Late Arrivers — Page 2

PepperedShepherd said: "I, too, complained to the house manager during intermission. His only response was "Oh, they shouldn't be doing that." No comp tickets for me."

If I may offer a suggestion, don't let them off the hook that easily; the squeaky wheel gets the oil, and letting them get away with it only encourages more of the same. The first person I complained to gave me a similar response, so I insisted on speaking with someone further up the line. If that doesn't work, contact the theater in writing afterwards (I've done this as well). Broadway tickets are simply too expensive these days to allow the house to impose a sub-par experience on patrons who paid their money and got there on time.

Updated On: 5/22/17 at 08:23 AM

The Public Theater creates "late seating" areas that people can be discretely and non-disruptively sat in close to the venue's entrance(s). They simply move people down into unoccupied seats just prior to curtain to open them up. During intermission, if the production has one, people can claim their ticketed spots.

Obviously, things happen- trains can be delayed or there can be traffic or emergencies or accidents. But seating a few late patrons should not be allowed to disrupt the experiences of an audience.

Late seating policies are dictated entirely by the production. It is not uncommon for the production to have a strict first late seating cue, and then have a vague "when appropriate" seating queue for the remainder of the performance. It is then up to the ushers to decide when to seat people. Only Scott Rudin has a strict no seating policy during the performance (which is relaxed for shows that aren't selling as well or do not have a high profile celebrity, such as Blackbird and The Humans). And if you think that's a solution, just ask the staff at the Shubert how well the strict late seating policy is going over there.

I'm a little surprised at the response of the house manager at Phantom. For one, house managers cannot give out comp tickets. Comp tickets are only distributed by the producers or the Shubert office (they can instruct a patron on the past date policy). Also, Phantom only has three strict late seating cues: Once the prformance starts, the first late seating cue occurs once the chandelier is on the ceiling and the drapes and backdrops start to rise and until the end of the overture; the second occurs at the very end of the Hannibal rehearsal scene. At that point, there is no restriction as to when patrons can be seated. Only during Music of the Night is it restricted to seat people, which includes anyone who left their seat during the performance and is returning to their seat.

Wick3 said: "When I saw Sunset Blvd a few months ago, the ushers seated latecomers during "With One Look!" I was shocked! That's one of the prime solos of the show and the ushers were seating people! Yes it was during previews but I'd hope ushers there would have a brain to know that's one song NOT to disturb the audience!"

I get there are union rules in the theater world and clear demarcations between actors and house staff, but it has to be incredibly distracting to an actor, say Glenn Close, belting this number and seeing an usher seating people, distracting a huge section of the seating area, and most every audience member behind the commotion. And it must be even more frustrating that the actor can’t really say anything to the house staff.

Curious, has anyone here been at a performance when an actor or conductor specifically stopped the show because of unscheduled or disruptive late seating?

The ushers definitely should have asked you what your favorite part of the show was before they do ANYTHING.

I will offer myself up as raw meat for you all...

This past Saturday I was late for Sunset Blvd. I had purchased $179 tic, center orchestra (right on the aisle) - and the person coming with me was unfortunately delayed coming from Conn. Can't tell you how frustrated and anxious I was standing at the theatre and seeing the doors start to close and knowing we were going to be late. We finally made our way in just as Joe's body was being raised from the pool... and were told we had to wait - I think we were allowed to our seats at the car chase scene (which there were at least 6 other people late at that point as well)

I agree with all of you about planning ahead - and believe me I was embarrassed and beyond frustrated to be late. Not only to disturb other patrons (and I hope not, the actors) but for myself because there was no way I enjoyed this performance as much as I should have because I came in so harried myself.

And row L seats on top of all that.

double post

Updated On: 5/22/17 at 04:32 PM

The Pecan Sandies said: "My biggest issue with latecomers is where they are sitting. I have never seen someone come in late and plop down into their aisle seat, they are always smack dab in the middle of the row."

Isn't that always the way? It seems like some scientific law of averages that the last people to arrive will always be seated in the middle of the row.

Lot666 said: "The Pecan Sandies said: "My biggest issue with latecomers is where they are sitting. I have never seen someone come in late and plop down into their aisle seat, they are always smack dab in the middle of the row."

Isn't that always the way? It seems like some scientific law of averages that the last people to arrive will always be seated in the middle of the row. "



It's further been proven that these are the same people who are late getting back to their seats at the end of intermission. ??

At SPAMALOT last weekend, I was on the aisle and the young woman next to me stumbled into the darkened house crouching over trying to find the row, in that manner of the more she tried to be unnoticed the more people noticed her. LOL I saw her walk up too far, then walk back, passing me. As she tiptoed forward a second time I stood and pointed toward her seat.

Late seating is unavoidable in a large city like NY. I'm always half hour early for everything but no one can plan for a street closing, subway breakdown etc. it happens. Appropriately timed late seating is part of life.

What I detest more however are people who feel they must leave early and avoid applauding for the actors and musicians that have entertained you for two hours. I've seen some race out to get a good spot for an autograph and photo of the person they couldn't bother to cheer for. I've thought about joining them on the line and telling the actor they were waiting for that couldn't be bothered to applaud for them but expect you to sign their playbill. Seriously I want to trip them as they race over people and through the aisles.

The worst I ever saw was a family of 5 who sat in the middle of the third row orchestra at the Brooks. If you've seen Waitress, you may remember there is a scene that seems like the end of the show but actually isn't. This family tromps over at least 5 people to ruin the "end" of the show for many and tromps up the aisle. However, when they realize it's not over, they go back down to their seats before anyone can stop them and climb over the same 5 people to sit again!!! Two minutes later the show is actually over and they left early again before bows!!! The kids in the family looked so embarrassed. The adults I have no words for.

Updated On: 5/23/17 at 07:20 PM

The Pecan Sandies said: "My biggest issue with latecomers is where they are sitting. I have never seen someone come in late and plop down into their aisle seat, they are always smack dab in the middle of the row.

One time at Waitress a couple came in late and asked if I (on the aisle) and the rest of the row could just shift down 2 seats to fill theirs so they could take the aisle. I refused and as the scooted past me they scolded me for being difficult



"

I would've scolded them back if I were you.

Same at DEH for me, latecomers came in during the blackout/scene right after Waving Through A Window

Just want to add that the house manager/staff do not establish the rules for late seating. It is done by the production. When each new show comes into a theater, the house manager and ushers are told by the production exactly when to seat latecomers. I know that some ushers don't follow their instructions, but generally, they are following orders.

The manager and ushers are the ones who get the complaints, though!