LuPone Issues Response To Showstopping Vegas 'Texting' Incident- Page 6

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 9:33pm

Again, that's not been my experience when I've heard her live in the last few years.

At least you know now that she's no longer to your taste, and you don't have to go again.

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 9:35pm

I just had to laugh at myself for arguing the "annoying vs. distracting" point.

What's the difference-BOTH SUCK.

[PattiAnnLuPWNS2]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 9:39pm

I was there. She did it tactfully, but forcefully, and she had every right to. I flew all the way from New York to see that show, and if that person was sitting right next to me (I was a row ahead in the center, and they were house right so I saw them when Patti pointed them out) I would have been pissed. Patti just doesn't take any bull****, and people don't like to be called out on something when they are wrong, like this texting person did. You would think people would learn after what happened on January 10th. Put away your phones and cameras, people, and show some respect for quite possibly the greatest Broadway leading lady to ever grace the stage. This goes for every other theatrical performance/concert too, of course. Not just Patti. But Patti is the only one with the balls to say something. Go Patti! <3

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 9:40pm

I think Patti sounds better than ever.

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 9:49pm

Didn't she cuss at the offending audience member? Not sure how that is tactful or respectful or classy.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 9:53pm

I will agree with those who find it extremely distracting to be on stage and see the light from a cell phone. It takes you completely out of the show.

Good for Patti if she refuses to take any BS.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 9:56pm

And people texting on their phones is ANNOYING, but not DISTRACTING.

Again, your command of the English language is subliterate.

If you know you are annoyed, you are, by definition, distracted.

Otherwise, you would not take note of being annoyed.

The very state of being annoyed prerequires distraction.

[winston89]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:02pm

logan0215, The point that I was trying to make is that while having a cell phone out is distracting and annoying, it is more distracting and more annoying to yell at the person who had their phone out. Having the phone out only bothers a select few while yelling at the person from the stage gets in the way of everyone's enjoyment of the show even those who are out of sight lines from what is going on to even notice.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:15pm

"Put away your phones and cameras, people, and show some respect for quite possibly the greatest Broadway leading lady to ever grace the stage."

Well since she only recently has corrected her extremely poor diction, I wouldn't go that far.

[yay_gerb]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:19pm

before i found out that it was Will Swenson that threw the camera in Hair, i visioned Allison Case dancing up and down all happy, then seeing someone using their camera and her flipping out screaming and yelling at the person. that would be a fun Hair outtake.

as for Patti...i love her, but stoppping the show...concert, theater, whatever is unprofessional. but she is a diva so whatevs.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:26pm

Winston, again I see your point, and if that's your experience, that's valid.

But I think it's just as valid to say that dealing with it and getting it over with is less distracting than letting it go on for 30-45 minutes.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:28pm

Well since she only recently has corrected her extremely poor diction, I wouldn't go that far.

Her diction is one thing, but, Goth, did she ever correct her dictation?

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:30pm

She is still working on her dictation with private lessons from you PalJoey.

And as of about a month ago her diction/dictation/enunciation of words is still pretty horrible.
Updated On: 6/23/09 at 10:30 PM

[BroadwayKing09]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:32pm

good job Patti!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:32pm

This bitter old queen is too distracted to be annoyed by you.

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:33pm

You forgot "fat" too.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:45pm

"Her diction is one thing, but, Goth, did she ever correct her dictation?"

I don't know. Maybe you can go to her website and click on the "Ask Patti" button. I hear if she uses your question in her "Dolls" letters to her fans, you get her photo autographed by her son.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:52pm

I'm almost embarasssed to post this, but I took my 17 year old nephew to see Dame Edna last week, and he was texting before the show. I told him he would have to turn the phone off when the show started.

He asked, "Why?"

I said, "It's distracting to the people around you na dit could interfere with the sound system."

He put the phone away when the show started, but, when the actress playing the daughter came out, she sat on the stage and put in ear buds and started to text in the action of the show. My nephew elbows me and said, "SHE'S texting! Why can't I?!"

I thought he was joking, but he wasn't. He turns 17 in two days and I'm worried for him.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:58pm

Whatever happened to "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:58pm

If you don't watch out, he's going to grow up to be just like FlyingMonkey1223

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 11:09pm

"ogan0215, The point that I was trying to make is that while having a cell phone out is distracting and annoying, it is more distracting and more annoying to yell at the person who had their phone out. Having the phone out only bothers a select few while yelling at the person from the stage gets in the way of everyone's enjoyment of the show even those who are out of sight lines from what is going on to even notice."

I sure hope so. Perhaps if this happens often enough, word will get out that you might be called out in front of the entire house if you get caught being an A-hole.

Lord knows, NOTHING else works, and we are now resorting to stopping shows. It's a shame that the only people who might understand this fact are those who work in theater management.

And for those of you who believe that making an announcement that a show will stop and phones or cameras will be confiscated-THAT doesn't even work.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 11:14pm

" It's a shame that the only people who might understand this fact are those who work in theater management. "

Honestly, I think it's really refreshing to hear from someone who actually works in theater management.
Updated On: 6/23/09 at 11:14 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 11:21pm

Well thanks ljay. I believe there are others here that do also. Shbrt for one.

I only speak from experience. I understand the frustration of a performer. This problem has been building for years. It's out of hand and nothing seems to work to stop it. Almost every night there's someone trying to video a show, let alone the several cameras and cell phones we deal with every single night.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 11:29pm

I think you're right, Jane. And that's related to what I was trying to say before: I think the technology has actually changed the behavior. And I think we're all still in the process of figuring out what the new boundaries are. They seem fairly clear to me, but I'm being forced every day to realize that not everyone shares my views.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 11:43pm

I wonder what Miranda would do if she caught someone texting while she performed. That really is what any professional should do.