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Best Stage Door Experiences- Page 2

Best Stage Door Experiences

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taylorPHENOMENON2
#25re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/8/08 at 7:54pm

Without a doubt the [title of show] gang.

No one is more appreciative of their fans!

The first time I went, I messaged them on myspace and all, and Hunter recognized me and said 'thanks so much for coming taylor' and gave me the most amazing hug. The next time, same thing. Got to speak to Micheal, Susan, and Hunter, alone, and they were all so friendly even though it was a ridiculous hour. They're the BEST!

#26re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/9/08 at 12:58pm

I've only stagedoored once and it was when I went to see Legally Blonde in July. The cast was soooooo nice and took the time to sign everything and pose for pictures and chat with you for a minute. It was probably one of the best nights of my life. They were all very funny too.

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SillySara
#27re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/9/08 at 1:26pm

i am lucky enough to have had some really terrific stage experiences. but, hands down, my most memorable? definitely meeting jonathan crombie after the drowsy chaperone. let me explain, that when i was really little, i was obsessed with the "anne of green gables" miniseries in which he played gilbert. i would seriously watch it all the time and was convinced that gilbert was the perfect man (i was 7 years old, folks). so when i met him...well, i was a super big dork and had to tell him how much i loved him in "anne of green gables" and how it was a big part of my childhood. he was super gracious and just a terrific guy...so thankfully, my childhood crush was not ruined.

but i do lalso have to mention that the xanadu stage door has always been filled with the most gracious people. cheyenne jackson, curtis holbrook, kerry butler, jackie hoffman, they were all terrific and definitely deserve an honorable mention.

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broadway86
#28re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/9/08 at 2:26pm

Me and my ex-girlfriend waited for Donna Murphy for a half-hour in the freezing cold after Wonderful Town. After that, she opened the stage door, invited us in, and talked with us for a good 10-15 minutes. Class act.

Had a lengthy conversation with Ron Eldard, backstage after Doubt.

Meeting Parker Posey and Ethan Hawke after Hurlyburly was really something.

I'm not crazy about her, but I NEVER thought that I would meet Julia Roberts.

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broadway122
#29re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/9/08 at 10:02pm

I posted this on the bad one with a short statement at top (this isn't a bad experience but really cool)

When we to NYC for a school drama trip. Day 5 we went to Spring Awakening and went to the stage door. There was about 10 of us kids who stayed and talked to the cast once all the fans left. It started to rain. And instead of the cast just leaving, they wanted to talk more so the 10 of us kids and the 4 or 5 cast members stayed under the marquee and talked about theatre stuff. And some of the original cast members told stories from Spring Awakening while it was off-broadway. It was just really cool experience and really nice of them to stay and talk to some kids who loved the show. And i actually shared an umbrella with Emma Hunton while we walked to where ever the cast was meeting after the show.


"i had no idea billy elliot was about one boy's triumph over epilepsy."-FindingNamo

duffny1
#30re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/10/08 at 11:37pm

I was waiting to see Amanda Plummer when she was appearing in Agnes of God on Broadway. She sorta slipped out behind Geraldyn Page and I followed her about two buildings down and then lost her.

I started to walk back to say hello to Elizabeth Ashley and then I noticed a cop on a horse who was in front of The Imperial Theatre. There was Amanda having a very intimate talk with the horse. Stroking his head, whispering in the horse's ear. The cop thought she was a loon. When she was done after stabbing the horses' eyes out (joking) I mean talking with the horse, I asked her to sign my playbill and she couldnt have been sweeter. We then talked about horses and animals in general.

She was a joy--Kooky...but a joy.

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iDEFY_forgood
#31re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/14/08 at 2:33pm

I have always had wonderful experirnces at the Wicked stage door! Everyone is always so nice and welcoming! Also, everyone at the Legally Blonde stage door was very nice! I saw the show back when Nikki Snelson was still there and she had so much energy and was having conversations with everyone :) She was more then glad to sign things and take pictures, which was awesome!


"And THATS how I bought my television" *bow*. -Julia Murney

boombaboy
#32re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/14/08 at 3:11pm

What a great topic!
Mr. Cheyenne Jackson is the most charming, patient, kind and funny man.
Miss Rosemary Harris invitied us up to her dressing room during the run of "Hayfever" in the mid-80s and chatted with us while she signed the poster which still hangs in our living room.
But Miss Claudette Colbert was the best of all, she invited me to join her in the back seat of her limosine waiting at stage door, to chat and sign pictures, including one of her as Cleopatra from C.B. DeMille's 1934 film, during her last stint on Broadway in "Aren't We All?" in 1985. That was heaven!

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MaxVonMayerling2
#33re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/14/08 at 3:38pm

By the far best experience was meeting the wonderful Rosie Ashe after a performance of "The Killer Soprano" (her solo show). Such a fine, gentle and lovely lady!
I've talked with her for nearly 30 minutes about almost everything: her wonderful career and about creating Carlotta for Lloyd Webber's "Phantom".


Everybody has a heart. Except some people. - Bette Davis

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dancingthrulife04
#34re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/14/08 at 4:09pm

Recently, [title of show].


http://www.beintheheights.com/katnicole1 (Please click and help me win!) I chose, and my world was shaken- So what?
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not...
"Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
"And when Idina Menzel is singing, I'm always slightly worried that her teeth are going to jump out of her mouth and chase me." - Schmerg_the_Impaler

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Theatreboy49
#35re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 10/14/08 at 6:21pm

Both times at Spring Awakening (current and OBC casts) were the sweetest people ever to me. When i originally saw the show i talked to john gallagher jr for the longest time. And the current cast is just so sweet. And also most recently, TOS was the 4 nicest people I have ever met.


<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado

broadwayizme
#36re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 6/11/11 at 2:30am

I would love to bump this thread, because I love reading about people's memorable stage door experiences! My most recent memorable experience, was when I saw Hair back in March. Arbender Robinson had come out, and he was graciously waiting to take a group back stage to give a tour. They were a no show, and he had waited, and waited while talking to me along with about four others waiting. After about a half hour, he decided to take us back stage and see the set, props, and costumes. He taught us all about his past shows, and what it's like to perform. It was such an amazing experience, and I don't think one like that will ever come again.

Another was last year when I saw Dreamgirls. I was the only one waiting outside of the Ahmanson, in the freezing weather. I had gotten everybody's signatures, minus Syesha Mercado's. I had waited, and waited, and somebody working backstage came out and asked what I who I was waiting for in the cold. He took me backstage into her dressing room. We chatted, took a picture, and she personalized my performance magazine. It was so fun, and I am so happy that I was able to experience that.

Thanks!

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PianoMann
#37re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 6/11/11 at 2:43am

One of the most unique stage door experiences was with James Spader after Race. I had unknowingly bought tickets for a performance the same day as his birthday, and waited an hour in the (literally) freezing cold for him to come out, as he was having a party inside. When he did come out, he was genuinely surprised and humbled to see that people had waited so long for him, and despite the weather, stayed a very long time to sign and take pictures!

Similar experience with Judith Light after the final performance of Lombardi. She took a while to come out because she was cleaning out her dressing room, and was extremely apologetic that she kept anyone waiting. And despite being late to the cast party, she stayed to take pictures and sign and talk!

Two very class acts!

jenniewie2
#38re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 6/11/11 at 4:28am

Bernadette Peters was incredible when I saw ALNM. There were a ton of people there, and I was super star struck when she came out. I asked her in what I'm sure was a very quiet, shaky, voice for a picture, and she gestured for me to wait. After signing everyone's there, she remembered that I wanted a picture. My friend went to take it of us, and then couldn't figure out how the camera worked. Rather than leaving, Bernadette offered suggestions on how to get the camera to work, stood with me while I took the picture, and then took one with my friend. I was mortified, but she was beyond gracious the whole time.
Alice Ripley also chatted with me for awhile, and I noticed she recognized many of the fans by name.
Another great one was when I saw Catch Me in Seattle. It was my second time seeing it, and went to the stage door again after having neither Norbert (understandably, due to what happened with his sister) or Aaron come out. They didn't come out this time, but Matthew Morrison happened to have seen the show, and he came out the stage door! This was when only the first episode of Glee was out, so no one else recognized him, but I asked for a picture and he took one with me and asked how I liked the show etc. Now that he's so well known, I bet it's a lot more of a hassle getting a picture with him.

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quizking101
#39re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 6/11/11 at 9:11am

To name a few good ones: Tony Sheldon (PRISCILLA), Kelsey Grammer (La Cage), Benjamin Walker (BBAJ), Dame Edna (All About Me), Paulo Szot (South Pacific), Brian Stokes Mitchell & Laura Benanti (WOTV)

Two of my best:

1. At GOD OF CARNAGE, it was Jimmy Smits' last day and he came out and was so incredibly sweet to everyone. He signed my Playbill and gave me a handshake (his hands are as big as mine! a.k.a "Man hands"). My mother asked if she could give him a kiss and he graciously let her and she couldn't stop talking about it for the next three months...

2. At HIGH, Kathleen Turner came out (when nobody really expected her to) and she was such a peach! She talked to the entire crowd about her career, how her favorite role was Martha in VIRGINIA WOOLF, and how she laughed her ass off at THE BOOK OF MORMON. She was such a class act, I totally didn't mind that I missed the lottery for PRISCILLA to be in her presence.


Check out my eBay page for sales on Playbills!! www.ebay.com/usr/missvirginiahamm

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AC126748
#40re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 6/11/11 at 9:30am

I've only stage-doored once but it was a wonderful experience: Cherry Jones in Doubt. Talk about someone who really appreciates her fans. There were maybe 10 people waiting and she spent at least a couple minutes speaking individually to each person. She wrote a long, personal message when signing my playbill. (The rest of the cast, too--Brian O'Byrne, Heather Goldenhersh, and Adriane Lenox--were also all very sweet)

This past fall, Jones was collecting for BC/EFA after Mrs Warren's Profession. I told her how wonderful it was to see the star of the show collecting for such a good cause and she hugged me.


"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body

rorschach37
#41re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 6/11/11 at 10:22pm

My best stage door experience was actually before the show.

American Idiot was the first Broadway show I had ever seen and I came back to the city about 6 months later to see N2N. I stopped by the stage door about an hour before the matinee was supposed to begin (hoping I would catch John Gallagher Jr. going in since he never came out afterwards) and Michael Esper was standing outside the door having a cigarette. I walked over to him and we chatted for about ten minutes. He was such a sweetheart. After realizing the time he went in to warm up for the show, but first he shook my hand and asked my name. I'd never had a Broadway star do that before, so I was ecstatic!!

LFazin
#42re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 6/11/11 at 11:45pm

It would definitely have to be American Idiot. I saw that show 4 times -- stage doored 3 of the 4 -- and the cast was always so gracious and humble. Nearly all of the cast came out, too -- all matinees. I was the most impressed with Tony Vincent, though. He usually never stage doored after the show for fans, but on my last trip to see the show, there he was! He had a swarm of girls around him. I absolutely idolize him, mind you, so I was reduced to a 12-year-old teeny bopper state when he came up to me to sign my playbill. He was extremely gracious and friendly, and knew exactly how to work the crowd. I asked him for a picture and he said, "Sure! Just wait a minute, those girls were first" *as he pointed to a group of girls. He took a photo with them, signed a few more playbills handed in front of him, and then when someone asked him for a picture, he told them, "Yup, let me just take a picture with them first" *pointing to us. He was just so nice. That entire cast was.

I also had wonderful experiences with the cast of RENT a few years back.

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bwayrose7
#43re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 6/12/11 at 12:12am

I have season tickets at the local touring venue, and I almost always stage door. I've had some amazing experiences, but a few stand out.

- At In the Heights, Lin Manuel Miranda was joining the tour halfway into my city. The night before, he came out the door before most people were there. But he stopped and chatted with my family and me. When I told him I dream of writing musicals, he gave me advice for a few minutes and wished me luck.
- The entire touring cast of Spring Awakening was so sweet, but espcially Kyle Riabko. He was surrounded by fangirls and I got pushed back. He made sure to stop for me and talk for a minute. He was so kind and very humble- he even blushed when I told him how amazing his voice was.
- I met Giuseppe Bausilio at Billy Elliot. My mom tried to take a pic of him and me, but the camera was freaking out. He was so patient and joked how she reminded him of his mom.
- My favorite: When I turned 16, I went to Wicked. I ended up seeing the show more times than I will admit in the month it was here. By the end of the run, the cast knew me by name and on closing night were saying goodbye and hugging me as they left. It meant so much to me,

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disneybroadwayfan22
#44re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 7/27/14 at 12:26am

So, I am back from reading the "Worst SD Experiences" and disappointed how this has much less pages than the "Worst SD" one does. I thankfully hadn't have any bad experiences yet, but had some amazing ones

Uzo and Corbin in Godspell: The whole Godspell cast was super friendly (the guy who was Judas seemed really tired and standoffish though), but Uzo and Corbin topped them! Uzo talked to my parents and me about 5 minutes (I forget what. I only remembered how we talked about we both grew up in DC) and she was super sweet. I hope she didn't change because of OSTNB. Corbin was a doll. I was so excited to meet him and he was so humble and grateful. He actually winked at me and kissed me on the cheek. We talked about 5 minutes too.

The whole cast of Matilda (Bertie, Lesli, Gabe, Taylor, Colin, Sam): Especially Gabriel! He is just as adorable as he is in the interviews and bowed to me when I called him adorable. Lesli was like, "Hey, want a selfie?" in a enthusiastic tone. I have a crush on Bertie, so when I called him handsome, he giggled :3 And Gabe and Bertie loved the little girls next to me.

Victoria Clarke: Ugh, she made my trip! Again, super sweet and humble! She was actually like, "Have we met before?" at one point, which was so cool! We actually talked really long because I told her she reminded me of my vocal teacher, so we mainly chatted about singing.

James Monore Iglehart: Unfortuanely, I only had time for Adam, James, Dom, and an ensemble person. So,, no Courtney and Jonathan :/ But, it doesn't matter. James was a delight from beginning to end at the stage door. There were actually a huge crowd of kids (they had to get back on their bus though), so he was like "Hey kids! re: Best Stage Door Experiences Oh, they're gone re: Best Stage Door Experiences Oh, hey guys!" He was again, very humbled and sweet (I use this word a lot, LOL) and really moved when I told him that he is inspiring me to audition for Anna when Frozen comes to Broadway (Honestly, there's no way I'll get her with my speech impediment). And he actually went to the kids at the bus after he was done with everyone else (It was me and my mom, and a family next to us). On the way there, my dad yelled to him from our car, "Great show!" and James yelled "Thank you!" re: Best Stage Door Experiences back. Very cheerful and you can tell he's loving his time here.

Sierra Boggess: I'm very surprised of the bad stage door experiences stories with her in the thread (thankfully, only 2) because she is literally the nicest and down-to-earth person ever. I was a little too excited at first when I talked to her (by accident, I SWEAR!), so I had freaked her a little, but she was still REALLY nice to me and gave me a huge hug! We talked about 6-10 minutes or so. She was in my town for a Q&A for high school and college students in November.

Idina Menzel: When I saw If/Then in November, Idina was late (almost an hour), but quietly apologized. Everyone gave their playbills to her. I was the last one she had, so she said "Whose is this?" And I yelled out mine. Then, I told her, "Thanks, Idina. I love you." And she gave me a huge grin! :3 (Totally not surprised about the bad Wicked stage door experiences though) Updated On: 7/27/14 at 12:26 AM

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haterobics
#45re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 7/27/14 at 12:44am

"When I saw If/Then in November, Idina was late (almost an hour)"

Late for what?

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Broadwaydreaming
#46re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 7/27/14 at 1:20am

I've never been much of a stage door person, but earlier this month I opted to jump into the If/Then madness with a friend. (also, I'm a HUGE Idina fan) Of course the barricades were packed the minuet we walked out, but noticed that a motorcycle seemed to be blocking a tiny space beside the theater. We waited by it, and after the man moved it, we were able to sneak a front row spot. The cast, including Idina, did come out and sign. It was nice to see how many people were willing to pass up playbills for others. It wasn't nearly as crazy as I'd imagined. Everyone from the cast was talkative and happy. After Idina signed, I pretty much walked on air back to the train. I'll never forget that day :)

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gleek4114
#47re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 7/27/14 at 2:16am

Ok I'll play!

Last September I went to see Alice Ripley at 54 Below. After the show she was up at the bar greeting her fans. Me and my dad were in the line and we noticed she had kind if disappeared. As soon as I noted she was gone she came up behind me and put both of her hands on my shoulders and said to the line from the back of the line "I'm back I'm back!" It really cracked me up because she sacred the sh*t out of me! She came out of nowhere. She moved her way up the line back to the bar to continue signing and taking pictures. As I got closer I was floored because right in front of us was Anthony Rapp! I was super shy and did not want to bother him but it was still kinda cool. When I finally got to the front to meet Alice she was a delight! Treating each person with respect and she seemed genuinely happy to see me. After she signed a few things for me she asked if I wanted a picture and was quick to pose. She was a trip! Also that was my first time in NYC so it was a great way to start my trip.

My next best experience was last October when I saw the Non Equity tour of "The Addams Family" in Louisville. Afterwards me and my friends went to the stage door to discover we were the only ones there! The cast was obviously not use to people waiting for them so they were extremely happy to see us. They were so nice and giving of their time and at a certain point we were almost talking to the entire cast! We were able to get a cast picture with them which was amazing.

In June when "The Book of Mormon" came to Louisville I was lucky enough to see the show 4 times (I won the lotto 3 out of the 4). Each time I went to the stage door to meet the cast. They were all awesome and giving of their time. My 4th time seeing the show I brought my "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" window card and playbill. When Stanley came out he was so happy and surprised to see them. He was so nice and took the time to personalize them for me. Also Chris and Mark almost always came out together and were hilarious. When I asked for a picture with them they had no problem and posed. Then Chris said "ok now a silly one". They made funny faces and that picture still cracks me up today.

Side note for the BOM stage door: I happened to be doing the Louisville premiere of CARRIE in the theatre directly above where BOM was playing. I finished up one Friday night and went out through the SD and the cast was so surprised that CARRIE of all things was happening above them every night. Again a lot of the cast remembered and recognized me.

That's all for now :)

Updated On: 7/27/14 at 02:16 AM

Christopher Lippolt
#48re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 7/27/14 at 2:18am

I have had some great stage door experiences. When I saw Exit The King with Geoffrey Rush, Susan Sarandon, Andrea Martin, the entire cast came out one by one. they were all so genuinely kind to everyone. There were some drama students there and all the actors were asking them very engaging questions and gave them all the time they needed. The cast of In The Heights was always so nice to everyone. Jordan Sparks was so kind when she was in the show for a brief time, even using my back as a desk to lean on for a bit. The biggest class act was Audra after Lady Day. She stopped, smiled, and made eye contact with every fan. If someone said something kind, she was so genuinely grateful for the remark. So amazing.

Christopher Lippolt
#49re: Best Stage Door Experiences
Posted: 7/27/14 at 2:26am

Hugh Jackman is amazing. We were waiting to see him prior to his one man show. The crowd was big and was waiting for his "car" to arrive and him to go to the theater. Suddenly this man walks up to the crowd and says "are you guys waiting for someone?" It was him. Everyone went nuts as he walked right into the crowd. He was so kind and grateful for his fans. At one point he had to say "I have to go to work now" and go inside. He was such a class act and I will never forget that day.