When I was going through an Audra interview deep dive she talked about the Puffy revival of Raisin (a crazy thing that actually happened) a lot and how at first it was strange to have audiences with "poor theatre etiquette" but in the end she really enjoyed it because she realized how many people in the audiences were experiencing something for the first time.
It really resonated with me at the time and has only resonated more the longer I work in the industry. Yes, a pop star is bound to bring in audiences that are perhaps are a bit more frenzied than your typical theatre patron but it's exciting that they're excited to be there!"
This is a really nice sentiment, but I don’t understand why “experiencing something for the first time” can’t also include (as it did for so many of us at some point) learning how to respect fellow audience members and performers, and being held to those very reasonable standards. I’m glad Audra was eventually able to enjoy it, but I can also understand how someone who cares deeply about a piece and paid tons of $ for a single chance to see it and feel fully present might not be able to enjoy it in the same way. Hooting and cheering and standing after songs, an occasional audible reaction to a line, getting up to use the bathroom - fine. But using a phone with a bright screen in others’ sightlines, talking through the show, crinkling chip bags, singing along, and similar behavior has never made sense to me as “ok,” unless the show is explicitly inviting it for a specific reason. I’ll be excited to see this if it truly does come to fruition - they're both excellent for the roles! And if it does, I hope that audiences are held to a reasonable standard.
Updated On: 12/16/25 at 02:12 PM
