What Happened to Radio City?

Aesthetically it is still a stunner, but oof! I've never been as thoroughly disgusted as I was by the audience at tonight's Christmas Show. I've heard the complaints on here about modern audiences, but this was above anything I've witnessed. Ever.

While waiting outside to go in in freezing cold weather, when a 20-something year old tried to cut the line that little children were freezing on, I said, "You have to go to the back." Her response, "I didn't ask you." "Happy holidays," I offered as she walked toward the back and "F*CK you" were the last words she spoke to me.

Once in my seat in the rear orchestra, I realized that the weather was apparently meant to reflect that of the North Pole. It stayed an arctic temperature for the entirety of the show. That's probably because a good 40 minutes into the show and people were still entering - speaking at full volume and distracting everyone from the production. Once seated, many of these audience members wanted to capture the show so as not to forget a moment, so phones were literally recording the show in full sight of employees. Many! All of that recording kept their hands tied up and prevented them from applauding. The audience was SO quiet when they should have been their loudest. And then to match the late arrivals, they all started leaving before it ended. A truly appreciative crowd.

I have been to a lot of shows and this was, without a doubt, the worst experience I've ever had. It bothered me so much that I was distracted and couldn't enjoy thit show. Won't be back to Radio City any time soon.

The first time I saw the Christmas Spectacular, I was so shocked at the audiences behavior that I wrote a letter to whatever cable company owned it. That cable company (Comcast? Time Warner? Who cares?) messed up the internet connection at the high school I taught at and sent the school tons of free tickets. This was in 2007. Even then, just about every audience member was recording the show in plain view. Children were talking loudly and getting up over and over again to buy more snacks and souvenirs.
I have seen it several times since then and since I knew what to expect, I wasn’t as upset. But we should not hold our breath before Radio City suddenly decides to tell people to not use phones and make their kids shut their traps.

This certainly isn't new. It's the same when you go to those Disney on Ice shows....just awful. Even my own children were appalled.

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Updated On: 12/28/17 at 03:17 AM

It was the same thing when I used to go see A Christmas Carol, and later Peter Pan at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. I was appalled by how many people talked throughout, and how many people arrived very late. I learned that the best way to combat this, sadly, was to splurge and purchase a higher priced ticket in the “VIP section.” In that smallish area of the theater, the audience was quite well-behaved, and I was able to tune out the distractions behind me.

"All of that recording kept their hands tied up and prevented them from applauding. The audience was SO quiet when they should have been their loudest. And then to match the late arrivals, they all started leaving before it ended. A truly appreciative crowd. "

All these type of people care about is that they can put a clip on FB and let everyone know they were there - lol.

This might be my favorite thread on here, ever. I've been working here for the season, and I've never in my life come across such idiotic people/people who seem to have no clue about live theatre etiquette. It's couldn't be more obvious that most of them have never seen a live show in their life. Look, I know we all have to start somewhere, but come ON...a little common sense that a show has a start time, to be respectful of those around you in the house, reading signs, etc. would go a long way. These audiences treat this like it's a damn movie theater, spilling popcorn and beverage everywhere, rather than the LIVE venue that it is. I even had a patron ask me, "Excuse me, when in the world did they start selling popcorn and food for this??" Not that I had an answer, but I couldn't exactly blame her and that's when I had that epiphany.

I've lost count how many times I've seen patrons wandering aimlessly and suddenly realize that show started and freak, even thought they've been wandering for the past 15 minutes. Or people continuously leaving the house to use the bathroom for a show that's only 90 MINUTES, and the insane amount of late arrivals that come a HALF HOUR LATE. There's always an amazing amount of people still in line for merch or concessions when the show actually starts, and of course if you're on the main foyer, you can hear the overture starting on the speakers...like, do you not realize that the show has started?? Why aren't you making a mad dash for your seats?? This show has literally taught me that it seems outside of the regular/educated theatergoer circle, people really have no idea how live theatre works...I will say, half the reason people still aren't inside on time is security, they take way too long, and have cracked down even further since the recent attack here which is annoying as heck, but even then isn't it prudent to give yourself time to find where you need to go?

uncageg-The Tony's is practically the entire NYC theatre community in one space who obviously know how to behave in a live venue, so thereby, of course that experience will be more pleasant. The Spectacular is the very definition of a tourist trap, it's arguably the number reason people come her around Christmas time, hence those audiences will be very different and obviously not in a good way. I'll clarify the show itself is a great one, it's been around every year for this long for a reason, but that doesn't mean its not a tourist trap, but at least it's a good one. I've worked "touristy" broadway shows as well, and even they had better behaved audiences than this, at least from what I could tell. I have no explanation for why that is.

I avoid matinees and any tourist-y production now. If I do go, it will be on a Tuesday during an off-week. It is getting ridiculous. What a shame. And frankly, it has nothing to do with geography. Everyone loves to criticize the tourists from the midwest, but man, the ones from New York state are equally atrocious

"These audiences treat this like it's a damn movie theater, spilling popcorn and beverage everywhere, rather than the LIVE venue that it is. I even had a patron ask me, "Excuse me, when in the world did they start selling popcorn and food for this??" Not that I had an answer, but I couldn't exactly blame her and that's when I had that epiphany."

The minute Broadway and shows like Radio City sold out to try and make as much money as possible with food and drink, you knew this was going to happen. Going to the theater lost a bunch of class when they did this IMO and now like you said it is treated by quite a few people no different than seeing the latest Star Wars movie - lol.

"This show has literally taught me that it seems outside of the regular/educated theatergoer circle, people really have no idea how live theatre works...I will say, half the reason people still aren't inside on time is security, they take way too long, and have cracked down even further since the recent attack here which is annoying as heck, but even then isn't it prudent to give yourself time to find where you need to go?"

Do people really need to be taught that you get to show on time and that security is going to check your bag - wow. This type of thing is done at concerts and sporting events also so it is not just Broadway or Radio City show. It is easy for me because I never carry anything but my wallet and cell phone but my wife and daughters bring the smallest bag possible so it does not take security more than a second or two to look at it.

"to be respectful of those around you in the house, reading signs, etc. would go a long way."

Sadly, people are just plain rude today and it is all about them. How many times do people need to be told to shut their cell phones off and pictures can't be taken and they just don't care? Is it anything more than common sense you don't talk to someone during the performance because other people are trying to enjoy the show - oh well.

Yankeefan-Totally understand you, but I've never seen this much security at a Broadway show or concert venue. Patrons have actually complained about how long it took, and now that I've seen that line outside in action, I can see why. I was just at the Barclays a couple weeks ago, and I sailed right in, in comparison. And sure, Broadway shows now sell merchandise and food, but even then I've never seen the boorish behavior from audiences as I've seen at R.C.

"Totally understand you, but I've never seen this much security at a Broadway show or concert venue. Patrons have actually complained about how long it took, and now that I've seen that line outside in action, I can see why. I was just at the Barclays a couple weeks ago, and I sailed right in, in comparison. And sure, Broadway shows now sell merchandise and food, but even then I've never seen the boorish behavior from audiences as I've seen at R.C. "

Wow, that is something. I only experienced something like you are saying a couple of years ago at Billy Joel concert in Charlotte. We got on line outside the arena at 7:15 for 8:00 concert and did not get to our seat until 8:30 just as Billy was going on stage.

Sorry you experienced this behavior at Radio City. I went with my family a few years ago and it was just fine and a lovely evening. After reading your posts, I guess we were pretty lucky !!

Updated On: 12/29/17 at 12:36 AM

The Peasants have taken over with their nose pickers. Whatever happened to class ?

The moment drinks and food are allowed inside the theater.... very much so the people can do whatever they want to do... talk, sleep, selfies, videotaping and move around like it is their living room.

Never mind the audience.

It seems like the show is now a video with the Rockettes doing their thing about 10 times.

A tad boring. If I wanted all that video....