RUDE USHERS — Page 2

Oh yea Mabel! We got thge talking to about touching the stage too! My friend got scolded for putting her bag on the floor and letting it touch the stage!

Has anyone sat anywhere on the right (facing stage) aisle in the orchestra section at the Eugene O'Neil? There is a big, abusive woman who is by far the biggest BITCH of an usher I have ever seen anywhere. Does anyone know who this is? I've twice had the displeasure of being yelled at by her.

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I know who you're talking about but she was on the left side of the stage when I went. She screamed at a woman who was on her phone before the show started. I was gonna pee it was so funny.

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I've found complaining to management in front of the usher can be more effective. 'Get me your manager ... now' is better than writing a letter that they might dismiss.

I've worked in customer service plenty, I'm VERY lenient in this regards so if someone manages to tick me off, they must be doing a really crappy job.

The ushers were not very pleasent at WICKED.
I was just taking my time looking at the Gershwin and a female usher pushed me and told me not to play around and go to my seat.
But at the Producers a woman told me (13 years old) well send you a blanket. i had no idea what that meant until I saw the show. I thought that was funny.

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The ushers at Q are really Nazi's in disguise.
Just one woman in the Rear Mezz. She screamed at me.
The people I were with called her the nazi leader. She cracked a whip. It actually was very funny!

I know EXACTLY who you're talking about! She really is scary. Is it just me, or do they (or she) try to rush everyone out of the theatre once the show is done? I felt like if I didn't leave quickly enough, she'd release the hounds. Do they have to close the theatre at a certain time so the producers don't have to pay everyone for an extra hour or something?

The best ushers I've ever encountered were at the Public Theatre when I saw "The Normal Heart". They were so attentive and friendly, I really felt like they appreciated my patronage.

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Updated On: 8/27/04 at 05:15 PM

At the Boy from Oz back in July, I was sitting in the Balcony and there was this other woman who had an oxygen tank sitting a few rows behind me. I'm not sure what the problem was, but she needed to be seated somewhere else due to tank she had with her... I think there was no room fot it. Anyway, the ushers were making such a big deal about it and didn't want to do anything. The poor woman had to stand for almost 45 min before the show started and they moved her into the orchestra section. I felt so bad for her.... The Imperial staff is the worst I have seen yet.

At the Gershwin they had those new ticket scanner things...and my boyfriends went through but mine said error. I was so nervous I wasn't going to be let in or whatever (tickets totally legit, btw) and the usher was so nice - thank god. He was laughing about it with us.

However, upstairs when we couldn't find our seats the usher at the wrong door was rude. As if we were the first people to stop at the wrong entrance.

Hey, I never got Mrs. Nazi at the Golden. Not fair.

I brought in a Bath and Body Works bag, and all the ushers were asking for shampoo and lotion and then I chatted with some of them for awhile. They're great.

yay! not alone.

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As far as I know, they have been like this for ages. I used to work at The Broadway Theatre in the late 80s (not as an usher) and some of the ushers were real characters. I do believe they have a union, so I doubt complaining will do any good.

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LOL Being a Broadway usher from time to time, this thread is definitely making me laugh! :) (Matt G--that was you!? Wow. Call me! )

I agree that there is never an excuse for ushers to be rude. However, it is fair to say that when there is a rush of people, we have to go into a very fast mode. I don't have time to smile and curtsy and send you off to your seat with a dance and a laugh. Sometimes, this may come off as rude, but it is really just the necessity of getting people in--because when we get behind, people get so pissed. (If I get stuck at the bottom of a section because people are CLEARLY blocking the aisle to let others in, I get the nastiest looks as if I should be able to jump over the people Matrix-like so that I can tend to them RIGHT THIS SECOND!)

And any of you who have worked with the public know how many people do not listen and do not behave. You would be amazed at how respectable behavior goes on vacation when people come to the theatre. We've had plenty of discussions about food and cell phones, but putting your things on the stage or any railing, or blocking an aisle or standing in the way of traffic or taking pictures are all things that are going to get you deservedly asked to stop. And, I am always polite the first time I have to say something, but believe me--if I have to ask a second time or if I have to get into a deep debate about WHY you are not allowed to do something, I may not keep my smile. And, trust me, if a patron crosses the line--I will get loud up in herre. But, I find it easier to be a nice usher--I'm an actor after all, so I can fake the happiness. And, it does make my job easier if I am in a fun and playful mood (right, Matt G? )

Playbills: Never take them from the stacks. And never get cranky when an usher tells you that the next usher will give one to you. We don't have piles and piles of Playbills waiting at our disposal. We have enough for our section and running out can be a pain in the butt.

Rushing you out of the theatre: Yes, if we have to stay past a certain time, that will cost the man. Also, when you leave, we get to leave. Don't linger. Get out! I have to get home and log onto here.

Remember that even though ushers are union and on Broadway--they don't get paid very well. And that alone, plus all of the normal things can make a person grumpy. And grumpy is ok. Rudeness is not. And no matter what should be, what is is that grumpy happens. It's NYC after all. So, just consider it part of the experience (unless it crosses the line).

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