The wave does not belong in the theater!- Page 10

[liotte]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 8:18pm

Doing the wave is generally associated with sporting events. Going to the theater has a more sophisticated air- you go, take your seat, read the playbill, watch the performance without interrupting, etc, and then you applaud and cheer once it is over. A sporting event is much more interactive, whereas a Broadway show is not. I know that historically, theater was a totally different event and the wave would be much more appropriate in that setting. Today, I find it inappropriate. I have read that plenty of people disagree with me, fine. I just don't think the wave belongs in a broadway theater.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 8:23pm

Wow, what a hell of a long thread all stemming from the fact that liotte felt that doing the wave just before the start of a show is not an appropriate display.

I was not there, and, I have not seen the show, so I cannot comment on how the show might or might not contribute to the air of informality.

But, in general, I can tell you that had a bunch of kids started to the the wave just before curtain, I would have thought "WTF - this is live theater, not a sporting event." I was always raised to treat theater as something special. So, I can understand liotte's reaction.

As for the rest of the exchanges going back and forth, I don't quite understand some of the attacks and exchanges all premised on one person expressing her opinion and the reaction to that opinion.

[knows_too_much]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 8:31pm

When I went to bed last night this thread had like 2 pages. I can't believe how it has grown. Everyone seems to have an opinion about the wave, so here's mine. If it's appropriate to the show and done at an appropriate time I don't see a problem with it. Doing the wave at Les Miz is inapprpriate, but doing it at Spelling Bee or even The Producers where the atmosphere of the show is fast and loose I don't see a problem with it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 8:42pm

I've thought about it for a while.

And I agree it isn't such a big deal at a show like SPELLING BEE. The show is suppose to be fun.

If this happened at LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, or SWEENEY TODD.. I would be very pissed.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 8:47pm

I don't think I'd be so upset about them doing the wave in their area, but I think I'd get mad if they yelled across the theatre to try and get everyone to do it.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:08pm

I'm going to speak to the picture misunderstanding. Pictures in a Broadway theater are not prohibited because of the flash distraction - they are prohibited because the set and costume designs are protected property. Therefore, taking pics at curtain call is no less illegal than taking them during the show.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:11pm

I think the Gershwin said for "Wicked" that pictures could be taken at Curtain Call when Kristin or Idina or someone left.

[liotte]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:13pm

Thank you for clarifying Rath.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:14pm

Which would say that it's not allowed except in special, approved circumstances. Very, very rare.

[Marlene]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:15pm

Talk about a tangent...now I know that "the wave does not belong is theater" is actually BWW for "let's scrutinized everyone's beliefs even if it has no real relation to the subject at hand".

But back to the waaaave. I must say that I would not have been bothered by the wave had the people doing it not boo-ed others in their failed attempts to get the wave moving. It's precurtain so what is there to really say. I do inane things when I'm with a group of friends (given not in a theater) so I do understand from where it's coming. The end.

And it is Bee...not saying that the actors and the theater don't deserve the same respect as another show at a different venue, but given the aura the show and the theater, I personally will expect a little less on audience stuffiness, for a lack of a better term.

But Liotte does make a point...because I would have to be pretty delirious to be doing the wave in the theater.

You know chaperones will pull a "kids will be kids" or some ultimately trite response if they don't get the message.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:20pm

Marlene should talk.

She had one of those oversized fingers that said "Daphne's #1" at Bernarda.
Updated On: 4/9/06 at 09:20 PM

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:22pm

lol

[Marlene]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:25pm

BSo, didn't anyone tell you that my overly large middle finger really isn't a giant foam finger...I'm offended that you think my disability is a display of my ultimate fangirlness. *OFFENDED*

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:26pm

I don't believe I ever said foam...

[Marlene]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:28pm

And for the record my finger says Idina's #1.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:49pm

"A sporting event is much more interactive, whereas a Broadway show is not."

That you do not see the irony in the fact that you are talking about a Broadway show that USES four members of the audience in every single performance is what is so striking. It's interesting that you keep writing that you "have no problem" with this behavior or that behavior... and then you insist you don't have control issues.

News flash: this is not your world. Other people live in it and you can not control other people's behavior. However, you could assert yourself in the moment, tell the parties that you "have a problem with" to knock it off, or you could run and tattle tale.

Or you could bitch about it here where you obviously were expecting a lot of people to clutch their pearls in shock and horror at the very notion of The Wave.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:58pm

LOL! I post on this thread, go away to the sea for the day, where there were lots of waves. One seagull even said to another " Get off the wave! Whadda you think you're at theater or something?"

clutched her pearls in shock and horror at the very notion of The Wave.. Namo, where you there too?


Y'all should have gone to the beach with me.

Updated On: 4/9/06 at 09:58 PM

[Over_the_Moon]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 10:03pm

Are we still on this, really?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 10:04pm

Sorta stupid, but I laughed at that PB!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 10:14pm

i saw someone at spelling bee doing something with their pearl necklace, but it wasn't clutching.

[bwayaddict]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 10:57pm

Well,I was at Spelling Bee last night and experienced the famous wave. When it happened I was a little embarrased because it was not usual theater activity. Luckily (or I wouldn't be admitting it on this thread) I did not participate. It was definitely a teenage group that started it but there were other people who got caught up in the moment. Thankfully it died out pretty quickly. After the show I met Liotte and she mentioned to watch for her "wave rant" on the board tomorrow. I couldn't believe when I got home from NY and actually saw the thread. Who knew that this would be such a hot topic. I also think Liotte is entitled to her opinion without personal attacks. She loves theater and wants it to be respected. I personally thought it was out of place but due to the setting of Spelling Bee could see where young, unknowing theatergoers could think that the wave would be fun. I'm wondering what the cast would have to say about the "wave" and if it has occurred any other times.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 12:43am

I love the scene in When Harry Met Sally where Billy Crystal tells Bruno Kirby that his wife was cheating on him and lying to him before she told him she was dumping him...all while they're doing "the wave."

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 10:43am

:::After the show I met Liotte and she mentioned to watch for her "wave rant" on the board tomorrow.::

You're kidding, right?

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 11:38am

namo, i demand that you stop pressing people for personal information!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 11:53am

I think it's a big deal in any Broadway theatre (or any theatre for that matter). It is tacky, tacky, tacky. It's bad enough that people woop and scream in my ear throughout the show nowadays.