Chewing gum in the theatre

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 2:13pm

It's not uncommon to read posts on this board about rude audience members disrupting the show by talking, texting, tweeting or whatever. Recently, however, I've noticed people around me who have made chewing gum just as much of a distraction.

I have no problem if people choose to quietly chew gum during a show, but it becomes an issue when they chomp, snap and pop it throughout a performance. At PROMISES, PROMISES last month, the woman next to me loudly smacked on her gum throughout the first act and most of the second, stopping only after she slowly ripped apart her playbill during a quieter moment so she would have something to spit her gum into. At HAMLET last fall, the woman next to me spent several minutes rummaging through her purse mid-performance so she could get out a piece of gum that she blew bubbles with for the rest of the show. I had similar experiences at LEND ME A TENOR on Sunday and THE ADDAMS FAMILY yesterday.

Am I alone in noticing this, or am I being overly sensitive?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 2:28pm

No, I find it equally annoying...you should politely say something to the people though. Although it's common etiquette for us avid theatre-goers, some people don't know how annoying they are when they do these things.

Updated On: 8/5/10 at 02:28 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 2:36pm

I'm a firm advocate of no gum/candy/food/drink in the theatre.

But I will admit I did it once. At SOUTH PACIFIC, I had bad acid reflux and rather taste vomit in my mouth for 3 hours, I popped a piece of gum in my mouth, chewed it lightly, and rolled it around in my mouth until the bad taste was gone.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 2:40pm

I hate gum chewing anywhere. I have a co-worker who I share workspace with who pops and cracks gum all the time. I politely ask her not to but she still does it but with her mouth closed so she thinks that is okay but you can still hear it. She doesn't understand that it's the noise that is the issue...not the act. She also hums and sings atonally as well. She drive me up a wall.
Updated On: 8/5/10 at 02:40 PM

[musicman_bwayfan]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 2:40pm

Here are a FEW things that have bugged me over the past several years:

#1. You should not be chewing gum during a show.
#2. You should not purposely kick the back of the seat of the person in front of you.
#3. You should not text during a show.
#4. If your phone goes off, don't let it ring for 45 seconds. Turn it off immediately.
#5. If your phone goes off, do not answer it saying you can't talk because your in the theatre. Do not proceed to your friend on the phone what show you are in or give a synopsis of what it's about or whether or not you like it. Turn it off.
#6. No IPODS during a show.
#7. Courtesy of Patti Lupone - no photos!
#8. You should not wear shorts to the theatre.
#9. Guys: you should not wear a BATHING SUIT to the theatre.
#10. You shouldn't be eating snacks in the theatre...this isn't a movie theatre - don't open up your bag of potato chips and start crunching away on them.
#11. Do not have a conversation in the theatre...save it for intermission or after the show. Unless someone is dying or seriously ill, there is NOTHING that you need to be talking about during a performance.

If someone actually has to tell you to stop doing any of these things, why are you even in the theatre? If you're not going to pay attention to what the 1000+ people around you are watching, then why are you wasting $120 on something you're not getting anything out of.

It's amazing how rude people are. In the past year I saw Next Fall next to a man who had a golden retriever with him in the theatre (it was one of those dogs who helps people who have social anxieties, etc.) and that dog sat next to me the whole show and did not make one single sound the whole time. Can it be that a dog has more manners in the theatre than most people?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 2:50pm

Well, I agree with everything you say, BUT not all people spend 120 on a Broadway show, besides the discounts we are all aware of...there are a lot of people who are comped or dates that wind up not spending a penny on shows.

[matty159]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 3:00pm

The gum smacking has always been a pet peeve of mine...and I am not afraid to tell someone. I will say though that sometimes you have to know what you are getting into. All of the extraneous wrappers, etc. yesterday at Mary Poppins would have driven me totally nuts at any other show. Luckily, I was in a box and removed from the noise being right in my ear, but I knew when I purchased my ticket that I would need to take an extra pill and tune things out!

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 3:34pm

While I agree with almost all of your points, I really doubt that if I wear a pair of shorts it's going to distract you from the show.

[matty159]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 3:38pm

I'm with Broadway Joe. With the humidity in this city of late (and it being even hotter in the subway stations), I am not trying to wear pants/jeans that are going to stick to me and make me feel gross. If it is gauche, I'm sorry. The pants will make a return to rotation this fall.

[PastorErnst]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 3:43pm

I agree with Broadway Joe and matty159. I see nothing wrong with wearing shorts to the theatre... especially in a city such as NYC where many theatregoers are tourists and go directly from touring the city to a show at night.

[matty159]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 3:48pm

I should add that the shorts should be a part of a tasteful outfit. Shorts and a ratty t-shirt? Not so much. Point being, one can wear shorts and not be tacky.

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 3:53pm

Ya I agree. It's mainly the heat factor for me like you both said, I can't wait for it to start getting cold again so I don't have to wear shorts.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 4:48pm

Thankfully I have never been annoyed by people chewing gum at the theater. Someone mentioned talking during the show. That is my biggest pet peeve (besides cell phones). I don't understand why people say even small things to their neighbor during the show. You can talk about it at intermission. Even if you think you're being quiet, you're really not. If you're whispering in your neighbor's ear, you're still probably blocking the view of the person behind you and distracting them. I suppose I understand kids asking their parents questions at Wicked, or something. I know as a 10 year old seeing Les Mis for the first time, I was confused about things and had to ask my mom (sorry to any of my neighbors). But, really, just figure it out yourself or ask at intermission or after the show! And your neighbor doesn't need to know right after a song how much you liked it. I have taken a few friends to the theater who have acted as if we are watching a movie in our home and can comment on the situation or ask questions. I always keep my face directly toward the stage and nod slightly if necessary...hopefully they get it that they can't just talk during a show! Ok, rant over now.

[PastorErnst]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 4:50pm

haha, I will always remember the little girl beside me at Spring Awakening who turned to her mother and asked, "What's a labia majora?"

[musicman_bwayfan]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 6:01pm

muscle23ftl: I meant the "infrequent average Joe" theatre go-er who sees a show once in a blue moon who doesn't know about online discounts or rushes or lotteries or anything like that. I rarely ever pay full price for anything, which is why I see 1-2 (or on the rare occasion 4) shows per week - like many others on this board.

Broadway Joe: It's not that the shorts will be distracting, it's the principal of the thing. I remember when everyone would enter into the theater in very nice and neat attire ex. men still wearing ties and blazers. I know this formality is dying off and Broadway has become very causual, but still, you should look neat and appropriate. If you want to see an outdoor cabaret performance on the beach, looking casual is one thing. You should not dress like some homeless fakakta schmuck...if you're going to see a high quality Broadway production, don't wear flip flops and shorts - you're not going to the movies. Wear something appropriate and neat.

I understand the heat issue, but while I'm back and forth between NYC & FL, the heat and humidity in FL is much worse than in NYC. Wear a lighter pair of nice pants and a short sleeve button down shirt. More often than not, you're not spending the whole day standing outside. You can survive 20 minutes of being outside. The theatres are almost always "over air conditioned" (with some rare exceptions). You'll survive. Don't wear something that's got thick fabric...plan accordingly and think ahead.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 6:21pm

Yes, but what about those who cavort through the city before/after a show? In this heat, I've been wearing shorts to the theatre. But what I lack in "taste' by wearing shorts, I make up with a tasteful polo short, that way I can look decent, but be comfortable.

[matty159]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 6:45pm

I think the debate on attire is and will always be ongoing. I used to believe in the slacks/button-down approach and was appalled by anyone who didn't "dress-up." Now, that was back in the day when I visiting here and coming directly from a hotel in the theater district (or hopping in a car)...ah, the days with more disposable income. Now that I am here (and live in Brooklyn), when I come into the city, I am making a day of it. I don't want to feel or smell disgusting.

To each their own, I say. It isn't as if anybody is setting a bar at this point. People are going to look dressed up, trendy, hip, or like plain old trash. We can talk about our expectations until we are blue in the face, but people are going to do what they want to do and have their rationale for doing so. I consider myself a trendy and well-dressed (not to sound arrogant, because I am most definitely not), so frankly, I am not concerned about my appearance at the theater. Judge away.

[PastorErnst]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 6:47pm

I feel like this shorts/proper attire debate has been discussed to death before:
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?page=1&thread=959835&boardname=bway&boardid=1
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?page=1&thread=969866&boardname=bway&boardid=1
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?page=1&thread=1000158&boardname=bway&boardid=1
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?page=1&thread=1013851&boardname=bway&boardid=1

[gschuber]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 7:27pm

When I saw Lend Me A Tenor back in May, I sat next to a gum-cracker. She popped and cracked like there was no tomorrow. Luckily, there were empty seats near me and I got to move, but that is usually not the case. Anyone who saw Chicago should know what can happen to gum crackers!

Another pet peeve of mine is people talking during the overtures. When I pay $136, or $89 or $49 for a show, I want to enjoy ALL of it. That includes the overtures. They are so rare anymore that when there is one, I want to savor it. I recently shhhh-ed (is that word?) a couple behind me who continued to talk right up until the first actor walked out. They shot me a look, then said "it's only the music - there's no singing yet." I told them that I'd like to hear the music instead of their conversation. They continued to talk, but in slightly lower voice.

Where are the 6 merry murderesses from the Cook County jail when you need them?

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 8:22pm

There is a difference between chewing a piece of gun with your mouth closed and smacking/popping/blowing bubbles.

[nexttotheheights]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 8:49pm

Everyone should watch this before a show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWLPLAGiTM8

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/5/10 at 10:50pm

If you can tell the person next to you is chewing gum then it is a problem. If someone needs to chew gum during a show I better not see it or hear it. I do not think the theatre is the place for chewing gum.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 8/6/10 at 1:15am

It's amazing how rude people are. In the past year I saw Next Fall next to a man who had a golden retriever with him in the theatre (it was one of those dogs who helps people who have social anxieties, etc.) and that dog sat next to me the whole show and did not make one single sound the whole time. Can it be that a dog has more manners in the theatre than most people?

I think bringing a dog to the theatre in any capacity is more rude than chewing gum. Shorts and flip flops or talking during the overture don't cause patrons to sneeze, itch, and wheeze, regardless of how well behaved they are. Seeing eye dog? Maybe have a human companion escort you that night. People who claim medical need to bring their dogs everywhere for psychological problems need to be medicated, not indulged. I love my dog and I love dogs in socially acceptable areas, but that is not the theatre, or in an indoor restaurant where they're fed table scraps off a spoon, or the grocery store, or any of the other places these people have felt entitled to bring their pets, regardless of health codes. Everyone else shouldn't have their theatre experience ruined by patrons' asthma attacks and sneezing fits because one person feels the world should revolve around her and her glorified pet fetish.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 8/6/10 at 2:16am

I think orangeskittles makes an excellent point. Although I understand social anxiety and understand how overwhelming it is for people to go out without having someone or something to accompany them, it does beg the question that if a dog is brought to a theatre then what are the chances of others being affected? Unfortunately, allergies to dog hair exist, as do allergies for cat dander and pollen. While it may relax the person who brought the dog, it may cause an issue for other patrons. (Personally, I find going to therapy for anxiety helps a lot, but that's just me!)

As for chewing gum, I've never had the problem of dealing with an unruly gum chewer. Rather, I have been seated next to people who have eaten their candy/chips loudly, texted on their phones the whole performance through, and those who thought it was an excellent idea to answer their phone in the middle of a very important scene.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 8/6/10 at 10:37am

Seeing eye dog? Maybe have a human companion escort you that night... I love my dog and I love dogs in socially acceptable areas, but that is not the theatre, or in an indoor restaurant where they're fed table scraps off a spoon, or the grocery store, or any of the other places these people have felt entitled to bring their pets.


A seeing eye dog is not a pet. So you don't want a seeing eye dog in a theatre, or a restaurant, or a store... I guess blind people should just hide away at home unless they have a live-in human companion that can take them everywhere?