyatt and drank coffee and gabbed for an hour. He's a real sweetheart and I was so happy to see him again in Pacific Overtures (but I was with my bf and he didn't want to wait at the stage door).
Telly Leung and anyone from Flower Drum Song was always gracious
My favorite story was the night after the musicians strike was settled. Lea Solonga was out of town and Yuka Takara went on for her and was nothing short of spectacular. At the stage door there was a huge crowd of well-wishers and when she came out of the door a huge cheer erupted. She took one look at the crowd and did the only thing she could've done: burst into tears. I was so happy for her when she got the lead in the touring production as she is a very sweet, talented young lady.
Back to my 'nice' list:
The entire cast of Jersey Boys
Charles Durning
Harvey Fierstein
Whoopi Goldberg (patiently signed autographs in the freezing weather after Forum)
Hunter Foster
The entire company of Millie

Apologies for Having no time to stop and talk:
Kathleen Turner after Cat on A Hot Tin Roof (but she was very nice when my dog and hers got their leashes tangled on the UWS one morning. How many of you can say your dog got his butt sniffed by Kathleen Turner's dog??? Sorry to hear the marriage is on the rocks)
Rosie O'Donnell
Ethel Merman (yup. we waited for The Merm after a concert in Oakland in 1973 and she was hustled right into a waiting limo)

Downright rude:
Polly Holliday after Cat on A Hot Tin Roof

[AAO26]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 4:39am

Chita Rivera by far is the nicest and genuine i've had the honor to meet in several ocassions.

I know Melanie Griffith doesnt really count, but I had the opp to meet her at an after Chicago party,,,very unpleasant...

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 5:19am

I rarely do the whole stage door thing, so have never had anyone be unpleasant. However, in my extremely limited experience the two people that stood out as being the nicest were without doubt Michael Berresse and Kelli O'Hara after Piazza who made sure everyone had all the photos and signatures they wanted before leaving. It's not an obligation and that they took the time was appreciated by everyone there.

[electrakitty]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 6:15am

I've never stage-doored, 'cause I work in the theatre, but seeing someone's avatar made me think about stage-door incidents which I've witnessed, and about 10 years ago, I worked with Barrett Foa as an intern (he was the intern, I was in wardrobe), and I remember people stage-dooring him. He's a darling. He was so sweet to the 14-year-old girls who fawned all over him. And of course, he was quite mischievious backstage. Sometimes he needed to be leaned on to do what he needed to do. I always carry toys around for kids and actors to play with, and he always walked off with them. I was really happy when he started to break on Broadway, he deserves it. I should dig around in my pictures, somewhere I've got a picture of a very young Barrett in a Mordred costume featuring tights and a long wig

[lac77]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:27pm

Nicest: Bernadette Peters, Barbara Cook, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Idina Menzel, Donna Murphy, B.D. Wong

I've never had a bad experience with a theater star. Some do seem to be in more of a hurry and less interested, but the theater community in general seems genuinely appreciative and kind to their fans. Two of the absolute nicest people I've ever met, anywhere, are Bernadette Peters and Barbara Cook, who regardless of the circumstances, always acknowledge and are gracious to their fans.

[Lamc16]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:31pm

I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO MENTION Bill Irwin... definitely one of THE nicest, warmest, genuine people acting on Broadway. I LOVE him!

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:35pm

Doogie, I can't speak for everyone, but I don't think I've ever encountered someone who came out the stage door but didn't sign. I suppose it's happened once or twice but that's not for me what I want to find out, when I talk about the nicest ppl, it's more than a silly autograph, but the ones who I feel comfortable around who I can talk to for a while and it makes me feel happy as I drive home. Also helps to know if you pass someone on the street, some are happy to be stopped and recognized and others don't want to be bothered--threads like this try to give you an idea of those who fall into either camp.

[tagiunagi]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:40pm

Will Chase is THE nicest guy on Broadway. And funniest.

[OddExoticCreature]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:51pm

B.D. Wong! I would love to meet him, he seems like a really great guy.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:54pm

*squee* Will Chase. He IS really nice.