How disruptive is a Live from Lincoln Center taping for that performance's audience?

[LetTheSunshineIn2]

I have tickets to see Act One on June 14th and just received an email saying that they will be taping that performance for Live from Lincoln Center. The email says that multiple cameras, cameramen, and lights may impact the audience experience and offers refunds or exchanges to another date if desired. Does anyone know how disruptive it will be? Should I go on the 14th or will it be so disruptive that get a refund? (I don't live in NY so an exchange for another date is not an option.) Tickets are in the orchestra about halfway up if that makes a difference. Thanks!

[Just_John]

I don't know how exactly Live from Lincoln Center does it. I was at the library taping for Xanadu and it wasn't a distraction at all. I was also at the Legally Blonde taping for MTV and they had camera men on the stage following the actors around at certain times. I didn't find it distracting but the ticket was free and it wasn't my first time seeing the show. I say go, it'll be a unique experience.

[veronicamae]

If you can only go that day, and you really want to see it, I don't think potential for disruptive cameras should dissuade you from going. I mean, I wouldn't let that take away my only chance to see something.

[DAME]

Go. You will be fine. And you will be able to look at the broadcast and know you were there.

[mikem]

LettheSunshineIn, are you going to the matinee or the evening performance? I was thinking about going on that day but haven't bought tickets yet.

[LetTheSunshineIn2]

Thank you all for your replies. I had been leaning toward refund but maybe we'll give it a go. I saw Matlida during the library taping which was no big deal at all, but this sounds like it'll be more camera, etc.

mikem - we are going to the matinee. The email I got from telecharge says that they are filming both matinees that weekend (14th & 15th)

[Producer2]

I was relocated twice cause of cameras!!!!! Someone called the day before or day of and changed my seats and asked me to go to the box office when i got there to pick up the new tickets.

[brdway411]

We were at one of the tapings of The Nance last year, and it did't really effect the enjoyment of the show. However, depending on where they set up platforms for cameras, you might get stuck behind one of them, in which case, I would ask if you could move (it happened to us and they were very nice about moving us.)

[mikem]

LettheSunshineIn, thanks for the info. Interesting that they're taping the final performance.

I don't think that the Live from Lincoln Center cameramen would actually go on stage as happened with Legally Blonde, but there's probably more disruption than with a taping for the TOFT library, where I think they just set up cameras and let them roll, without the cameras moving or any changes in lighting.

[jnb9872]

Maybe someone with more experience with these tapings can chime in on this, but isn't there something about not being allowed to broadcast a performance that charged admission? THE NANCE, THE APPLE FAMILY PLAYS and Mike Tyson's one man show all had extra performances specifically for those tapings and they were all papered specially for that purpose. Or is Live From Lincoln Center a different proposition, as its PBS and not-for-profit? (THE NANCE apparently is getting a theatrical release, which would treat it as a for-profit taping, no?)

Maybe this performance is coverage or a library taping, with another performance to be announced after it closes for more significant filming?

[ghostlight2]

Live From Lincoln Center is exactly that - a performance broadcast live, broadcast once and only once. The last one I attended had seven cameras, I believe (not counting backstage and dressing rooms). Six were static, one was on a boom in the back of the orchestra and does move on its arm, but I did not find it distracting. I have never seen a camera following action onstage and think it VERY doubtful they will do so. It will be obvious that cameras are present, however, especially the one on the boom arm.

The lighting will be significantly altered, however (or, at least, it has been in the past). It will be much brighter. The reason they do both matinee and evening is to have a sort of rehearsal/run-through to help the director set up shots and to have something to fall back on should something catastrophic happen during the evening live broadcast.

I'd go. Energy is always high for the Live From Lincoln Center broadcasts, but if you are easily distracted, you might consider opting out. I think you'd be missing out if you did, though.

Let us know, will you?

[dreamcoat12]

I was at the taping of Romeo and Juliet and it wasn't that bad. I think it depends on where you're sitting. We were sitting so the cameras weren't in our immediate sight line. But if you were sitting closer to them, it could be distracting I would assume.

[FutureGM]

I feel I should clear up something. I am an usher at LCT and we had a meeting about this just yesterday. First, it is not a live broadcast. I know the series is called "Live from Lincoln Center" but it will not likely be see on TV for about a year, similar to The Nance.

Edited: I apologize, friends, we were informed today of another change. It does, in fact, look like next Friday night and Saturday nights performances will be canceled (for camera-related rehearsals) and that the filming will take place on the Saturday and Sunday matinees. Sorry again!

I look forward to being there, because, as mentioned, it will be very high energy...especially if we happen to win a couple Tony Awards this weekend!

PalJoey - Thank you kindly! I very much look forward to the future of my career!

jnb9872 - Thank you! Everyone is very excited for Sunday and very high energy backstage!

ghostlight2 - I think, though, that you are partially correct. I believe in the beginning, just like National Theatre Live, they were live broadcasts. That just isn't the case anymore. I mean it will still be a live recording, just not simulcast.

And thank you for your kind words for my fellow ushers and I. There are times where it may seem like a thankless job but I still love it because I get to go to the theatre EVERY day and be a part of something wonderful. Being that it is LCT is just icing on the already amazing cake!

[PalJoey]

Good luck this weekend, FutureGM!

I hope you win a bunch of Tonys for this production and for many productions on which you are GM-in-the-Future!

[jnb9872]

That's a great update, FutureGM, thanks for writing in! Best of luck this weekend and I can't wait to see what comes of the filming.

[ghostlight2]

Sorry for my own misinformation, and thanks to FutureGM for the corrections. I have been to several "Live From Lincoln Center" performances, and they were all, well, live from Lincoln Center. I guess it makes sense to keep the name for branding purposes.

I still say go. Since ushers often get a bad rap, I'd also like to say that the Beaumont ushers are great ushers. I've seen them handle all sorts of situations with class and professionalism. Kudos to you and your colleagues, FutureGM. and thanks for chiming in.

[FutureGM]

Please read my amended comment. Thank you!

[LetTheSunshineIn2]

Thank you FutureGM and everyone for your responses. I'm looking forward to the show and the experience of being there during the taping.

[mikem]

Thank you, futureGM, for the inside scoop!

When was the last Live from Lincoln Center performance to be televised? Was it South Pacific? That was actually live, if I remember correctly. I wonder if this is a permanent change to melding together different performances. I hope not. There is an excitement to an actual live performance (the Carrie Underwood Sound of Music, for example, would have been much worse if it hadn't been truly live IMO).

I'm also surprised that the show isn't extending an additional week, given that they've canceled Fri and Sat night. It looks like the Sat and Sun matinees are sold out, as you might expect since they moved the canceled people into those performances. I don't think they would have lost money if they extended for a week, particularly if the show wins Best Play.