philly stage door
Following yesterday's concert review(s), I now bring you stage door stories!
Before Saturday's concert I scouted out the theatre to find the stage door. Success on 15th St. There was a concrete staircase leading to a double set of glass doors, through which was a check-in desk and such. (It was kinda similar to the set up for Playhouse Square's State Theatre.)
When I got around the corner there were already four people (two women and two teenagers) waiting, which really surprised me because I didn't think anyone would be around. I was standing by the high side of the stairs and would glance up at the door whenever I caught the movement of feet in my field of vision. Lots of orchestra members filed out while I was there.
Gary Mauer was the first to out and he knew the group - they were waiting for him and had apparently met him previously. A few more minutes pass and out comes Anne Runolfsson talking to Julia. I didn't quite catch what they were talking about, but I wanna say it may have been something about people waiting at the stage door.
As she walked down the stairs, I walked around the group talking to Gary and made my approach, CD booklets in hand. I get so incredibly shy and nervous in situations like this, especially with someone I really admire and such, so I'm quite impressed I managed to speak coherently.
Anyway, I'm like "Hey, Julia, could I get you to sign these for me?" She seemed rather surprised to see the booklet to her CD, judging by her reaction. She asked what my name was - "V-I-C-K ... I?" "Y." "Y, okay." As she's signing I mentioned how much I enjoyed the concert and that I had come from Ohio to see it. I received an astonished Julia response of "No!" I said I was coming again tomorrow and was making a weekend out of the whole thing. She looks me straight in the eye and kinda laughs, "You realize it's the exact same thing tomorrow?" I laughed back and said I was perfectly fine with that.
I asked one of the people still hanging around from Gary's group to take our picture. The camera ended up with Aunt Suzie who wasn't technology savvy at all. Point and click was apparently above her but the picture was taken. I grabbed my camera to check how it turned out and I could hear Julia over my shoulder saying, "Yes, photo approval."
Assured the picture was acceptable I said, "If I can find a place to get this printed and come back tomorrow can I get you to sign it." She said sure. I told her again how much I enjoyed the show then I took off.
First, some back story: Since my hotel was in the middle of nowhere and I didn't want to chance exploring the area, I got downtown early again to check out the CVS and Rite-Aid I had spotted in an attempt to get my Julia picture printed. I tried CVS first since it was across the street from the back of the theatre. There was a "Photo Center" sign right on the side of the building - score! The "in seconds" machine was out of order but since it was 12:30pm, I went for the one-hour print because I had time.
I killed time reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in the theatre lobby before taking my book back down to the car and returning to CVS. I told the photo girl I was back for a photo pick up and she asked if I had printed anything special or if it was just standard 4"x6" prints. I said I had one 4"x6". She said it wasn't coming out of her machine and she didn't know why. (Previously, she had commented it was, like, her second day.) Hmmm. There were people in line she was checking out so I left CVS and headed to Rite-Aid, more than a little frustrated.
I arrive at the Rite-Aid on Broad St. and, much to my delight, they had an instant print machine! I got my pictures, grabbed and Gatorade and headed to the checkout. When the lady was giving me my change, one of the other employees told her to start making closing announcements. I checked the door on my way out and Rite-Aid closed at 2pm - it was currently 1:56pm. Talk about coming in under the wire. A few more minutes and I wouldn't have gotten my picture printed at all. Dude, that would have been a total travesty to return to the stage door with no picture and just the program for her to sign. But hey, that didn't happen and all was well.
All that behind me, I staked out the same spot by the staircase after the show. No one else was around this time so I was kinda kicking at the base of the stairs, once again glancing up when I caught movement.
There was this lady that went up to the desk and came back out a few minutes later and waited at the top of the stairs. Anne was the first one out this time and was obviously friends with the lady. The lady was none too happy. Judging by the conversation, she was supposed to have had her name on a ticket list and a backstage list, neither of which happened. Anne wasn't real happy about it either because she had put said lady's name on the lists when she arrived and was given confirmation about the ticket. I don't know if the lady ended up getting into the show or not, but I hope she did.
The two of them were still at the top of the staircase when Julia walked out, rolling suitcase in tow. I looked up, waved and said, "Hey" and she said, "Hey" back with a smile. Anne introduced her to the lady and they talked a minute. When Julia got to the base of the stairs, she put her purse on top of her suitcase (which had a fluorescent lime green Wicked luggage tag on it) and took a step in my direction while I crossed over to her.
First thing she said was, "How'd you do? Did you get it printed?" I handed her the picture and Sharpie and she said, "You're so resourceful." If only she knew the hassle I went through to get it. I made the comment that I was really pleased with how the picture turned out because I don't always like pictures of myself. She took another look at it and agreed that it was a good one.
I will say she looked kinda tired and she didn't have quite as much energy during the show that she did Saturday but it doesn't surprise me after a full weekend of performances.
I made a point of telling her how thoroughly enjoyed "Ring Them Bells" and how she does character voices so well. I also mentioned I noticed several audience members reacting to her voices. You could see them smile and light up whenever she made a change because it wasn't something you'd expect to hear. She's like, "Thank you for telling me that. When I brought the song to them they weren't familiar with it but I told them to trust me, that'd it work." Oh, it sure as hell worked.
Julia then went on to say something along the lines of, "I wish I could tell you I had something coming up but there's just my solo show at the end of November and that's at 11:30 at night on a Monday in New York." I replied with, "Well, I do have Mondays off but it'd be the getting back to work Tuesday morning that would be the problem." We both laughed and she added that she was sure "a more civilized concert" would happen at some point.
Before leaving, Julia thanked me for coming all the way from Ohio for the concert and told me to have a safe drive home.
I was far more comfortable this time around and actually carried on a somewhat decent conversation. Two thumbs up for me. The only thing I regret was not getting a second picture but oh well. I got one and that's good enough for me.
I haven't gotten around to taking a picture of the autographed picture, but Julia signed in black marker on the right-hand side. That's one thing I really liked about the shot, that it left the open area for her signature. Aunt Suzie did well.
(I should probably also mention that I don't have heels on - I'm really that tall. Had I worn heels, I'd have been towering over her at a massive 6'3" instead of my regular 6'.)
Before Saturday's concert I scouted out the theatre to find the stage door. Success on 15th St. There was a concrete staircase leading to a double set of glass doors, through which was a check-in desk and such. (It was kinda similar to the set up for Playhouse Square's State Theatre.)
When I got around the corner there were already four people (two women and two teenagers) waiting, which really surprised me because I didn't think anyone would be around. I was standing by the high side of the stairs and would glance up at the door whenever I caught the movement of feet in my field of vision. Lots of orchestra members filed out while I was there.
Gary Mauer was the first to out and he knew the group - they were waiting for him and had apparently met him previously. A few more minutes pass and out comes Anne Runolfsson talking to Julia. I didn't quite catch what they were talking about, but I wanna say it may have been something about people waiting at the stage door.
As she walked down the stairs, I walked around the group talking to Gary and made my approach, CD booklets in hand. I get so incredibly shy and nervous in situations like this, especially with someone I really admire and such, so I'm quite impressed I managed to speak coherently.
Anyway, I'm like "Hey, Julia, could I get you to sign these for me?" She seemed rather surprised to see the booklet to her CD, judging by her reaction. She asked what my name was - "V-I-C-K ... I?" "Y." "Y, okay." As she's signing I mentioned how much I enjoyed the concert and that I had come from Ohio to see it. I received an astonished Julia response of "No!" I said I was coming again tomorrow and was making a weekend out of the whole thing. She looks me straight in the eye and kinda laughs, "You realize it's the exact same thing tomorrow?" I laughed back and said I was perfectly fine with that.
I asked one of the people still hanging around from Gary's group to take our picture. The camera ended up with Aunt Suzie who wasn't technology savvy at all. Point and click was apparently above her but the picture was taken. I grabbed my camera to check how it turned out and I could hear Julia over my shoulder saying, "Yes, photo approval."
Assured the picture was acceptable I said, "If I can find a place to get this printed and come back tomorrow can I get you to sign it." She said sure. I told her again how much I enjoyed the show then I took off.
First, some back story: Since my hotel was in the middle of nowhere and I didn't want to chance exploring the area, I got downtown early again to check out the CVS and Rite-Aid I had spotted in an attempt to get my Julia picture printed. I tried CVS first since it was across the street from the back of the theatre. There was a "Photo Center" sign right on the side of the building - score! The "in seconds" machine was out of order but since it was 12:30pm, I went for the one-hour print because I had time.
I killed time reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in the theatre lobby before taking my book back down to the car and returning to CVS. I told the photo girl I was back for a photo pick up and she asked if I had printed anything special or if it was just standard 4"x6" prints. I said I had one 4"x6". She said it wasn't coming out of her machine and she didn't know why. (Previously, she had commented it was, like, her second day.) Hmmm. There were people in line she was checking out so I left CVS and headed to Rite-Aid, more than a little frustrated.
I arrive at the Rite-Aid on Broad St. and, much to my delight, they had an instant print machine! I got my pictures, grabbed and Gatorade and headed to the checkout. When the lady was giving me my change, one of the other employees told her to start making closing announcements. I checked the door on my way out and Rite-Aid closed at 2pm - it was currently 1:56pm. Talk about coming in under the wire. A few more minutes and I wouldn't have gotten my picture printed at all. Dude, that would have been a total travesty to return to the stage door with no picture and just the program for her to sign. But hey, that didn't happen and all was well.
All that behind me, I staked out the same spot by the staircase after the show. No one else was around this time so I was kinda kicking at the base of the stairs, once again glancing up when I caught movement.
There was this lady that went up to the desk and came back out a few minutes later and waited at the top of the stairs. Anne was the first one out this time and was obviously friends with the lady. The lady was none too happy. Judging by the conversation, she was supposed to have had her name on a ticket list and a backstage list, neither of which happened. Anne wasn't real happy about it either because she had put said lady's name on the lists when she arrived and was given confirmation about the ticket. I don't know if the lady ended up getting into the show or not, but I hope she did.
The two of them were still at the top of the staircase when Julia walked out, rolling suitcase in tow. I looked up, waved and said, "Hey" and she said, "Hey" back with a smile. Anne introduced her to the lady and they talked a minute. When Julia got to the base of the stairs, she put her purse on top of her suitcase (which had a fluorescent lime green Wicked luggage tag on it) and took a step in my direction while I crossed over to her.
First thing she said was, "How'd you do? Did you get it printed?" I handed her the picture and Sharpie and she said, "You're so resourceful." If only she knew the hassle I went through to get it. I made the comment that I was really pleased with how the picture turned out because I don't always like pictures of myself. She took another look at it and agreed that it was a good one.
I will say she looked kinda tired and she didn't have quite as much energy during the show that she did Saturday but it doesn't surprise me after a full weekend of performances.
I made a point of telling her how thoroughly enjoyed "Ring Them Bells" and how she does character voices so well. I also mentioned I noticed several audience members reacting to her voices. You could see them smile and light up whenever she made a change because it wasn't something you'd expect to hear. She's like, "Thank you for telling me that. When I brought the song to them they weren't familiar with it but I told them to trust me, that'd it work." Oh, it sure as hell worked.
Julia then went on to say something along the lines of, "I wish I could tell you I had something coming up but there's just my solo show at the end of November and that's at 11:30 at night on a Monday in New York." I replied with, "Well, I do have Mondays off but it'd be the getting back to work Tuesday morning that would be the problem." We both laughed and she added that she was sure "a more civilized concert" would happen at some point.
Before leaving, Julia thanked me for coming all the way from Ohio for the concert and told me to have a safe drive home.
I was far more comfortable this time around and actually carried on a somewhat decent conversation. Two thumbs up for me. The only thing I regret was not getting a second picture but oh well. I got one and that's good enough for me.
I haven't gotten around to taking a picture of the autographed picture, but Julia signed in black marker on the right-hand side. That's one thing I really liked about the shot, that it left the open area for her signature. Aunt Suzie did well.
(I should probably also mention that I don't have heels on - I'm really that tall. Had I worn heels, I'd have been towering over her at a massive 6'3" instead of my regular 6'.)