So is it okay for audience members to sing along during musicals? — Page 4

Really! Wow, I actually have the opposite view. As for being on phones, of course it's very disrespectful, but it doesn't directly inhibit my ability to enjoy the show. I would vastly prefer audience members talking than singing along with the show. When they sing along, it's like I paid to hear the Broadway singers, not you, but talking is less distracting to me. Doesn't mean talking is okay though, of course!

NO.

It is NEVER okay and acceptable to intrude on other peoples spaces in a public forum where playing customers are enjoying a perfomance. No- if you must sing- sing to your self and mouth the words so no one can hear you. I think this is a ridiculous question- people do it- but it needlessly disturbs other patrons. It is one thing to go to the bathroom during a performance- that cannot be helped and I do understand when that happens- but to sing during a show while it is occurring in real time- forget it- and anyone who thinks it is okay, to me, is a bit deluded.

I went to a show last night and there were many audience members singing and some were waiving their arms above their heads. There was no invitation from the stage for the audience to join in. This was very distracting. While this may be appropriate for a pop concert, I do not believe it is good theater behavior. After the show, I asked one of the cast members who said that it is very distracting to the performers if not invited. He said that the cast hears more of what is said or sung in the audience than many people seem to believe. Plus as many here have said, I am not paying to hear voices from the audience rather than the stage. Also, those audience members who sing also often chatter throughout much of the show and then give me attitude if I politely ask them to stop.

Dollypop said: "I defy anyone from trying to stop me from singing along during HELLO, DOLLY!"

Oh god, you better not have been one of those people who were singing with the overture. Every time I went there were a few people like that and I'm always shocked that Shubert Theatre which was so strict about everything didn't tell these people to shut the f__k up.

^^^ You know, I looked at Dollypop's post again and more closely, because I very much respect him and I know he loves HELLO, DOLLY!

He wrote that he sings along with the title number three times:

1. During the overture. In fairness, the narrative has not yet begun and the spectators are not yet immersed in the world of the play. No harm done, really, if Dollypop sings along--and given the popularity of that title song, I'm sure he is not the only one.

2. During the encore of the title number. Again, the very nature of an encore is presentational. The mimetic illusion (already limited in a musical like DOLLY) is shattered in favor of a love-fest for the lead performer. The orchestra is playing full out and the chorus is singing at the top of their lungs. If you can even hear Dollypop join in, I would be surprised.

3. During the curtain call. The repetition of main numbers in Herman's curtain calls was always an attempt to send the audience out singing the songs. If Dollypop gets a head start, is it really such a big deal? I think the nature of those vocal curtain calls pretty much invites audience participation; again, the illusion of the world of the play has already been shattered by the bowing. Myself, I don't have a problem with ANYBODY singing along at that point!

I don't share Dollypop's need to sing along, but looking at his post a second time, it seems clear he has chosen his moments to be minimally disruptive. He should get some credit for that.

South Florida said: "Yes and no. Right for Mamma Mia maybe, wrong for most everything else."

Frankly, I was so bored sitting through that black hole of stupidity, I would have been happy if my neighbor had sung the entire score of "Hello, Dolly" during the show.

And, yes, I am very much an ABBA fan AND one of my closest friends was playing one of the "fathers".

LxGstv said:

"I think it’s worth noting again that Dominique Morisseau who wrote the book for Ain’t Too Proud actually retweeted the article in agreement, she wants the audience to participate in her shows."

Interesting. The writer of the book encouraging audience participation during someone else's part of the show. I wonder if she would be as generous if people "participated" during the book scenes: "Booooooooring!" or "Stop talking and SING!"

Not okay with me, unless it is encouraged by the cast.

I suspect that the people who have no qualms about singing along in theatres are the same people who talk (LOUDLY) on their phones in public. These people view shared spaces as extensions of their own living rooms.