Rudeness at a theatre (stage or movie) - are you completely innocent?

[jam_man]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 2:49am

I know how we all complain about bad theatre behavior, and rightfully so (though mostly at a live show). However, someone has to do the things that piss people off. So has it ever been you? Nothing major, just a whisper to your friend or even a cell phone. Or major if you have it. Please, confess in this thread so all your audience-member sins can be forgiven. Not by me, of course, but someone.

I'll be the first to put my neck on the line. When I went to see Chicago for the first time (film), I was on a date. A first date. On Valentine's Day. Let's just say that as great as Chicago is, not a great first date/Valentine's Day movie. Anyway, after Mamma Morton had her line "Every girl in here would kill to have Billy Flynn represent her," I whispered to her my one-liner "Most of them already did." Had to be punched in right there or it would've gone to waste, but nonetheless, rude, and not a great first date move.

Anyone want to join me out on this limb?

Updated On: 7/8/06 at 02:49 AM

[C is for Company]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 2:54am

I lauged really hard one time at Wicked when Jenna Leigh Green said "jewed shoes" as opposed to "jeweled shoes" which prompted what others may have found obnoxious laugter at a part where there wasn't anything funny. At the time I found it to be one of the better parts of the evening.

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 2:56am

I'm notorious for sarcastic commentary when watching a bad movie. I do try to keep it quiet and not too obnoxious. But there are the ocassions where the entire theater is doing the same. (In the case of House of the Dead.)
Updated On: 7/8/06 at 02:56 AM

[jam_man]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 3:21am

C is for Company, that reminds me of when I saw Spamalot early in it's Chicago engagment. During "You Won't Succeed on Broadway" when they get into line, I was anticipating the Grail dance a la Fiddler bottle dance with some possibly audible "Oh please, let them be doing...YES!!!" to which a couple people in front of me turned around. Sorry if any of them are reading this.

Okay, so I have two things.

Updated On: 7/8/06 at 03:21 AM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 10:15am

I have been known to talk during movies (not shows, though). I whisper snippy comments to my companions. ONE time, at a show, I had to buy a drink because I was "dying" of thirst and then proceeded to drink it during the show. I felt really bad, but I couldn't help it. At least I knew I was doing wrong... (I don't know if that makes it better or worse)

[James885]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 10:22am

I've a tendancy to make a running commentary during movies if I'm with my friends. If it's a bad movie I sometimes make snide little comments. But I always try to keep it down to a whisper.

I don't talk at all during shows, except during intermission.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 10:26am

I have a tendancy to talk during boring movies (War of the Worlds remake)

I went to see it with a few friends! They didn't mind because we were making jokes to each other and cracking up all through the movie! Like when the pants, shirts, etc. were falling from the side I turned to my friend and said "It's like a bad GAP [jeans] commercial!" and other things like that! And about Dakota Fanning "They say she's in rehab!" That even got a laugh from the people behind us!

[DramaDork925]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 10:31am

I'll admit it... I sang in the RENT movie...

[bwaylover86]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 10:46am

During the RENT movie I once said the line "That boy could use some prozac" where it would have been in the show because its one of my favorite lines. The theater was nearly empty and it was my sister and I seeing the movie- she wanted me to yell it out but I just said it so that maybe someone sitting next to us could have heard it, but again- the theater was empty lol.

[mabel]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 10:47am

I've only ever been late to the theatre once, and I've only ever had my phone go off at the theatre once. Unfortunately, they were both for the same show! It was Threepenny Opera at the Jacques Cocteau Rep, and my friend and I arrived about 10 minutes late. We were cutting it close, but the damn 6 at Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall is the first/last stop, so it just sat there for about 15 minutes before leaving. Then, in the bustle of running to get there and being late, I forgot to turn my phone off. It was during the 2004 playoffs and I got about 3 calls from my folks updating me on the Red Sox in the first act. Luckily, I had my phone on vibrate, so nobody could hear it ring, but it did do its little Beep Beep Beep everytime a message was left. I probably should have shut it off, but I did't think they'd call so many damn times, and I figured the little jingle when I turned the phone off would be more obnoxious than just leaving it until intermission.

I know...very bad! Two big faux pas in one night. But I got it all out of my system there!! Promise!!!

[Taryn]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 11:32am

I'll whisper commentary during movies, I admit it. ESPECIALLY if I'm with a certain one of my brothers. With the other two, it's fine, but when me and Aaron get together it's like MST3000. But quieter. And we'll do it during movies we love, too. Pisses off my youngest brother to no end.

There was one time during Van Helsing when the action was really loud and I thought I maybe heard a cell phone ringing. I thought, "GOD, why can't people just turn off their cell phones?" But it was so faint because of the noise level, I got out of the theatre and realized it had been mine. But I doubt anybody else heard it.

[RobbO]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 12:44pm

i AM completely innocent.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 12:52pm

I have been late to a show once. I saw Wicked the day before Easter, and the traffic was horrible. We were about eight minutes late.

The only time I have ever talked during a movie is when I saw Man of the Houses. I was seeign it with my friends, and the theatre was empty except for us. We were just talking and making fun of the movie.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 12:59pm

I had a bizarre habit of going to see movies WITH people who wouldn't shut up during a movie and throw popcorn and whatnot. I have no idea why. I'd spend the entire movie slathered in malaise.

If you think a member in the audience acting like a ****er can ruin the movie, try having THAT PERSON in your group.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 1:05pm

I have a tendency to whisper things regarding what I'm watching to who ever I go with to see something.

And at movies I tend to lean my knees pushing on the chair in front of me.

And when I saw Barefoot in the Park I had to pee really badly in the middle of Act 1 and couldn't hold it in till intermission, so I got up to go to the bathroom, climbing over a bunch of people.

Yea. I have three. Oops.

[Marlene]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 1:09pm

I have a really bizarre bathroom habit...I think I ran off like three times before Bernarda started, the lady on the aisle wasn't too thrilled. And I always drink water. Definately not during the show, but it's not like I spill it or anything. I need my nalgene.

I was almost late to Shakespeare in the Park. The trains were all strange one Saturday...I ran in, and got to my seat literally like a minute before the show started.

Unless being absolutely giddy and obnoxious when I win lottery counts...nope.

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 1:11pm

I went to see "The DeVinci Code" on opening night with a group of friends and there were a lot of ppl there. Well the previews had started and a friend and I had found our group and we were whispering something. The SOB in front of us stands up and , in a red neck accent, says, "Are yall gonna be quIet when tha mOOvie stARts? Just wondern'!" And I smirked at his rudeness(he could have been nice about it and the freeken movie hadn't even started) and his girlfriend next to him says, "Is it fUUny?" Welcome to the South, or as I call it, "HELL".

[Dancinqueen123]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 10:26pm

When I saw the RENT movie for the first time, I sang along. The second time I saw it, I moo-ed with my sister. There were only about 6 people in the theatre and we got them to moo too. It was fun!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 10:41pm

At the movies, when there are little kids sitting in the row in front of me, I slide my foot inbetween the seat and back of an empty seat and make the seat go up and down to scare them.

It' immature, but so much fun to see them freak out.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 10:42pm

Wow this thread makes me feel rude...

I guess I've eaten candy during the show both times I saw Wicked (I made sure I didn't make any noise).

And when I saw Rent recently I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of Act 2, and being in the center of the aisle I had to climb over a bunch of people's feet(I waited for a break in between songs though). As I've mentioned before though I have Crohn's disease and try to get an aisle seat whenever possible.

Although I think whether these things are rude or not is pretty much the opinion of the reader.
Updated On: 7/8/06 at 10:42 PM

[Magical_Ms._Mistoffeles_72]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 12:23am

I cried REALLY hard during the RENT movie, but there were only like 4 people there

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 12:40am

During previews for a movie, I forget which one, The Island preview came on and I freaked out. It must have been obnixious for the others. That's about as annoying as I get I think, squealing and being loud if I really enjoyed the movie. But I never speak during movies or shows, even ones I hate. I'm just so focused on to them.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 12:45am

At the movies, my friend was asleep across 4 seats (we were seeing The Producers). I leaned over and smacked him, causing some loud laughter form my other friends (and yet he did not wake up).

[Over_the_Moon]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 1:04am

The two times I have ever been late to the theatre, EVER, were the only two times I have had front row center seats for a professional show. One was Mamma Mia tour. The other was BKLYN.

The horrible part about BKLYN was that the girl in the seat next to mine had her leg in some sort of medical contraption that looked like it had been broken and put back together and stuff, and it had all worked out well that no one was in that seat, so she could stretch out, and then I showed up and made her move

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 4:17am

Not live theater.... but I saw the Omen a few weeks back. Me and my friend were disecting peoples performances, and came to the conclusion that the only actor who did a good job was the kid! All aloud, we knew the other people in the theater. they joined in as well. If there had been more peole we'd have done the same just a wee bit softer with the voices!

-EM