Dressing for an Opening Night

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 8:45pm

As years have gone by, people go to the theatre dressed less and less casually. You can enter with jeans and a t-shirt with no problem. Is that different for an opening night (i.e. dress shirt, dress pants, etc.)? Would people look at you if you did not come in a suit (or something like that)? Thanks.

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 8:50pm

What kind of theatre is this? Broadway? regional? School?

[zepka102]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 8:58pm

At Legally Blonde, most were dressed up. I kind of felt a little out of place sitting in Orchestra without a jacket.

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 8:58pm

thanks Zepka. and yes, broadway.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 9:00pm

Well, it really depends on who you are.

If you are involved in the show then getting dressed up nice is a must.

If you are an invited guest who will be sitting in the Orchestra section (amongst other notable guests), it would be wise to dress formal.

If you are a random audience member sitting in the Mezz you don't need to get AS dressed up, but still don't wear jeans and a t-shirt.

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 9:01pm

For Broadway, definitely dress.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 9:02pm

Yes, dress up. It doesn't need to be a tux, but a suit would be very appropriate.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 9:22pm

Definitely a suit.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 9:34pm

I wear pasties and a g-string and no-one seems to mind.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 9:46pm

Alfgiotir, don't you mean more and more casually?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 10:13pm

I was an invited guest at one opening night, and I wore a suit to that. I've attended two other as an audience member, and just wore a shirt and tie.

[myManCape]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 12:48am

Dressing nice will certainly pass. If you are not part of the production team or a guest of someone attending the party a nice shirt and slacks will do.

This weekend at the Cymbeline opening a lot of the older crowd was dressed up but there were plenty of people in the Orchestra, myself included who were dressed appropriate but by no means dressed up.

[stockmanjr]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 1:49am

I've been to 2 opening nights (Cymbeline and Deuce) at both I wore a suit and tie and felt like that was appropriate.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 2:32am

I always try to "dress up" when I go to the theatre. My usual, everyday attire is jeans and a teeshirt but on theatre days I bust out the slacks and a blouse. If I were going to an opening night I would definitely take that a step or so further. And pretty much the only way I'd ever attend an opening was if I knew someone involved in the show. And as their guest I'm an extension of them so I would definitely make a point to look nice.

[jpbran]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 1:20pm

"less and less casually."

BE2-- I thought that was funny too...

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 1:29pm

The one opening night I attended on Broadway (The Woman in White), I wore a suit and tie and I felt that was appropriate.