What happened at Heathers last night?

I see lots of posts by cast members complaining about bad audience behavior - anyone there? 

The push for alcohol in theatre has been and always will be a problem.

Every time I read about something bonkers going on at Heathers, I always muse about the fact that the Big Fun Day performance (9/1/25), which I anticipated would be a nightmare (knowing the fandom), was actually one of the most enjoyable communal experiences I’ve had in a theatre and there were ZERO issues.

 

The profit margins on alcohol at theaters are way too enticing for owners to ever dream of getting rid of them. Theaters are charging $20+ for drinks that cost a few bucks at most, including the cups. 

Sutton Ross said: "That's completely on the ushers and the lack of the security they have at New World Stages. The fact that they didn't get the memo that Broadway theaters clearly got (remove drunk assholes/tolerate no bullsh*t) is wild because as young as those ushers are there, they need to be trained regarding intoxicated patrons.It ruined the show for everyone in the building, and they really need to do something at that specific show.

Despicable audience behaviorhappens at that show weekly it seems. and the sole reason why older people haven't attended."

That definitely sounds like a security issue more than an usher issue.  Ushers should NEVER be required to deal with drunk/intoxicated patrons. You never know how they will react to being asked to do the simplest of things.  Even appearing to help them out can set them off.  As a former usher and later house manager for a large regional theater I can tell you, I would never ask my ushers to get involved but send our security team when a suspected intoxicated guest was causing issues.  They are the ones that do have training and while ushers are given instruction on how to, let's say "deflect" irate guests, they aren't (and shouldn't) be responsible for final warnings or ejection.

 

As I said, their lack of security in their theaters is the problem. They have security the way all buildings do (in a control room) but not on the floor. That is why these people keep getting away with all this bad behavior. Security guards need to be seen and it should be understood that if you show up screaming/yelling/drunk/trolling actors on stage you will be removed immediately, Nothing was done because ushers are not paid enough to deal with bull**** like that? Really? They do it all the time on Broadway, so no excuse there. They just allowed these people to terrorize everyone in the room? That shows a complete lack of knowing what their job is and the ability to confront assholes violating seemingly every rule of that theater.

New World Stages is the problem and audience behavior is the main reason why many people don't want to go to this. They need security. Simple. 

Updated On: 3/9/26 at 10:32 AM

Sadly, this issue continues to occur. Too many people with no manners or class. Add alcohol and it’s a horrible mix. What’s the answer? Other than a time machine, there isn’t one. Theatre owners won’t stop selling booze. Ushers won’t remove these drunks for fear of escalation and potential lawsuits. And peoples’ behavior will continue to get worse. I’ve already stopped attending most sporting events. Broadway may be next. Hope I can still enjoy the ballet, symphony and opera years from now.

Sutton Ross said: "RUkiddingme said: "Sutton Ross said: "Despicable audience behaviorhappens at that show weekly it seems. and the sole reason why older people haven't attended."

I know a lot of older people who hear song clips - that's the sole reason they stay away."

There is clearly a lot of behind-the-scenes drama with this cast, a lot of quickly announced departures, and with any originals left leaving shortly, I'm surprised they extended."

It's making money with the younger crowd, I know a bunch of kids at my middle of nowhere Alabama high school that don't like musical theatre, but could name half the songs from heathers at the top of their heads. It's a show that helps punch the children into the theatre I.e Beetlejuice, Hamilton, and shows like that. I do wish some other show would replace soon, something like an Evil Dead revival.

Sutton Ross said: "That's completely on the ushers and the lack of the security they have at New World Stages. The fact that they didn't get the memo that Broadway theaters clearly got (remove drunk assholes/tolerate no bullsh*t) is wild because as young as those ushers are there, they need to be trained regarding intoxicated patrons.It ruined the show for everyone in the building, and they really need to do something at that specific show.

Despicable audience behaviorhappens at that show weekly it seems. and the sole reason why older people haven't attended."

As usual, you just posted a lot of lies and assumptions. 

Sutton Ross said:
Oh I know doll, it's popular all over the world and it makes money. But, other shows I've enjoyed there (Dracula or Spelling Bee) doesn't have this problem. And the young kids brag about filming this show, they say all theater should be free (nawp), and it'sgatekeeping to charge money for....a production. They also proudly brag on Reddit about being called out for their horrible behavior. It's just an on going problem and it's unfair to the people (like on here) who attend and just want to enjoy the show.

Drunk or loud people are most always thrown out of shows Ive attended (I or someone else makes sure of it) because good patrons are tired of their experiences being ruined by inconsiderate assholes. It started before Covid but afterwards, people started to treat the house of any theater like their own living room. The only thing they respond to is losing money and being held accountable. So, I hope they get security like yesterday, so more people can just enjoy what they spend their hard-earned money on. Just sayin'."

I am all for accessible theatre, though I do wish people would leave filming to the pros and generally find these things themselves other than leaking things and... leading to more of that inaccessibility they always talk about. In my few years of seeing theatre, I have found ways to see it cheaper and to access more accessible theatre, such as student discounts, newsletters with discounts, and resale and such. I wish these people would do that as well and actually behave at these shows.

Heathers is one of those shows that should have higher security and markings for theatre ettiquite. I've been to a local college production once and the crowd was extremely disrespectful, being mostly high school students in the area. Most were singing along and ever four were recording, I do not want to experience how awful it is over there in NYC, and if I did, it'd probably only be for John Cardoza.

I'm not one for drunk people ruining shows either, I've had my fair share of drunk individuals talking or explaining shows to their partners, I've never had the guts to report it or ask them to stop on account of my autism and inability to talk to most people. It was extremely bad at cabaret, with most around me overdrinking and being intolerant bums during the show, none of which were removed. There should be more rules and such put in place, but alas, money calls for the theatre owners. The art form is dying as is and the crowds not respecting it will make it die faster as well, it'll be their fault for the death of the art form.

If I lived in Alabama, I would need many, many monster energy drinks  ;)

Heathers is one of those shows that should have higher security and markings for theatre etiquette. I've been to a local college production once and the crowd was extremely disrespectful, being mostly high school students in the area. Most were singing along and ever four were recording, I do not want to experience how awful it is over there in NYC, and if I did, it'd probably only be for John Cardoza.

Agree 100%. The adults I know who have attended try to do when kids wouldn't usually be there like the Thursday matinee or the Sunday evening performance.

Exactly. I know they are not paid well so I guess they assume they are there to pass out programs and show people to their seat, which is obviously valuable. But, it just stops there? Because some shows they are up and down the aisle, aggressive and forceful. There was no sound/phone light/rudeness coming from the Ragtime, Gypsy, and Maybe Happy Ending audiences. The ushers were right there. So, I guess it depends on where you are working and what the manager tells you what you can do? I know most people don't want to confront drunk people, but without security (NWS), I think it is their responsibility.

John Adams said: "joevitus said: "I mean, what are they THERE for? What exactly is the Usher's job?"

Given the info in ColdClimateDude's post, I would hope that (in these situations), the ushers' job would be to alert Security ASAP.

It looks/sounds like the issue isn't with ushers, but with New World Stages for (possibly) not having an appropriate number of Security (ifthat is true)."

But what kind of security does any theater have? Like one guy? I thought the jobs of an user were to 1) escort people to their seats, 2) insure appropriate behavior is maintained during the performance. If their job is only the former, why don't they leave at curtain?