Just thinking- Security in theaters. How good is it?

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 12:49pm

Watching all the coverage last night of the horrific Boston tragedy. Feeling very depressed . I feel helpless. Has me missing my family terribly. Tried to distract myself by playing some show tunes and listening to some XM. But that got me thinking to a few years ago when rebels invaded a theater in Russia and held the company and audience hostage. Also got me thinking to how tight security was right after 9/11. I remember having tickets to a concert that week. I remember the long lines to get thru the extreme security. A few years ago when we saw Wicked I remember the ticket taker asking for people to open their bags for a look before going in. The theater distric in NY is so vulnerable. Just wondering.. how safe are we when we go to these events? How good is security in Broadway houses? I just bought my subscription to the Hollywood Bowl for the summer which sits 18,000 people. How safe is it? I know I am just feeling a little paranoid today.. but should these theaters and venues have a more dedicated TSA like security?

Updated On: 4/16/13 at 12:49 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 12:52pm

There isn't a good answer. There is no way of ever telling when or where any act of terror takes place.

We cannot live in fear, if we do, THEY win. We can only live our lives to their fullest, each and every day.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 12:52pm

Tie a rope around your waist and tie the other end to a tree or something. Do not sink into the darkness. To appropriate Paul Monette's line about AIDS epidemic survivors, we have to mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 12:54pm

Oh I know. You are both correct in your advice. But I guess I am just curious as to what pro active measures have been taken.

Updated On: 4/16/13 at 12:54 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 12:56pm

From the Christian Science Monitor editorial:

"As Americans discovered after 9/11 as well as many others, how we react to terrorism is as important as catching the terrorists. Fear is the terrorists’ most desired outcome. And while higher degrees of caution and safety may be needed, fear must not be the answer. Whatever reasons are used to justify the killing of civilians, they will eventually be made powerless when enough people attest to and live by the values of a free, caring, and peaceful society."

We have to hang onto hope.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 12:57pm

Nicely said. Thanks Namo.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 12:59pm

I am not going to be living in fear. And I am not going to stop doing things I want to do or going to things. But we do live in a different world now. I guess I want to be informed about how organizers of events ( including theater) have adapted to this different world.

[broadfan327]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:01pm

About three quarters of the time I have my backpack searched when I walk into a theater/concert venue. You are much more likely to get hit by a car crossing the street walking into the theater than a terrorist. I agree, you have to keep living life to the fullest regardless of any threats.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:14pm

Hmmm. I don't know. Not everything comes in a backpack. Obviously it is not enough. Sorry about my paranoia and dramatics. Perhaps it is a bit too soon to have a practical talk? I feel so blue.

Updated On: 4/16/13 at 01:14 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:25pm

I don't think it's ever too soon. It's hard in our culture to contemplate death in even the most peaceful of situations.

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:26pm

Great points by everyone here.

I guess we can never be too safe. I was in Times Square 3 years ago on the night of The Times Square Bombing. I was sitting at the TKTS booth area, just people watching and saw a lot of police activity, didn't really think that much about it, and went to my show. I had tickets that night for "A Little Night Music." It wasn't until after the show was over with, that I found out what had happened. It could have been a terrible situation.

[suestorm]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:28pm

i feel a lot safer in a theater that usually has only one entrance then a baseball or hockey game that has more entrances and is way bigger with more aisles, seats etc

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:30pm

Really? Because in some of these theaters ( especially the older ones) Iwould think it would be difficult to quickly get out.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:37pm

I think Sue is referring to the element getting in, not so much the audience getting out.


Honestly, there is only so much that can be done pro-actively. An above poster is correct, however, you have a better chance of being in a fatal accident then being involved in a terrorist act.

I know none of this talk is comforting for you, and I'm not trying to make light of your concern. I just can't live like that. Just like I can't give up sweet-n-low. I know something will eventually "get me". I can't worry about which one thing it MIGHT be.

I make the best choices I can, and strive to find joy in my choices and my life.

[suestorm]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:39pm

i do DAME, i feel there is less places to hide something, plus there are so many ushers everywhere. you ever try to take a quick pic before or after the show? theyre on you in an instance!

the arenas and stadiums are so much bigger, plus there are so many places to leave a backpack or something, i feel it would never get discovered.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:41pm

Drama; I agree with you. I can't live like that either. I understand that. I guess I don't think much has changed since 9/11. Looking quickly in a backpack or a purse as you go in a theater does nothing. That is theater in itself.

Updated On: 4/16/13 at 01:41 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:44pm

Sue; Some of these older theaters need to be upgraded for many reasons. Security being on the top of the list. With all the seniors and kids in attendance.. and the way they pack the seats in with no space. Anyway... I know.

Updated On: 4/16/13 at 01:44 PM

[MusicalTheatreGeek2]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:46pm

There was really tight security with metal detectors and lots of people searching bags at the 2011 London wicked cast change, but nothing at the one last year, I don't know why it was so insane!

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:48pm

When your time is up, it's up. You can buy it in a random terrorist attack (very unlikely), a car accident on your way to work (much more probable) or a heart attack while you watch Law & Order (ding-ding-ding we have a winner).

There is no point fretting about it. Keep an eye out, take your Lipitor, don't provoke deranged rednecks and live life every day until you die.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 1:49pm

All good advice Joe. I am hoping that some our ticket money is going for our safety. That is all.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 2:06pm

No. I do not want tickets prices raised to pay for long lines waiting to go through body scanners in Shubert Aleey.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 2:08pm

No. No one wants that. It is not what I was implying. Seriously, some of these older NY theaters are such a hazard.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 2:18pm

Those are the ones I prefer to go to. The older the better.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 2:19pm

I might have woken up all blue. But someone woke up being a bitch. I still love you. And happy anniversary dear.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 6:11pm

DAME-I hope you are not so blue today but your concern about safety in theatres is certainly justified.No amount of increased security will stop this madness,so let us always now be aware and not stop doing the things we love.
PS-Whenever your avatar appears--I think you are Maggie talking to us --makes me feel good somehow.