The Ushers’ March

[mamaleh2]

Posted: 1/20/22 at 3:23pm

One unexpected “performance” that ran through much of yesterday’s COMPANY matinee was what I would call “the ushers’ march.” Every several minutes during the show, ushers would walk down the aisles  of the orchestra, proceed to the front, and then walk back up again to the rear of the orchestra, all the while peering around at the audience. From my aisle seat, I found it annoying and disruptive. I assume they were looking for people using their phones or video cameras, but still…

I’ve never seen this done with such regimented regularity at any other Broadway show I’ve ever attended. Is this being done only at COMPANY? And if so, why?  

[JBroadway]

Posted: 1/20/22 at 3:32pm

It's not for phones/video - it's for mask enforcement. 

I noticed the same thing when I saw Company, and it's the only show where I've personally seen it done to that extent. 

Personally, I applaud it. I'll happily take that minor distraction in exchange for everyone's safety. At most shows I go to, there's at least a few audience members who let their masks slip down as soon as the ushers are out of sight (which, usually, is for most of the performance). 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/20/22 at 3:33pm

I concur with everything JBroadway said. I appreciate the ushers making sure everyone's mask is fully on (and not using phones/cameras).

[HogansHero]

Posted: 1/20/22 at 3:39pm

I agree it's prompted by masks. Every theatre is doing some sort of monitoring; precisely what and how is up to the house manager. In this case, it would also not surprise me a bit if a certain cast member is behind the blatancy of the "vigilance" you witnessed.

[52889j]

Posted: 1/20/22 at 3:42pm

It has been happening between every musical number at Six for over a month now. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/20/22 at 4:02pm

I saw a jerk at one show recently who had his mask below his nose. He was dead center in the row. The usher walked down and was trying to get his attention. Finally he saw the usher and started wiggling his eyebrows and pointing at his mask and not doing anything. Usher eventually walked away because removing the man would mean disrupting the whole row of people.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/20/22 at 4:05pm

All the applause to the incredible ushers for doing this, going above and beyond to make sure people stay safe!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/20/22 at 4:36pm

This is what I like to hear.

Ushers are doing a tremendous job since B’way reopened and I hope they “march on” long past the eventual end of the pandemic.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 1/20/22 at 6:36pm

Some theaters have a separate staff to monitor mask wearing.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 1/20/22 at 6:55pm

They should at the very least time this right and make sure it happens at appropriate places.

This can be exceedingly distracting at any kind of live event or performance, especially in theater.

As an HSP, I know my concentration would be drawn away from the stage action by this at multiple points in the show. I’d eventually start to anticipate them coming and think about that rather than the show. 

I’m especially grateful I’ll be seeing this from the front row now.

It’s a shame that people can’t behave like adults and just do the right thing, that they can’t be trusted.

 

 

[sf2]

Posted: 1/25/22 at 12:12pm

I only wish that the ushers at "MJ" were doing this.  I went last week and saw at least 25 people (yeah, I counted!) either not wearing a mask at all, or wearing it below their noses or chins. (And this was just a quick count of the people that I could see from my seat)  Not once did any usher say or do anything about it, before or after the show, or at intermission.   A fight broke out during the first act in the row behind me (I was sitting in the balcony) between a non-mask wearer and the very annoyed person sitting next to them.  I spoke to the House Manager afterwards who said that it wasn't the usher's job to enforce mask wearing, and then told me that it was my fault for not bringing this to her attention sooner.  Really?    Nederlander customer service told me that they were "sorry" that I "felt unsafe."  I felt unsafe because it was unsafe!   It's really not acceptable.  

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/25/22 at 12:32pm

sf2 said: "I only wish that the ushers at "MJ" were doing this. I went last week and saw at least 25 people (yeah, I counted!) either not wearing a mask at all, or wearing it below their noses or chins. (And this was just a quick count of the people that I could see from my seat) Not once did any usher say or do anything about it, before or after the show, or at intermission. A fight broke out during the first act in the row behind me (I was sitting in the balcony) between a non-mask wearer and the very annoyed person sitting next to them. I spoke to the House Manager afterwards who said that it wasn't the usher's job to enforce mask wearing, and then told me that it was my fault for not bringing this to her attention sooner. Really? Nederlander customer service told me that they were "sorry" that I "felt unsafe." I felt unsafe because it was unsafe! It's really not acceptable."

 

Sounds like it's a bit too soon for you to start venturing out into public spaces.  Give it a few more months maybe?  

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/25/22 at 12:32pm

SmoothLover said: "Some theaters have a separate staff to monitor mask wearing."

This. I wish people would stop calling these people ushers (mainly because they will get blamed for any legit complaints that might be made). While some ushers are a proactive with asking people to wear masks, the Shuberts, Nederlanders, and Jujamcyn have separate employees that do the enforcement. The ushers at most are only required to identify anyone not wearing a mask. 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/25/22 at 12:32pm

SmoothLover said: "Some theaters have a separate staff to monitor mask wearing."

This. I wish people would stop calling these people ushers (mainly because they will get blamed for any legit complaints that might be made). While some ushers are a proactive with asking people to wear masks, the Shuberts, Nederlanders, and Jujamcyn have separate employees that do the enforcement. The ushers at most are only required to identify anyone not wearing a mask. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/25/22 at 1:33pm

JSquared2 said: "sf2 said: "I only wish that the ushers at "MJ" were doing this. I went last week and saw at least 25 people (yeah, I counted!) either not wearing a mask at all, or wearing it below their noses or chins. (And this was just a quick count of the people that I could see from my seat) Not once did any usher say or do anything about it, before or after the show, or at intermission. A fight broke out during the first act in the row behind me (I was sitting in the balcony) between a non-mask wearer and the very annoyed person sitting next to them. I spoke to the House Manager afterwards who said that it wasn't the usher's job to enforce mask wearing, and then told me that it was my fault for not bringing this to her attention sooner. Really? Nederlander customer service told me that they were "sorry" that I "felt unsafe." I felt unsafe because it was unsafe! It's really not acceptable."



Sounds like it's a bit too soon for you to start venturing out into public spaces. Give it a few more months maybe?"

 

No, it sounds like, and actually is, that people don't like to follow the rules they agreed to when they purchased their tickets.

 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 1/25/22 at 1:54pm

sf2 said: "I only wish that the ushers at "MJ" were doing this. I went last week and saw at least 25 people (yeah, I counted!) either not wearing a mask at all, or wearing it below their noses or chins. (And this was just a quick count of the people that I could see from my seat) Not once did any usher say or do anything about it, before or after the show, or at intermission. A fight broke out during the first act in the row behind me (I was sitting in the balcony) between a non-mask wearer and the very annoyed person sitting next to them. I spoke to the House Manager afterwards who said that it wasn't the usher's job to enforce mask wearing, and then told me that it was my fault for not bringing this to her attention sooner. Really? Nederlander customer service told me that they were "sorry" that I "felt unsafe." I felt unsafe because it was unsafe! It's really not acceptable."

I sub at MJ as an usher sometimes and we do our very best with the rules we’re given. We give two warnings, then get covid safety monitor. Three gets security. Unfortunately, ushers are held

to the rules in place by higher ups so we do our best with what we’re allowed.

I am however sorry someone told you it’s your fault. It isn’t. 

[Nolan LuPone]

Posted: 1/25/22 at 2:45pm

When I saw Hadestown in October, an usher yelled at a woman a few seats away from me during Living It Up On Top. The same woman was removed at intermission. Much love to the ushers for enforcing masks in any way possible.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 1/25/22 at 2:57pm

The blame at MJ is properly directed at the Nederlanders. As with everything that happens in the theatre, it is no accident that this is being handled improperly. 

[yyys]

Posted: 1/26/22 at 3:09pm

I noticed this at Company......  it's super distracting though that they march down every 15 minutes.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/26/22 at 3:15pm

Focus on the stage and having a good time, your brain will realize it's normal after the first time it occurs. 

When I saw Hadestown in October, an usher yelled at a woman a few seats away from me during Living It Up On Top. The same woman was removed at intermission.

HOT. 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/26/22 at 4:51pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "sf2 said: "I sub at MJ as an usher sometimes and we do our very best with the rules we’re given. We give two warnings, then get covid safety monitor. Three gets security. Unfortunately, ushers are held to the rules in place by higher ups so we do our best with what we’re allowed.

I am however sorry someone told you it’s your fault. It isn’t."

Just to be clear: the ushers are not required to say anything to anyone who is not wearing a mask. The union was very clear on that. If the Nederlanders are requiring you to confront first before getting a covid monitor, then you should contact the union. The union has advised its ushers at one of its previous meetings not to even interact with anyone but wearing a mask. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/26/22 at 5:00pm

If the ushers at the Jacobs marched down the aisle at my performance, I didn’t even notice so good job.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 1/26/22 at 5:54pm

Fosse76 said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "sf2 said: "I sub at MJ as an usher sometimes and we do our very best with the rules we’re given. We give two warnings, then get covid safety monitor. Three gets security. Unfortunately, ushers are held to the rules in place by higher ups so we do our best with what we’re allowed.

I am however sorry someone told you it’s your fault. It isn’t."

Just to be clear: the ushers are not required to say anything to anyone who is not wearing a mask. The union was very clear on that. If the Nederlanders are requiring you to confront first before getting a covid monitor, then you should contact the union. The union has advised its ushers at one of its previous meetings notto even interact with anyone but wearing a mask."

You are 100% correct. In some instances as previous posters have suggested some people may be confusing ushers with  COVID monitors.

 

[VotePeron]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 12:30am

To clarify, I am 95% certain the people walking down the aisles every 15 minutes at Company are independently hired Covid Monitors and NOT Shubert house ushers. The producers of Company likely specially hired them, and that’s why other shows are not doing this. 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 2:57am

At Lincoln center there was no March of the ushers. Just covid monitors with signs.