Tired of cell phones going off at a performance? — Page 2

So staff will be located at the end of the show to free your phone.and I hope the line won't be too long. ....But what if I wanted to quietly leave before the end of the show because it was, you know, bad? Would I first have to track someone down? And would I feel obliged to explain to why I was leaving? Sorry,I don't want to be put through hoops just to escape from some place. Terrible idea.

"Did you even read the link with the faq?"

Of course he didn't.

I doubt this would ever happen on Broadway. It makes sense wren it’s a one-off production like a comedy stand-up Act in a city or in-demand performance that is free to attend. But Broadway producers will likely never take the chance of alienating paying ticket-buyers by instituting rules or policies like these. I’m pretty compulsive about my cell phone use, but I turn it all the way off before every performance although I do check it at intermission before turning it off again before Act 2. If these policies were put in place, I’d still attend as I always have, but I fear the a portion of the more casual theater going crowd would steer away. I would also like to see cellphone jamming technology instituted in every theater, but I suppose that would possibly also interfere with stage technology.

I have seen this across all age groups. It was true with the young woman in her late teens who texted in the row in front of me during Pippin. Then there was the woman in at least her 30s who texted next to me during The Iceman Cometh. And then there is one of my best friends who is in her 60s who never completely turns her phone off at the movie theater or even when we saw Book of Mormon when it toured through Oklahoma City recently. She does turn the volume all the way off and drops it into her purse or tote bag but does not turn it off. I suppose that’s partially because she has her mother who lives with her who has progressive dementia and is almost 100 and she wants to be available in case her son calls while he is grandma sitting. Still annoys the hell out of me. LOL. I have tried making a production of turning my phone all the way off to no avail. I don’t say anything because I don’t want to endanger our friendship which I value very much. And also because I am a white male who is at least 10 years younger than she is and she is an African-American woman and the dynamics of a younger white male telling her what to do just doesn’t sit well with me. But the point remains that misuse of cell phones during live theater spans all generations.

Updated On: 8/15/18 at 12:49 AM

To Greenifmy. But how do you know they wouldn't care why I was leaving? Maybe they'd start crying. Then I'd have to pretend I was having a heart attack. I still don't like it.

Nope. Never. I’m not letting someone lock up my personal property to because a few people break the rules. Not gonna happen. Period.

As much as I would like to enjoy performances without those that can’t manage to turn-off their phones, like I do, I’m not going for this.

I didn’t agree to everyone being punished for a few rule breakers in elementary school, and I’m sure as hell not PAYING for the “privilege” to do it as an adult. It amazes me when people line up to let someone assert false authority over them.

This full price/premium ticket buyer will snap her credit card right back into her wallet so fast, heads will spin. I won’t be the only one.

Not acceptable ever.

Updated On: 8/15/18 at 02:00 AM

Miles2Go2 said: "^ Like I said. This is why Broadway producers and houses will never enforce such a policy. Which means there will continue to be misuse of cellphones for eternity in theaters or until the next technology makes them obsolete. "

Or until people misusing cell phones are escorted out. Once again, my phone is off. I’m not paying the price for those that can’t follow the rules.

It also takes just one emergency in the theater, with people unable to use their phones, before liability becomes a huge issue.

Updated On: 8/15/18 at 02:14 AM

I understand and agree with you @Miles, but if producers were willing to consider something, removing patrons that have been warned once, offends far fewer ticket buyers, than punishing everyone. They probably aren’t willing to consider either. I agree.

As far as Ellen Implementing this at her show? ...dealbreaker. I was literally considering buying tickets earlier today. Not anymore. Done.

Updated On: 8/15/18 at 02:32 AM

And I can imagine most of these offenders won’t go willingly and ushers are not equipped to use force which then would require police to be involved. And if a patron is injured during extraction I can see the liability now. Even if the patron loses their court case, they could keep the production wrapped up in expensive court proceedings for years.

How would you feel about jamming technology only during the Acts, not during intermission or before or after the show? That way you still keep your phone on your person.

Updated On: 8/15/18 at 02:52 AM

Oh, good lord. Then dont go to the theater if they ever implement their use . Dont go to Ellen - there are thousands of people that will be happy to go in your place. I guarantee that it wont make a difference to ticket sales- it's already being used at lots of places, concerts, TV tapings, nightclubs and no that isnt keeping people away.

You know, humans survived for a few years before cell phones came into existence and we weren't close to extinction because of it.

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^ I’m all for doing anything to limit use of phones during performances, but there is a reason why Broadway houses aren’t doing more than they are. And I have to think that money plus logistics enter the equation at some point with houses/producers/investors.

If cellphone jammers didn’t impact stage technology that would seem like a suitable alternative to the logistics of extracting offenders or confiscating all phones. There are probably a lot of people like Olivia and Tom who would just quit attending theater if phones were confiscated. That probably wouldn’t matter for shows like Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen where there are plenty of people to take their places, but other shows need every butt in a seat. Just speculating obviously. I don’t have a crystal ball. Dramamama, I think we’re pretty much on the same page.

Updated On: 8/15/18 at 03:06 AM

Super pathetic how people can't live without their phones or *GASP* put them in a case for 3 hours so they won't disrupt others. Most people probably wouldn't mind. Meanwhile, cell phone use is illegal so ushers should be able to escort people out out at anytime with no refund. It makes no sense to me that this has not been enforced more in New York City theaters. How ridiculous that people who pay hundreds of dollars have to be interrupted by dipsh*ts.

Jammers and cases are years away. For now, let's just throw people out for disrespecting every single person involved in productions and respectful patrons. They all hate people who do it and don't want them at their show anyway. Talk to any actor.

Updated On: 8/15/18 at 04:55 AM

EllieRose2 said: "A lot of people are horrible theater goers and do NOT turn off their cell phones. This program should be implemented at every single Broadway theater. Yep, it will take you longer to leave the theater. Deal. The cast, crew and good theater goers will be so much happier."

As a frequent theatergoer who has never had a cell phone out (or on) during a performance, I say no deal. If a system can be implemented (including this one) that does not cause any noticeable inconvenience to us nonviolators, then I'm all for it, but I wouldn't support anything that did cause a delay.