Bad Theater Behavior — Page 13

Yesterday at THE VISIT at 1:50pm (2:00 curtain), a woman (70+), her son (40+) and her husband (also 70+) were seated next to me. The woman took out a cup of yogurt, gave it to her son, who then opened it and started eating it. THEN, she took out an ENTIRE JAR OF PEANUT BUTTER with a butter knife and slices of bread and began smearing peanut butter on the bread. The man next to them said "Are you kidding me? There is a time and place for this" to which the son yelled and shoved his hand into the other mans face "MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND STOP TALKING". I decided to wave down an usher, which didn't work, so they continued to eat their peanut butter and yogurt. Had I been able to get out of my seat I would have gone up to an usher myself but I was seated against the wall with no aisle. The only way out was to walk over all of these people and I knew that wasn't going to go very well. I really don't understand how people can be so rude and inconsiderate to those around them. Not to mention - the visit was 90 minutes. They could have eaten their yogurt and peanut butter OUTSIDE before entering the theater.

That. Is. Horrifying.

You should have faked a peanut allergy! And I know that's nothing to joke about ... it's actually very serious but if we needed a reason other than civility to not bring peanut butter into a crowded space, that's one!

Yep, I fully support tasering people acting like assholes in the theater.  100%.  Then, those ****ers won't return.

That story with the bread and peanut butter is horrifying.  Trash will ALWAYS be trash anywhere, any place.  Yuck.

Looks do nothing, those people need to be confronted (doesnt have to a negative interaction) to know that it's not ok.  

It is not the responsibility of a patron who has likely paid more than $100 for a ticket to confront an asshole and possibly get shanked in the eye. You don't know the mental state of the offending party and they could cause a big scene, confront you after the show, etc. I've seen someone getting punched right in the face for shushing someone. It is the ushers who are paid to be World Police in the theatre, not you. If the ushers did not do their job, ask for the house manager after the show, explain the situation, and tell them you want to attend another performance or ask for a refund. If you are turned down, ask for the name and address of theatre management and write a letter.

The audience at Fun Home was amazing when I went. It was so silent that it was kind of tense, but in a good way. Bravo, all!

People are ridiculous about charging their devices. I work in a doctor's office and have to make sure the patients don't plug their phones or even their laptops into the outlets. I wonder if this person was unrepentant as they usually are when you confront them.

It's simple go to Amazon.com and buy a power cell and put it in your bag. when you enter the theater TURN OFF YOUR PHONE, plug it in to the power cell  put it back in the bag and charge your phone while you enjoy the show. 

At FUN HOME Saturday afternoon (July 4th), the man behind me decided to rise and seek the hearing devices just as the lights dimmed and the prelude began.  He charged out, and (apparently) when told he couldn't return, charged back, belligerent (and loud) that the theater deprived him of decent hearing. He opted to remember his personal needs at 2:05, at a show with "No late seating" in the same font as the show title on his ticket.  And then bitched well into the opening number, oblivious to everyone around him. We silenced him en masse, especially after his wife barked, "Can you see at least?" in a booming voice. (Sidebar about sitting in the 100s at FH: Why don't people guess that the door to the gay student union will soon fall below stage level?)

What disturbs me most about this talking crap is the demographic: boomers or older, who should know better.  And why do people think lights dimming and music beginning cues a final check of huge cell phones -- and in one case, iPad?  The magic time in theater is that dimming of the house, the first notes (in FUN HOME, beautiful, mood and tone setting) gold.  This idea that just because no one is speaking or  singing the house still belongs to individuals in the audience is fairly recent. But it's pervasive.  I must say, the rest of the matinee had perfect behavior.  But that's likely attributable to FUN HOME's power over us as much as a comment on etiquette. 

Updated On: 7/7/15 at 11:06 AM

"I've been at shows where during a very intimate part someone decides to start with the crinkly candy bag. If it's for a second, no one says anything, but if it continues the offending party will get a hearty "SHHHH!" with everyone turning around in their direction. This usually stops the behavior quickly with the least amount of interference.

"

This is in recent years right?  Back around 10 years ago, i don't remember being able to have food or drinks during  a performance.  I find it so strange to see it now.  Seems disrespectful .... of course how you mention as it's loud...but also, just to the actors.  Food at movie theaters...ok, but it seems not right at live theatre.

My friend was at the Hand to God performance with the cell phone charging incident and said it was  suuuuuuper awkward. I can't even imagine. Though she said the ushers tried to kick the person out, which I think is too far. Maybe that's just me, but they bought a ticket for who knows how much money, and while its incredibly rude, some people honestly just don't know any better. 

--

The Jurassic World Musical

This wasn't in a "theater" per se but at Avery Fisher Hall during a performance by Joshua Bell.

Everything was going well prior to the performance:  in my seat, a pleasant conversation with the lady to my right and getting ready for the performance.  Then a strange man wearing Boston Red Sox reglia--from head to toe (yes, his shoes were red, too!)  shows up to occupy the seat to my left.  It should also be mentioned that he REEKED of Canoe (the older members of this board will know what THAT is!).  He carried two large plastic shopping bags which he rifled through as soon as he sat down.  Maybe he had his supply of Canoe in there.  He did say something about how brutal the weather had been in Boston--and this was before winter really set in.

When the performance began, the man fell asleep and snored rather loudly.  During a pause in the performance I poked him and told him he was snoring.  He promptly fell asleep again and--as there were no further breaks in the music--slept and snored through the rest of the first half.  He magically awoke during intermission and asked when Joshua Bell would go on.  I told him he already did and he slept right through it.  He then picked up his shopping bags and left.

At Fun Home everytime a super sad scene or song would end this elderly couple in the 3rd row, 2 rows above me would voice their sadness instead of doing the silent cry that most of us were up to. It was kinda annoying and the lady next to me looked so bothered but I was too in my zone and in complete awe of the production that it fortunately did not ruin the experience for me