Joe Turner's Adding Phone Stickers?

Just got this from Telecharge-

Upon arrival at the Barrymore Theatre, you'll be requested to cover up the camera on your phone, using removable stickers provided by the theatre staff. The use of cameras, cell phones, and other recording devices during the show is strictly prohibited by law, except when used for accessibility services.

Did something happen?

My first thought is if these stickers can be peeled off at any time? If so, that probably won't stop people from recording or taking pics. Sounds like they need Yondr pouches.

Updated On: 5/19/26 at 01:03 PM

These stickers don't do anything. They're a waste and end up stuck to the seats, the floor of the theater, or the sidewalk 70% of the time. It's beyond silly.

Updated On: 5/19/26 at 01:46 PM

Jordan Catalano said: "The issue I’ve heard from quite literally every single person i know who’s seen the show, isn’t people taking photos but just people on their phones, full brightness the entire show. This theater just had “Othello”, where Yondr pouches were successfully used so that would seem to be the way to curb phone use, not those little stickers."

Can confirm. I went about a week or so ago and the audience was HORRIFIC. It reminded me of the first time I saw MJ. Phones were out. People were late past curtain. Lots of chatter. I ended up having a “I need the manager” moment at intermission and they had the usher stationed right by the offending party of three women who were texting and reading their phones as if they shouldn’t have bothered to come at all.

A phone also went off multiple times behind me and when it happened the third time, in the middle of Bynum’s big act I speech, I just said “TURN IT OFF. NOW”. They were gone at intermission.

The fact that they added a reminder at INTERMISSION says a lot

Saw Becky Shaw a few weeks ago from the rear orchestra and the 2 women next to me were on their phones the entire show, texting, checking instagram, etc. not an usher in sight.

I went to see it yesterday and had zero issues witht the audience around me in the front orchestra. No phone calls or anything distracting whatsoever. Few people were seated very late but that's about it. Comparing this audience with MJ audience is a choice.



The worst audience behavior I've ever experienced was during my recent revisit of Death Becomes Her. There were groups of young women running back and forth between their orchestra seats, bathrooms and the bar. Extremely distracting and annoying and was going on the entire time.I see so many people texting or checking their phones during pretty much all Broadway shows that as long as brightness is dimmed and the phones is on mute, I no longer let it ruin the experience for me.

Updated On: 5/25/26 at 01:44 AM

quizking101 said: "gibsons2 said: "I went to see it yesterday and had zero issues witht the audience around me in the front orchestra. No phone calls or anything distracting whatsoever. Few people were seated very late but that's about it. Comparing this audience with MJ audience is a choice.

Two things:

1) In the front orchestra, most nonsense that happens is behind you, You are close enough to be immersed in the show that any audience distraction would have to be loud enough to get you to turn around.

2) The MJ experience I referenced was also from four years ago, right around when they opened. I was in the mezzanine and it seemed like people were just coming in whenever like it was an AMC theater and not acting appropriately. They thought they were at a concert. Same distracting cell phone use, chatter, etc. It’s not comparing the MJ audience writ large, but to one specific event I experienced."

You mean like every inebriated tourist behaves at shows like Mamma Mia and Rocky Horror or Just in Time when Groff performed? Singling out Joe Turner and MJ is a very weird choice when none of these have even remotely the worst audiences.

gibsons2 said: "You mean like every inebriated tourist behaves at shows like Mamma Mia and Rocky Horror or Just in Time when Groff performed? Singling out Joe Turner and MJ is a very weird choice when none of these have even remotely the worst audiences."

Sounds like YOU have never had an experience at either of these shows.


Stop trying to turn this into something.

Eva27 said: "I'd actually prefer this over those Yondr pouch stuff. At least you still have your phone if there's an emergency or something."

I have to say, as an audience member I really like what Yondr accomplishes. But as an American in a mass gathering, it frightens me.

I personally feel Yondr pouches should become the norm. That alone will stop every issue concerning cell phones. This is our reality now and it is what it is. Even with announcements made, most people ignore them as they take those messages are intended for others and has nothing to do with them. As you enter the theatre, a pouch is given to you and they watch you put your phone into the pouch. It’ll only slow things down by a few seconds. You have your phone with you so there’s no dealing with storing your phone, etc. For those thinking they’re outsmarting the system and sneaking in their phones, those few that snuck by would be easy to spot by any usher in a dark theatre. I’ve been to countless multi-cam sitcom filmings and this is what is done. Never once has there been an issue with a cell phone. Exiting is even quicker as they use a quick-release gun to open the pouch and your phone slides out and off you go.

The reason they're doing stickers and not Yondr pouches is cost. Point blank period.

And no, it's not a weird choice to point out MJ as another horribly behaved audience. BECAUSE THEY ARE! A fact is a fact regardless of your feelings. Other shows can also (and DO!) have bad audiences, but having using two examples is not something to interrogate like you're ready to cancel someone like it's 2020.

Any given celebrity (or also any big brand IP/music catalogue akin to MJ can be a culprit of this as well) can bring in a fanbase that aren't avid theatergoers and have no sense of theater etiquette. It's a double edged sword because at the same time you're bringing new people into the fold of theatergoing, a GREAT thing, the experience can be diminished for those that are aware of and adhere to the unspoken code of conduct when in a theater.