Going To The Theatre Alone- Page 2

[CapnHook]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 5:02pm

I've most always gone to shows alone - but not by choice. I don't have a date.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 5:05pm

I pretty much always go alone. And I love it. It's not like you can talk during the show anyway. It can be a challenge ~ such as if you want a picture at the stage door, but there's usually someone willing to play photographer. Also lottery can be a little harder...but if you connect up with someone in line to double up with, that helps. And solo I've ALWAYS won the RENT lotto. So...

I guess it's just I don't want to miss things and my friends won't always commit. So... I just go on my own.

[broadwaytourist]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 5:18pm

I'll be going to NYC May 18 -21 from TN all by myself. If I took anyone with me, they 1) would not want to go to as many shows as I want to; 2) would want to go to shows they've heard about - Wicked, Mamma Mia, Les Miz, Phantom, Lion King, Beauty - all I've seen before; 3) would want to play tourist - been there done that (although I'm probably going to The Cloisters Saturday a.m.), and 4) I would have to consider their feelings. This time - it's all about me and what I want to see - Company, Grey Gardens, Spring Awakening, Journey's End, and a play to be named later. I am so looking forward to indulging in this theatre overload. so the answer is - I love going to theatre alone, but would love to have a drink pre or post with other theatre lovers!!!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 5:26pm

To me there is something wonderful and liberating about being alone in the Big Apple and seeing every show I want to. Both of my jobs (social worker, massage therapist) are about tending to other people, so I savor not dealing with anyone but myself. I love my solo escapes to NYC. I think Carrie Bradshaw put is so nicely when she said, "you're never alone in NYC-the city is your date." I never feel lonely for one minute when I am in the city. I love seeing shows by myself, as well as stagedooring without a friend who is sighing with every passing minute.

Updated On: 4/24/07 at 05:26 PM

[beyondblessed]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:06pm

I hate going alone because I love to share my theatrical experience. It's always fun to have someone to talk to the show about at intermission and grab a slice with on the way home. I also do a ton of student/ general rushes and that requires a ton of waiting. Having someone wait with you is so much more fun and helps the time pass by a little quicker.

But as much as I hate being alone, I always seem to have a better time when I go by myself.

1.) I've always win ticket lotteries when I have gone to the theatre alone
2.) I'm always get the best seats from TKTS/rush when I'm alone
3.) I'm naturally a friendly person and I generally end up making friends with other 'loners' that are coincidently seated near me at the theatre.

So in a sense, even when I go alone, I end up not being by myself.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:10pm

^ I agree Beyond. I usually meet up with people in the lobby and start talking with them. Hey...for one performance of The Vertical Hour it got me a swap for a front row seat! Which I wasn't complaining about AT ALL. But it's neat to meet new people and compare shows and stuff.

That said, as much as I love going alone, I'm psyched about taking my parents to see The Year of Magical Thinking. I love sharing things I adore with them, and they're excited about it. (Yes, they know what it's about. They're excited about a) seeing Vanessa Redgrave and b) experiencing some of my favorite things about the city.)

Updated On: 4/24/07 at 07:10 PM

[JKlock]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:14pm

Lately, I've been seeing many shows by myself especially the more dramatic shows, I feel that it is a personal experience. However with comedies, I'd much rather have someone there with me to share the laughter with as it adds for a more enjoyable time in my opinion

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:21pm

I go alone if there is nobody else that wants to go with me. Some recent shows that I saw alone were Les Miz, Grey Gardens, and Wicked (in LA).

[wexy]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 8:01pm

I like to blow off Wednesday afternoons and see something, I just get the etix from TDF. I love to going to concerts alone because my musical tastes are different than my friends. I've gone with people that didn't like the band that much and it lessened the fun for me.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 8:31pm

I don't mind it, and I've done it many times, but its sort of weird cause I feel like people just think "oh hey, what a loser" but at the same time maybe they're thing "oh, he's with the show." Either way, I enjoy it more because (A) I can get a better rush ticket to the tours around town if it's a single seat because usually there's an open seat in the front somewhere, and (2) because it's such an expensive thing to ask someone to when they have no idea of the play going in, ya know? it's like a movie is $8 at most (at least here) and a theater ticket can be anywhere from $25-45 for me.

[The_Jackal2]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 8:42pm

I certainly don't mind going to the theatre alone, but I tend to prefer going with another person or two. I find I enjoy having someone to chat with after the show about what we liked or didn't like. Plus, I went alone to this relatively small theatre once and I felt a bit uncomfortable before the show and at intermission. It was kind of nice to be on my own, but it felt like everyone else had their group of friends to talk to and I was standing alone in between all the groups in the lobby. But, then again, it is kind of fun to have a personal experience where you can really focus on how you feel and not how someone else is enjoying the show.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 8:44pm

I really enjoy going to see shows with friends. And always do. But, if I was allowed, I'd definitely see shows by myself. It would be nice to not have to conform to other people's tastes and schedules all the time.

[mrs felciano]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 8:45pm

I've never seen a show by myself but in June I'm seeing Legally Blonde alone because none of my friends were interested.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 8:56pm

I generally go to local theatre with family and friends. However, I often go to NY theatre alone, and I love it!

I find I can completely focus on the show and be completely involved. I really have a more truthful reaction to shows when I attend alone -especially when it is new material. I often feel like I can't express that I dislike something that someone else just payed $50-100. For example, I wasn't enthralled with Avenue Q or Grey Gardens. I attended Avenue Q with a friend, and I felt like I couldn't be truthful with my opinion that it wasn't that hilarious. When I saw Grey Gardens, I was really able to think through the show and form an opinion in my own time. I also never have to worry about feeling uncomfortable about what is going on the stage. When I go to shows that are risque, I'm often worried about what my guests think or feel about the content. Not a problem when I attend alone.

I,too, seemed to socialize with other loners at the theatre, and I quite enjoy it. I do, however, like to share my favorite show with my friends when I return for repeat viewings.

[Elphie4ever]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 10:40pm

i love talking to the loners lol
especially when your waiting on line for the lottery you could get into pretty good conversation....

[camach1]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 10:49pm

It is so true what you said BroadwaySinger2.I always have that thought in the back of my mind that they person I took wont like the show or feel uncomfortable and the price of the ticket being so expensive nowadays. Im going tomorrow night to see Rent by myself in Costa Mesa.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 11:21pm

I love going with my wife, because we have similar tastes.

As far as going with friends.... I would rather go alone -

They dont seem to share the same passion that I have for the theatre, and they ruin the experience for me. Everything has to be exactly right for them to enjoy themselves.

[AnaGFan]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 11:59pm

I don't mind going alone. Most people I know are not big fans and they do things that annoy me, namely: talk/whisper during the performance; sing along to the songs they know; getting up to pee or stretch their legs; compulsively check their phones for messages (and text message too). There are just 2 or 3 people that I would willingly invite to the theater.

[mint0621]

Posted: 4/25/07 at 12:08am

this thread makes me want to go to Journey's End by myself, grab a student rush seat in the front row, and immerse myself in the story.

[nztheatreluva]

Posted: 4/25/07 at 12:45am

I've never been to a show by myself(although I'll have to get used to it when I come to NY in June), but I agree about the feeling worried about what other people will think. I do that with movies as well, I feel awkward until I know if the person I'm with is enjoying it or not

[lite2shine]

Posted: 4/25/07 at 1:14am

I usually go to see a show alone because 1) I'm selfish and I can get a better seat if I buy a single tix (LOL), 2) my hubby is picky about what he wants to see and 3) usually people (friends) are not willing to pay nearly $100 to see a live theatre (sad).

But I have friends who see the same show at different times so I can still discuss with them about the show we saw, which is fun.

[mikeyb16]

Posted: 4/25/07 at 4:29am

Also what I enjoy about going alone is that I can stage door after each show I go to. Whenever I see a show and there is a performer that I really think is incredible, I like to see them after and let them know what I think. But I have had bad experiences. Not with the performers but with my parents, my sister and her boyfriend because they always stop me whenever I try to see someone I really like and I find that really annoying.

I also agree with other people here when they say that they feel uncomfortable when going with other people. I'm like that as well, I've had that kind of problem about 4/5 times (the worst was with Blood Brothers) So I'm going to go shows on my own more often so I can feel comfortable and relaxed about myself and won't have to worry about anything.

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 4/25/07 at 6:20am

I like doing either...by myself or with someone. I spent last Saturday in NYC by myself. (I find myself very relaxed in the city, after along stressful week.) I was actually a little nervous last weekend...being in the city late at night by myself...until I saw that there were still thousands of people outside and walking around!

I really like the Sex & the City quote that someone had posted("you're never alone in NYC-the city is your date")...never once did I feel alone...any time I was standing in line, I would talk to people. Even at lunch, I met a very nice woman and her mother from CA...we discussed what she did while she was here, and she wanted to know how often I take the bus to NYC to see shows!


The last time I took someone, I was miserable and so was this person (who hates cities and big crowds of people...which I didn't know). Ever since then, I've decided to go alone, so I can enjoy the city. But, I DO enjoy taking my Mom to see shows...she's agreeable, fun, and most importantly, wants to do whatever I want to do!

Luckily I found a coworker who is very into Broadway...we are coming up this weekend to see two shows...but otherwise...it would be fun to meet up with some fellow theatre lovers prior to a show!

[antonijan]

Posted: 4/25/07 at 11:52am

I feel really uncomfortable rushing alome

[nathanlaneismyhero]

Posted: 4/25/07 at 12:04pm

Every Broadway show have seen, I have been to alone. I am very picky when I go to the theatre. I don't like it if people try to talk to me during a show, so I just go by myself most of the time. That way I can focus and take it all in. As for movies, I hate going by myself. I always have a friend with me! That's kind of weird, but I'm a theatre major, not a film major, so maybe not.