Rude Theater Goers

Can't anything be done with the increasing number of rude theater-goers. Specifically, those who can't disconnect from their phone, taking pics or videotaping during the show, constant chatters who think they are the only ones in theater, etc.

At Sunset Blvd, this tall woman wore a hat similar in design to those worn by catholic cardinals (biretta). I warned the usher about it who insisted "I'm sure she'll remove it." No. SHE WOULDN'T TAKE IT OFF, despite complaints from those behind her who couldn't see. A man was screaming at her during intermission and she flipped him off.

During War Paint, the woman next to me starting videotaping the opening number. Shocked, I said, "you can't do that. Didn't you hear the announcement?" She put the camera away.

I know Glenn Close, Patti LaPone, Hugh Jackman stopped their shows at rude behavior. This isn't a $15 movie. With shows at staggering $800 (Hamilton, Dolly) or even those that are $100+, it's frustrating as hell.

I wonder if anyone out there is seeing this as much as I do. Disgusted.

I'm relatively new to this. The chat I saw was from 2014. The rude folks I saw were 20 - 30 somethings. I went to Come From Away and a couple of senior started chatting at various scenes. I asked them to stop and they did. But the younger folks take a "who gives a damn" attitude. At one theater I asked the "youngster" (20ish) to put her phone away as she texted. Her boyfriend said, "who do you think you are?"I responded, "a theater-goer who's fed up with inconsiderate and rude behavior. Shall I get the manager to remove you?" She shut off the phone.

If I didn't like a show, I leave. These folks don't seem to care. They envision they're the only folks in the theater. The theater person who gives out headphones said they're now seeing people taking 3 seat cushions so they can sit high in their seat to avoid heads in front of them but they're blocking those behind. He said they had to limit it to one cushion.

Unreal.

There is a very long thread discussing this. It pops onto the 1st page a lot. You may want to go post there as it is an ongoing discussion.

I read through that thread and I notice that peopld complain about bdhavior but do nothing about it. If someone near me is on their phone, filming or taking pictures, I say something to them. It is distracting me from enjoying the show. I honestly think that if more people say something and tell their ushers, we might find it happening a bit less. But that won't happen. So many times I have heard people complain at intermission that a person was on the phone next to them but they said mothing. I had 4 rude intoxicating woman next to me at HONEYMOON IN VEGAS that I complained about and they were thrown out of the theater during the performance. Also, a lot of shows don't make annoumcements which baffles me.

I don't feel badly telling someone to shut up. I believe that if they are rude, I will be too. If they don't listen, I get even more aggressive.

I agree that elderly can be disruptive. At the Wednesday matinee, getting up mid-act for a bathroom break and then not finding their way back. Chatting like all hell. But the difference b/w the elderly and youngsters (20-30+) is that the elderly will stop if you jump on them. The youngsters flip the bird or tell you to blow off. I've told 2 elderly at Sunset Blvd to "be quiet please; save it for later." They did. They're afraid of confrontation.

Bottom line, the theater needs to stop this even if it means warning at the beginning of show that anyone with a cel on will be removed. No guts tho.

Many NY theatres have railings in the nezz and bacony. Most do, I believe.



Why do they but tickets there? Because many senior citizens are on a fixed income.

Perhaps it's time for picketing the theater as a RESIST RUDES to get action!! Or maybe the cast should just stop the show. If it worked for Glenn Close, it should work for all.

godlessondheimite said: "When I saw Hello Dolly, the woman next to me--a grown-ass woman-- sang along the entire time, even though an usher told her to shut her mouth during the overture. Yes, she was singing along to the overture. Whenever I glared at her, she would just shrug like "I can't help it! Fish gotta swim and I gotta SING!" I rage just thinking about it. She had a teenage daughter, she should know better."



If I'm ever arrested, it'll be because I slapped the $hit out of someone who did this.

godlessondheimite said: "When I saw Hello Dolly, the woman next to me--a grown-ass woman-- sang along the entire time, even though an usher told her to shut her mouth during the overture. Yes, she was singing along to the overture. Whenever I glared at her, she would just shrug like "I can't help it! Fish gotta swim and I gotta SING!" I rage just thinking about it. She had a teenage daughter, she should know better.



"

Because being able to procreate automatically gives one common sense or courtesy? Bwahahaha!

We don't hesitate to tell people to be quiet. I have probably done it in almost every show I see. The worst was during Pippin. I was at a matinee and second row center. A woman two rows in front started to take pictures with her phone. That blue glow was so distracting. I excused myself from the person on the aisle seat and walked up to the woman and told her to put it away, photos were not permitted. At intermission I told the usher and he came down and re-enforced what I had said. Some of the people around me apparently had no clue. I seem to be constantly telling women who are together to be quiet because they feel like it's a girls night out and they can talk about their weeks activities with the lights out.

LYLS3637 said: "godlessondheimite said: "When I saw Hello Dolly, the woman next to me--a grown-ass woman-- sang along the entire time, even though an usher told her to shut her mouth during the overture. Yes, she was singing along to the overture. Whenever I glared at her, she would just shrug like "I can't help it! Fish gotta swim and I gotta SING!" I rage just thinking about it. She had a teenage daughter, she should know better."



If I'm ever arrested, it'll be because I slapped the $hit out of someone who did this.

Ha. That fish thing is a hilarious way to put that helpless expression some people wear when you call them out. But I'm with LYLS3637. In my experience it's always been older theater goers but then I haven't seen Wicked in years and I haven't seen Hamilton. I don't get the motivation. You can sing along to the album at home. Do you want to prove that you know the lyrics? It's a revival or a jukebox musical. We all know the lyrics. Be quiet.