"C U 2nite @ Wckd!" - Texting In Broadway Theatres

I posted in another thread that I just recently encountered this. At Legally Blonde last month a man two rows in front of me was texting while his kids played with their NintendoDSes. When confronted he become quite belligerent and stated that it was a long show and his kids couldn't sit still that long.

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That article was interesting. I like that it highlighted the fact that it's not just kids doing this, that the texing culprits are of all ages.

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It really all falls back on theatre management, who have let all this get way out of hand. Sure, an audience member can play police, but it's the duty of the management to insure its customers get what they paid for.

I realize this will sound less than kind, if not downright mean and unmagnanimous, but to paraphrase James L. Brooks in Broadcast News, "I certainly hope they die soon."

Does this sound harsh?

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It depends on how old the children are. If, developmentally, they do not have the attention span to sit still for that long, then there's a simple solution: don't bring them.

It's not like the dad really wanted to see the show but couldn't get a babysitter, if he was texting the whole time.

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I honestly do don't understand how some people feel they are that important and need to be connected to a cell phone at all times. When I go to a show I immediately shut my cell phone off once I reach my seat. It gives me time to read the playbill and just get ready for the show.

When I saw Gypsy I was in the front row and I recalled a story about someones cell phone going off during Sweeny Todd and Patti Lupone freaking out on them. I was so scared that my cell was gonna go off that I even removed the battery just to be safe.

Its honestly a shame that people have no respect for other people and would decide to text someone during the middle of a show. You paid good money for seats, enjoy the show then text later.

Theaters should probably invest in signal blockers for cell phones, if they even exist.

No excuse for texting during a show. None. Zero. End of argument.

Same for cell phones ringing. No excuse. None.

Except of course, for extreme self-absorption.

At both "August: Osage County" and "The Homecoming" in December, I confronted a person sitting next to me (Osage) who pulled his blackberry out and a guy across the aisle (Homecoming) who was texting during the 1st act and told them both to put them away or I would get an usher or a house manager. I have no problem confronting people during a show regarding texting, talking, etc. As Phils said there is no excuse for cell phones going off or texting during a show. I really wish they could find a way to disable them when people walk into the theater. They do in Russia (I think it's Russia) in both live theaters and movie theaters if I remember reading correctly.

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Updated On: 7/9/08 at 01:08 PM

My line to anyone using a phone or texting near me -- "you have a choice. Put that away now or give me $110 so I can come back and see the show without having to put up with this crap." It's actually worked twice without a bit of argument.

I just don't understand them to be honest. Why on earth shell out the money to sit and use your phone all the way through? Turn it OFF! I mean, the world won't end if you give your fingers a little rest. It's (at tops) 2hours. Theatre is (usually) supposed to be a place to forget the outside world and get engrossed by the hard work of a cast and crew. It just seems stupid and disrespectful.

And, I agree with ToAnythingTaboo, at Chess it was insane, there were also endless camera flashes which were so distracting. I couldnt believe how little the ushers did. Though in the seconbd act the were a little more attentive.

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Appropriate that they should mention Wicked. I recently caught a rerun of the episode of Ugly Betty when they go to see it and I was appalled with the behavior the main characters demonstrated. The talked and texted through the first several songs of the show. Exited and reentered the theater multiple times and not to mention the running around in restricted parts of the theater. I know it's just a TV show but watching things like that help encourage the idea that these actions are acceptable. I agree with the idea that house management should be alerted to these things with as much detail as possible. It is the only way they can address the problem. Many were complaining about the house staff's response. As a former house manager I ask you to please keep in mind, sometimes a judgement call has to be made, what is more distracting? The texting (or bad behavior of any kind) itself or solving the problem? Which can involve climbing over people to address the offender sitting in the middle of the row or fighting with a hostile patron in the middle of the performance to try to get them to stop? Often the only way it can be handled without causing more trouble is to wait till an appropriate scene change or loud moment in the show or wait till intermission.

I certainly agree with Okayfine that the ushers can't see or get to everyone who is texting or doing whatever. If they trolled the aisles looking for offenders then someone would complain that the ushers were being distracting.

As patrons we have every right to take the initiative to ask someone to put there phone away or stop talking while the performance is going on.

A few weeks ago, I was at Boeing-Boeing and the show was beginning and a man behind me was texting with his keytones turned on so every time he pushed a key you heard a beep. I gave him a good 30 seconds to discontinue that before I turned around and said something. I have no problem being confrontational either. Prices are too high to put up with that crap.

Updated On: 7/9/08 at 02:39 PM