So is it okay for audience members to sing along during musicals?

Buried in the lengthy Bad Theatre Behavior thread is a conversation about that recent article on The Root site written by a writer angered that a man shushed her mother who was singing along at Ain't Too Proud. The article got into racial issues that add layers of complexity to the author's argument (I can see some of her points--since it's a Temptations tribute, but disagree with others). Link to the article here.

But what do you think. Do you think that audience members singing along at a show is okay on a case by case basis? Do you think that it's okay in general? Or should people completely refrain from singing and let the actors on stage do the performing unless they indicate it's time for a singalong? Are jukebox musicals different from more standard plot-driven musicals? What do actors performing on stage think? I put my thoughts in the responses.

Updated On: 5/16/19 at 11:14 AM

No

Absolutely not. If you want to sing along, listen to your iTunes at home.

The exception, of course, is the megamix or whatever at the end of some of these jukebox shows where the audience is encouraged to participate.

highlander wrote: "I don't ever tell the person not to sing though because I don't like causing an even bigger distraction and I just pray someone else will say something or the usher will."

I'm that way too. However, I had a strange experience (years ago) at the Lincoln Center when even an usher or house manager wouldn't help. I was in the front row mezzanine and the professorial guy next to me took off his shoes, put his feet up, and not only sang along but also moved his feet to the beat, conducting if you will. I mentioned it to the staff at intermission and they shrugged and said "audience members today, what can you do?" When I mentioned the wires and lights up there they were like "oh yeah, that's right too." They thought I was referring to the teen girls who were doing the same thing and yelled at them. Luckily the man's wife saw this and told her husband to bring his feet down. I didn't say anything to the guy because I feared a scene. But it was strange how reluctant the staff were during intermission to help.

Interesting article. Thanks jawjuhh!

Singing along is never appropriate. I saw Chitty Chitty Bang Years ago and it was ruined by children in back of me singing every word.

Loud reactions (as is stated in the tdf article) to what is happening on stage is appropriate if they are natural. I don't think cat calling is appropriate or comments toward the stage when the 4th wall isn't broken. Definitely a fine line and there is a tone of cultural stuff that comes into play but that's where I would draw it.

Great article though!

Its not okay. During ANY portion of the show.

I still remember vividly seeing MAMMA MIA! shortly after it opened on Broadway (at the Winter Garden Theatre). A woman behind me started singing "I Had a Dream" as soon as the song started at the start of the show. I turned around and gave her a look. She continued and in a LOUD voice I said "do you mind?! I CAN HEAR YOU!". Thankfully, that shut her up instantly and she never continued. There was no way in Hell was I going to let this woman ruin the show for me and I knew if I didn't say something immediately she would continue throughout the show.

It's arguably more allowable at jukebox musicals, because they're basically just gussied-up cover-band concerts, but it still kinda drives me nuts having to listen to someone in the audience botching a song. At best it's like good audience participation, which is great! At worst it's physically grating, like listening to someone eat pasta with their mouth open, especially if they're doing that thing where they're half-whispering and humming through the words they don't know.

Broadway's an Equity house, and your mother isn't on the payroll! It's not gatekeeping or a racial issue: it's just rude. This is a narrative story utilizing the songs, not a concert or a cover band. While there might be a little more leeway in a jukebox musical (for example, during the curtain call or a huge group number), it's still rude and disruptive to the other patrons attending the show. You can have a great time without singing along. Shared experiences can be enjoyed silently.


I do wish the writer of the article had been fact-checked:

-- Refers to Hamilton cast album as a "soundtrack" (which indicates she's unfamiliar with theatre)

-- "during that early portion of the run, only high profile folks could get tickets." Totally incorrect; I think we all know many low-profile (and lower-income) people who saw it in previews, including through TDF and other discount sites. Its 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks of previews had average ticket prices of under $100 (low by Broadway standards), and it didn't hit over 95% of its gross potential until the 8th week of the run. Even tonight, there are tix available.

-- "Now some might say we’ve entered a Broadway theater so we have to respect those norms" –– yes, that's exactly what happens when you see a play, or dine in a restaurant, or attend any other type of paid event! You wouldn't try to to cook alongside the chef in a restaurant, or tell a bus driver how to drive.

-- "she sang and pumped her arms to the beat during the second half of the show." Oy.


I will also add that if the creative team of the musical had intended for audiences to sing along as part of the show, something would have been incorporated into the libretto specifying that. (Probably as simple as an actor yelling "EVERYBODY!"

Updated On: 5/16/19 at 01:29 PM

I am sitting here with my jaw on the ground that there are answers here other than ABSOLUTELY NOT.

So... absolutely not. Not in a jukebox musical, not in a classic musical, not ever. Ever! How is this even a conversation?!?! People paid money to see the talented actors on stage, period.

The *only* time when it's acceptable is when it's specifically called for by the show, like "No Time At All" in Pippin.

Otherwise, I think this is easily the rudest of all rude audience behaviors. Appalling that anyone would think this is ok.

NO (except for curtain calls/if the show or performers invite participation) You can sing along to your records at home. I did not pay Broadway prices to hear anyone but the performers sing.

romain2 said: "We got it. You know Somewhere. You love Somewhere. You have seen West Side Story several times."

This. What's annoying is that it often seems like someone just wants to show that they know the song. Yeah, I knew all the lyrics to Once on this Island. I still didn't sing along. I don't see a racial divide. Older white audience members are very much guilty of this too with classic musicals like Hello Dolly or any show or concert with music from like 1950-1970.

I have levels though. If someone is mouthing the words or bouncing a little in their seat or is at least quiet, I can mostly deal with it. Especially if I feel like I'm not the intended audience like it's a show for children or people with a different cultural experience. But that goes along with deciding whether someone is genuinely moved or just feels entitled to ruin the experience for everyone else.