Do you meet interesting people if you go to shows alone? — Page 3

Why do people keep mentioning this "Chatty Kathy"???....I hope I haven't offended.

HAHA..just kidding.

I go to a lot of regional (Washington DC) shows alone and I let this amazing older woman. Pretty sure she was future me. She was 70 and has a time share in NYC just to go and see shows and basically works just to pay for theatre. I have lost touch with her but it was definitely an awesome and informative night!

Unfortunately, most of the time I'm the youngest and older people just look at me strangely! But I'm there to enjoy anyway.

I went to the Normal Heart revival by myself and was in such a state at the end of it that during the tear stained and thoroughly well deserved standing O, one of the pair of older gentlemen next to me turned to me, opened his arms and said "do you want a hug". I could barely sob "yes" before I was duly enfolded. That was 2012 and ever since then the three of us have been happily living in their gorgeous brownstone in the West Village. Ok ok I made that last bit up. But it was a lovely moment and I really did need that hug

Usually go to the theatre alone. Prefer it that way and am not one to make small talk unless prompted. Though I did meet a very interesting native New Yorker, of a certain age, at a preview of The City of Conversation. Sitting aside each other, we recognized that we were both very deeply moved by the play and sat discussing it well after the final curtain call. She's a delight! We chat regularly and now attend the theatre together whenever I'm in New York.

I went to the closing lotto of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson on Broadway, as a single, doubled up with another single... We lost, but walked over to Next to Normal and won! That was 2010...? We have since been inseparable, seen practically everything together and she is one of my best friends. It can happen, and when you least expect it.

I tried to get chummy with Angie Lansbury at the Rylance 12th Night but the dame would have none of it.

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I rarely go to the theater alone, but I find people try to butt into conversations more when I'm chatting with my friends than when I see something alone.

Maybe we're discussing a book or a TV show, or just another Broadway show and people will say, I couldn't help but overhearing you were discussing ________ - what did you think about it? (I did have a couple once tell a friend and me to stop talking about a TV episode because they hadn't watched it yet and didn't want to be spoiled!)

In general I don't like talking to strangers, and I certainly don't like when strangers intrude in a conversation with my friends.

I'm not an introvert at all. I just believe in minding one's own business.

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"I never set foot outside my house without a book with me so at a live theatre I read in my seat before the curtain and never go out at intermission."

I knew a theater critic who did this. She said she wanted to discourage people from approaching her at intermission and giving her opinion.

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Speaking of going alone, I just bought my solo ticket to Signature Theatre's (Arlington, VA) production of Sunday In the Park With George in August! This is my favorite show and I'll be damned if my friend was going to come and ruin this emotional experience for me!

Whizzer I'm the same away (about interrupting). My friend that I usually go to the theatre with is an extreme extrovert so she welcomes the conversation when people butt into ours. I hate it though. It's awkward for an introvert so I usually just let her lead the conversation and open the Playbill and read.

Speaking of chatty during the show,this is a public service announcement:
Please shut up!!

"The Cripple of Inishmaan", Wednesday matinee 7/1.
To the two women in row B, center orchestra, seats 102 and 103:
I speak for all of us when I say that we don't care what you think about Mr. Radcliffe's sexual appeal or lack thereof. We especially don't care to hear you go on ad nauseum throughout the entire first act. Take it outside, ladies!

To the gentleman next to me, seat 105, row C:
Yes, you're right. It did look as though our row was "the old folks". 'Nuff said. Now read your program and leave me alone. Not all of us old folks are aurally-challenged.
Next time, spring for the assisted-listening device instead of cupping your ears and stage whispering, "What did he/she just say?" after every other line. You're annoying!

To Goldstar and the genial young man at the Cort box office: Thank you kindly for the free upgrade from balcony to center orchestra. I really do appreciate it!

Updated On: 7/3/14 at 10:07 AM

I am in agreement here with most of the posters like KathyNYC2. It usually is a very positive experience for me. When I find a last minute deal on tickets through one of my discount sites I usually have a handful of people I'll text, tweet or message on Facebook asking if their interested in going. 99% of the time they don't reply in time or say no, and I grab a ticket while it's still available and travel into the city alone.

I am a "people person" and really enjoy chatting with theatre goers since most share the same passion and enthusiasm for Broadway as I do. Being a single (straight) Jewish male in his mid 20's (I know, a rare breed I try to believe that if I do activities I enjoy, I'm more likely to meet someone who shares the same interest and it could develop into a friendship and/or possible romance. Sadly, I have yet to meet a nice (Jewish) gal who is single and also enjoys theatre, but I've had a lot of great conversations, doubled my chances of winning the lotteries (I actually won the Lottery for BOM in 2011), and usually was able to find someone to hang out with at the stage door after seeing shows to take pics of each other with the cast (in order to avoid taking a failed selfie.)