Why are audiences so poorly behaved these days?- Page 4

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/13/25 at 1:09pm

Jordan Catalano said: "And Casey Likes posted something on IG about poor behavior at the stage door of “Heathers” which I’ll pretend I’m surprised to read. I’m surprised any of that cast deals with that insanity."

When I went last Sunday, it was definitely the largest stage door scene I’ve personally witnessed at NWS and, because the 49th St section is undergoing repairs/renovations, everyone enters and exits the same way, making it an utter poo show.

The people the night I went were relatively well behaved with the exception of the occasional entitled teenager that I put in their place and reminded them that this is a privilege, not a right. 

I think the craziness will eventually abate when the kiddies go back to school. (Which, honestly, why are there so many 8-12 year olds at this show? Do their parents not know the movie? Are they just willingly dense?)

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 7/13/25 at 1:33pm

Bette's Turban said: "I just read that and it makes me so angry. I won’t take it anymore. I am all for getting verbally aggressive . If they’re gonna ruin it for me, I’m gonna ruin it for them and make sure they never forget it"

I agree with this.  I have found that a simple, loud, aggressive, "shut the f-c- up " followed by a glare,  works wonders.  At first I thought I would be uncomfortable after.  But with time I have gotten fine with it.  You have to do what you have to do.   Better than sitting there all show waisting your money. 

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 7/13/25 at 2:03pm

I was hoping the incident at Gypsy would have made the victim sue.  Nothing will be done until it costs someone money.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/13/25 at 2:47pm

Sutton Ross said: "They do have security at every show but people have to speak up and say something."

My point was that the ushers and security need to be present and alert inside the theater, during the show, keeping an eye on the audience.

It should not be the responsibility of the patron to further disrupt the performance to report disruptive behavior. 

If an usher can hear or see a phone or hear or see someone talking for an extended period of time (as I’ve experienced before and as happened at PURPOSE on 7/11, it seems), then they should take action. Or they should call in the security to take action. Period. 

Updated On: 7/13/25 at 02:47 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/13/25 at 2:52pm

I completely agree they should take action but they rarely do. Ushers have told me for many years "I don't get paid enough to deal with that" or "I dont want to get assaulted". While valid complaints, that forces patrons to confront these garbage audience members. Frustrating for sure but that's the reality now. You saying "Ushers should be seen more" will do absolutely nothing. Zero will change unless someone brings in a weapon or someone nearly dies from being assaulted. Period. 

Updated On: 7/13/25 at 02:52 PM

[MezzA101]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 10:43am

From The Sondheim Hub's

A Conversation with John Rapson, Broadway's Beadle Bamford today:

There was also the night that a woman was vaping in the audience on Broadway, and had been able to hide it despite protests from people around her for the first two-thirds of Act I. During my scene with the Judge right before “Ladies in Their Sensitivities,” the ushers came and kicked her out of the theater. She was dragged out, kicking and screaming. We heard some commotion going on, but we didn’t know what had been happening.

Jamie Jackson turned to me, and he said, “In order to shield her from the evils of this world, I have decided to marry Johanna next Monday.” The audience burst into applause, because this woman had been kicked out. But the two of us had no idea what was going on. It was as if the Judge had become the romantic hero of the story. We both turned out to the audience, which got a huge laugh. We were like, “We’re in an audience of sickos who are applauding the Judge and the Beadle.”

 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 11:41am

Sutton Ross said: "I completely agree they should take action but they rarely do. Ushers have told me for many years "I don't get paid enough to deal with that" or "I dont want to get assaulted". While valid complaints, that forces patrons to confront these garbage audience members. Frustrating for sure but that's the reality now. You saying "Ushers should be seen more" will do absolutely nothing. Zerowill change unless someone brings in a weapon or someone nearly dies from being assaulted. Period."

I was assaulted while ushering at MJ. To stop filming and he got up out of his seat and an intermission shoved me against the wall, screaming at me and beating me. I was not given another shift. he claimed that I was making a racial aggression by telling him that he could not film the performance, and said I was “racially insensitive”. I would’ve told anybody to put their phone away because that was my job. Had nothing to do with who he was, or who I was. So yeah, they don’t get paid enough. And the theaters don’t protect them.

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 12:13pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "Sutton Ross said: "I completely agree they should take action but they rarely do. Ushers have told me for many years "I don't get paid enough to deal with that" or "I dont want to get assaulted". While valid complaints, that forces patrons to confront these garbage audience members. Frustrating for sure but that's the reality now. You saying "Ushers should be seen more" will do absolutely nothing. Zerowill change unless someone brings in a weapon or someone nearly dies from being assaulted. Period."

I was assaulted while ushering at MJ. To stop filming and he got up out of his seat and an intermission shoved me against the wall, screaming at me and beating me. I was not given another shift.he claimed that I was making a racial aggression by telling him that he could not film the performance, and said I was “racially insensitive”. I would’ve told anybody to put their phone away because that was my job. Had nothing to do with who he was, or who I was. So yeah, they don’t get paid enough. And the theaters don’t protect them."

Ammmmmerica today in a nutshell 

sorry to hear this 

[DAME]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 12:28pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "Sutton Ross said: "I completely agree they should take action but they rarely do. Ushers have told me for many years "I don't get paid enough to deal with that" or "I dont want to get assaulted". While valid complaints, that forces patrons to confront these garbage audience members. Frustrating for sure but that's the reality now. You saying "Ushers should be seen more" will do absolutely nothing. Zerowill change unless someone brings in a weapon or someone nearly dies from being assaulted. Period."

I was assaulted while ushering at MJ. To stop filming and he got up out of his seat and an intermission shoved me against the wall, screaming at me and beating me. I was not given another shift.he claimed that I was making a racial aggression by telling him that he could not film the performance, and said I was “racially insensitive”. I would’ve told anybody to put their phone away because that was my job. Had nothing to do with who he was, or who I was. So yeah, they don’t get paid enough. And the theaters don’t protect them."

I don't understand this.  Aren't there CCT cameras in the theater and on the audience for just these kind of things?  They have them in LA and in a lot of the touring houses.  They are used stricktly for security, 

Updated On: 7/16/25 at 12:28 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 1:08pm

iluvtheatertrash said:  I was assaulted while ushering at MJ. To stop filming and he got up out of his seat and an intermission shoved me against the wall, screaming at me and beating me. I was not given another shift.he claimed that I was making a racial aggression by telling him that he could not film the performance, and said I was “racially insensitive”. I would’ve told anybody to put their phone away because that was my job. Had nothing to do with who he was, or who I was. So yeah, they don’t get paid enough. And the theaters don’t protect them."

Yes, you mentioned that before and I'm so sorry that happened to you. MJ has extremely rowdy audiences that act like Michael will be performing. It's....very odd. Your statement proves my point, no one should have that happen to them ever and I doubt ushers are paid all that much.

People saying ushers' presence in the theater is enough and will somehow stop people from illegal behavior is incredibly ignorant. 

[Papi2013]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 4:36pm

DAME said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "Sutton Ross said: "I completely agree they should take action but they rarely do. Ushers have told me for many years "I don't get paid enough to deal with that" or "I dont want to get assaulted". While valid complaints, that forces patrons to confront these garbage audience members. Frustrating for sure but that's the reality now. You saying "Ushers should be seen more" will do absolutely nothing. Zerowill change unless someone brings in a weapon or someone nearly dies from being assaulted. Period."

I was assaulted while ushering at MJ. To stop filming and he got up out of his seat and an intermission shoved me against the wall, screaming at me and beating me. I was not given another shift.he claimed that I was making a racial aggression by telling him that he could not film the performance, and said I was “racially insensitive”. I would’ve told anybody to put their phone away because that was my job. Had nothing to do with who he was, or who I was. So yeah, they don’t get paid enough. And the theaters don’t protect them."

I don't understand this. Aren't there CCT cameras in the theater and on the audience for just these kind of things? They have them in LA and in a lot of the touring houses. They are used stricktly for security,"

I can't imagine they don't have CCTV cameras at broadway theaters.  

[ER765]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 7:21pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "Sutton Ross said: "I completely agree they should take action but they rarely do. Ushers have told me for many years "I don't get paid enough to deal with that" or "I dont want to get assaulted". While valid complaints, that forces patrons to confront these garbage audience members. Frustrating for sure but that's the reality now. You saying "Ushers should be seen more" will do absolutely nothing. Zerowill change unless someone brings in a weapon or someone nearly dies from being assaulted. Period."

I was assaulted while ushering at MJ. To stop filming and he got up out of his seat and an intermission shoved me against the wall, screaming at me and beating me. I was not given another shift.he claimed that I was making a racial aggression by telling him that he could not film the performance, and said I was “racially insensitive”. I would’ve told anybody to put their phone away because that was my job. Had nothing to do with who he was, or who I was. So yeah, they don’t get paid enough. And the theaters don’t protect them."

How awful. I’m so sorry this happened to you. 

[ER765]

Posted: 7/20/25 at 8:20pm

People were removed from Sunset Blvd’s final show…? What happened?

[abcd12]

Posted: 7/20/25 at 8:47pm

ER765 said: "People were removed from Sunset Blvd’s final show…? What happened?"

Apparently multiple incidents. 

Filming throughout the performance reports HERE.

Report about the incident in the first row of the mezzanine HERE.

This behavior is so repugnant. 

[MB124]

Posted: 7/21/25 at 6:16am

abcd12 said: "ER765 said: "People were removed from Sunset Blvd’s final show…? What happened?"

Apparently multiple incidents.

Filming throughout the performance reports HERE.

Report about the incident in the first row of the mezzanine HERE.

This behavior is so repugnant."

Someone said the producers told the ushers NOT to interfere with filming…? That’s insane LOL

So the literal producers were okay with charging $500+ for ticket buyers to have their experience tainted or ruined by allowing other people to behave distractingly (while breaking the law, mind you). 

How disgusting. 

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/21/25 at 7:21am

I had a terrible experience at Sunset in May with people filming. It also doesn’t help when Nicole and other performers repost audience video recordings on social media, making it seem acceptable. 
I’ve noticed since Covid that pre show announcements have practically gone away. Theater staff seem burnt out dealing with audience behavior, and rightfully so. How did things get so bad? It’s not really enjoyable going to shows anymore when there’s constant audience interruptions.

[binau]

Posted: 7/21/25 at 7:43am

Patti LuPone has been willing to damage her own reputation by calling out despicable audience behaviour for years. Thank god for Patti LuPone!!! We need you more than ever. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/21/25 at 8:11am

I assumed there were cameras, though not sure if there was one where we were (house right mezzanine along the side just in front of the steps leading down). I asked them to please check it and see. I’m still sour about it. I didn’t do anything but my job and wound up losing my job over it. 🤷‍♂️ That’s why if I ever usher again, I’m afraid I will not be as diligent.

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 7/21/25 at 8:37am

Entitlement. Disregard for anyones experience but their own. Their inability to go the length of a show without scrolling or checking their phone. Their qualms about "accessibility" and "this person in [x] town across the country won't be able to see this and they deserve to see it more than the actors deserve to go a performance without spotting  a bootlegger. "I deserve to be comfortable so I should be able to talk whenever I feel like it, I paid for this!" 

 

The entitlement is just out of control and no one cares or sees that 

[Jumpin_J]

Posted: 7/21/25 at 8:15pm

I remember the infamous incident when a very intoxicated woman came to see Death Of A Salesman a few years ago. At the start of Act II, she made such a ruckus. After not complying with a warning, Wendell Pierce basically stopped the show until ushers came and kicked her out, much like in the other stated cases, kicking and screaming. Good for the cast. How is it all possible to perform when someone is creating dangerous conditions for other audience members and a complete disrespect to hard working professionals. And to top it off, this wasn't a party show like Rock Of Ages. It's a friggin three hour Arthur Miller dramatic play! I can't imagine what goes on in audience's heads.  

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/21/25 at 8:25pm

I attended that interesting evening of theater. That horrible woman came in late, with 489483429 bangles on her wrists (all clanging). She couldn't walk a straight line and, like, wobbled to her seat. She had several outbursts before standing up. Wendell, the sweetest man alive, apologized to her saying "I'm sorry to hear that" when she was bitching about how boring and terrible the show was (it was not). He kept her talking and semi calm until security threw her drunk ass out, screaminig alllll the way out to 44th St. 

The takeaway? If you're more than 2 martinis deep with no end in sight? Skip the theater that night, babe. 

Updated On: 7/21/25 at 08:25 PM

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/21/25 at 8:29pm

Jumpin_J said: "I remember the infamous incident when a very intoxicated woman came to see Death Of A Salesman a few years ago. At the start of Act II, she made such a ruckus. After not complying with a warning, Wendell Pierce basically stopped the show until ushers came and kicked her out, much like in the other stated cases, kicking and screaming. Good for the cast. How is it all possible to perform when someone is creating dangerous conditions for other audience members and a complete disrespect to hard working professionals. And to top it off, this wasn't a party show like Rock Of Ages. It's a friggin three hour Arthur Miller dramatic play! I can't imagine what goes on in audience's heads."

What kind of lunatic gets drunk before Death of a Salesman?

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 8:29am

Matt Rogers said: "Jumpin_J said: "I remember the infamous incident when a very intoxicated woman came to see Death Of A Salesman a few years ago. At the start of Act II, she made such a ruckus. After not complying with a warning, Wendell Pierce basically stopped the show until ushers came and kicked her out, much like in the other stated cases, kicking and screaming. Good for the cast. How is it all possible to perform when someone is creating dangerous conditions for other audience members and a complete disrespect to hard working professionals. And to top it off, this wasn't a party show like Rock Of Ages. It's a friggin three hour Arthur Miller dramatic play! I can't imagine what goes on in audience's heads."

What kind of lunatic gets drunk before Death of a Salesman?"

Theaters need to stop encouraging it by selling alcohol. I worked at a theater and they would always ask if we had coffee. They should replace alcohol with coffee or something 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 8:47am

I was at the Friedman and my friend ordered coffee and my mind was kind of blown, I don’t think I’d ever seen that before in a theater and would LOVE IT at every theater. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 9:05am

“Theaters need to stop encouraging it by selling alcohol. I worked at a theater and they would always ask if we had coffee. They should replace alcohol with coffee or something “

Profit margins on alcohol are too high. It will never ever ever be removed from theatres.