My Security Run-In At Today's Caine Mutiny Matinee

I had a seat in the front row, AA 114, stage left (my right). My cell phone was in my lap the entire time, with an occasional shuffle whenever I moved.

It wasn't a great show, but Zeljko Ivanek is delivering the performance of the year.

Anyway. I'm at the stage door as the security person approaches me and says "you were the one video recording the show from the front row. One of the actors saw you." I think nothing of it, until:

Security Guard: Come back this way, please. Give me your cell phone and camera.

So, I do as I'm told, as I'm lead through the stage door to the backstage area of the Schoenfeld. There, I'm greeted by David Schwimmer.

Security Guard: Here you go, Mr. Schwimmer. The one who was taping the show.
David Schwimmer: What are you talking about?
SG: Didn't you report that someone was taping the show?
DS: You were taping the show?
Me: My cell phone isn't capable of taping the show. It's too old.
(Security guard gives it back to me, I open it.)
Me: See? No Camera.
DS: I have no idea what anyone is talking about but it seems there's been a misunderstanding. I'm very sorry, is there anything I can do?
Me: Well, you can sign my program. I'm a huge fan of your work, I'm sorry the show is closing so soon.
DS: Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
SG: Sorry for the misunderstanding, sir.

Just then, Zeljko Ivanek comes running down the stairs.
Zeljko Ivanek: He's the one who recorded the show!
Me: We just established my cell phone isn't capable.
ZI: Well, why was it out?
Me: It's a compulsive habit to not lose anything. I like keeping it on my lap.
SG: That's a pretty lame excuse.
ZI: Your cell phone was really rattling me. I lost my place many times because of it. The lights were on.
Me: They weren't, but okay. And even though you lost your place, you still delivered the performance of the year.
ZI (realizing that he just embarrassed himself by saying he got destracted): I'm, uh, very sorry for this misunderstanding. Don't you know that cells aren't allowed to be used in theaters?
Me: Once again, I wasn't on my cell phone, it was on my lap. And I've been seeing shows for 15 years. I know cells aren't allowed.

So, I walked out.

It just makes me wonder: aren't actors trained NOT to look at the audience? With the way the show is set up (Ivanek is seated on the left side of the stage, from the audiences POV), how could he have seen my cell phone, since I'm all the way on the right? Why did the security guard take my electronic devices and promptly give them back to me without looking?

It was an awesome experience, meeting David Schwimmer, going backstage at a Broadway theater, seeing an actor get embarrassed realizing that he was in the wrong.... I really can't think of one negative.

Oh, and Victor Garber and Craig Bierko were in the audience. That was cool, too.

wow.

Thats amazing! If only you had a laptop with you, you might have gotten a photo-op with the cast.

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Now, I feel it necessary to say that I twirled my cell phone, every now and then during the show, and did check the time once, during the last scene, which Mr. Ivanek isn't a part of. Even so, there was no way he could have seen it.

Well, it's nice to hear that David Schwimmer sounds like such a sweet guy.

I don't know where you get the assessment that actors aren't "supposed" to look at the audience, though, especially as some kind of general rule. It depends on the actor and on the performance.

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What about performances that require, or are enhanced by breaking the fourth wall? And, for all the stories you hear about actors consciously making eye contact with the audience, at least as far back as they can see, I don't know how much I believe that.

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The 4th wall breaking shows are a different story. This one is not a 4th wall breaking show. I can understand them looking out into the audience, but the fact was that I wasn't even close to Ivanek on stage. I was on the totally opposite side. He never came near me. If anything it was Schwimmer who SHOULD have been distracted by a cell phone on my lap. Something so miniscule couldn't possibly have affected someone on the other side of the room.

That's just my logic, anyway.

ETA: That's a bizarre experience but quite justified.

Updated On: 5/21/06 at 10:49 PM

That's really strange. Doubly strange that it seems like they thought they could SHAME a supposed bootlegger into staging a confrontation between them and the stars.

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Updated On: 5/20/06 at 10:57 PM

Wow. I have like minor OCD and sometimes I HAVE to keep stuff like that out. I'd probably cry in your situation though lol. But great meeting Schwimmer!

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I was at the matinee too. What a story! Zeljko Ivanek was astonishing! He might have had a shot at the Tony if it weren't closing tomorrow. Nice to hear David Schwimmer was a mensch.

Updated On: 5/21/06 at 11:01 PM

I have a friend that claims to have had "a moment" with Raul at Chitty. Actors definately look out into the audience all the time, especially if they are distracted. Maybe the light was hitting the cell phone just right and caused a slight glare? I dunno.

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Updated On: 5/21/06 at 02:50 AM