Theater etiquette gone forever??

[italianpride888]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 2:17am

What happened to the simple concept called "Theater Etiquette"? I think people are becoming increasingly ignorant to the fact that there are other people trying to enjoy a show then just them..

1. It is not OK to bring your four year old to a show that's not age appropriate. ie. West Side Story. How many times is your child going to ask "Where is Maria's mother?" before they grasp the concept that she is not in the show? Also constantly having your child ask "Where's Tony? Is he dead?" five minutes into the show is not acceptable. Take some damn parenting classes and learn that it's not appropriate to bring your child to an "adult show". Next time try the Lion King. Or better yet, go to the Barnum and Bailey circus.

2. When the show starts, don't decide to come in mid way through act 1 to find your seat. Even after you have found your seat in the dark, don't continue to stand up and block everyone's view while removing your coat and mittens. I paid to see a Broadway production, not you removing your cheap "Armani" over coat. And when the show starts at 730, that doesn't mean show up at the theater at 740 and expect to be seated right away.

3. I'm truly happy that you have "Jingle Bell Rock" as your ring tone, but don't continue to let it play.. it's rude. Even after it's rang through once, don't pick up the phone to your underpaid babysitter because they can't find the ketchup or get the Tivo to work.

4. When the announcement comes on saying "Please no flash photography", this doesn't mean "Everyone, please pull out your cameras and flash bulbs!" I'm pretty sure the Rockettes were not too appreciative of the 50 or 60 flashes going off during their show. If you want to capture the show, use your brain. It's called a memory.

5. An announcement is generally made to open up your candies before the show starts. This means don't open your package of gummy bears during a deep solo! I understand you sometimes need a Ludens for that tickle in your throat, but that doesn't mean you need to shake the entire bag and spill them on the floor. The same goes for drinks. Ok, I get it.. you want to get your full moneys worth of your vodka and water. But don't shake the glass full of ice for the last few drops. It not only makes you rude, but also an alcoholic.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 2:20am

ok.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 2:22am

Revolutionary

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 2:24am

You should write a book and then walk into every theatre to hand it out.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 2:30am

But don't shake the glass full of ice for the last few drops.

- Second act of WEST SIDE STORY, that is ALLLLLL you hear.
Updated On: 12/31/09 at 02:30 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 2:52am

Wait, has this topic ever come up before on this board? I'm not sure.

[italianpride888]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 2:54am

haha! That's a good one.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 3:20am

Oh, please...it's NOT just theater etiquette. Most people have NO manners anywhere. On busses, at restaurants, at freaking BOWLING allys. No one cares about anyone but themselves, period.

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 8:20am

I'd like to add one-
When the show is over take your cups, playbills and other trash with you, don't leave them on the floor of the theater.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 8:24am

My philosophy:
People: STFU

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 9:06am

You thought a 4 year old was bad. When I saw Ragtime in DC there was a couple behind me who brought an infant!! If you can't find a babysitter then forgo your tickets.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 9:31am

Here's a little addendum to the "camera" point....

Even though the flash on your camera doesn't go off...we can STILL HEAR IT!!

I remember I was seeing Rock of Ages with my mom and there was this man one row behind me snapping loud picture on and old camera (not a digital one). There was no flash, but the shutter kept making clicking noises. I shot him a few dirty looks during act I and then reported him at intermission...

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 10:27am

Flash or no flash . . . . NO PICTURES!!!!!!

And, yes, Theater etiquette is gone forever. We live in a world where people think the universe revolves around them. Etiquette in general is gone.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 10:34am

Patti LuPone's infamous rant during a performance of GYPSY is 100% true...It's really sad when the performers begin to bitch at the audience for all the crap they (the audience) pull during a show....

[italianpride888]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 10:36am

It's almost as if people don't respect the art anymore.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 11:07am

DottieD'Luscia - Isn't there an age limit of how young children can be to enter?

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 11:19am

The general theater policy is that no children under 4 allowed (though i'm not 100% sure about theatres with Disney musicals)

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 11:38am

"Oh, please...it's NOT just theater etiquette. Most people have NO manners anywhere. On busses, at restaurants, at freaking BOWLING allys. No one cares about anyone but themselves, period."

dramamama is 100% right! It isn't just the theater. People in general have no manners anymore. People don't give a crap. But it is annoying when you pay a lot of money for theater tickets and you have people sitting around you that are completely clueless and rude.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 12:25pm

Agreed. I don't go to the theater to hear the life story of the person sitting behind me being told somewhat quietly. I also was annoyed when I saw Rock of Ages and some people started singing along to a song and there was inappropriate cheering and shouting. I get that Rock of Ages is rock-concert themed, but that doesn't mean you should draw attention to yourself.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 12:37pm

It continues to amaze me that people will sit in the upper reaches of Radio City ( or any large theater) & think that a flash will be effective that far away.

[italianpride888]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 12:48pm

Even my own sister took a picture during the Rockettes because "everyone else was doing it". Of course I reprimanded her, and told her not to be a heel. ha!

[purtynpynk]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 12:49pm

There was a couple of ladies with a toddler in the front row of Rent with me when i saw the tour in Chicago. I was pretty shocked. Yes, we were enthralled with Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, but we also kept checking to see what the little girl was doing. She was smiling a great deal. It was just awkward though.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 12:50pm

I remember when Grease was playing an Ace Young joined the case. This group of Aceholes would take up the front row and then stand during Greased Lighting. If you asked them to stop they said they were allowed because Vince Fontaine warmed up the audience before the show. How that went hand in hand I'll never know. But, the ushers did nothing to stop them because they came every weekend. Money, money, money.

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 12:57pm

For the record, the same rules apply to Disney, Dreamworks etc.: no child under 4 is allowed in the theater.
The only problem is, the fat tourists from Missitucky decide to ignore that one...

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 1:05pm

The only problem is, the fat tourists from Missitucky decide to ignore that one...

Honestly, most tourists who see maybe one show in their lifetime don't even know about the rule in order to ignore it. This really has to be on the theatres and ticketing agencies. They need to find a way to enforce the rule. How can we blame the people when no one is telling them "No"?

This goes back to my earlier example of the ushers allowing people to stand because they were seeing the show so many times and buying tickets. You can sell 3 (or more) tickets to a family with a child under 4 or you can sell no tickets. What choice do you think the producers/ticketing agencies will make?

Updated On: 12/31/09 at 01:05 PM