Bad Audience Behavior: Newsies cast member's family edition

I attended my first Broadway show in the Nederlander theatre 14 year ago when I saw "Rent." It was the best experience I have ever had in a Broadway theatre. Last night's visit to "Disney's Newsies" was the singular worst experience in over 75 shows since. My group, and others around us were overwhelmed at the rudeness of nearby patrons. Apparently, they were family of a member of the cast because they spent the entire first act shouting at "Tommy," standing and even waving. It was as if they were on top of their camper at the infield of a NASCAR race. They were shushed multiple times by those around them and asked quietly and politely by members of my party to quiet down. This only exacerbated the situation, with their talking becoming more obnoxious. At intermission, they refused to let us out of the row and one member of their party started yelling. Yes, yelling. I contacted an usher and then the manager who expressed sympathy, but did nothing to resolve the situation. The only solution offered was to allow us to stand in the back, with limited views of the stage. Nothing was done to curb or control the outrageously inappropriate behavior of Tommy's clan.
If we could only convince Patti LuPone to spend her down time as an usher....

Updated On: 4/11/12 at 09:24 AM

That's because you were too busy yelling "Tommy!" and not letting anyone leave your row, Jordan.

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"At intermission, they refused to let us out of the row and one member of their party started yelling. Yes, yelling. I contacted an usher and then the manager who expressed sympathy, but did nothing to resolve the situation. The only solution offered was to allow us to stand in the back, with limited views of the stage."

I'm confused. If they didn't let you leave your row, how did you get to the back of the theatre? And why stand back there -- where by your description, their behavior would be even more of a distraction (standing up and blocking your view) than if you had returned to your row and they would be beside you, not in front of you.

Bio for "Tommy"

Tommy Bracco - SPOT CONLON, SCAB, ENSEMBLE

Broadway debut! Special thanks to the functioning dysfunctionals and to all my teachers who helped this dream come true. “You can take the boy outta Brooklyn but you can’t take the Brooklyn outta the boy” @tommybracco

He must be so proud of his classy family. Well done Bracco's.

^^ ¡Otra vez esta mal parrida! Que horor!

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Updated On: 4/11/12 at 06:34 PM

Dolly, unless Loretta Swit had recently appeared on "Real Housewives of the Trailer Park," this group would have not known to whom I was referring. I am sure their confusion would have only resulted in additional shouting.

Updated On: 4/9/12 at 10:30 PM

DrMike, maybe you should consider writing a letter to the producers and/or the Nederlander organization. To have the Bracco brood treating that particular performance as if it were the school play by hooting and hollering is unacceptable. Maybe they serve should tell Tommy to keep his brood in check next time. Personally I would have been mortified if my family behaved in such a manner. I'm sure his castmates were thrilled. He looks like a tool.

Kalimba: perfect suggestion. I put letters in the mail today to both Disney Theatrical and the Nederlander Organization.

JerseyGirl2, I can't speak for DrMike, but it looks like he tried to get theatre management to deal with the situation effectively, but it appears as if they didn't do anything besides offering to relocate him to the standing room area. I certainly would have written a letter to complain about how the situation was dealt with, especially considering how expensive tickets are. Tommy Bracco can't be held accountable for the actions of those there to support him, but you'd think they'd know how to behave.

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Really? No one has commented on "Patty" yet?

JerseyGirl, the "kid" won't get fired. Even if this is brought to management's attention, there's no proof. Also, last time I checked... contracts don't have a you're responsible for everyone you know who sees the show clause. It's also Disney; they're not going to be annoyed with this.

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Updated On: 4/11/12 at 06:16 PM

and i bet he took care of it already. If it was truly that disruptive the rest of the cast noticed, and he would feel the peer pressure to not let it happen again. Can certainly understand the OP being discomfited, but highly unlikely producers or theatre owners will re-dress after the fact. Time to let this dead horse stop taking a beating.

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I still don't see how it's proactive. To complain AT the theatre makes sense. To send out a letter after the fact--when those audience members aren't are long gone, and to single out the performer (if you did) who had no control over it, both seem like wastes of time. I suppose if you complained about how the ushers handled it, and that was the gist of your letter, it could do a bit of good. Otherwise...