Why are audiences so poorly behaved these days? — Page 5

MB124 said: "Sutton Ross said: "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

Yeah, that will never happen considering 99% of us can have a drink without issue. It wouldn't have mattered anyway regarding that particular woman, who came off the street completely wasted."

This is for sure a prevalent issue. People walk INTO the show already drunk and then head to the bar to get even drunker.

Do we need breathalyzers at the door…? Why can’t people exhibit self control?"

They need to start getting legal with these people . Fines and jail time for public disturbance . The city needs to help. Broadway is its greatest attraction. They need to help take care of it.

As I read stories of some of these more egregious examples of audience behavior - the ones that are borderline (or maybe not-so-borderline) cases of assault - I wonder if there's a point where the victim is justified in standing up and demanding that everything stop until the situation is properly addressed. I know that would be a big imposition on the cast and audience members, but it seems like it might be the only way to effectively handle some of these extreme cases. (I readily acknowledge that I probably would never have the courage to do something like that; I'm thankful that I've never been tested to quite that extent.)

kdogg36 said: "As I read stories of some of these more egregious examples of audience behavior - the ones that are borderline (or maybe not-so-borderline) cases of assault- I wonder if there's a point where the victim is justified in standing up and demanding that everything stop until the situation is properly addressed. I know that would be a big imposition on the cast and audience members, but it seems like it might bethe only way to effectively handle some of these extreme cases. (I readily acknowledge that I probably would never have the courage to do something like that; I'm thankful that I've never been tested to quite that extent.)"

This is exatly what needs to start happening. Also... with all the videos posted of Sunsets last performance.. many of which include audience shots.. can the perpetrators in the front mezzanie be identified? Public humiliation also sends a message.

Updated On: 7/22/25 at 06:40 PM

Yeah, I wouldn't mind that either, sounds great in the Summer.

EthelMae said: "Moving from alcohol consumption at the theatre to coughing. I took my seat at the Majestic the other day and the gentleman next to me proceeded to cough- a lot. He had 5 bottles of water on the floor in front of him. He also had some cough drops he was using. But I knew, by instinct, this wasn’t going to be an occasional cough and it wasn’t. He had no mask on and proceeded to cough through the entire first act. I had a mask on me but hadn’t planned on wearing one for the entire 3 hour show. Intermission came and I went to an usher who incredibly mentioned that I could move to the first row Orchestra, 3 seats were available she said. I did move and thoroughly enjoyed the second act- cough free. If you’re sick, wait until you’re feeling better before seeing a show."

Could not agree more. This is exactly why ticketing platforms should be more lenient with refunds or exchanges, especially post Covid.

If someone is sick, they should be ENCOURAGED to postpone their tickets for a later date.

This is the first time I have had to post on behalf of an accessibility situation. I've been in theatre for 25+ years but last winter I was diagnosed with RSV (a severe respiratory virus, only contagious for 1 week but with chronic cough symptoms for weeks to months). I had already had trips to both NY and London for work and pleasure booked and I truly felt that if i didn't have a cough suppressant (which, forgive the pun, SUCKS to have in your mouth for 2+ hours) people thought I was going to get them sick.

I think the EthelMae poster did the correct thing, talking to house management, if it was disruptive to their experience and it got resolved. But PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, everyone remember... we're getting new respiratory viruses each year and this isn't going to go away. Wearing a mask, when I'm not contagious, does nothing other than preventing me from 'attempting' to muffle my cough. I only ask for everyone to be respectful and utilize the resources available to you.

P.S. When I knew I was having this issue... I would literally tell anyone I was seated around, prior to the show, "I apologize, I have a chronic cough and I'm doing everything to suppress my cough but it is not a contagious illness anyone should worry about. People are very understanding when you communicate and are honest with them.

Be kind and respectful to others and they will return the favor.

Updated On: 7/23/25 at 03:53 PM

They are being served slop and they kind of sort of know it.

ER765 said: "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?"

Weren’t you complaining a couple of pages back about this thread? Now you’re adding to it? LOL

“If you’re so sick of sharing a Broadway theatre with other human beings, you should no longer attend Broadway shows. Shut up.” - you, in this very thread

Now you’re suddenly sympathizing and annoyed by the disruptive behavior…? Which is it?"

Ask your delightful little moderators who deleted my response to your above post. America’s Sweetheart, Sutton Ross, must have lodged another complaint and they ran to the little darling’s rescue. As always.

Another one, thank you

A couple of weeks ago at This World of Tomorrow a couple in front of my talked for the first 10-15 minutes pretty much non-stop. I politely leaned down and asked if the could not talk and they did. But then the lady next to me checked her phone every 2 minutes for the next 15 minutes until during a scene change I said "can you please put your phone away" and she said FULL VOICE "I ONLY HAVE CHECKED IT A FEW TIMES!" and I said "please put it away" in a stronger tone and she kept talking full voice how crazy I was. The usher thankfully was right there and kept saying "Just put it away. Just put it away" until she finally did. She side-eyed me a few times throughout the show but didn't say anything during intermission or the end.

Has anyone thought of any way to actually get through to people?