How Do You Guys Feel About Over-Excited Theatre-Goers?

[angelxschunard]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 6:06pm

I recently saw Legally Blonde in Sacramento and now that I reflect on how I acted, I was EXTREMELY excited and sorry for the people around me. Legally Blonde is my favorite show ever and if you live in Sacramento, you know how scarce it is when good tours come through. I also don't have a lot of money, so it's rare that I ever see live theatre, so that also added to my excitement. I freakin' cried during "Omigod You Guys," that's how excited I was. I was cheering and woo-ing the whole time. I was constantly apologising to the people around me for my actions during intermission and after the show, but I was excited! There's a fine line between being excited and being obnoxious, and I totally might have crossed it.

How do you feel about excited theatre goers?

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 6:22pm

I might have cried during "Omigod You Guys" as well ....but for a much different reason, I'm sure.

I am fine with people being excited about a show (before, after, and during intermission). I have a big problem with obnoxious wooing, cheering, and singing along (unless it's the typ of show that calls for it. "Hair" "Rock of Ages") DURING the performance.
I had a woman behind me last night at a play who kept commenting in excitement to her friend. I don't want to hear a play-by-play of what I'm watching. It's rude.
I also don't want to hear some out-of-tune patron singing Sondheim (for eample) when I'm paying to hear a trained professional do it.

It's something one expects at a rock concert. Not at a thetrical production.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 6:28pm

Yeah, you certainly crossed the line (re: "I totally might have crossed it").

I don't understand people yelling or cheering constantly at songs unless someone onstage encourages it. I get just as happy seeing a show as you do, but keep my excitement to myself. In my opinion, I don't care if someone expresses their over-excitement, as long as it is not during the performance.

I recently saw the Jersey Boys tour in Boston. The lady behind me completely ruined important moments in the show for me, including "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." I can understand she was excited, but you should be able to contain yourself so you don't distract the patrons around you. It is disrespectful and downright rude. You are not the only one in the theater who rarely sees shows and doesn't have a lot of money.

And even if she apologized after, it wouldn't make a difference because it isn't as if you can rewind the show to watch parts you missed.

Next time you are at the theater and are excited, try this. After the song ends, take your left hand and your right hand and smack them together repeatedly. You might notice others around you doing the same, so when the noise dies down, stop.

Updated On: 10/9/09 at 06:28 PM

[angelxschunard]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 6:32pm

There's also a fine line between giving an opinion and being downright rude, and you certainly crossed it.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 6:33pm

And I suppose you weren't downright rude in the theater, correct?

You asked for our opinion, and I gave it to you.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 7:14pm

Don't ask for anyone's opinion on a subject you, yourself, thought was innapropriate and then expect people to take your side.

There are people who post on these boards who can REALLY be rude. Count your blessings they haven't replied.

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 7:18pm

I freakin' cried during "Omigod You Guys," that's how excited I was.

Bwahaha, too bad you didn't tape that and put it up on youtube. You could have taken over the crazy Spring Awakening girl.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 7:19pm

"Legally Blonde is my favorite show ever"

LOL, that says it all right there. My condolences to the people sitting near you. They paid to see a show, not obnoxious fangirl/fanboy screaming the whole time. Enthusiasm is great, but so is being aware and respectful of your surroundings.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 7:28pm

I also don't have a lot of money, so it's rare that I ever see live theatre, so that also added to my excitement.

Put this on a shirt and wear it to the show. Then everyone around you will be totally tolerant and understanding of the noise you make.

Previous related threads:
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=1001557
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=996422

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 7:33pm

The last time I saw Legally Blonde (the day of the Great Golf Cart Crash of 200 a girl sitting next to my sister did every piece of choreography from her seat. All of the arm movements for all of the songs in the first act. I seriously wanted to throw her over the railing of the mezzanine. At intermission I leaned over my sister to tell her how distracting she was. I kept it polite and didn't call her any names or anything. Her mother spoke up in her defense "She's seen the show before". I'm sorry but that's not a reason to behave in such a manor. I saw Xanadu more than once. Does that give me the right to don a pair of skates? They relented after I pushed the matter a bit more and I didn't hear a peep from them for the second act.

If you understand that you have something to apologize for then you understand that you're doing something that shouldn't be done. You're excited and that's great. I love that love of theatre is still being cultivated. But there are people sitting around you who paid to see the show. But dial it back a bit.

Updated On: 10/9/09 at 07:33 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 7:46pm

"There are people who post on these boards who can REALLY be rude. Count your blessings they haven't replied."


Yes. That is correct.



If you were sitting next to me, Angel, I would have tazed you.

[James885]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 7:51pm

You cried during Omigod You Guys? Really? REALLY?

But back on topic, I can understand the cheering and the singing along and the cheering in a show that calls for it. Any other time, it's annoying.

Several times, I've had overzealous fangirls/boys interrupt my theater going experience by loudly singing along and commenting on the action of the show. Each time I've wanted to smack them upside the head and tell them that I paid good money to hear the actors sing and talk, not them.

It sounds like you were definitely acting obnoxious during Legally Blonde. Just be quiet and watch the show.

Updated On: 10/9/09 at 07:51 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 7:58pm

I probably would have rolled my eyes at you. I mean, seeing The Light in the Piazza was a dream come true for me, but I didn't act like a maniac when I was there.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 8:11pm

Dearest Angelx (a.k.a. - rude and obnoxious one),

You are so lucky I wasn't sitting behind you because I would have flicked you in the head. Then again, I wouldn't have been at Legally Blonde to begin with because I have much better taste than that.

And how dare you chastise our beloved millie_dillmount, whose opinions are highly respected here.

Kisses, Kalimba
Updated On: 10/9/09 at 08:11 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 8:23pm

You started this thread KNOWING you were in the wrong with your behavior. WHY would you come here asking us to defend your behavior? REALLY???

I thought Millie was pretty darned honest with you.

I'd of tripped you at any opportunity. Not really, but I would have been less then pleasant if I was next to you.

[snarkywannabedreamer]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:06pm

they say the truest sense of who you are is not who YOU think you are and not who OTHERS think you are but WHO YOU THINK OTHERS THINK YOU ARE. If you believe that you are annoying others... 99% chance you are doing just that. A thoughtful person would change their behavior the minute that thought popped in their head. Now, while the fact that it's just a tour production of "Legally Blonde" that got you so wound up makes me personally shake my head in slight sadness, I would want to throw a sparkle-laden muzzle on your face no matter what show you were ruining for me.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:10pm

Since I get the feeling the WAH BUTTHURT ON TEH INTARWEBS feeling might take over (aka might be edited down to nothing), here's angelxschunard's original post:

I recently saw Legally Blonde in Sacramento and now that I reflect on how I acted, I was EXTREMELY excited and sorry for the people around me. Legally Blonde is my favorite show ever and if you live in Sacramento, you know how scarce it is when good tours come through. I also don't have a lot of money, so it's rare that I ever see live theatre, so that also added to my excitement. I freakin' cried during "Omigod You Guys," that's how excited I was. I was cheering and woo-ing the whole time. I was constantly apologising to the people around me for my actions during intermission and after the show, but I was excited! There's a fine line between being excited and being obnoxious, and I totally might have crossed it.

How do you feel about excited theatre goers?

Updated On: 10/9/09 at 10:10 PM

[tazber]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:23pm

Sometimes these questions are so absurd I don't know whether it's a joke or not.

If there was someone like this in a show I was attending I would have gotten the usher or theater management to have a little chat with the selfish twit who was ruining the experience for everyone else.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:33pm

If you were sitting next to me, you would have had the worst night of your life.

[AlfieByrne]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:38pm

What I depise more than anything else in theatre are those pretentious people who has to brag about the fact that they know everything about a show/every shows.

Before/after the show, I don't care. But during the show, please don't ever make comments like "Oh. Did you hear that? Patti added a vibrato on that word." or "Whoa whoa whoa. She's not supposed to be singing that ensemble track! I wonder what happened?"

I also have problems with people who has to scream or cheer during the song to force themselves to feel better about seeing the show.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:40pm

or "Whoa whoa whoa. She's not supposed to be singing that ensemble track! I wonder what happened?"

I used to be guilty of that crap. I have tried to train myself not to do this.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:52pm

I don't know how to deal with "those kind" of over-zealous type of people. I want to tell them to "shut the f*** up" but I usually end up saying nothing and then stare at them with anger (which then ruins my experience.) I'm not even sure why I fear telling them nicely to please settle down/be quiet. Maybe because I'm afraid of them pulling out a gun or knife? I know that sounds a little drastic and ridiculous but you never know. Maybe I feel like I'll be ruining their experience. But, on the other hand, they are ruining mine. The most I will do is say "shhh" without being noticeable that it's me, except for the one time that a person was eating PIZZA and CHIPS in which I looked at them several times and finally said, "It's a little late to be having lunch." (I just couldn't help myself!) Sorry, this is more of a vent then anything else.

Updated On: 10/9/09 at 10:52 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:55pm

Obviously the original poster has never attended a performance of HELLO, DOLLY! or the recent PATTI LUPONE GYPSY on Broadway. The whole theater was filled with "over excited theatre goers" who applauded during the overtures, cheered the cast, sang along with the performers and gave rousing standing ovulations at the end. I mean, they had the audacity to answer back en masse "yeah" when Rose asked if they "liked it" during "Rose's Turn". Pathetic, if you ask me.

Yup, theatre-going is going down the tubes.

Updated On: 10/9/09 at 10:55 PM

[Pgenre]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:59pm

JOKE or RETARD?

...courtesy of PRS...

P

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 11:00pm

There's always the fear of a confrontation because not everyone can handle even a polite request.

An example, I was once at a show with a friend and someone we knew was performing. The two woman behind us chattered through the whole show and I turned around and asked them to please stop talking. They whispered a bit about how rude I was but did stop soon after. During curtain calls when out friend came out for his bow we stood up, cheered, and sat back down. We were out of our seats for a matter of seconds. The next thing I know I'm being jabbed in the back. I tried to ignore it but it persists so I turned around. It was the women I had asked to stop talking. They asked me to stop standing because they couldn't see. Would they have done that had they not felt "wronged" by my asking them to be quiet? Probably not.