Older people at the theater

Sometimes when I'm at the theater I look around and the rest of the audience is about two generations above me...why is that?
Do people become more interested in theater as they get older,
or are these people from a generation that always went to the theater throughout their life. If so, what will happen when they die? Seriously!

Updated On: 10/28/04 at 10:29 PM

For myself I can only say that I finally have the time to go to the theatre. I spent so many years working all day (and collapsing at night) that I never had the chance to just enjoy the theatre. Now I have the time, but no money. So I usher - a lot.

The theatre where I work has a LOT of senior subscribers. I think that in addition to having the time, most of them are also financially able to subscribe. Their mortgages are paid, the kids are grown and moved out, and now they can enjoy themselves at the theatre.

---

Updated On: 10/27/04 at 10:33 PM

There are so many factors...

It depends on the types of shows you go to, and whether it's a revival or a new show. Revivals hold memories for people who were able to see memorable revivals, or the original casts, and wish to see if the magic is still there.

Older people also have more disposable income to be able to subscribe to the subscription based theatre companies (the Roundabout, Lincoln Center Theatre, the Atlantic, etc.). Or have more time to go.

The last question is a bit flippant, but theatre will go on. Theatre ultimately finds an audience. Most notably off-Broadway with younger audiences. Which also explains the prevalence of the past few years of shows originating off-Broadway before transferring, while also hoping to transfer that interest.

Sunday matinees are FILLED with old people.

---

And Wed. mattinees are filled with children! Little stinky bratts! There were about a hundren of them walking out of the 42nd Street Theatre this afternoon.

That really is a problem when they have big groups of them. It really makes it impossible for the normal people to enjoy the show.

I love the generalizations. Here's some more.

If I can withstand some 20 somethingish talking about how much they puked after a frat party Friday night I have no problem having a kid kicking my seat or an geriatric unwrapping a Werthers Original. But overall, give me the little bluehairs anytime. They're short and they don't carry cell phones.

---

I think it is just a matter of common manners. Whether you are 10, 22, 30, or retired, people just need to realize that there are other people trying to enjoy the show.

When I saw Millie a year ago on tour I couldn't believe it when almost everybody in the audience was talking through the entire Overture! So rude!

I was surprised by the number of adults and seniors going for the Avenue Q lottery all the times I tried, too. :)

There was a nice generational mix when I went to Avenue Q, and the audience response was very enthusiastic all around. It's a show I wouldn't mind taking my parents to in the least.

really Plum? I don't think I'd ever take my parents to go watch the show...I'd blush.

Okay, true story, I swear. When I lived in SF, my b/f and I used to go to this little rep movie house in Berkeley, the kind of place where the double bill changed every night. They were gonna do an evening of DEATH IN VENICE and CABARET, and we figured what the hell, let's go.

Only place we could find two seats together was behind these two elderly ladies: one was about 70, the other a bit older and wearing a hearing aid.

DEATH IN VENICE starts, and no sooner had it begun than the younger one turns to her companion and says, in a voice that could be heard for a few seats in every direction, "Venice.... Venice.... weren;t you in Venice?"

Five second pause.

"Venice... Venice... no, I dont think I was in Venice."

Another five second pause.

"I'm sure you were in Venice."

Yet another.

"No, I dont think so."

"Isnt that where you got that pretty ashtray for Cousin Naomi?"

Well, fortunately the audience had seen the film so no one got too upset - we were all actually laughing a bit - but the ushers came down, asked them to be quiet, and they were fine for the rest of the movie. Then CABARET starts, and the battery on the hearing aid went out, and it became an evening of:

"WHAT ARE THEY DOING NOW?"

"THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO BERLIN."

"OH.... WHAT ARE THEY DOING NOW?"

"THEY'RE SINGING A SONG!"

"OH."... all through the movie. It was actually hysterical. But then we get to the scene where Liza finds out that Michael York has been playing slide the sausage with Max.

"WHAT ARE THEY DOING NOW?"

(very hastily) "I DONT KNOW."

"IT MUST BE SOMETHING IMPORTANT; EVERYBODY'S LAUGHING!"

"I DONT KNOW. BE QUIET AND WATCH THE FILM!"

Oh God, we were dying to tell her what they said.........

---

I'm seeing the Immigrant on Wednesday with my grade. I hope it's good because if it isn't, my grade will go insane and bother everyone in the theater.