Experiences With Condescending Theatre Goers- Page 2

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 6:20pm

froote said: "Why are people saying the man may not have known who LMM was when he clearly acknowledged at the end of the conversation that he did and that what he'd said had been intentionally condescending?

Because that never happened.  He never CLEARLY acknowledged who he was or said he was intentionally condescending.  That is why we are saying it, because that never occurred.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 6:42pm

EllieRose2 said: "I was sitting next to two very elderly ladies at Carousel, one said"The part of Billy Bigelow belongs to a white man, HE (gesturing towards the stage)never would have been cast in the original production". The other sniffed and said "Neither would THIS Jigger".

I turned red, felt very stabby, and took a deep breath. I turned to them and said "I'm so glad your generation will be all dying out soon".

They said nothing the rest of the intermission, second act, and swiftly left before curtain call. Ugh."

^Good for you!

[Solipsist234]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 6:52pm

Question: is a condescending theatregoer a person who boasts about theater, or someone that's just horrible at the theatre? I like this topic, but being bad at the theatre doesn't necessarily mean condescending!

Case in point, I always try my best to be calm and relaxed at the theatre, considering it's my clichéd "home away from home" or whatever, but there have been instances of phones going off and babies being rowdy (trust me, it's even WORSE at regular movie theaters!) Sometimes, I may or may not strike up a conversation with the person next to me or in front of me, since we're both there for one clear thing: to enjoy great theater!

[raddersons]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 6:52pm

nasty_khakis said: "Judy, back in my youth and student rush days (back when you had to get there at 6am and wait physically in line) I would HATE to be around those kids (even though I was a theatre student). The worst were these (pre-Glee) show choir kids who literally tried to remember arrangements and they sang for 3 straight hours. I was in hell, but I saw Sweeney Todd again, dangit."

These are the kinds of theater people that make me embarrassed to be a theater person.

[Solipsist234]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 6:56pm

BroadwayConcierge said: "My favorite part was that she didn’t even try to counter back—she just pretended she didn’t say anything at all. When the lights started to go down, I held my phone up to her level to clearly show I was turning it off."

Isn't this in itself condescending? I mean, I would definitely never spar with an older theatregoer, especially one who has probably seen shows for 50+ years. Granted, I've never been in a situation like yours, BroadwayConcierge, but I guess elderly New Yorkers are ruder than elderly Texans (no offense to any old people on these boards!)

[froote]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 6:59pm

EllieRose2 said: "froote said: "Why are people saying the man may not have known who LMM was when he clearly acknowledged at the end of the conversation that he did and that what he'd said had been intentionally condescending?

Because that never happened. He never CLEARLY acknowledged who he wasor said he was intentionally condescending. That is why we are saying it, because that never occurred."

Oh come on, he said he was an ass and asked LMM if they could forget the conversation ever happened. But sure continue to believe that he had no idea who he was. 

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 7:18pm

Solipsist234 said: "BroadwayConcierge said: "My favorite part was that she didn’t even try to counter back—she just pretended she didn’t say anything at all. When the lights started to go down, I held my phone up to her level to clearly show I was turning it off."

Isn't this in itself condescending? I mean, I would definitely never spar with an older theatregoer, especially one who has probably seen shows for 50+ years. Granted, I've never been in a situation like yours, BroadwayConcierge, but I guess elderly New Yorkers are ruder than elderly Texans (no offense to any old people on these boards!)"

Eh, I totally get where BroadwayConcierge is coming from... I almost always go to shows by myself (my preference), and so I’m usually texting or Instagramming or something before the show starts. I’ve lost count of how many condescending octogenarians have given me the stink-eye, assuming I’m some animal who will keep my phone on throughout the show. I applaud the passive-aggressive gesture!

[David10086]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 8:09pm

poisonivy2 said: "Not condescending but a real "why the f__k are you here?" was sitting next to a guy in Angels in America who said that Tony Kushner was the "devil" and the play was "the work of anti-Christ." He said he was in a group called "Gays for Jesus" and wanted to sit through the play to see "how the enemy thinks." I was thinking "8 hours is a lot of time and energy to invest in watching a work you ideologically despise.""

LOL! This really made me laugh out loud. I'm betting he enjoyed the show. 

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 8:35pm

PFFFFFFFFTTTT

https://twitter.com/idinamenzel/status/1016409006552813568?s=21

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 8:53pm

Solipsist234 said: "Question: is a condescending theatregoer a person who boasts about theater, or someone that's just horrible at the theatre? I like this topic, but being bad at the theatre doesn't necessarily mean condescending!"

It's somebody who is horrible at the theatre because they are boasting, patronizing, have an air of superiority, and snotty. It's not just being overly eager and excited and showing off some theatre knowledge. There's a special vibe and tone that comes with being condescending that is beyond just talking theatre trivia or showing off some knowledge. Not everyone who is horrible at the theatre is condescending, but for the most part those who are condescending and are heard by others being that way are usually horrible.
 

 

Updated On: 7/9/18 at 08:53 PM

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 2:37am

"Oh come on, he said he was an ass and asked LMM if they could forget the conversation ever happened. But sure continue to believe that he had no idea who he was."

Since that's what actually happened, I will continue believing the truth, thanks.

[froote]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 6:35am

EllieRose2 said: ""Oh come on, he said he was an ass and asked LMM if they could forget the conversation ever happened. But sure continue to believe that he had no idea who he was."

Since that's what actually happened, I will continue believing the truth, thanks."

More like your made up version of the truth that suits your own narrative.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 7:19am

If the word “condescending” applies when I make a remark (to my husband) that “NO Carousel only has one horse”, then I guess I’m guilty of that...but it is far more memorable and enjoyable when “kinder and gentler theater goers are by your side”just s few examples; we went to see SITPWG with Jake & Annaleigh, I had just had foot/leg surgery, I was in a monstrosity of a cam boot; my husband was trying to help me get settled and then, Ryan Reynolds & wife, stood, smiled and offered some aisle assistance.
We saw Great Comet 3x and never had a bad experience; Farenelli was totally “up-ah crr-ust”! Also for me just being nice to the person next to you can have interesting results...husband and I had gone to see Dear Evan Hansen a 2nd time. A young woman seated next to me was by herself and had the bad luck of being behind a “Shrek”. She had to shift and struggle all through the first act as Shrek was flexing his upper body almost the entire act. As intermission lights were starting I introduced myself, told her I was aware of her problem and as I was sitting behind an elder person the size of Ruth Bader G, we could totally switch seats. She was thrilled and we did and then it gets better! She was only in town for the weekend, from Australia, in NY for the MSNBC Global Citizen Concert in Central Park the next day. She was the green room talent associate producer! She wanted to thank me/us and gave us green room badges, “just tell them you’re with me if anyone asks”! We met Stevie Wonder, Hugh Jackman, Green Day, so many more too. The moral here is always be nice and you’ll never have to get involved with the “Blue Meanies” in life.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 9:10am

As another poster commented, I no longer correct nor get involved whenever I overhear the most ridiculous conversations where some idiot who thinks he knows it all says the most way-off-the-mark facts.

The ones I have corrected in the past due to the fact these people boasted about:

Guy claiming he saw Glenn Close in the 1st US National Tour of SUNSET BLVD in Fort Lauderdale.  Linda Balgord did that tour.

Guy claiming he saw Bette Midler in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in 1975. Bette was in FIDDLER from 1966 to 1968. By 1975 she was already a Tony Award winning solo performer/entertainer. Plus, this guy would have been 3 in 1975. His math and facts were all a mess.

55 year old man who claims (and stands by this) that he saw Patti LuPone in EVITA in Washington DC. LuPone did tour in EVITA but it was on the West Coast (no East Coast dates) during the show’s pre-Broadway tour in 1979.

After these, I now just mind my own business. I just ignore and stay quiet.

[Rainah]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 9:37am

ScottyDoesn'tKnow2 said: 
It's somebody who is horrible at the theatre because they are boasting, patronizing, have an air of superiority, and snotty. It's not just being overly eager and excited and showing off some theatre knowledge. There's a special vibe and tone that comes with being condescending that is beyond just talking theatre trivia or showing off some knowledge. Not everyone who is horrible at the theatre is condescending, but for the most part those who are condescending and are heard by others being that way are usually horrible."


This

You can be a rude/mean/bad theatregoer without being a condescending one (Not that that's anything to brag about!)

condescending is "our thoughts differ and mine are superior"

For whatever reason. Any time someone's opinion boils down to something like;
"You like Amelie and I do not, but my opinion is superior because critics didn't like it and therefore that is the Correct opinion" with a sidenote of "you can't appreciate what is good or not/you have bad taste and therefore I am better than you"

The Condescending Theatregoer is usually in favour of older shows and critically acclaimed shows, and usually against popular shows, newer shows, critical flops, or anything targeted towards the young. (I think that the "[popular show] is God and if you don't like it you're crazy/non existent/a bad person" is a separate phenomenon as it's less condescending and more fervent) 

More people, especially people in the theatre community (Which I find particularly bad for it) need to learn to share opinions without value judgement. 

"I didn't like it" is a sentence all on its own. Even when I say I don't like DEH and I don't think it's a very good musical, I make it clear that I appreciate it for what it does do, making many people feel heard and represented. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 11:41am

I have a friend who generally only goes to shows if they're on TDF or a papering site. That's fine, it's his prerogative, but he will always passive-aggressively crap on a show I saw that he didn't because it's not on TDF. For instance when I finally saw Hamilton this June he said "I can't believe you thought it was good. I was certain you would say it wasn't worth the money," And despite my continuing to say that I loved it, he kept passive-aggressively putting it down by saying he "heard" from so and so that it wasn't good. It's not exactly condescending but it is annoying.

[dianamorales]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 12:58pm

The first time I saw Carousel, I sat next to a couple that absolutely loved it, and were so glad they could see a show like this even though theatre was being "ruined" by Spongebob and Mean Girls. I regret not telling them that they can support one show without tearing others down.

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 1:56pm

I try to ignore much of the ignorance I overhear at the theater (while soaking up many of the delightfully insightful comments I also overhear), but I did have to correct the woman at Les Miserables who commented, "That Andrew Lloyd Webber knows how to write a melody."

 

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 2:02pm

Not sure if this makes me a condescending theatergoer, but I saw Mean Girls the night after the Tony noms came out, and heard a couple of tourists ask an usher what nominations the show had received. The usher replied that "Ashley Clark was nominated, but I can't remember who else." Oof.

I felt obligated to go over there and tell them the actual nominations... though I think I did it nicely, haha. And they seemed to genuinely appreciate the intel. 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 2:51pm

JudyDenmark said: "Not sure if this makes me a condescending theatergoer, but I saw Mean Girls the night after the Tony noms came out, and heard a couple of tourists ask an usher what nominations the show had received. The usher repliedthat "Ashley Clark was nominated, but I can't remember who else." Oof.

I felt obligated to go over there and tell them the actual nominations... though I think I did it nicely, haha. And they seemed to genuinely appreciate the intel."

No, that's being helpful and conscientious. You gave them the actual answer they were looking for.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 7:13pm

I used to work front of house at a major non-profit Off-Broadway theater. I can't tell you how much of this condescending behavior is also tied up, quite frankly, with racism.

During my tenure we did a number of highly acclaimed plays with casts predominantly or entirely comprised of actors of color, including one that won the Pulitzer. I can't tell you how much feedback we received about programming such "angry" plays full of "unrelatable" characters and "unbelievable" situations. We would average 5-10 people walking out at intermission per night.

At the beginning of that job I was in the house every night and after the third person told me they needed to switch to a better seat because "their cancer prevented them from seeing that far away/that far off to the side" I stopped listening to anyone entirely. If people want to be awful, that's their business. This kind of theatergoer may be what's keeping the form alive, but it doesn't mean they're not terrible.

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 7:58pm

froote said: "EllieRose2 said: ""Oh come on, he said he was an ass and asked LMM if they could forget the conversation ever happened. But sure continue to believe that he had no idea who he was."

Since that's what actually happened, I will continue believing the truth, thanks."

More like your made up version of the truth that suits your own narrative."

Haha.  Read that to yourself, because it only applies to you.  None of the things you said were ever mentioned in his story, so yes, you make up crap and assume the man was insulting him and knew who he was.  It fits your (delusional) narrative.  Have fun with that.  Bye bye!

 

[10086sunset]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 8:03pm

There's no need to go to the theater to find condescending theater goers. This board is filled with them!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 9:04pm

10086sunset said: "There's no need to go to the theater to find condescending theater goers. This board is filled with them!"

^Truth

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 10:44pm

EllieRose2 said: "froote said: "EllieRose2 said: ""Oh come on, he said he was an ass and asked LMM if they could forget the conversation ever happened. But sure continue to believe that he had no idea who he was."

Since that's what actually happened, I will continue believing the truth, thanks."

More like your made up version of the truth that suits your own narrative."

Haha. Read that to yourself, because it only applies to you. None of the things you said were ever mentioned in his story, so yes, you make up crap and assume the man was insulting him and knew who he was. It fits your (delusional) narrative. Have fun with that. Bye bye!

"

And conversely you're assuming the man did not know who he was and was not insulting him. So this little argument can end now.