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#51

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/7/11 at 2:26pm

Yea. . . I didn't even think that having ushers or security ask to have your ticket to re enter was an issue. I usually wear my rainbow hat so they just remember me haha but I always keep my ticket in my pocket in case I want to leave and am not sure if I can get back in without it. Its just normal to me to keep the ticket at hand.

I love putting my phone away. I feel mentally sick when I am on it too much. Bless the arts for giving me a chance to do so!

#52

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/7/11 at 2:44pm

I'm curious- in July when you "left your ticket back at your seat" where did you leave it exactly? Did you leave a backpack or purse unattended? I put my ticket in my shirt pocket as soon as I get there so I always have it. The only thing I'd possibly leave at my seat would be a coat when I ran to the restroom- but that's not leaving the theater.

Updated On: 7/7/11 at 02:44 PM

#53

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/7/11 at 3:25pm

Patash, you were not there to see the way this lady and I were told that we would be checked on the way back in. They practically put their hands on us. And we were the only two who left to go outside. It may have been the quietest, lowest-attended performance of any professional show I have seen.

As I said earlier, I was surprised to find I had left it behind because I usually have it on my person. It was inside my program, under my seat, when I got back up there.

I think it's one thing to ask when a whole bunch of people leave the theatre. It's another thing to get close to being threatening when two people are stepping outside. I should not have been able to feel the words in my spine.

I simply don't believe it's very classy behavior. It feels more like something one should expect to be asked when at an amusement park ("show your wrist bracelet before stepping on the ride!") than at a theatre. Nonetheless, of all the problems we're discussing, lobby decorum is only a footnote.

The big picture is that good manners in the theatre have diminished. If these ushers had been polite and gracious, which they certainly could have afforded to be with two theatregoers, I would have not mentioned the incident, although I still would have felt similarly.

2010

Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)

Updated On: 7/7/11 at 03:25 PM

#54

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/7/11 at 3:27pm

I always slide my ticket into my Playbill at the title page face up. I always carry it so when I leave the theater at intermission I just open my Playbill and show my ticket. I left the Playbill on my jacket at "How to Succeed.." which is why I had to run and get the ticket for the doorperson.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

#55

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/7/11 at 3:30pm

My practice is to put it in my wallet, just to err on the side of caution. I don't like losing them.

2010

#56

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/7/11 at 3:38pm

It kind of amazes me that with all of the stories i read on hear about bad audience behavior, the majority of people don't say anything to the people next to or around them that are doing these things. I do. Always. Then I know I am not just complaining about it on an online forum, but I did something about it when it was happening.

WORDY MCWORD, UNCAGEG.

I am so tired of the epic stewing, sighing, shooting a "look" at someone... when usually all it takes is a sharp phrase.

WHAT IS WITH THIS WIMPINESS?!

You can't just LET this stuff happen, and then relate to the choir what you failed to act upon.

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#57

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/7/11 at 3:44pm

The worst thing is when you and your neighbors shush them repeatedly and they only get slightly quieter, especially when those in question are the ushers themselves. What can you do, ask Angela Lansbury to hold everything? :)

One of my favorite memories is of Roger Robinson looking up to the heavens - or so I thought - in "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," only to bellow upward, "Whoever it is up there...wherever you are...whatever you have...would please unwrap it *now*?!"

2010

#58

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/7/11 at 9:20pm

"If these ushers had been polite and gracious, which they certainly could have afforded to be with two theatregoers, I would have not mentioned the incident, although I still would have felt similarly."

This speaks volumes about YOU!

No, I wasn't there, and maybe they were a little aggressive, but that wasn't your point until now -- you were mainly ranting about the whole idea of having people have a ticket to get into the theatre. And even now your point isn't about how "rude" they were as you say that even if they had been polite you still would have felt the same!

#59

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/7/11 at 10:27pm

Patash,

Please calm down.

I should clarify - I mean I still feel that it is essentially in poor taste to ask people to show their tickets in this circumstances, regardless if whether one is asked politely or not. Perhaps I veered off topic a bit, but I was asked to explain.

It is only my opinion. I understand you find it perfectly reasonable.

:)

2010

#60

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 2:31pm

you were told to make sure you had your ticket with you so that if you were stopped on your way back in there would be no problem. This is done to keep people from sneaking in for the second act. And at most Broadway theatres it is a house policy. Sorry the usher didnt have time to talk to you like you were royalty, but there are at least 800 people in a theatre besides you. And something tells me the ushers were not rude to you to begin with.
Texting and the like, just plain rude, but we now live in the sense of entitlement world. Where anybody can do whatever they want, because they are special. B.S. The people who are special are the ones on stage.
You dont like food or drink at the seats? Neither do I. A big offender is Theatre Refreshment Co of NY. They have the concessions at Shubert houses. To make complaints about them call or write the Shubert Organization, attention Peter Entin he is the vice president of theatre operations. And more important DO NOT make any purchases yourself. You are only getting ripped off. And you are allowed to bring your own bottled water into the theatre.

#61

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 3:15pm

Rather than starting a new thread thought it'd be interesting to drop this in this discussion... Pantages in Los Angeles is having a promo for the opening night of the SHREK tour there; $15 tickets, but only for those who will text/blog/Tweet/Facebook *during* the show. They're calling it their "Social Swamp" section.

I haven't been following the tour at all: do they do this in all cities? Do you think we have stuff like this to look forward to on Broadway over the next few years? (And good luck with keeping the glare from all those phones 'confined' to the Social Swamp, I guess- personally it sounds like something that would make me avoid being anywhere in the house at all that night.)

Shrek The Musical is arriving at the Pantages Theatre in just three weeks, running July 12th through 31st, and how's this for a deal? For this show, the kind folks at the Pantages are providing a really unique opportunity for bloggers and our followers. For just $15 you can attend the very first performance and be part of the “Social Swamp” where you will be allowed to post to Facebook and Tweet mid-performance. How cool is that!

Seating in the “Social Swamp” is reserved ONLY for those who take advantage of this special offer and who will relish this very rare opportunity to actually be allowed to use your smart phone or wireless device to engage your social networking followers mid-event. As a blogger, I love this idea!

The Pantages will have a Wi-Fi access code for all those who take part in this very special one-night only event. It is absolutely the best offer in the market for this family hit so act now to get seats. A limited number are available.
Join the “Social Swamp” for SHREK THE MUSICAL, July 12th Only!

#62

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 3:29pm

Reminds me of this: http://www.technologyinthearts.org/?p=1651

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#63

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 3:33pm

"WORDY MCWORD, UNCAGEG."

:=)

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

#64

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 3:38pm

That makes me re-think going to see Shrek.

Two nights ago, at Le Miz, as soon as we sat down, the woman behind us asked my husband to "scoot down" in his seat. I'm sorry I didn't hear the request, because I would have stopped it there.

My husband, trying to be polite, scrunches down in his seat as far as he can. When I finally asked him why he was sitting like that, he told me what the woman had said. I told him to sit up straight, and ignore the rag. Then I turned and said to her, "If you are unable to see, maybe you should ask for a booster seat."

That shut her up.

"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2

#65

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 4:10pm

spike3, "please" and "thank you" are words I use routinely out of common courtesy. Being respectful of other people and their space is not a difficult thing to do, and I have the audacity to expect it of other people. Not only did this not happen, but the other lady (clearly a senior citizen who they should not have bothered at all, considering there were just two of us stepping outside, not a crowd) and me were indeed treated rudely. I am a bit on the sensitive side, but I do believe I can tell the difference between forthright and abrasive. As I said, under certain circumstances, I can see their need to ask, but with two people? Really? I think it's unbecoming.

If you feel the need to psychoanalyze me further, I will listen to what you say.

I'm glad that most of you seem to have never been treated abrasively by ushers, had them stand and hover around you during a performance, chatter among themselves while you're trying to watch a dramatic scene, etc. For the record, I do find the vast majority of them to be polite and professional. I just think that should be expected always because it's part of the whole experience.

2010

#66

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 4:16pm

I had to shush ushers at Laura Pels a few weeks ago. I was sitting in the last row of the orchestra and they were just chatting away.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

#67

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 4:26pm

Re: the SHREK texting offer, are you sure they don't really mean during intermission when they say "mid-performance"? I can't imagine a theatre telling people to actually use their cell phones as the actual performance is being acted onstage.

"It's Phantom meets Hamlet... Phamlet!"

#68

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 4:33pm

"Have you ever had that feeling where something SO funny...so off the wall happened during a show that you wanted to whip out your phone and post it on Facebook or Tweet it right away?"

https://www.facebook.com/pantageshollywood/posts/184807294907897

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

#69

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 5:14pm

Thanks for the link uncageg. While it's a terrible idea and I don't see anything good coming of it, at least those seats are reserved in the last few rows of the Rear Mezz, so no one else should be able to see them texting.

"It's Phantom meets Hamlet... Phamlet!"

#70

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 10:47pm

"
i think the human brain is being re-wired. Note the assortment of comments about checking messages at intermission and even the idea that one can't sit for 30 minutes without some sort of entertainment. A generation ago these things would have been impossible, indeed, unthinkable and NO ONE felt the need for them. It's jaw dropping how quickly we went from "A portable phone? What are you, a doctor?" to the need to be in contact with everyone. every. minute. of. every. day. "

Undoubtedly, but this really isn't new. I mean 100 years back if you wanted music at a party, you'd hope someone would offer to play your piano, or maybe you'd have a pianola, and hope someone wouldn't mind pumping it while others dance (that sounds dirty). I mean, it seems to be a necesary evil that comes with every form of new technology.

Is it healthy? Yes and no... I had a pompous media studies prof who seemed to think modern media had done the world no good. He mentioned for example about how now, the ideals of what's beautiful, both in men and women, are faily universal--same body sizes, fitness, etc--things everyone wants to aspire to. We're now subjected to seeing millions of faces a day, and we compare everyone to them. 1000 years back, you prob would never leave your small village, and the ideas of what were attractive would be based more around the dozen (or less) faces you'd see each day.

On the other hand, from a gay perspective, I doubt the gay rights movement would have happened at all without mass communication and media--letting people others felt the same way, changing minds, etc. (OK I know this has gotten off topic...)

#71

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/8/11 at 11:09pm

Rudy, I agree with all your other points, but still am not sold on this one at all. The ushers should not have been rude--but I believe many theatres do require them to tell everyone that they require a ticket if they leave the theatre--in fact I'd be more upset if they didn't and then didn't let someone back in. And as rude as I do find too many ushers, it's a lot of work, and at intermission, even if it was just two of you leaving the theatre, you can't depend that they'll still be there when you get back AND recognize you out of hundreds (or even dozens) of people. I just think it's beyond common sense to insist on that.

You mentioned that this never used to be the practice--and it's too bad that times have had to change. Although, I admit, if I were a show producer (or even in a show) I'd be a bit resentmful of people walking in at intermission for a freebie. Call me a grouch...

Updated On: 7/8/11 at 11:09 PM

#72

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/9/11 at 4:02am

Eric, thank you for focusing this for all of us. I agree with you, especially where you say that it's unfortunate that times have changed and now certain practices have had to be altered. I would certainly describe myself as someone who is every now and then slow on the uptake when it comes to these things - it truly did take me (and my spine) by surprise.

I will say that I did not say that I "insist" that I be recognized by ushers. I regret that what I wrote earlier made it seem like that. I suppose there is just no way to take anyone there to see what happened (and I didn't mean to imply it's on the level of loud ushers bothering audience members during a performance) but it just felt wrong and uncomfortable for no constructive purpose. I, however, really did not realize that ushers check tickets all the time. I'd never heard of it ever happening before. Yes, times have changed, and I'm usually the last to recognize it.

2010

#73

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/9/11 at 4:31am

Think you were picked on because, as you say, you put it in the same thread as other complaints. I know the brief time I had worked as an usher we were obliged to tell ANYONE leaving the actual theatre (where I worked there was also a small enclosed courtyard for smokers and people wishing to go outdoors--obviously now you probably couldn't even smoke in a place like that). I ge why the practice has changed. I know they are still way more anal if you go to a concert or sports event--and I mean what would have happened if people HAD gone for Act Two while you were outside, taken your seats, and kicked the tickets they found under their chair? It just makes sense.

But if the usher wasn't even polite when informing you of this, then that's something different again--and speaks to the rudeness of many ushers. I was at a touring production of Full Monty with my then boyfriend who was slowly drinking a glass of wine at intermission, and they rang the two minute warning (after the five minute warning) and he still had over a half glass of wine left, but he knew well enough to get in the theatre before Act II started. An usher came up to us and grabbed his glass and tried to dump it, saying he'd never made it (to be clear he was, aside from two drinks of wine, completely sober, and we were standing just outside the doors). Of course now in the US I guess you could just bring it in, and as I said I find that equally in poor taste, so I dunno...

#74

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/9/11 at 4:31am

#75

Texting: The New Heckling

Posted: 7/9/11 at 9:31am

I loved Moss Hart's stories of "second-acting" every show on Broadway in his youth. He'd collect discarded Playbills so he could brandish it at the ushers if they questioned him. Even worse, he was going to see those shows so he could steal scenes, songs and plot for his own summer camp productions.

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