Booing at the theatre — Page 3

All this talking about booing reminds me of a story Aymee Garica told when she was interviewd for the CBS Sunday morning show(maybe a year or two ago), for a story about understudies on Broadway. The first time, I think, Amyee went on for someone in Avenue Q, she could hear the audience booing when it was announed that she was on. She was angry at first, but she ended up winning the crowd over.

Most of the time, I think it is rude and disrespectful(especially in Aymee's case) to boo. There are better ways IMO to show your disapproveal.

"I think it's rude to boo someone after they've worked so hard. Polite applause and perhaps a letter is what I would do."

Perhaps on scented paper wrapped in a velvet ribbon? You know, in order to cushion the blow of the criticism.

"I was somewhat disappointed in the ****ty job you did when I saw you perform in ____________________. Please accept these home made vanilla cupcakes made from scratch as a token of my sincerity."

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Dolly, my parents saw Breakfast and came home with similar tales. I'll never forget it.

I remember booing the Mrs. Meers character in Millie. One because it was in the spirit of the character, but secretly because she sucked.

Walking out is as rude as booing to the other paying audience members. I don't need your vote of disapproval. Leave at intermission or stay, that is your only two options.

As far as witholding applause, I think about the advice given regarding tipping at server: If displeased, leave a very small tip. To leave nothing implies ignorance.

On the flip side, I think the solution is to return the standing ovation to its rightful place. Reserve it for special moments.
Applaud loudly when it's good. Politely when it's not.

Does anyone else yell Brava, Bravo, or Bravi?

There is/was a tradition in Opera and in early theatre days of NYC, the CLAQUE(sp?). It still exists in Italy.

People would be hired to boo the artist on stage by the competing artist. The great (well not so great) Astor Place Riot, was about some serious boo-ing. People, actually died.

There have been plays written about this...


In modern times, every f***king show has a standing ovation. It means nothing. Hell, I stand up to put on my coat to get the hell out of a bad show and just because I'm up front, the whole audience stands up. The only clapping I'm doing is to stay awake and swat the flies off the corpse of the show (or the patron next to me...)

Every once in awhile, you actually feel compelled to stand. (The recent Sweeney would be a great example).

With the current ticket prices, maybe more people should boo, instead of stand, to feel like they got their money's worth...

Bring back the Claque! (hehehehe) (without the killing, of course.)

EDIT: for spelling.

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Updated On: 9/6/06 at 11:02 PM

Thanks, SeanMartin! I'll make the change.

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I saw the first preview of THOUGH SHALT NOT, and nobody booed during the tap dance in the morgue, they were too stunned.

I never saw THOU SHALT NOT, only heard the CD... but everything I've heard about it simply begs the question: Who thought this was Broadway-caliber stuff? Did everyone involved just think that having Harry Connick's name attached to it would be enough? What there of the score on the CD sounds moderately okay, very Connick-style stuff... but the storyline and things I've heard of the staging just makes me wonder what drugs the producers were taking when they considered this.

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I don't think I ever encountered anyone booing in the theater...

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