Seeing Shows By Yourself- Page 5

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/25/09 at 8:36pm

It's the waiting for people to decide if they want to/can go which is annoying

It's worse when they say they'll come and then not show up

[jo]

Posted: 7/25/09 at 8:55pm

Sometimes tastes do not coincide with theatre companions - so I would rather see a show alone ( plays) during the few opportunities I have to see something on Broadway ( I live halfway across the world).

I also find that people tend to strike up conversations during intermission on these occasions - and one shares those brief moments about what is seen onstage before and after the play. Very spontaneous!

I will also do it for something that I might want to repeat seeing ( e.g., A STEADY RAIN - tickets already on hand ).

[Salene]

Posted: 7/26/09 at 12:12am

So many places simply don't want to seat a woman who's by herself

Is the policy different for men who show up alone?

[legally_popular]

Posted: 7/26/09 at 1:19am

"It's worse when they say they'll come and then not show up"

I'm not sure if you mean like being stood up or the person not being able to come, but... once my sister was supposed to come with me to a show so I bought 2 tickets for us. Then she got very sick a couple days before the date and didn't feel well enough come with me on that day, so I had to go alone and her seat was just empty. I didn't have enough time to find someone else to come with me. Luckily, it was just one of City Center's $10 student tickets, so it wasn't really a big deal. If it was a full-priced ticket, however, I probably would've been pissed.

Also, I bought tickets with 3 other people to see Xanadu last summer. It happened to a be a date when 2 of those people were coming back from vacation, but fortunately they were able to get there in time.

That's why I'm always afraid of buying tickets in advance with other people because you never know if something will come up on that day.

[staticradar]

Posted: 7/26/09 at 1:44am

I've seen a few shows alone, mostly because the shows I wanted to see no one else that I knew wanted to see. I would've missed out on some great experiences if I had not gone by myself. Most notably, the revival of Sunday in the Park with George which was just stunning. None of my friends are really into Sondheim, but I'm a total fangirl, so they went to see something else and I went and saw Sunday and it was amazing. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything! Also saw In the Heights twice by myself, again no one I knew wanted to see the show and I was going to be damned if I didn't see it! Ended up getting great seats last minute too because buying 1 ticket is a lot easier than buying 2.

[J'aime GG]

Posted: 7/26/09 at 2:32am

Oh I love going by myself. I have met some really sweet people sitting next to me that I wouldn't have chatted up otherwise. It somehow adds to the overall experience.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/26/09 at 2:33am

legally, I'm referring to stood up. As in to call to say they weren't coming.

[BlueforBroadway]

Posted: 7/26/09 at 2:02pm

I went to the Rock of Ages matinee alone yesterday and was in Row A. Stacee Jaxx shot the thong right at my head. lol It was fun. I wish Constantine would have been in, but the show was still a lot of fun.

I think it's just like going to the movie alone, really. Some people like it and some don't.

[Weez]

Posted: 7/26/09 at 4:59pm

Another thing about seeing shows with other people - not only is surprisingly stressful wondering if they're enjoying it or hating you for dragging them to see it, you often also have to travel with them. Some people I know are apparently incapable of taking public transport without complaining about it the whole time, which is in its way nearly as annoying as if they bitched about the show! XD

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/26/09 at 9:22pm

99.9% of the time I go by myself, and I love it !!!

Once in a blue moon, we are able to get a babysitter, and wife and I will go together, but most of the time, we go solo.

Its really relaxing ! Go for it !!!

[toddlisatyriem]

Posted: 7/26/09 at 11:12pm

I actually live oustide of KC on the Kansas side and fly out to New York once or twice a year by myself strictly to see shows. I fly in catch about 4-8 shows mat/even shows back to back and then fly back out. I LOVE it and would much rather fully enjoy each and every show I choose verses dragging someone who doesn't fully enjoy or appreciate Broadway. It's like my special treat just for me and I wouldn't have it any other way. BTW... I have a hubby and 3 kiddos, so it's not like I don't have plenty of options to bring along.... it's just amazing experiencing it as an independent woman... LOL!

[legally_popular]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 12:38am

Some people I know are apparently incapable of taking public transport without complaining about it the whole time, which is in its way nearly as annoying as if they bitched about the show! XD

Oh, I feel for ya regarding the complaining (not necessarily about traveling, just in general). I used to have to bring my mom and sister with me before I was able to go alone. My mom would complain about having to walk everywhere, even only a couple of blocks (I'm sorry all the theaters are not right next to Grand Central). Also, if I wanted to stage door after a show, she would complain about waiting around. And my sister is younger than me and doesn't know how to get around the city herself, so I always have to be in "charge" when the two of us go. I always have to plan out our day and take her where we're going. I feel like I'm babysitting her (and she is NOT a kid, just a couple years younger), so it's nice to not have to worry about her when I'm alone.

And my friends never know where to go either so they always ask me a million questions and have to follow me to the theate or wherever we're going. And I'm the one who knows about how lottery/rush works for all the shows... explaining it to them is like talking a different language. So it's nice to have a break from always having to lead them around and worry about them.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:58am

I have a friend that use to meet me in Manhattan for the day all the time (I'm from Boston, She from Jersey). She is a huge B'way fan. Frankly, I got tired of 'only' seeing blockbusters ON B'way. I got tired of having to eat where she wanted, when she wanted and tired of listening to her complain about the food making her ill no matter where we went. I got tired of doing what she wanted the rest of the day. You couldn't go into ANY store without her taking an hour of debating between two items and then not buying either.

I no longere invite her and you know she's just waiting to be invited when I mention going into the city. I wouldn't say no if she ever suggested it....but I have a better time my self.

That being said...I have four different trips scheduled to come into the city in August (one a week long) and not a single one is solo. I could be in trouble without "me" solo time.

[Elke]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 9:14am

I'm a dedicated solo-theatregoer. I completely avoid seeing shows with people who are not really into theatre (they may start unpacking their M&Ms and Twizzlers, you never know!). Sometimes it can be fun to see a show with a friend, but I do prefer going on my own.

I live in Europe, but travel to NY about 4 / 5 times a year to see shows (usually about 9 in 6 days). All on my own and I wouldn't want to do it any differently.

[MichaelUK92]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 9:20am

legally_popular: TOTALLY agree with you about stagedooring. i always feel so bad when i wait ages for performers to come out and my friends have to wait, i often don't do it cause i don't want them to be angry, but i really want to try and start going alone more, i've missed seeing some great performers cause of friends. ( although i do love my friends!)