Tonight Patti had the girl who was sitting front row center removed from that spot at intermission, because she was texting on her cell phone. Before the farmboys number, when Patti talks to the "conductor", the girl was looking down at her phone while Patti was yelling in her direction. Usually she likes to make eye contact with the person in that seat. After the farmboys number before "If Mama was Married" 2 people from the house staff came down and told her that they'd "had complaints she was using a PDA" and told her to turn it off. That was awkward enough.
Then, several minutes into intermission 4 or 5 people from the house staff came down to the front row and one man said that "the company said she was still using it". The girl and her mother started to say "no, she wasn't using it" and then one of the staffers actually said 'Well, Ms. LuPone will not come back onstage until you are out of the front row.' Then they said there were other seats ready for the girl and her mother. No idea if they stayed.
I was in the front row to one side of the girl, and a man on the other side said he did see Patti in character peering out from the wings and really staring at the girl after the first little incident. It was pretty uncomfortable for everyone, but true to her word, Patti really did look out from the wing before the 2nd act. I've seen this production 9 times and I didn't totally understand why people say she chews scenery until tonight. She (and Laura Benanti) demolished the 2nd act. .... Or maybe I took it extra hard because I was scared out of my mind.
This happens very frequently. Unbeknownst to many theatergoers, the stage mgt. (and others) can see through monitors backstage most of the "illegal" devices in the audience. All cameras have a tiny red light which can almost be pinpointed by seat number. Many times the house mgr. will be contacted by the company mgr. or stage mgr. and during a "convenient time", they will either send an usher, or a security person to address the "problem". The theater DOES have a right to throw you out if your behaviour disrupts. They don't LIKE doing this, unless it's absolutely necessary. So, leave your appendages at home.
"Many times the house mgr. will be contacted by the company mgr. or stage mgr. and during a "convenient time", they will either send an usher, or a security person to address the "problem".
Based on the amount of illegal material available on THAT site and elsewhere, it certainly doesn't happen that often.
I've had that happen many times. Someone in the cast or the SM will tell us they think someone is using a cell, videotaping, eating, etc. One time someone was eating fried chicken in the front row. We'll go over and stop them.
They got what they deserve. I am really starting to lose my **** with disrespectful people going to the theatre. Notice how I didn't use the term "theatre-goer."
Good for her. It pisses me off when people behave inappropriately in a theatre, especially in the front row when the actors can SEE YOU. Not to say that people should behave badly otherwise, but have some courtesy when you are visible to the performers.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
She needs to chill out a little. People break rules all the time. That does not mean it is right; but it happens nonetheless. Patti is extremely sensitive to this issue (good on ya, Patti) but she seems to be taking unnecessary measures (peering out of curtains, refusing to return to the stage...) She is allowing it to interfere with her craft.
The same offender had started out the overture by opening a bag of Skittles, so I was psyched to see her go by intermission. I also really appreciated the few yummy skittles she dropped under her seat.
To be clear, the seat was $27 student rush, but the girl had dragged her mother to wait an hour before the box office opened.
Can you imagine what would happen if in the middle of "Everything... Roses" she had started pelting Patti with skittles. I'd kinda like to see that. You know, in that way watching the apocalypse sounds interesting. ------
Patti would use the gun she has stashed in her bra.