SITTING ON STAGE.....WHY? — Page 2

I sat onstage for Inherit the Wind two weeks ago and it worked for me. First, the seats were cheap; second, I sometimes nod off in a darkened theater, and I figured the novel perspective would keep me awake (it did); and third, I know this play pretty well and seeing it from behind made it more interesting. It's a gimmick, and it increases revenue...might keep some shows going a bit longer.

My favorite thing about that seating was getting a very close look at the costumes. Some of them were simply exquisite.

I just a thought: Most Broadway houses are older and the stage and seating are not very flexible for other configurations. I guess this is a way to give a little of an in-the-round feel...

I think they really had to tear the theatre for Cats, didn't they? It's kind of neat to see something at Circle in the Square, for example, with a different seating arrangement...

I believe that Copenhagen had onstage seating as well.

Like I said, for a good argument read some theater scholarship about it before turning completely off to it (Im talking to you, Munk). See why people are doing it before dismissing it as a gimmick. Personally I think the idea of the a proscenium is old and antiquated and it annoys me.

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I actually think onstage seating helps promote good audience behavior. First off, cell phones, bags that make noise, etc, aren't allowed on the stage (at least in SA). Second (from what I've seen) the people on the stage are aware they are on the stage and are much less likely to talk, sing along, etc with the show. If the whole audience sat on the stage, I think we'd have a very well behaved theatre audience.

But HAS anyone seen terrible behavior from anyone sitting on the stage for any show, out of curiousity?

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