I am seeing Mamma Mis again this weekend but the 1st time I saw the show I was in the Mezzanine, so I couldn't see the Orchestra audience. This time I see the show I will be in the 3rd row of the orchestra on the aisle, so I was wondering is there any audience interaction throughout the show?
More audience interaction should be encouraged at ALL shows. It is really quite simple in fact. Even the biggest idiot can do it! Take your index finger and place it over your lips. Maintaining this position for the duration is crucial not only for the safety of the performers but also your own life! Sit down, shut up and enjoy the performance you paid to see! If you want to participate then go to a karaoke bar.
I would love to see some more. If nothing else, Mamma Mia is a fun show, and it would be great to see cast member come out into the audience during the encore, which is "Waterloo", a very lively tune which just makes you want get up and... well you know. Maybe when they downsize a bit in their new home. Also, I wanted to mention when I first saw the dhow, about ten years ago, there was a fund raiser for Broadway Cares, and we went for the photo op with the three divas in costume.
Pet peeve about "audience interaction": Even if you sit there, do not utter a peep, applaud the actors, laugh and/or cry, THAT is audience interaction. You, as an audience member, are just as vital to the show as anything ON the stage or backstage. Paying attention is interaction. Your energy and investment helps fuel the show, affects pacing, energy, etc. EVERYTHING you do while in a theatre during a performance IS audience interaction and I think people should always be reminded of that fact. If the actors address you, speak to you, drag you onto the stage, etc.. well, we can debate whether or not that is MORE interaction or not. I feel that if you think it is, you are not aware of your role as audience member during any performance.
Back to the topic at hand, the only time anyone in mamma Mia speaks TO or the audience, etc is when Donna asks "doesn't everybody want to hear one more?" during the finale mega-mix.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
