Leave Celebrities Alone at Shows

[GavestonPS]

True, ClumsyDude. And again at the risk of seeming to defend Michelle, she's had a lot of success at a very young age. She may still be trying to learn gracious ways to handle her fame.

[ClumsyDude15]

I agree - she has, as has that entire cast of Glee, to be honest. I've met Darren Criss several times, and his fans are some of the most obnoxious people on this planet, but wouldn't you know it - he gives them the respect and attention they shriek and demand from him - truly a class act guy, I gotta say.

I can't imagine what it must be like for the cast of that show - the fans in general are so banana sandwich that I'm surprised they can even breathe let alone go out in public.

[Comden Green]

i got my spring awakening poster signed by members of the cast at the stage door. unfortunately, i didn't recognize any of them and didn't really know who was signing (except of course john gallager jr and jonanthan groff. -gallager jr just hung around and we had a surprisingly long conversation. i loved it.) anyway, i was looking at the poster the other day. i didn't see lea michelle's signature on it. or maybe i just can't read it. i guess, from what you guys are saying she may not have come out the stage door.

with all that said, i have always been reluctant to judge people (celebrities). it seems so presumtious to declare that someone is a crab (or even "such a wonderful person") merely because of how he/she behaved for 20 seconds of their lives.

- and, as tacky as i feel sometimes, i do love my encounters, and telling others about them.

[GavestonPS]

I think appearing at the stage door to greet fans is both gracious and smart, particularly when one is young and building a career.

But AFAIK, it ain't in anybody's contract.

***

Dude, I'm glad to hear you had a nice experience with Criss.

Even though I continue to argue that performers aren't OBLIGATED to hang out with their fans, it's always nice to hear that somebody we respect treats his or her fans with kindness.

[ClumsyDude15]

I think the reason for him in particular is because he knows what it means to be a fan, so he is really good at associating that with the people who are now fans of his.

Oh, I agree - they're not obligated, but it's nice to see people who do generally care and take even the slightest bit of time out to acknowledge the fans.

[yankeefan7]

Kelly2 - I have a couple of experience I will share with you. A bunch of years ago I was flying first class from LA to NY (company paid for it - lol). I was getting in my seat when the person next to me was actor John Cusak. I kind of did a double take to myself to make sure it was him but said nothing and got into my seat. A couple of minutes later, he asked me a question and obviously I acknowledged that I knew who he was. We chatted for awhile during long flight and he was very nice. I think he appreciated me not "gushing" over him and making requests (autograph/picture).

The other one was a couple of years ago, my wife and I were waiting for my daughters outside of the stage door entrance of a show. My wife noticed Jonathan Groff walking by and said hi to him. We had seen him in "Spring Awakening" and he was very nice to our daughters and us at the stage door. Anyway, he paused for a second and then walked over to my wife and I and talked for a few minutes with us. He then excused himself and said he was heading backstage to meet a few members of the cast. Not making a scene that it was him or requesting something from him I think made him feel comfortable to talk with us. (plus maybe it helps we are probably as old as his parents - lol)

[Kelly2]

Yankeefan7, I wouldn't really qualify being at the stagedoor with Jon Groff as the same as causing a disturbance over accosting a very well known celebrity. At least at the stage door performers should know to expect that kind of attention and they can avoid coming out after shows if they're not comfortable with it or don't want it. What I'm more referring to is situations where someone is not expected to be "on" and is attempting to live their life as a private citizen and is interrupted from that by some hysterical fan. For example, I live downtown in the city and celebrity sightings are pretty common place. When I was at the Union Square Farmer's market once a few months ago, Jake Gyllenhaal was passing through and shopping around. A woman who looked about thirtysomething ran over to him, emotional and frenzied, and begged for an autograph. This alerted many around him to his presence, and he was immediately mobbed and had to leave the area. I find that incredibly disrespectful and rude and would never do it, personally.

[yankeefan7]

Kelly2 - Maybe I did not explain it properly. Groff was walking down the street and was going to stage door of a show he was not in. We were easily 10-15 feet away from the line of the stage door so it was not like he could expect to be "on". When I said he paused for a second, I have a feeling he was surprised someone recognized him.

[Kelly2]

I mean, I personally wouldn't do it, but Jon Groff is not particularly famous and even if it was at another stage door, there is the expectation that you could possibly be asked for an autograph or something in that setting. It's not as "out of left field" as being asked in a grocery store.

[Mister Matt]

I was at the stage door for The Dinner Party mostly to meet Veanne Cox who is a friend-of-a-friend and git autographs from John Ritter, Penny Fuller and Henry Winkler. Everyone was genuinely kind and gracious. While Henry Winkler was signing my Playbill, some drunk schmuck starts yelling, "HEY FONZ! DO IT! GO 'AAYYYYY'!! COME ON! DO IT!" Mr. Winkler kindly smiled and nodded it off, but the guy kept egging him on. Henry never lost his cool, but explained that he hasn't played the Fonz in nearly 20 years and he's not a trained monkey. He handled it so well, but it was pretty apparent why some celebrities lose patience with fans. I could not imagine having to deal with guys like that day after day, year after year, possibly for the rest of your life.

[japhun2]

At Godspell I was pulled out of the audience to do charades with Hunter Parrish and the cast--was a great experience. At intermission when mingling with the cast (which I thought was great and they were all so nice and friendly), my sis wanted a picture with Telly Leung but he said no pics during the show and that he would meet us after.

We went to the line to meet them all and Telly never came out. A bit later we were crossing the street and on the other side we saw him. He recognized us and said "Hi Jonathan...sorry I didnt come out to greet, had a meeting. How about that pic?" So we went to the street corner in front of Duane Reade and snapped pics! Was a nice experience and I gained tremendous respect for him!

[lovepuppy]

My friend and I visited NY last summer for 5 shows in 4 days, including "Hair."

After the show, we got to chatting with Paris Remillard, who was adorable, sweet, and didn't appear to be in a hurry. We all just stood around talking, as the crowd eventually thinned. Then Larkin Bogan walked by, with his brother, a friend, and I think his brother's girlfriend. He took me by such surprise (but was instantly recognizable with his Hair-fro, at that time), that I stuttered..."Oh, I know you!" Yes, like an idiot, but it just fell out of my mouth.

He stopped, looked, and smiled, and when he didn't just rush off, the next thing I could think of to say was "we saw you in Chicago, too." They all then just naturally came over and started chatting with us. Then one of them goes "hey, let's take a 'family picture!'" We thought that was the funniest thing Broadway stars could say...but looked serious. I said, "...there's no one left here to take it!" We didn't ask...they offered, but I wasn't going to stand around, expectantly. We were ready to go at any time, out of respect, and having enjoyed the encounter already.

Paris goes, "I'll do it!" So...my friend and I have this pic with Larkin and his brother and 2 friends, taken by Claude from "Hair." Very sweet.

The next night, after seeing another show, we walked back toward our hotel to find some dinner, and wound up behind Steel Burkhardt, Paris, and another cast member. Steel and the other person split off, then came through the crowd on the sidewalk and found ourselves in a crepe restaurant, waiting in line with...Paris. He recognized us and chatted us up for a good 15 minutes while we all waited for our food. They are just...real people. :)

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Some these stories are great. My favorite personal experience is when I was 14 or 15 and Joan Rivers sat behind us at 1776. She reportedly kept in whispering things to my brother like, "How do you think it will end?"

Okay, another one: Nathan Lane and his then-partner Victor Garber were at The Music Man. I couldn't resist going up to Lane and shaking his hand and spouting praise, but I didn't really know what to say to Garber, as at that point I knew him only from cast recordings. I think I awkwardly said something like, "Oh, and you're great too--on the Sweeney Todd album." He thanked me and then Lane gave me a "you can leave now" look, and so I did.

[givesmevoice]

LOVE the Joan Rivers story.

And I had no idea Nathan Lane and Victor Garber were once an item. Not that I've ever really been that interested in either one's love life. (although Garber's current partner is a cutie)

[Bettyboy72]

I think there is a HUGE distinction between stage actors and film/TV actors. Actors who work primarily on stage are afforded a large amount of anonymity and if it is intruded upon, it is often for only a moment every so often and does not result in chaos.

You see this at the stage door all the time-at the actor may be mobbed for signatures and photos but then goes off into the night and is free to grocery shop, hop on a train, etc. I actually think stage actors want more attention than they get and feed that through twitter and facebook and by connecting with all their overzealous theatre fans.

Stage actors often seem more comfortable with public interactions and are ok with fans knowing alot about them.

Film actors are not afforded the ability to have a "moment" with a fan. They are often besieged or overwhelmed by fans and do not even have the ability to speak with a fan one on one. I know many film actors wish they could have more intimacy with a fan.

I think technology is a huge part of the problem. It's the filming/picture taking that is creating problems. If a star is not "camera-ready" then they cant consent to taking a photo that they know will end up on FB or Twitter. They have an image to protect. Would you want your photo taken when you are grocery shopping.

After hearing the Bob Hope story, I think there is a difference between old Hollywood and young Hollywood. Bob Hope didn't have to contend with every person he meeting having a camera. A smile and a wave sufficed as well as a few signatures. It tickled people to see a star.

When I saw Anne Meara and Ben Stiller at Chita's show the difference was obvious. Anne talked to everyone-mostly older folks-she smiled, waved, blew kisses and made small talk. Ben was solemn. No eye contact-kept his face in the Playbill. To him eye contact was deadly. If he offered one photo, he would be swamped. As they were leaving the theatre, I saw people began to crowd him as he was helping his mother exit. Flashbulbs everywhere-people tapping him, tugging him, touching him. It was scary.

Plus nowadays people want SO MUCH MORE. The sense of entitlement is so high. In the past, people were intimidated by their screen gods and goddesses so just a glance was a thrill. Now people literally want a piece of them. It's quite a voracious appetite and everyone wants a photo or proof they interacted with a star to promote themselves on social media.

I think stage actors really have the best of both worlds.

[JRybka]

When it was FAN Day at Chicago a while back, they had a lot of famous people down there and of course, they were incredibly friendly. I still felt a little odd running up to someone in the theater. It would have been one thing after the show but during intermission to me is something else. I will say, I did run up to Ute Lemper and gush my gay little head off and she was INCREDIBLE. So sweet and lovely and kind as can be.

[Broadwayhunk]

Vince McMahon? Why would anyone want to approach him? As for real celebrities, I'm sure they would be bothered if no one recognized them or didn't make some sort of fuss, their protestations notwithstanding.

[flahooley2]

Nathan Lane and Victor Garber were never an item. Just very good friends.

[oasisjeff]

I support the thesis here, but Hunter Parrish and Lindsay Mendez are like two of the nicest, most approachable people ever. I had such nice chats with them during Godspell and Dogfight that I wouldn't approach them as celebrities, but just to say hi.

My funniest run-in was seeing The Producers with Nathan and Matthew. Our show was PACKED with celebrities (Ellen, Steve Martin, Anthony Edwards, etc.), so I was at the bar at intermission getting a drink and I noticed the guy in front of me was Billy Joel, so I asked if I could buy his drink, and he said "Of course! I never say no to that!" And then we chatted and he took me over to meet his daughter, introduced me to her, and we talked about the show. Couldn't have been more cool about it.

[Dollypop]

From time to time I find myself in the company of certain people "in the business" and can only say that it's annoying to me when people come up to them in a restaurant and ask for a photo or autograph. Actors like James Snyder don't seem to be bothered by this, feeling that "it goes with the territory". George Chakiris told me that, at this point in his life, he's glad people still recognize him.

[yankeefan7]

BettyBoy72- Great post.

[Broadway Joe]

"Vince McMahon? Why would anyone want to approach him?"

Some people like WWE, myself included. On a list of people I'd most want to have a conversation with he's right up there. He's a great business man who took a business that was a on a smaller scale and made it a world wide company. I'm sure he has plenty of fascinating stories to tell.

[Wynbish]

Oh, I know. I was a big WWF/WCW fan growing up. I'd go to Atlanta to see Raw or Nitro, then stuff myself into a subway full of sweaty drunk men wearing leather vests with no shirt. I'm just referencing that he is an intimidating individual, appearance-wise.

[iflip4musicals]

I was at A Little Night Music when the Clinton's were there. Both Bill and Hilary were extremely nice about taking pictures and signing autographs before the show and at intermission. I assume the generosity continued after the show as well. The house staff was also great about the whole thing and didn't even try to stop people from taking pictures and was able to get the audience seated for the show.

[Fred Casely]

In the summer of 1980, I was in line at the bar during intermission at Bob Fosse's Dancin'. As I got up to the bar, the bartender looked right past me to serve Howard Hesseman, who was right behind me. Hesseman told the bartender to serve me first as I was ahead of him and he even paid for my drink. This was at the height of his WKRP in Cincinnat fame. I am his fan for life.

[runaways]

Someone I'm a huge fan of once tweeted to tell me they were going to say hello to me after a concert in L.A. Long story short, they never showed up. Needless to say, I was heartbroken.