Two Drunk Women Kicked Out of 'Rock of Ages'--10/2/09- Page 2

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 12:50pm

I feel like it's a given that the people in the front row at Rock of Ages are always obnoxious and drunk.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 12:54pm

Oh, please...let's not start THAT^ again!


And while I MIGHT have been talked into seeing this at one time, this is exactly the type of behavior I feared. And yes, I realize it's not happening every performance...but with MY luck it would happen right in front of me.

I would be annoyed if some of the audience decided to stand up and dance if it kept me from seeing the show...which it most likely would. I hate forced standing...you know, when the 2nd row stands ONLY because the first did which forces the third to do the same....just like at standing ovations...I won't stand unless I feel it's warranted.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 12:57pm

To bad these two ladies did not do this while seeing "Wishful Drinking". It would have proved interesting.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 1:09pm

If you want to see the show and don't want as many or sometimes ANY drunk people see a matinee. It's a safer bet.

[JP2]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 1:13pm

What a surprise. Catty holier-than-thou attitudes on BWW!

Did not see THAT one coming.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 1:20pm

You would think paying sky high prices would entitle you to see a show when you wanted to.

Somehow it is not the drunk womens fault but the innocent schlub who wants to see a show when he or she wants to.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 1:25pm

Sigh... Some people just have to trash ROA and its audience no matter what.. It's a reflection on them, not those of us who know how to behave or like this show.

To answer a point made above, I know some people arrive half in the bag or fully drunk when they get to the show. I'm just saying management needs to discourage bad behavior. One warning, then they are gone. Anyone spilling drinks on others - gone.

Both shows I went to were Saturday matinees and audience behavior was totally fine. Perhaps that is the better way to go for now.

[JP2]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 2:14pm

I've seen the show A LOT and on very few occasions has an audience member exhibited bad behavior.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 2:15pm

I only see ONE person making any sort of assumptions...everyone else is just chatting. Don't get so offensive.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 2:23pm

"When it was at New World it was as if the drinking and partying came first and it was as if the show was just there in the background for people to pay attention to when they wished."

Not so. You're grossly exaggerating.

Let me just say that if you're loathe to see a show in which a patron might be escorted out, then stay home altogether. From all shows.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 2:56pm

All this happened during the same show where a woman with a pink wig found it necessary to stand up and dance for every song, she was in the first row mind you.

She was there the one time I saw it, too. For the first act, she was in standing room with me. Somehow she and her friend ended up in the front row for Act 2.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:04pm

<< How weird that two trashy drunk girls were thrown out of a show that encourages trashy drunkenness!>>

I happen to really like the show, but they MUST do something about the drinking in the theatre. (.... as I now sit and await people chiming in and saying they have never had a problem during the show, and/or that the producers have taken steps to stop it)

It is just as bad, or even worse than it was off-broadway.

I saw it on 9/22, and again this Thurs, (LOVE Kerry Butler as Sherrie!) and BOTH times I was totally distracted by what was going on in the theatre... On the 22nd, this moronic man ( it amazes me that these are middle-aged people) started yelling out "Franz-come" , (or something like that) every minute, just to please the 2 drunken women that he was with--- He did not get warned until Act II. Thurs was even worse... seemed like the entire place was drunk. There was a huge argument in the right side Orchestra, during the show. Two ushers and security had the watch the group the entire second act. The four women behind me were loaded, and didnt stop talking the entire show (not to mention, singing off-key !!)

There was another drunk couple in the Mezz that they said nothing to, despite them screaming out the name of each song played (and the original band) !!! The show is starting to become "Rocky Horror" !!

Keery Butler is even on record as saying that her favorite show to perform in is the Saturday matinee, because the crowd is "calmer".

They either need to stop the drinking at your seat--- limit the number of drinks you can purchase, OR have a "dry-night" for people that are able to enjoy a good show without getting trashed !!!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:06pm

<< However, it is very clear from watching that the cast is enjoying that kind of reaction and it is very clear that they enjoy it when it does happen. >>

Winston.. I would not be too sure about that. Trust me... not the case.

[JP2]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:11pm

After speaking with most of, if not all, of the cast, I'd say Winston is correct. With the exception of Kerry Butler.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:11pm

<< Thank you for posting this. It just reinforces what I think about ROA and the people who go see it.>>

Wat... dont start again with your generalizations...

Your "dreg" comment was totally uncalled for at the time.

My wife and I go to the show, and dont drink AT ALL--- Ever.

I dont have any problem at all with people that drink. I have a problem with people that get DRUNK at a show, (or any other publc venue) that ruin the experience for the others around them.

Not everyone that goes to "ROA" is a drunk.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:15pm

<< After speaking with most of, if not all, of the cast, I'd say Winston is correct. With the exception of Kerry Butler. >>

Have you even spoken with Andre Ward?



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[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:21pm

<< It just reinforces what I think about ROA and the people who go see it.

Really? Please elaborate on your opinion of every person who has seen the show.
>>

Matt.... you really DONT want to know.... it was idiotic... and WAT... your opinions really dont mean that much after your famous Karen Olivo "freak-out", and calling "Fela!" "crap", and then later admitting that you never saw it.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:24pm

While limiting the number of drinks people can buy at the show or having some dry nights are a good idea, in my opinion, you still run into the problem of people showing up drunk. I know less alcohol might control it, but it isn't always guaranteed.

And I do agree that some people are assuming too much here. What's the difference between 1 or 2 drinks at this show vs. doing that somewhere else like at South Pacific? Or what if people started showing up drunk there and causing a commotion during the show? It is okay because it just happens to be up at Lincoln Center? I don't think so.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:31pm

ROA isn't the kind of show which requires rapt attention, and it freely admits it. If you're into the experience it provides, then some distractions may be welcomed, and maybe joined in with, if not tolerated.

What I'm saying is if you insist on a quiet audience, don't go to ROA.

The show is a hit and is succeeding just the way it is.

I have nothing against those who prefer not to see it. Each to his own.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:42pm

<< ROA isn't the kind of show which requires rapt attention, and it freely admits it. If you're into the experience it provides, then some distractions may be welcomed, and maybe joined in with, if not tolerated.

What I'm saying is if you insist on a quiet audience, don't go to ROA.

The show is a hit and is succeeding just the way it is.

I have nothing against those who prefer not to see it. Each to his own.
>>

Jane,

I agree with most of what you say, but the fact that its a hit doesnt mean that people should allowed to get drunk (OR arrive drunk) and act like total morons all night. (And let me reiterate that I happen to LOVE the show)

And there are plenty of shows that dont require "rapt" attention ("Xanadu" comes to mind), where this kind of behavior didnt happen.

I saw "Hedwig" almost 100X, (and a number of them were the late weekend shows), and the crowds as a whole were not as bad as they seem to be at "ROA" -

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:52pm

<< While limiting the number of drinks people can buy at the show or having some dry nights are a good idea, in my opinion, you still run into the problem of people showing up drunk. I know less alcohol might control it, but it isn't always guaranteed.

And I do agree that some people are assuming too much here. What's the difference between 1 or 2 drinks at this show vs. doing that somewhere else like at South Pacific? Or what if people started showing up drunk there and causing a commotion during the show? It is okay because it just happens to be up at Lincoln Center? I don't think so. >>

Marianne,

You bring up some valid points, but here is the problem/difference. Yes, there are always going to be people showing up drunk, (I was at "Superior Donuts" last week, and the woman next to me was loaded) however, given "ROA's" content, drunk people at the show are going to act much different than they might at "South Pacific", or something like "Billy Elliot"-

And "ROA" "PROMOTES"/"ENCOURAGES" the drinking... the other shows dont.

The major problem from first-hand experience, and from talking to others that have seen the show (as well as castmembers) is that something needs to be done as soon as these people start acting out--- not with 10 mins left in the show.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:56pm

MisterMatt knows all about what I think of people who see (and enjoy) ROA...he's just trying to start an argument.

My thread about Karen Olivo missing the performance after she won the Tony was completely warranted.

I'll post a real review about FELA! after I see it on the 19th.

and yes, testing, I realize that you are one of the very few people who sees ROA and does not drink at all during the show. Good for you. More people should follow your lead.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 3:58pm

'And there are plenty of shows that dont require "rapt" attention ("Xanadu" comes to mind), where this kind of behavior didnt happen.

I saw "Hedwig" almost 100X, (and a number of them were the late weekend shows), and the crowds as a whole were not as bad as they seem to be at "ROA" -'


Okay, well I'm just talking about ROA.

I respect anyone's opinion of anything. It's their opinion. But my point here is that although the complaints may be warranted, nothing will probably change over at ROA, as it is doing well with all those problems.

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 4:04pm

I've been to the show many times, I've been to other shows;
Other then some audience singing and cheering- There is no difference.
Some of you should go into writing- fiction.
LOL

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/3/09 at 4:34pm

<< I've been to the show many times, I've been to other shows;
Other then some audience singing and cheering- There is no difference.
Some of you should go into writing- fiction.
LOL
>>

So, you are saying that there is no difference between the crowds at the other shows, as opposed to "ROA"? Now, THAT is fiction..

The OP went yesterday (I believe) when the two women were thrown out... My wife went on Tues, and she said the crowd was out of control.

I went Thurs, and seemed like 1/2 the audience was drunk. That is 3 nights out 5 (and I dont believe there is a show on Weds)

And those other shows you have seen go out of their way to promote the drinking?

Listen, it is REALLY not my intention to argue with anyone on the boards, but lets not make it like the show is the equivalent of going to Sunday mass.