Imperial Theatre ushers

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 5/24/15 at 11:17pm

I was just wondering if what I am about to say is becoming the new norm on Broadway. 

 

I was recently at a performance of Les Miserabes, good seat side orchestra. The ushers were giving their usual speech of telling the audience to not take photos. Fine. However, at this performance I was at, an usher did something that I had never seen before. Rather than telling the people behind me to not take photos during the intermission, the usher offered to take their photo. And, furthermore, suggested that they then move in front of the pit so they could get a good shot of them with the curtain behind them. I hope to god that this was a one time situation of an usher showing poor judgment than it being the norm now on Broadway.

[benmangini]

Posted: 5/24/15 at 11:35pm

I went yesterday. They were fine with taking pics before show and at intermission. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/24/15 at 11:50pm

I think in that case it's just a show curtain, so who cares? It's not like you're filming the actual show? The actual inside of that theater, I'm sure, has been photographed many a time. So who cares? 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/24/15 at 11:54pm

When I saw Les Miserables early during previews they were allowing people to take pictures before the show and during intermission.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/25/15 at 12:16am

Some shows care about the show curtain, others don't.  It's up to the production, not the ushers. So, how nice of the usher to help.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 5/25/15 at 12:42am

I know and get that it's up to the production. Guess what baffled me about the whole thing is that the usher in question was one who was telling people to not take photos while inside the theatre. Yet, at intermission he did a total 180 and encouraged that. 

 

Frankly, if it's something the producers are okay with, fine by me. It's just the guy doing a 180 by saying that one shouldn't take photos, then assist with having them taken at intermission is beyond me. Either the ushers get on the same page regarding whether or not taking pictures is kosher (clearly that depends on the show.) 

[A1st]

Posted: 5/25/15 at 12:52am

Some shows care, some don't. Simple as that. GENERALLY shows that do not have a pre show curtain ask that you not take them. Here's an incomplete list of shows that I've found that they do or don't care if you take pictures of the stage/curtain before the show.  These may have changed, but this is what I found when I saw them.

 

DO care

Lion King

Book of Mormon

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Hand to God

An Act of God

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Matilda

Les Mis (When I saw it they said not to)

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

 

Do NOT care

Something Rotten!

Aladdin

On the Town

It Shoulda Been You

Wicked

Kinky Boots

Finding Neverland

Chicago

 

Hope this helps!

Updated On: 5/25/15 at 12:52 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/25/15 at 12:55am

Mormon doesn't care anymore if you take them before. But they are very vigilant and strict about during.

[A1st]

Posted: 5/25/15 at 1:07am

^Oh really? Cool! I saw the show last year and they freaked out anytime someone tried to take a picture of the pre show curtain

[KC91WFU]

Posted: 5/25/15 at 10:31pm

The lady usher at Hedwig (I think her name is Annie) is almost as entertaining as the show.  Few shenanigans are going down on her watch.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 5/25/15 at 11:49pm

From my recent endeavors at MATILDA, they have not cared, from the front orchestra, at least.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/25/15 at 11:52pm

When I saw Matilda for the mezzanine, they definitely cared. Granted, this was back in 2013.