Saw WICKED last night but...

[overlyspoiled4sure]

We were lucky enough to get to see the touring Broadway show WICKED here in Madison WI yesterday (Sept 28) evening. Great show!!

BUT...is it only an "east coast thing" to cluster around the stage door hoping for an autograph? The theater personnel told us where the stage door was for WICKED actors, saying if they wanted to sign autographs they'd use that door; if not, they'd exit through a different one. By the time we got there it was like a ghost town. No one there except for some people waiting for their ride. If those people were actors they ignored us. Then a lovely petite young girl came out, hesitated when she saw us with our program & asked if we were waiting for autographs. We said yes & she graciously signed our program. She even had her own pen--I'd forgotten to take mine out of my bag.

Turns out, we got the autograph we hoped for--Vickie Noon who played Elphaba. Awesome!! She didn't stick around for a picture but hopped into her ride asap. We were greatful she asked because we didn't recognize her. I was amazed how fast she got out of her stage makeup/costume.

So either we were too late or the other actors exited through a different door.

Anyone want to describe their stage door experiences??? This was our first time to try & I'm interested in hearing other people's endeavors.

 

[golfgal]

We saw Wicked a couple weeks ago in Minneapolis and didn't know anything about autograph signings .

 

[kristilew]

We saw it in Durham in May. The actors were conducting a fundraiser and were all out in the various lobbies after the show, in full costume, signing autographs in exchange for cash donations. I think you could get a tote bag for an initial donation and then they would all sign it, or a poster, or you could just give a dollar here and there and have them sign the program.

We didn't do it b/c the lines were crazy, but it was fun to see the "characters" up close.

 

[klacey1]

I've never seen a national tour-- just Broadway. Always a crowd at the stage door!

 

[cabanafrau]

We've gotten autographs & photos w/ cast members in Chicago a few times. I know it's also done in London because I know someone who has done the same there as well.

 

[KimR]

Turns out, we got the autograph we hoped for--Vickie Noon who played Elphaba. Awesome!! She didn't stick around for a picture but hopped into her ride asap. We were greatful she asked because we didn't recognize her. I was amazed how fast she got out of her stage makeup/costume.

She is my cousin's daughter!

 

[design_mom]

I didn't even think of trying to get autographs when we saw Wicked on tour. However, I do have a stage door experience story.

When I was in college, we went to see STOMP. During intermission, we saw some friends and agreed to meet outside the theater after the show. We met outside and stood there chatting for the longest time. After a while some guys walked up and joined our group. I thought they were just making small talk, asking us if we enjoyed the show, etc. It wasn't until one of them asked if I wanted him to autograph my program that I realized they were from the cast. (The guy who asked was actually the creator/choreographer/star.) apparently, they thought we'd been waiting for them and apologized for taking so long to come out. In reality, we were just hanging out by the theater!

 

[MM27]

I waited twice outside of Broadway theatre stage doors. Once was for John Stamos when he was in How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying. He stayed, signed and took pictures with every single person, total class act.

I also waited for Whoopi when she was in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She didn't sign for anyone. She hopped in a limo and off she went. I totally understand though. These people do two shows (it was a Saturday) and I'm sure all they want to do is get out of there and relax.

When I went to see Annie on Broadway, before the show started all the kids that were in the show were running around outside on the sidewalks. They were having a good old time and had a stagehand/security guy with them. I guess sitting around waiting for the show to start can get a bit boring.

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

What wonderful stories! I've enjoyed reading them. Maybe the people standing around when we first got to the stage door WERE actors but didn't want to out themselves...

KimR--please send "awesome job & best wishes" to Vicki via your cousin! Also our thanks; I can't remember if we even said thanks the encounter was so brief.

So far the idea is that stage door crowds are more of an east coast thing. Now I know where the door is the actors do use, I'll check it out the next time we get to a show. DD & DGD will be seeing LEGALLY BLONDE in the spring & DGD & I will be seeing LES MESARABLES (sp?) too.

 

[Mickey527]

I still remember the time I took my mom to see "Sugar Babies" with Mickey Rooney and Anne Miller on Broadway in gosh, maybe 1978...
She stood outside the door like a little kid and when Anne Miller walked outside (no makeup, hair in a turban, and OLD!!!) she went crazy, "Miss Miller, Miss Miller, I loved you for so long, you are the best, oh Miss Miller." I thought she would faint.
Then short fat Mickey Rooney came out, her day was made.
During the show ,about a broadway show, they did what was supposed to be an intermission and tossed out bags of Sugar Babies to the audience. I caught her one and she had both actors sign the bag.
I found the bag with the dried up candies, and the playbill in her top dresser drawer when I had to clean out her bedroom the year she died in 2001.

 

[disfan07]

It's definately a big thing on Broadway.

We did the autographs at the stage door when we saw Wicked, Rent and Promises Promises.

Its a great way to get autographs. I have 2 autographs from Kristin Chenoweth, 1 from Idina Menzel, and 1 from Sean Hayes

 

[Princess Nancy]

DD went to New York in August. She saw Billy Elliot. While getting several autographs, they heard some commotion nearby and Corbin Bleu from High School Musical came out of the Theatre next door. My daughter is 15, so she was thrilled.

Everyone they encountered signed autographs and took pics. Her pic with hunky Corbin Bleu was her facebook profile for quite some time!

 

[MichelleVW]

We waited at the stage door last year when we saw Rent in Dallas. Only the girl that played Mimi came out, but I think that's because it was a matinee show and they all had to do another show that night.