Musical Theatre Pet Peeves — Page 4

"when actors put their mics on mute and then forget to take it off mute and wonder why their mic wasnt on for their song!"

On broadway, tchi, actors have NO control over this. You'll have to blame mic failure or a technician.

"When old people comment on who an actor or actress is, it just drives me crazy."

But it's okay if a young person does it, volleyballer?

I also really don't mind ultra casual dress, as long as they're coming to see the shows (and keep their shoes on).

Hmmm. I guess my pet peeves are other people's pet peeves.

Updated On: 8/19/06 at 01:12 AM

My pet peeve would have to be the "know it all" theatre gurus who comment on how superior they are to others that may not know theatre so much. Christ, so what if they like the popular musicals. Instead of ranting how you are a theatre expert just introduce them to the more greater pieces of theatre. Don't act like you're a more important person because YOU know more about theatre than others. It's a bit much to be full of yourself.

I like getting dressed up to go to the theatre, but sometimes people have to wear jeans. I was in New York once, and I saw Wicked in jeans because there was no time for me to change because my group was touring. They were nice jeans though, and I had a collared shirt.

I saw the Lion King once, and someone near me kept FARTING thru the WHOLE show. And there were the really bad rotten egg farts too.

I agree w/ the standard phones/late people/talkers/and movie know-it-alls. I also agree w/ Julian. When I saw Wicked, I had VIP seats and was surrounded by people who could care less.


As far as actual shows...Rent kinda pissed me off because of the fact that they sung EVERYTHING. I know they were going for a rock opera, and operas are sung...but it sounds really stupid when mark is all "MAARK! MAARK! I'm MAARK!" It worked better for Phantom, cuz of the repeating musical lines. When they sang something that probably should have been spoken, it was allready a familiar tune, ya know?

AMAZING shows that get turned into crap films.

Touche.
But there are plenty of other lines that could do with some regular speaking.

PS - smartass :)

I’ve never actually been in one, but I’ve heard there are theaters where you’re actually allowed to eat while watching the show. Sorry but I think it’s rude to eat food while you’re watching live theater. Save that for sports and the movies.

"As far as actual shows...Rent kinda pissed me off because of the fact that they sung EVERYTHING. I know they were going for a rock opera, and operas are sung...but it sounds really stupid when mark is all "MAARK! MAARK! I'm MAARK!"

I know, it's pretty odd when they sing EVERYTHING. In the RENT movie, I liked how they changed a lot of the sung stuff that sounded wierd, to regular speaking.

Updated On: 8/19/06 at 12:56 PM

I’ve never actually been in one, but I’ve heard there are theaters where you’re actually allowed to eat while watching the show. Sorry but I think it’s rude to eat food while you’re watching live theater. Save that for sports and the movies.

The Willows Theatre in Concord, California is one that does. I've seen several shows there, and it's an interesting phenomenon: People eat and drink quietly, if they drink at all.

They wait for applause, they don't unwrap or slurp during songs or dialog, and they're quite polite about it. I've been next to parents with small kids who have lemonade or soda (with load ice bouncing around) and they won't let their kids drink until there's applause.

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Ugh, god. The worst was the Wednesday night when I saw Wicked.

Some person in the row in front of me decided that right in the middle of "As Long As You're Mine" was the PERFECT time to turn her cellphone on, open it up, and use the light to read the bios in the program for the ENTIRETY of the number.


What the heck, man?. Read your freaking playbill at intermission or after the show. It was SO annoying. I was ready to slap her very, very hard.

I also agree with the people who have mentioned audience members talking over the overtures. I'm here to enjoy an evening of music and acting...so LET ME LISTEN TO THE MUSIC.

Also, when people just leave playbills lying around to get trampled on after the show. Those cost money, people! And are collectibles to a lot of us Broadway freaks...

I know I have more, but am at a loss at this moment.

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brdwybound2 it wasn't directed towards you. It was just in general.

I was at Mary Poppins on monday the 14th August and a group of girls two rows behind were singing the words of the songs and when the didnt know the words as most of the lyrics for the songs that are in the movie have changed the were humming all the way through....VILE!!!

Danny :)

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o something that neaver happen till yesterday ( well atlest when i was there)
i was at a Frankie Valli consert and these two woman wore completey drunk. and wore being complete ***holes to the stagedoor guy. I mean if you have one drink at a show thats fine, but not so much you get drunk.

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jazz hands
singers who freak out on me for my pre-show habits (soda, ice watrer, and chocolate have little to no effect on my voice) and run around weilding "vocal tea"
and from audience members the follwing interaction;
idiot: you were great!
me(or whatever other actor they're talking to): thank you so much
idiot: who did you play?

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