Smoking in Shows
Smoking in Shows
#0Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 4:23am
This is going a bit too far. Now they are going to have to place warnings outside on shows that have cigarettes & other things in them, One patron said the the smell from the candles bothered her!
(The most who complain are bummed out ex-smokers!)
Here's the link:
http://www.calendarlive.com/stage/cl-et-smoke12dec12,0,443507.story?coll=cl-stage-features
#1re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 5:02am
God. I have a severe lung sensitivity to cigarette smoke (I've been hospitalized for it) and I've NEVER had a problem with people smoking in shows. Fog machines have effected me more than smoking. I seriously doubt all the people that complained were physically bothered by it, they just didn't like the smoking onstage.
Maybe this person should just realize that it is HER problem and not expect the shows to go out of their way to accomidate it. Just don't go to the theater if it bothers you that much.
Wanting life but never knowing how
Kass983
Stand-by Joined: 10/1/05
#2re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 5:16am
Smoking in a show, similar to smoking at all as long as you're not blowing it in someones face, is par for the course. It's legal folks, deal.
I have to admit some irritation for people that trip on the small stuff. If you are at a show, especially one that isn't necessarily classical, expect that perhaps some language, sexual innuendo or overtness, and "questionable" lifestyles and choices may be part of it. Don't necessarily assume, but don't trip either.
I'm allergic to most air conditioning systems but I still go where I want to be and allergies be damned; and if I like the show, I go again...red eyes and all.
#3re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 5:31am
Very well said. I agree with you both and thank you for such honesty.
I can see that there may HAVE to be a sign warning now for shows that use effects such as strobe lights (i.e. "Spamalot") since epileptics can go into a seizure and such, But when a smoke or a candle is lit onstage and all this hoopla, I agree, let them stay home.
BroadwayThoughts
Chorus Member Joined: 5/27/05
#4re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 4:47pm
That is so ridiculous! I'm sure that the amount of smoke that comes out of that cigarette never even goes out into the audience .. but instead goes up towards the lights. Plus .... I know that in a lot of stage production they don't use the "hardcore" cigarettes .. they use the herb kind that can not do as much damage to the person smoking it.
I myself hate the smell of smoke and can not stand to be around it. However, I would never complain about something like this. This really makes me shake my head.
#5re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:54pmCome on, what's next, notices for shows that have loud music?
#6re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:57pm
This has to do with law suits, guys.
Better a posted warning in the lobby than to have the show close from a law suit, right?
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#7re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:59pmI saw "Rope" on Saturday @ The Zipper, and there is a warning outside, stating that herbal cigarettes will be smoked during the show. I think in the case of the Zipper, the size of the theater is what causes the trouble. The Zipper is so small, and the smoke travels pretty fast, and there was a lot of it. That was a bit of a problem, and many people began to cough from the smell, myself included. It didn't bother me so much that they were smoking, but just because I have bad allergies and I'm REALLY sensitive to smoke. However, I'll deal. some people were getting a little miffed.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#8re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 8:34pmExactly I definitely agree. It sucks that that's what our world has come to but it'd definitely better to just post the warning, avoid the law suit, and keep the show going :).
#9re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 8:48pm
smokers amaze me......any excuse they can find.....forget the fact that SMOKING KILLS YOU....yes, it'll even kill Broadway stars........forget the fact that second-hand smoke kills others.
please, stop making excuses for a habit to always....ALWAYS leads to death.
#10re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 8:56pm
"This has to do with law suits, guys.
Better a posted warning in the lobby than to have the show close from a law suit, right?"
But it's not JUST a warning posted in the lobbby. The woman in the article requested that the theater change the show to not have Big Daddy smoking his cigar. When they refused to do that (as they should, it IS part of the character/plot) she demanded that they have a "smoke-free" performance of the show, just for her sake. This is beyond just avoiding lawsuits, it's about people forcing entire shows be changed just to accomidate a few individuals.
Wanting life but never knowing how
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#11re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 9:24pm
Thats exactly what I mean. I don't think that people should be allowed to just go and somke freely in a theater. However, I do think that if there are smoke effects in the show they have every right to be there.
"I'm sure that the amount of smoke that comes out of that cigarette never even goes out into the audience .. but instead goes up towards the lights."
^exactly lol
#12re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 9:31pmso... Can I sue "Wicked" because I cannot look at the color GREEN?
#13re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 9:41pmNo, you should just suggest a "green-free" performance to accomidate you and others with your condition.
Wanting life but never knowing how
#14re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 9:53pmto equate the color green with a known cause of cancer is ridiculous.......nice try......really dumb post by the way
#15re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 9:56pm
Now, If one is color blind, and cannot see nor ENJOY the color Green, can they sue "Wicked"?
A person calling her/himself "Elphaba" just called this a dumb post? LOL!!!
#16re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 9:59pmyes equating a color with lung cancer is a ridiculous post.....what are you 10 yrs old. Your posts are now ignored. I don't spar with people like you
#17re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 10:01pmI never ONCE in my post said ANYTHING about "Lung Cancer" Toots, Chill Out!
#18re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 10:04pmwell...not saying she is right, but does Big Daddy smoking or not smoking really make *that* much of a difference to his character? I'm not being a smart azz, i'm curious....
#19re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/12/05 at 10:06pmIt is in the show, that is the point and yes, if you read the article the show refers to it.
#20re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/13/05 at 2:25pm
Other than posting a warning in the lobby, I don't think a theatre or a show's producers are obligated at all, beyond that.
If this woman has a serious issue with the smoke, she can always choose not to attend the performance. There's no one holding a gun to her head saying, that she must sit there with the possibility of second hand smoke inhalation. She has a choice to make, based on the information posted in the lobby.
Changing a play to accommodate today's (justified) health concerns may or may not be possible without hurting the play. Big Daddy is dying from the "excesses" in his life here. If we don't see some of those excesses... I suppose we could take everyone's word for it... but it makes for a bigger statement if we see him indulging, and see his family reacting to it (either with concern or disinterest, as the case may be). Personally, I think it adds to this particular story quite a bit.
But producers and theatre owners will only become involved if it affects them financially. If many people start asking for refunds or refuse to buy tickets as a result of "smoking" in a show, then they'll look to change things. I'm sure of it. Otherwise... a sign in the lobby is enough. And each individual can make a free, informed decision on how they wish to proceed.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#21re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/13/05 at 2:32pmDiluted smoke from one cigar in a theater is going to do a fraction of the damage to one's lungs compared to just a few seconds of breathing the exhaust fumes from the cars outside the theater.
#22re: Smoking in Shows
Posted: 12/13/05 at 4:52pm
"I'm sure that the amount of smoke that comes out of that cigarette never even goes out into the audience .. but instead goes up towards the lights."
That's absolutely true. However, in the case of the Zipper, the theatre is way too small for the smoke NOT to go into the audience.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
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