Police Called at Fiddler Last Night

I was at last night's performance of "Fiddler on the Roof," sitting in row T house left. Behind me were three empty rows, and behind them were the trouble makers. A couple minutes before Perchik dances with Hodel (right after the "never trust an employer" line), a man began speaking in a normal tone of voice, asking the woman next to him to turn off her phone, saying "I've asked you to turn that thing off several times" and other things. The woman retorted, "I'll turn it off when I'm good and ready!" and an argument ensued. I completely missed the dance and was distracted by their antics during the dream sequence.

After about 10 minutes of arguing and other disruption caused by constant shushing of the audience (mine included), another nearby audience member stated that he was going to get the House Manager. As that gentleman got up to do so, another woman entered the fray, shouting, "shut up, you're being disruptive!" which was countered by the original offender's clever retort of, "no, YOU shut up; YOU'RE being disruptive!" The arguing was nonstop. The actors didn't miss a beat--highly professional of them, but I found myself wishing management would stop the show, as anyone house left in the rear or mid orchestra and left mezz had missed much of Act I.

Now we're a few scenes before the beginning of Tzeitel's wedding. The house manager arrives, and attempts to remove the offenders into the lobby. An argument ensues with him about who should have to leave based on whose fault the whole thing was. I heard the lady say (several times), "I'm here with a party of fifty, and I don't understand why I'm being treated like this!" I also heard one woman say, "no, I'm not going anywhere. This woman has been very rude to me!" The HM persuaded the first man to leave, but the woman refused, and the HM stated he was getting the police. As he left to do so, I heard a loud gasp and one of the women shouted, "Did you just touch me!? Do NOT touch me!" More shushing from the audience, and the woman made her case for yelling, saying "no, she grabbed my neck! No one touches me like that and gets away with it!" Ushers are in and out, constantly opening and closing the large backlit side door. I also heard one woman say, "Did you just threaten me? Did you just threaten my husband? Did you just try to take his glasses!?" Finally, we hear a police siren, and someone calls, "the police are here!"

The cast is singing "Sunrise, Sunset" as an officer arrives. I was trying to stay focused on the show and refrained from turning my head to watch, but the officer removed the female offenders (I assume), and the noise finally subsided. Or so I thought.

ANOTHER argument begins. More muffled this time, but I clearly heard "you know, you're a very nasty person," and "you're disgusting" among the muttering. And bag-crinkling from someone in the same section. When the Cosaks appeared, everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogrom in peace.

At Intermission, I went to see the House Manager about attaining a postdated comp for my friend. (I came from Boston for the show and don't intend to put "Fiddler" on my show docket for the next few trips, though I would love to see it again, especially after this, but my friend lives in NY and would definitely want to go back for a 4th viewing.) The HM readily signed my ticket, making it good for a day-of postdate comp depending on availability, and he did offer me a comp for today's performance after learning that I'm from out of town. (I have tickets to "The Total Bent," so I declined, but thanked him for his offer.)

At the Stage Door, some of the actors reporting having heard the disruption and some hadn't. It's truly a shame, because the show is in beautiful shape and everyone, especially Danny, gave a top-notch performance.

Updated On: 5/15/16 at 11:48 AM

Taking what you say as face value, the actors absolutely should have stopped the show. They are the first line of defense, and are uniquely situated for doing so.

10 MINUTES of that kind of nonsense? Screw that.

Seriously, what is wrong with people?

Sorry to hear about your experience.

Looks like you had the Hee Haw audience there.

People lament that theater is less accessible but the current situations many of us have been experiencing tells me differently. Idk why people can't stfu for a few hours. I'm in favor of shock collars!

Mr Roxy said: "How about electric cattle prods?



"

Ha! Whatever is the quickest and quietest is ok by me.

Im so sorry you had that awful experience and am saddened that it took 10 minutes for an usher or security to put a stop to it.

Frivolous lawsuit?



Who would ever think of that happening? Wink wink Nudge nudge

These people are morons who simply do not give a ****.



Maybe they did not stop the show due to the union overtime rules. Do not know if this covered in their contract . With this happening more and more, it will have to be addressed The lead moron is lucky Patti L was not on stage as she would would be taking a dirt nap right about now.

Mr Roxy said: "These people are morons who simply do not give a ****.



Maybe they did not stop the show due to the union overtime rules. Do not know if this covered in their contract . With this happening more and more, it will have to be addressed The lead moron is lucky Patti L was not on stage as she would would be taking a dirt nap right about now.



"

Can't wait to hear the stories when war paint transfers.

BroadwayFan12 said: "I'm confused about the timeline. Perchik and Hodel get engaged in Act 2 and Tzeitel and Motel's wedding is Act 1. Regardless, what an awful situation. I'm glad you at least got comps.



"You are correct: I just edited my post to reflect that. It was during the scene in which Perching and Hodel dance after Perchik gives the younger sisters their lesson about "never trust an employer" that the trouble started.

ghostlight2 said: "Taking what you say as face value, the actors absolutely should have stopped the show. They are the first line of defense, and are uniquely situated for doing so.

10 MINUTES of that kind of nonsense? Screw that"

No, nonononono. The actors should NOT stop the show even if they are being distracted. There should have been at least one usher within earshot of the argument. This was a shortcoming of the house staff, there's no excuse for that to be going on longer than 60 seconds.

What the actors can do in situations like this, is inform a stage manager who will be in contact with the House Manager, and will make the decision to stop the show or not.

An actor taking matters into their own hands and stopping a show themselves is about the least professional thing they can do.

Mr Roxy said: "When nonsense like this happens, the actors have a right & a duty to all those who paid good money to make sure they see the show as it supposed to be presented. Just because you have the modern day version of trailer park trash attending & acting up is no reason for the rest of the audience to suffer."

That responsibility belongs only to Stage Management, actors can and are reported to Equity if they take matters into their own hands.