There are ways of doing so without annoying those around you. Covering the screen with your hand. No, that is still distracting.
If you see the phone, chill the hell out. That sort of response is even more reason to ban cell phones from theatres. And probably from you.
As long as they're not being obvious and obnoxious with it then who gives a ****. If they are doing it at all, they are being obvious and obnoxious. Especially since every show has an announcement at the beginning telling the audience to specifically NOT DO IT.
Ask nicely and I'm sure they'll try to be more discreet. Tried that once. Didn't work. You're wrong.
Your kid's under the weather and is with the sitter. If you're that concerned, stay home. Or wait until intermission. Like everyone else did for centuries. Or just "chill the hell out".
You and your husband spend over $200 on tickets to a show and your child gets sick. And if your child is so sick, you are worried something tragic may happen in a couple of hours, to the point that you NEED to disrupt people who also paid hundreds of dollars NOT to be interrupted by your phone, then "chill the hell out" and stay home.
Phones maybe annoying, but most shows are even louder & brighter. Most shows don't occur in a darkened audience.
What about if the kid falls and gets hurt while you're not there? Then the sitter or the kid can use their phone to call 911, then leave a message with the parents that they will receive either at intermission or after the show. Just like it's always been.
Is getting a buzz on your phone anymore annoying than having an usher come to your seat and telling you that you have a call in the lobby? Yes, because cell phones buzz FAR more frequently than ushers have ever been called to anyone's seat. That's precisely WHY it is more annoying.
DEAL WITH IT because it is not going to change. Chill the hell out.
And to answer the original question. Of course not. Why on earth should theatres provide free Wi-Fi for patrons?
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Updated On: 1/28/13 at 02:24 PM