Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
#1Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 9:48pm
Eating Ice Cream at intermission is a tradition in the West End. Why doesn't Broadway do the same thing? I just think Broadway audiences would LOVE to eat ice cream at intermission! I know I sure would!!
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#2Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 9:50pm
If you get fat, you won't be able to sit in the tiny seats...
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Updated On: 8/9/15 at 09:50 PM
#3Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 9:56pm
Before this devolves into a petty assault thread attacking phillypinto, I must say I wish this were also a tradition on Broadway.
In my London theatre-going experience, oftentimes ice cream is one of the only concessions available for purchase: an innocuous sweet treat that creates no sound while being consumed.
A much better alternative to the cacophonus buffet dinner that a Broadway intermission has devolved to.
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Updated On: 8/9/15 at 09:56 PM
#4Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 9:57pm
No. Just no.
Don't we already deal with enough distractions at the theater? If you need ice cream that badly, go visit one of the city's million frozen yogurt places, not the theater.
#5Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:04pm
They probably don't want ice cream dripping all over the theaters? Did you really need to ask this?
Updated On: 8/9/15 at 10:04 PM
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#6Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:15pm
Imagine Patti sees you eating ice cream while she is on stage.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Poster Emeritus
#7Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:19pm
"They probably don't want ice cream dripping all over the theaters? Did you really need to ask this?"
they already sell popcorn and chips and soda and candy and alcoholic beverages though
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#8Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:22pm
I do wonder if the responses would have been as vitriolic if Philly hadn't started this thread?
It's an interesting West End custom I was unfamiliar with.
Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated
#9Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:22pm
"Imagine Patti sees you eating ice cream while she is on stage.
Be afraid. Be very afraid. "
It really isn't as dumb of a question as you are all making it out to be. My primary gripe with food in the theatre is the distracting noise it creates— the Brits have it right in making the ice cream a trend— certainly better than a crinkling candy bag.
"He found something that he wanted, had always wanted and always would want— not to be admired, as he had feared; not to be loved, as he had made himself believe; but to be necessary to people, to be indispensable."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise
yankeefan7
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/12
#10Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:29pm
I hate how Broadway has turned a live theater experience into the atmosphere of going to the movies. I understand the amount of money they make from it but I just hate the distractions people eating in the theater cause people trying to enjoy a Broadway show.
brdway411
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/24/14
#11Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:31pm
When we went to Matilda and Bodyguard in London it was a big thing. But the other thing I noticed was I didn't hear or see a single smart phone. No one was snapping pics. Why can't our theater be as civilized as London ' s.
#12Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:37pm
Sure, let's serve ice cream in the theaters. Then, hot dogs.
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#13Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:39pm
I think it probably has to do with the storage of dairy products. You'll notice that the only food and beverage for sale are easily packaged and stored for long periods of time.
I saw that FINDING NEVERLAND had slush machines for margaritas, so clearly some theatre owners and/or bartending companies are thinking this sort of thing might be worth it.
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GreasedLightning
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/11/14
#14Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:39pm
This is already happening at On The Town... which makes sense since the theater operators are a West End based company.
So to every bashing philly, sorry, but it's already making its way over.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#15Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:39pm
Why stop there?
Why not burgers and fries as well?
Poster Emeritus
#16Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:48pm
When I first saw SPAMALOT in London's West End, they were selling spam sandwiches wrapped in wax paper during the interval at the Palace. Mmmmmmm!!
#17Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:49pm
""They probably don't want ice cream dripping all over the theaters? Did you really need to ask this?"
they already sell popcorn and chips and soda and candy and alcoholic beverages though"
On a practical level, cleaning up spilled chips, popcorn, and candy are much easier to clean up then something like ice cream. Think about a movie theater--if you go in to see a movie, can you tell if someone dropped popcorn? Maybe, but most likely it's been swept up somewhere. Now think about the spot where someone spilled their soda, slushy, ice cream, banana flavored frozen daiquiri, or any other sweet thing. Yep. You're thinking about the noise your shoe makes when you step in it. And that's after it's been cleaned up!
If theaters want to sell food and drink, awesome. That's their choice. I think it needs to be restricted to areas outside the main auditorium. Once you're about to be seated, it's water only--I'd rather hear someone open a bottle of water and take a sip then listen to them cough or be constantly clearing their throats.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#18Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:58pm
Excellent point.
Try cleaning ice cream stains from a carpet.
Poster Emeritus
GreasedLightning
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/11/14
#19Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 10:59pm
The cleanup may be worse, but ice cream is a hell of a lot less distracting than someone shoving their fingers into their bag of chips or M&M's and crunching on them.
#20Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 11:07pm
Really? Cleaning ice cream is easier? Lots of children and sloppy adults with sticky hands placing them on the arm rests, wiping them on the seats, sure. I don't want to be the next one in those seats.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#21Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 11:08pm
This would probably only make sense at intermission of She Loves Me.
Also Waitress could serve pie (à la mode).
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Updated On: 8/9/15 at 11:08 PM
#22Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 11:08pm
And to that statement, I support beverages only (no ice!) and no food of any kind at your seat 
But if someone can invent a non-reusable plastic water bottle that doesn't making the horrible crackling and collapsing sound when you're taking the last drink or two, I support giving them house seats to every show for life.
#23Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/9/15 at 11:41pm
I think Broadway could focus on ambiance a little more. When you walked into Studio 54 to see Cabaret, it just felt like you were at a Cabaret. Plus all the ushers looks sexy :)
They could also spruce up the marquis a little more and make them nicer like the West End. and we used to decorate the outside of the theaters like rent, which is wish they would start doing again
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vitamins
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#24Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/10/15 at 12:16am
What I really want at the theater is some nice fondue.
#25Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission
Posted: 8/10/15 at 12:28am
In all seriousness, the ice cream in the theatre (west end) is a staple and something I loved getting while I was over there. The ginger ice cream that most of the theaters sold was to die for. Why is it not a problem over there but it would be over here? How is it any different than beverages getting spilled? I would much rather have small little ice cream cups in the theatre (which is what they are), than drunk trashy tourists sipping on their 15 dollar sippy cups of cheap red wine.
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Updated On: 8/10/15 at 12:28 AM
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