Why are audiences so poorly behaved these days?- Page 2

[abcd12]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 12:38pm

Pre-show announcements seem to be in vain, as well. 
 

I always shiver a bit when there isn’t one, mentally preparing for the inevitable alarm or phone ring. But I’ve been to a bunch of shows lately WITH an announcement (some even with the added reminder of a Playbill slip AND ushers holding signs) and phones are a problem, regardless. 
 

No one gives a sh*t. It’s awful. 

Updated On: 6/20/25 at 12:38 PM

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 2:42pm

This is all anecdotal since we don't have any way of measuring audience behavior today vs any other time. My audiences have been good other than the women at CHICAGO who made me get up to let them out of the row 13 times during the show. 

I try to sit in the first few rows of the orchestra at every show I go to, and a big part of the reason I do that is beause there will be fewer people to deal with and potential bad behavior to annoy me. Of course, I've had plenty of things happen to me in the front row, from a girl texting the entire first act, another one posting to social media the entire first act, and another couple having what I could best describe as an "aggressive make out session" during "All I Ask of You".  But still. Only a few rows of potentail problems vs a whole theater of them.

I also avoidjukebox shows like & Juliet, Moulin Rouge etc, ever since I was told to "lighten up" when I asked a person behind me to stop singing along with the show at Jersey Boys. 

And the pre-show announcements!  Whenever there is a cutesy pre-show announcement I want to get up and leave or at least stand and go "No!  No!  It's a serious thing!  Don't laugh at it!"  Lol.  But for real, the cutesy pre-show announcements do such a disservice because they send the message that the rule is just a suggestion and it's not enforced. I love the ones that specifically say "anything with a light-up screen" or "open your candies before the show".  Specific things like that really help people. 

I took my cousin to see Hamilton with me a couple years ago and she is an absolute Hamiton fanatic and she has the Chernow book just about memorized. Between every scene she would somewhat whisper to me what the show skipped or changed from the book and all I wanted to do was tell her to shut up but I felt bad because she was SO excited. She didnt' seem to be bothering anyone I don't think. 

I have been more often than not pleasantly surprised by how well audiences behave. Especially when before the show starts, and I'm around people who are carrying on and on and asking a million questions and squealing with laughter and I think oh man this is gonna be a tough show but then the lights go down and they're silent.  That is the most common occurence in Broadway theaters for me. 

Updated On: 6/20/25 at 02:42 PM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 2:52pm

The mention of movie theaters just reminds me of the Florida movie theater shooting that started because one person was texting during the previews (not even the movie) and devolved into popcorn throwing and then the shooting. That was 11 years ago. People are terrible, have been for a very long time, and thank goodness for the metal detectors at Broadway theaters. (At least shushing people is unlikely to get you or the ushers shot, which you know would be a real risk otherwise.)

[BentleyB]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 3:09pm

I also blame parents who do not teach their children any type of theater etiquette.  At Boop! there were two teenagers texting and videoing the opening number.  The usher came 3 times during it and told them to put the phones away, the 3rd time the girls looked at their mother and said, "What's her problem?" The mother just laughed and shrugged her shoulders.  I finally had enough and said, "The reason she is doing that is because it is not proper to use a phone during a performance and why everyone around is annoyed."

[KarenValentine'sheadband]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 3:21pm

BentleyB said: "I also blame parents who do not teach their children any type of theater etiquette. At Boop! there were two teenagers texting and videoing the opening number. The usher came 3 times during it and told them to put the phones away, the 3rd time the girls looked at their mother and said, "What's her problem?" The mother just laughed and shrugged her shoulders. I finally had enough and said, "The reason she is doing that is because it is not proper to use a phone during a performance and why everyone around is annoyed.""

What was Mom's response to you? 

 

[BentleyB]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 3:31pm

KarenValentine'sheadband said: "BentleyB said: "I also blame parents who do not teach their children any type of theater etiquette. At Boop! there were two teenagers texting and videoing the opening number. The usher came 3 times during it and told them to put the phones away, the 3rd time the girls looked at their mother and said, "What's her problem?" The mother just laughed and shrugged her shoulders. I finally had enough and said, "The reason she is doing that is because it is not proper to use a phone during a performance and why everyone around is annoyed.""

What was Mom's response to you?

Surprisingly, she just smiled and continued watching the show.  My husband is always worried I am going to get shot for saying something to someone. 

 

[RunnyBabbit]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 4:42pm

I do think it’s gotten worse since covid, but I don’t think it’s because of covid.  I think we’ve been on this downward trajectory for decades.  The way people acted in the teens was so much worse than the aughts, which was so much worse than the 90s.  That’s when I started seeing shows but I’m sure people who saw shows before that would agree.

When I saw Rent in the final year (2008), the people behind me talked throughout the entire show.  I saw Aladdin circa 2013 and the people in front of me took out a full hoagie and proceeded to eat it during the first act.  At Something Rotten in 2015 the woman a seat over from me scrolled through Facebook throughout the entire show.

I can’t remember the last show I’ve seen where someone wasn’t annoying me with their phone, their talking, their food (a bag of chips? really?), their singing along(!!!).

I was at a comedy show at a large venue this week and the second someone took out their phone a security guard came over to them and told them to put away their phone and to enjoy the rest of the show.  I wish Broadway ushers were given the power to take any issues into their own hands.  It was amazing.  (Well except for my friend who has a serious alcohol problem and proceeded to not shut up during the second half despite all of her husband’s efforts because she was convinced a woman in our row knocked over her tiny cup of wine when in reality I think she had just drank it already. And I’m sure the alcohol being sold at Broadway Shows doesn’t help anything either.)

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 6:31pm

It’s not just theatre, try being a flight attendant. Some of the crap I deal with. Humans have lost manners, it’s that simple. Parents don’t have them, so how would children have them, you learn what your taught. 

[Idiot]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 7:39pm

I mean, our culture's in the crapper - obviously - and this is just part of it.  Many factors are easily identifiable - the de-socialization caused by digital tech, an influx of 'concert shows' meant to attract a younger audience, wine throwing reality TV, etc..  We're just really tacky these days. 

I can't help but remember how and when I was taught to behave in a theatre.  I was introduced to Broadway in the seventies.  I had to wear a coat and tie and my behavior was on LOCKDOWN under threat of severe repercussions.  That became my normal (minus the tie - ditched that thing).  I'd guess that the primary offender here is precious 'not MY little angel' parenting. 

[KarenValentine'sheadband]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 7:45pm

I see this more at concerts but for the last 10 years concerts are no longer about the artist on stage but the audience. AKA, narcissism.