Threaded Order Chronological Order
| Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: Naughty_Rob 11:38 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| I was at the restaurant on Thursday around 7 with a bunch of friends and spotted a big Tony award winning director. Several people went over to say hello - most he didn’t seem to know. After a while he got a little annoyed. I think he just wanted to enjoy his dinner - (burger at that place is yummy) My friend said he was loving all the attention. And if he wanted a private dinner he wouldn’t have gone to Joe’s. I would when people who know me from TV say hello in the street. Thoughts? |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: Guillaume 01:22 am EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Naughty_Rob 11:38 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| Joe Allen's has had a strict "do not disturb celebrities" policy since they opened decades ago. That's why celebrities go there. They know they can have privacy. I'm really surprised that the staff did not do a better job of enforcing the restaurant's policy. | |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: mattyp4 06:41 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Naughty_Rob 11:38 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| Here are my thoughts: I personally never approach a celebrity if I see them in public. Particularly if they're dining or doing something with friends or family. Just because they're dining in a public place that's popular in the industry does not mean that they want to be "on display." If they did they would give a talk or do a book signing or something. I work in the industry & I've been out with famous people. I can assure you that they want to be left alone. Of course there are exceptions. I've been living in NYC for 16 years. I have seen lots of celebrities out & about but I only approached people two or three times. Twice was on the subway. Once when I was in line to get into a show & this person was stuck in a huge line right next to me. Each time I just said hello & mentioned that I was a fan. Two of the times they chose to engage in a brief conversation (which was nice but I would never expect or anticipate that). I've never asked for autographs nor have I asked for selfies. And I would never ever approach someone while they were dining. Like, never ever ever. Leave them be. I once sat next to a Tony-winning theater/TV/film star at an Off-Broadway show & I didn't even say anything then! It took a bit of restraint but he was with a friend & probably appreciated the privacy. Or at least I'd like to think so. I'm sure he gets interrupted plenty of other times. |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 06:52 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - mattyp4 06:41 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| I'm a celebrity (C-list, you could say) and I love it when people come up to me. If I'm talking to someone or am on the phone, I need them to wait a second and I could be flustered, but otherwise, it's great. Love it. Not sure why it bothers other celebrities. Especially, celebrities less famous than me. Granted, bigger celebrities get approached more than I do, but hey, it's the life we chose! | |
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| Just a couple of points | |
| Posted by: SamIAm 09:11 am EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - KingSpeed 06:52 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| First, I understand your remark about choosing this life but being a celebrity or someone in the public eye (sports figure, politician etc) does not and should not mean you have to give up all your privacy. Secondly, there are instances where saying hello is OK (if you are standing in line next to someone) but interrupting someone's dinner or night out with friends is NOT OK as far as I am concerned. Third and final point: You are an individual and you are OK with people approaching you. Not everyone is and each person should be able to set their own boundaries. To have attention forced on you is not a fun situation, especially if you are shy (which many performers are). I have had friends tell me that they were approached in bathrooms, at funerals, etc. It is worth noting that, in the old days, theater actors were considered neighbors and people did not accost them when they walked the streets or went to restaurants. Since the revival of Broadway and the advent of more tourist-driven marketing etc it has become a free for all. People are pushy at stage doors, people who don't even SEE a show will grab a playbill and push for an autograph and sell it or insist on an actor signing playbills from other shows. As always, if you are unsure, or if you have to stop and ask yourself...just DON'T do it. Everyone deserves respect and privacy. Actors, musicians, and others are paid to do a job...not to be best friend to every person on the street and we tend to forget that we are not the only ones who do it. Add up all those people and it becomes a nightmare to go out. |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: mattyp4 12:29 am EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - KingSpeed 06:52 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| Well, with all due respect, I used to work with more of an A-list celebrity. He didn't usually hang out with the staff but one night, while we were on the road together, he felt like coming out with us. We were in Ohio and we all decided to go to a bar together. He was just trying to unwind and have a good time but there was a line of people trying to get a photo of him. Every now and then someone would interrupt the conversation he was having and stick a camera in his face. I watched as people lunged to photograph him. Besides being rude it was kind of frightening as well. He eventually went back to his hotel early. He only lasted about 15 minutes at the bar. After that he only really hung out with us at private parties. I don't doubt that some celebrities enjoy the recognition, but if you're an A-lister I can see it being a nuisance. Actually, I literally saw it being a nuisance. Anyway, bottom line is, if you see a celebrity in public and feel the need to say hi, proceed with caution. If there's a slight chance you think you might be bothering them, you probably are. (And most people don't want to be bothered while they're eating or going to the bathroom!) Lastly, if you get rebuffed, don't come on to a message board huffing and puffing about a rude encounter with that celebrity. (Not saying you are, Naughty_Rob, but other people have.) They don't owe you a private meet & greet. |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 12:44 am EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - mattyp4 12:29 am EDT 05/21/18 | |
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| Good story. It's prob harder for true A-listers but there are people on my level that bitch about it. I agree that people should never feel they are OWED a meet & greet. | |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: NewtonUK 05:45 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Naughty_Rob 11:38 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| People should have more class, restraint. Let celebrities dine in peace. They go to Joe Allen's because its an industry place, which means 'leave me alone'. Bar Centrale is the same. | |
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| Paul Newman | |
| Posted by: TimDunleavy 04:51 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Naughty_Rob 11:38 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| I've told this story here before, but it bears repeating now. Back in the seventies, my dad and his business partner were on a business trip to San Francisco. One night they went to a restaurant, and as they were being seated, they noticed Paul Newman sitting a few tables away, dining and chatting with another man. "Let's go over and say hello!" said my dad's partner. "No, don't," said Dad. "Celebrities HATE being interrupted while they're eating." "But it's Paul Newman!" said the partner. "When are we ever going to have a chance to meet him again?" They argued about it, and in the middle of the argument, Paul and the man got up and left the restaurant. So they missed their chance. The very next night, Dad turned on "The Tonight Show," and Paul was the lead guest. At one point Johnny asked him "Is there anything you don't like about dealing with the public?" Paul replied, "Yeah, I can't STAND it when people interrupt me when I'm eating!" |
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| re: Paul Newman | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 05:18 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 05:17 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: Paul Newman - TimDunleavy 04:51 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| Paul Newman has said that he remembered the instant that he stopped giving autographs: “I was standing at a urinal in Sardi’s, and this guy came though the door with a piece of paper. I thought this was inappropriate. It wasn’t just an invasion of privacy. It was an invasion of purpose.” | |
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| Paul Newman at Sardi's | |
| Posted by: aleck 11:14 am EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Paul Newman - WaymanWong 05:17 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| In the late '70s I took my mother to Sardi's for dinner. As we were leaving I spotted Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward and a few other people (I think including Paul Zindel) at one of the front tables. I nudged my mother and told her that Paul Newman was there. "Where," she exclaimed. I indicated where he was sitting. Before I could stop her, she walked directly to the table and stood over him studying him like she was selecting something from a deli counter and then, apparently startled to discover how slight of build he was, turned around and in a voice louder than Ethel Merman encouraging Louise to sing out, she declared to the entire restaurant: "He doesn't even have shoulders." I did not step foot inside Sardi's again for 30 years. |
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| re: Paul Newman at Sardi's | |
| Posted by: Alcindoro 12:04 pm EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: Paul Newman at Sardi's - aleck 11:14 am EDT 05/21/18 | |
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| This sounds like one of those times when I would seriously wonder why it isn't possible for a child to put a parent up for adoption. | |
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| The name of the restaurant is Joe Allen. | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 04:12 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Naughty_Rob 11:38 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| Not Joe Allen's. Common mistake. | |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: MikeR 02:19 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Naughty_Rob 11:38 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| I would say they just want to enjoy their dinner, whether they're at Joe Allen or Bottino. | |
| Link | https://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat_new/d.php?id=2419393 |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: Deirdre 11:59 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Naughty_Rob 11:38 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| You were correct. He just wanted to enjoy his dinner. | |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: andrea (ctcolumbia@aol.com) 01:35 pm EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Deirdre 11:59 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| I am a huge fan of Brian Dennehy. About 15 years ago I was in Angus McIndoe with my elderly mom, who had trouble walking so they offered to seat us on the first floor in the back room. We were thrilled to see Mr. Dennehy having dinner at the next table with several others. Several times we made eye contact and I was so tempted to say something but never got up the nerve. Now I am glad I just let him eat in peace! | |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: Deirdre 06:31 pm EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - andrea 01:35 pm EDT 05/21/18 | |
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| He would've been happy to say hi to your mom! HIs joke is that he's always approached by young, beautiful woman who say: "Mr. Dennehy? My mom just LOVES you!" | |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: andrea (ctcolumbia@aol.com) 08:47 pm EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Deirdre 06:31 pm EDT 05/21/18 | |
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| That’s great! Poor mom passed away 18 months ago at 97 but we had many great theater weekends. By the way, I moved to Florida in June after 30 years in Redding so we were neighbors. Last time I saw Mr. Dennehy was at Long Wharf in Endgame. Another wonderful performance. | |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 12:36 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 12:29 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Deirdre 11:59 am EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| A lot of celebrities go to eat at Joe Allen to avoid autograph-seekers and just enjoy their meal. I thought in the past I had read that their staff was well-trained to deal with interlopers. I recall I once arrived to meet my cousin, announced her name to the maitre d', and then I was being taken toward Lucille Ball's table! I didn't want to bother her, rushed back to the maitre d's desk, and my cousin retrieved me, as we were sitting at a table just on the other side of the aisle next to Ms. Ball's party. A couple of women coming up the aisle, when they saw her, turned inwards away from Ball's table toward us, and whispered "There's Lucille Ball" to each other, acknowledging, but basically leaving her alone. Btw, a young man did join Ms. Ball's party, so I guess they were expecting someone around my age to join them. Ms. Ball looked great -- such red hair! Plus as I glanced over during the meal, she seemed very business-like. No one but the waiters approached them. I think if a celebrity sees friends there, or if someone knows them, Joe Allen's is a place to reconnect, but as far as autographs or trying to give someone a picture/resume, that would seem verboten and unwanted. Funny story: my cousin said years ago whenever she went there she saw Jack Gilford. She once mentioned to a friend that this particular time was the first time Jack Gilford wasn't there, and who should just then appear but Jack Gilford! |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: boyartist 01:45 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - PlayWiz 12:29 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| True New Yorkers do not bother celebrities, I'm proud to say. When I first arrived from the swamps of Northern Florida, I was always thrilled to see a celebrity in person. I worked at Tiffany's, so, I saw at least one a day. Just seeing these famous faces was enough for me. Years pass, and I find myself in the company of some famous names, and it's interesting to see how the public reacts when encountering a famous face. Most people are polite. When I exit a stage door, it's amusing to read the faces of the fans behind the barricades. Someone once blurted, " Oh, that's nobody!" I might be offended, if it weren't so amusing. Meanwhile, back at Joe Allen, if you spot a celeb, and you catch their eye, just smile. It's the easiest compliment you can bestow. |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Last Edit: Delvino 01:12 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| Posted by: Delvino 01:12 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - PlayWiz 12:29 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| I've never been to Joe Allen's when I did not see celebrities. I think there are exceptions to the rule of leaving diners alone, but they should be rare. I remember going to the very first preview of 'Sunset Blvd," (the first iteration). Alice Ripley was there afterwards. I just passed her table, she was drinking coffee I think, and told her how wonderful she was. It was the first preview, and I thought it was okay. She was very grateful and most pleased to be recognized. It's worth noting: the Alice Ripley of that preview wasn't the star she is today. So my point may be rather weak. | |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Last Edit: writerkev 01:38 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| Posted by: writerkev 01:37 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - Delvino 01:12 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| I've generally found that if it's someone like an Alice Ripley who would be recognized only by people like us, and you give a simple "Ms. Ripley, I love your work," or something of the kind, they generally are pleased (or even surprised) to be recognized. I really think I made Greg Jbara's day once by saying hello as I was leaving a restaurant. As long as you make clear you aren't invading their space or sticking around, I think it's a good experience for them. It's different for the household-name famous, because they get it all the time. I might nod and smile in the direction of, say, Jessica Lange, but I'd never say anything. You certainly never want to take up any amount of anyone's time, especially when they're trying to eat. | |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: mridley2 12:28 pm EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - writerkev 01:37 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| Agreed. A handful of times I have spotted celebrities in the audience of a show. I rarely go out of my way to speak to them but when I have it always has and will be a quick "Hi Mr or Ms so and so. I enjoy your work." Or hope to see you on stage again soon. I find in general they are very pleasant and appreciative of the kind words. | |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: allineedisthegirl 02:54 pm EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - mridley2 12:28 pm EDT 05/21/18 | |
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| Many years ago I toured with a children's theatre. Quite often I would be recognized on the street and sometimes got greetings along the lines of "You STINK!" db |
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| Ive only had 3 encounters | |
| Last Edit: dramedy 05:01 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| Posted by: dramedy 04:59 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - writerkev 01:37 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| I saw roger bart late one night passing on the street and i wished him luck at the tonys (for charlie brown) I saw henry winkler on the street (he was in the performers.) And he quickly turned his head, so i just walked on by. Kind of funny since he seems super into fans on better late than never. The third was leonard nimoy at the back of a theater during intermission and i would have said something about how much i like his work, but he was giving everyone the evil eye and not to bother him. Considering how often i go to ny and that I live in san fran, i rarely see anyone famous off the stage. But beware chris pine, i am a pinenut |
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| re: Ive only had 3 encounters | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 01:49 am EDT 05/22/18 | |
| In reply to: Ive only had 3 encounters - dramedy 04:59 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| I was considering telling the story of a friend's experience with Henry Winkler, and now you've brought him up so . . . My friend Kevin and I saw Urinetown back when it was at ATA. Directly in front of us were Joan Rivers and two friends. Directly behind us was Henry Winkler, alone. At intermission I went to the men's room, and when I came back, Kevin was chatting with Henry Winkler. Later he told me that Winkler had started the conversation. He said to Kevin, "This is great, isn't it?" And then they talked. In general, I agree with what's been said. Under the right circumstances, which does not include when someone is eating (not even if the person is alone), it can be OK to say something short and sweet to a celebrity (at least some celebrities). It's always good to make it as clear as you can that you're not looking for any significant interaction beyond just having a chance to quickly say to the person "I love your work" or something like that. I can probably count on the fingers of two hands, with a few fingers left over, the number of times I've approached a celebrity to say something, and I've had some very nice experiences. Another friend once went over to a celebrity when this very famous person was eating. We knew our friend was going to do this, he told us he was going to do it, and we should have stopped him before he did it because when he came back, he said that the celebrity had made it quietly clear that he was annoyed with having been interrupted while he was eating. |
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| Many More Encounters (long) | |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 11:05 am EDT 05/21/18 | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 11:02 am EDT 05/21/18 | |
| In reply to: Ive only had 3 encounters - dramedy 04:59 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| It probably depends on where you stay in New York, how much you walk around the neighborhoods, how early you get to the theater before a show and what your routine is, and how often you do rush lines, but I've literally crossed paths with dozens of actors, directors, playwrights, and politicians over the years (1989 through today) in New York, London and Chicago. I've even been seated in the theater (or at a table or in the same booth) next to people as diverse as Joe Mantello, Hal Prince, Donna Murphy, Victoria Clark, Ali MacGraw (twice on the same trip), Kitty Hart, Seth Rudetsky, Matthew Morrison, Michael Park, and probably others I've forgotten. Joan Rivers literally bumped in to me at the Broadhurst for 700 Sundays -- my partner and I were in standing room -- and gave us both a piece of red string licorice to munch on. Before a show, I was joined for a cup of coffee on different occasions by Edward Albee and Pamela Myers. I encountered both Chita Rivera (in Chicago) and Bernadette Peters (in New York) when they were walking their dogs -- Chita's little puppy kept jumping on my partner's leg so she let him hold the dog for a bit. I met Hugh Jackman once when he was jogging with a friend of his. I ran into both Michael Urie and Tom Wopat when they were riding their bikes -- Urie wears a helmet and Wopat does not. I spoke to both Neil Simon and Elaine Joyce in the lower level of the Friedman when I was there to see The Assembled Parties. Last year on the same trip I ran into both Michael Bloomberg (lower level of the Shubert) and Chuck Shumer (at LaGuardia). And then there was the time last spring when Michael Faist and his girlfriend were out very early one morning (probably around 6:00 AM) and kept walking past me and a bunch of my friends who were in line for standing room at the Music Box. I was first in line and I got the impression that he wanted to talk to me -- eventually he whispered something in his girlfriend's ear, she came up to me and asked me if I wouldn't mind talking to her boyfriend because he wanted to ask me about something. He was pretty shy and incredibly polite -- he even introduced himself. I said, "Dude, I know who you are -- I caught your show off-Broadway last year and I've even seen an interview of you on TV." He wanted to know why so many of us were lined up that early when the box office wouldn't be open for another 4 hours. So I explained to him about how standing room works. |
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| re: Etiquette at Joe Allens | |
| Posted by: bmc 04:11 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Etiquette at Joe Allens - writerkev 01:37 pm EDT 05/20/18 | |
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| If the saw horses are out, I will sometimes ask performers to autograph playbills; I have always thought requests in a restaurant are verboten. The only time I did otherwise was after attending the Nathan Lane Revival of Forum .Out side the theater, there were two lanes of pedestrian traffic, going in opposite directions. I saw designer Tony Walton and, without thinking Said, "I loved the new Set", (the curtain accidentally rose on Tragedy tonight) He said thank you. Two ships passing and I don't think he minded as we both kept walking. | |
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