Oddest things you’ve heard from non theatre people — Page 2

dianamorales said: "I have talked to SO many people that don't understand that shows close. Someone last year told me that they saw Miss Saigon in the 90s, and that it was now the longest running show of all time. On a family trip to the city a couple of years ago, my cousins were DYING to see Mary Poppins, because they had seen it the last time they were there. I guess I understand the confusion, but it drives me crazy."


I think there's a perception to those who don't frequent Broadway that most shows either run forever, or there's an "on" season and "off" season for a show, like sports (not unlike rep/opera theatres). There's a "once a hit always a hit" perception (fueled by things like Cats, Phantom, Wicked, or Chorus Line and Rent in their days). I'm sure there are groups of people each day who go to TKTS hoping to see Mamma Mia, Les Miz, or Rent.

Those who don't read the Broadway news sites have NO idea what shows are "hits" and "flops," unless the hit-status of a show is talked about on a national platform (Hamilton) or used in an ad campaign (Kinky Boots and Beautiful using "now in its X year!" Many know that Broadway shows usually run for longer than a movie played in cinemas, but they don't know how long.

singtopher said: "Picture it, Summer, 2009. West Side Story was at the Palace. I was working in ticket sales.

Ticket Buyer: Is Liza Minnelli still playing in West Side Story?

Me: Um.....no. I don't believe she's ever been in that show, at least on Broadway.

TB: No, no, she was in West Side Story. I read it in the Times

Me: Well, maybe at one point she was in a past production, but can assure you she's not in this production of West Side Story.

TB: No, I have the article right here. (She pulls out her paper)

Me: (Looks at paper, sees photo with caption reading "Liza Minnelli performs with the cast of West Side Story at the 2009 Tony Awards). Ok. I guess I can see your confusion now. Sorry, Liza's not in the show."

Well, I vaguely remember a movie titled "West Side Waltz" (1995) with Liza Minnelli and Shirley MacLaine.

ACL2006 said: "hollebolle said: "Overheard at a TKTS window today:

Les Misérables isn’t showing any more????"



There's always someone on line at TKTS insisting WICKED is available. Nearly every time I've been on line at TKTS someone will ask "how much is WICKED discounted for?".

"

There is an off-broadway show “wicked frozen” that is always at the booth, and everytime I visit I hear someone asking for Wicked or Frozen, if I was working the booth, i would just sell them the wicked frozen tix D

dianamorales said: "I have talked to SO many people that don't understand that shows close. Someone last year told me that they saw Miss Saigon in the 90s, and that it was now the longest running show of all time. On a family trip to the city a couple of years ago, my cousins were DYING to see Mary Poppins, because they had seen it the last time they were there. I guess I understand the confusion, but it drives me crazy."

This is the most common one I’ve experienced and it’s honestly so sad having to break the news LOL. One of my friends said a couple of months ago, “I cannot wait to go to NY. I’m hoping to get tickets to Annie on Broadway. I’ve wanted to see it FOREVER.” And I felt so bad having to tell her “Yeah, the Annie revival closed in 2014 but Wicked could be fun!”

Another one is someone saying “I just saw a show ON Broadway!” and me saying, “You went to New York? Oh, how was it?” And they say “Oh no, I didn’t go to New York!! I saw it at the Fox in Atlanta!” And I’m like okay yes you saw a broadway show but you saw a national tour girl! Not on Broadway! I know it’s sounds so stupid and pretentious but it occurs so often!

There are so, so many examples that I can’t think of off the top of my head. Oh, also while walking into Aladdin on a school trip, one of the kids asked one of the teachers how long it would be and she said, “30 minutes, perhaps an hour.” And I thought to myself, oh wow should I tell them? Hahaha OH and none of the people with me had any idea that you had to turn off your phones and were genuinely surprised when I said you could get in trouble for it being out during the show. They left the show thinking the ushers were so tough and strict and crazy for reminding people to put away their phones.

Updated On: 7/15/18 at 03:33 AM

The Lion King uses real animals

Not quite the same thing, but a favorite story. A friend was waiting for a friend on 46th St a few years ago when the Addams Family was at the Lunt Fontanne. Bebe Neuwirth was leaning against the building. A tourist family came by and asked her to move (and she politely complied) so they could get a picture of the poster - of Bebe Neuwirth.

Not quite the same thing, but....was in London for a very short visit and desperate to see Sarah Brightman in Aspects of Love only to be told she was out for a time doing something else.

I was speechless thinking that she just had to be there just because I was. I carried on like a demented queen asking all these silly useless question because of cause it was all about me until the prissy old queen[yes they're everywhere in England] at the box office said, Sir ! [I wouldn't have been surprised if he had said Madam !], We are selling tickets for Aspects of Love, NOT Sarah Brightman---I bought one and slunk off.

I adored the show and wept buckets at the end I was so moved by the story,[went and bought the book] the performances and the music[without Sarah Brightman].

Edited out Elaine Paige for Sarah Brightman as a very wise contributor corrected me [thanks].

Updated On: 7/30/18 at 08:11 PM

During the first intermission for Angels in America, a man seated behind us remarked to his companion that "there hasn't been much music so far" and he wondered "when the singing was going to start".