First: Do not write to the stage manager out of desperation. Considering that most people on here wouldn't be able to name the other two co-stars in this production (similar to Blithe Spirit - how many people know that Christine Ebersole is more of the star than Angela Lansbury), don't write to the stage manager. You write to the stage manager when you want the company's autographs -- not because you want Susan Sarandon's. You write to Susan Sarandon. If you can't name atleast 4 people in a show without google-ing it, don't write to the stage manager and just use it as a "Autograph Count" boost; considering you don't know who the people are/care, then it's not an autograph for you. Furthermore, I know people on here are selling playbills on eBay - which is extremely dangerous and is threatening the entire hobby. So thanks for that.nightowl wrote:You could request a cast signed playbill from the Stage Mananger, it's not too late. You 'should' be able to get one before they close.
On "rare" occasions the celeb will have photos with them VV---Will Ferrell did from one movie set. But, from what I have seen, that is VERY rare.
I have been told that all theaters do forward mail, but I can't be 100% certain that 100% of the theaters do. What you can do is keep track of the ones that do. Whenever you see a success from a theater make a note of it. Record what was received, playbills, signed photos, etc. That way you know for a fact "that" theater does forward. Then if your request doesn't come back from that theater, it will be because the celeb doesn't sign, or it was misplaced.
Another reason can be that the celeb signs sporadically. You may see successes from one venue and then not another, even when both venues forward.
I really would love to see what some people write in their letters to the stage managers for straight plays..........
Secondedly: All legitimate theatres pass on fanmail. It's up to the celebrity/star to sign or not sign or what not. If you've ever been backstage / seen the backstage of a legitimate Broadway house, you will perfectly understand that it is extremely cramped and they are lucky to have enough dressing rooms for the stars at most strictly-play houses. Not all stage managers answer fanmail - and for a good reason. People request them, get them, and sell them -- if you see a lot of a particular signed-playbill on eBay or other sites (even if the person insists that they got it handsigned, which is usually a lie), chances are you aren't going to get one back. BC/EFA (Broadway's main charity(s)) sells cast-signed playbills and windowcards from time to time as donations, so obviously, you can see that they'd rather have you pay for one then get one for free.