The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
#1The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 5:41am
I'm looking at you theater goer who lacks any kind of theater etiquette.
Apparently 2 audience members did not shut off their cell phones during a performance of HAMILTON last night. Lin Manuel Miranda took to facebook to address it. One can only imagine that he's not the only performer who feels this way. I hope theater execs address this and adopt and enforce a policy regarding cell phone use.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg in regards to disruptive audience behavior, but cell phones are a biggie.
#2The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 6:27am
Speaking about Hamilton, when I saw the show back in December, the couple who were seated next to me showed up 15 minutes into the show, both kept turning on their phones and sending text messages, and then left forty minutes later. Such a crazy way to behave considering people are paying through the nose, ear, and mouth to see that show.
"Mostly, I loved the size of these people's emotions. Nobody has emotions this size anymore. Outsized emotions. Operatic emotions. Kushemski and Vanda are like Tristan and Isolde, they're Paolo and Francesca. Nobody's in total thrall like this anymore. Nobody's overcome by passion like this, or goes through this kind of rage." Thomas, Venus in Fur
#3The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 6:37am
During last Saturday's matinee of Shuffle Along, a woman in one of the boxes had the audacity take out her phone mid performance and started texting away. Thankfully one of the ushers saw her and immediately went over and told her to turn her phone off. Bitch left during intermission.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
#4The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 7:02am
Not only is it disruptive to the other audience members but it''s distracting to the performers up on that stage that want to give the audience their money's worth.
Here's the girl in the blue dress that was so into the show that Lin spotted and allowed him to get back into his performance, because when a performer sees someone truly appreciate the art and the effort that goes into a performance then that actor is going to be motivated to give 1,000 percent.
We need to show these performers, whether they are the above the title headliner or a member of the ensemble our utmost respect and consideration that they deserve!
#5The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 7:05am
Definitely worse when sitting from the box as I saw little pockets of white throughout the center orchestra. Those were the premium seats right so I guess they're the CEOs or VPs or whatever of companies that probably never turn off their cell phones. Who knows. I agree though that is poor theater etiquette.
#6The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 7:06am
@atuomala, @DottieD'Luscia: The behavior is maddening. I can get away without going to a movie and not deal with that madness knowing that in 2 1/2 - 3 months time that film will be released for home viewing. I obviously don't have that luxury with stage shows.
#7The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 7:22am
Carlos, that behavior infuriates me to no end! I swear I want to grab the phone from their hands and smash it with my feet.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#8The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 7:30am
As silly and middle school as this sounds: the announcement isn't enough. They need to, as a few shows have done (Kinky Boots springs to mind) have someone ON stage specifically address it. People don't hear/listen to an announcement...most don't even shut up.
Had a man next to my daughter at Color Purple last week wouldn't stop texting. About 15 minutes into the act, an usher got him to put it away. He didn't return to that seat, but went to an empty aisle seat (he was a tall man) - so I don't know if he texted during act II
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#9The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 7:57am
Some lady did it at 54 Below 2 weeks ago. She got up twice to go in the lobby. Someone warned her about it. She may have also been texting. I overheard her excuse was that she had a sick kid at home. If that was so much more important, she should have been at home. I saw it all because I was on the left side of the bar rail seating.
"I don't want the pretty lights to come and get me."-Homecoming 2005
"You can't pray away the gay."-Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy.
Ignored Users: suestorm, N2N Nate., Owen22, master bates
followspot
Broadway Star Joined: 12/27/11
#10The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 8:26am
"I overheard her excuse was that she had a sick kid at home. If that was so much more important, she should have been at home."
That reminds me of my experience at DISGRACED on Broadway. Fourth row center seat, next to what were clearly four Manhattan moms out for their weekly Wednesday matinee. (That was my summation when they sat down, which I thought was terrible of me — until). Final scene of this taught one-act play — a nearly silent confrontation between the two lead characters, husband and wife — and all four of these women's phones start buzzing with texts. (Yes, people, loudly vibrating phones are almost as annoying as ringing phones. If you can hear it, everyone around you can hear it.) All four pulled their phones from their purses and started texting back. They missed the end of the show. I missed the end of the show. Everyone in the vicinity missed the end of the show. (I went directly to Drama Books to read the play's final lines.) While all their neighbors grumbled and eyeballed them as they rose to leave, I said loudly to the quartet: "The 'phones off' rule is for you too. You ruined the end of the play for everyone around you." "Our kids are getting out of school," says one, "What are we supposed to do?!" I said I thought it was hilarious for them to blame their own rudeness on their kids. Her response: "Shut up. You're making a fool of yourself."
It's not just the tourists.
Just think what those kids are going to be like.
"Tracy... Hold Mama's waffles."
Updated On: 4/29/16 at 08:26 AM
Corey38
Chorus Member Joined: 4/22/16
#11The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 8:41am
I saw Matilda a few weeks ago and the mother in front of me was very annoying. 1, her young child kept standing on his chair and yelling during the show, and she never said a word for him to stop, so that was extremely distruptive. She was fine for the first act, but when the second act started, she whipped out her phone and started texting. Screen was on full brightness, her kid asking to play games and her (in full volume) saying "later". They were in the third row in the orchestra, so obviously the actors saw, and I couldn't believe she was doing it. This went on a few minutes before an usher finally asked her to stop. Towards the end she whipped out her phone AGAIN and gave it to her son to play games on, even though up until that point in the act he had been pretty calm and into the show. Can't believe some people.
yankeefan7
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/12
#12The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 8:48am
We all agree that it is wrong and annoying but how do you stop it? You can't have people "check" their cell phones and it is obvious announcements don't work. If people are caught, you can't legally take the phone away from them. This whole thing makes me wonder about people today. The world existed for many years without cell phones and we all managed to be able to enjoy Broadway for 2-3 hours without being in contact with family/friends. Is it really that much to ask people to wait until intermission to "text", make a call etc. Wish I had an answer because this behavior is just rude to the cast and the rest of the audience who paid good money to enjoy the show.
brdway411
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/24/14
#13The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 9:02am
This has been addressed in many threads. TURN OFF YOUR FU$KING PHONES. I started carrying a low power laser pointer. Boy , does that piss the phone user off.
#14The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 9:05am
Honestly, I think some people believe there's some sort of invisible curtain between themselves and the actors and the actors can't see them or be aware of what they're doing, like it's a movie or something. If I paid $1000+ to see 'Hamilton' and some idiot ruined that experience for me by fiddling with their cell phone, I wouldn't be polite about it. That sort of stuff is inexcusable.
#15The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 9:05am
When I was at Fiddler last week, I counted cell phones ringing 12 times. So rude. And it's really troubling that I've seen Matilda 16 times and every single time I've gone, without fail, a phone goes off during "Quiet."
i've got 99 problems and a revival of parade would solve like 94 of them
Broadway Forever2
Leading Actor Joined: 3/7/16
#16The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 9:13am
Did the phones ring or something during the show.? That would be awful.
Gymfan15
Swing Joined: 6/21/14
#17The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 9:18am
Went to see the Sound of Music at the Chicago Lyric Opera a few years ago and the lady in front of me had a 5 year old kid who was SO loud. She gave him her phone to play with and it was SO bright. And then the lady sitting next to me and my friend TOOK A PHONE CALL. I was like...oh my gosh. I nearly lost my cookies. People are so rude.
JM226
Broadway Star Joined: 11/10/15
#18The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 9:19am
yankeefan7 said: "We all agree that it is wrong and annoying but how do you stop it? You can't have people "check" their cell phones and it is obvious announcements don't work. If people are caught, you can't legally take the phone away from them. This whole thing makes me wonder about people today. The world existed for many years without cell phones and we all managed to be able to enjoy Broadway for 2-3 hours without being in contact with family/friends. Is it really that much to ask people to wait until intermission to "text", make a call etc. Wish I had an answer because this behavior is just rude to the cast and the rest of the audience who paid good money to enjoy the show.
"
actually, you can check cell phones. it's just not logistically or economically feasible at larger events like Broadway performances. that being said... this has been addressed in many new and innovative ways, including a partnership with comedian Dave Chapelle and technology company Yondr: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-dave-chappelle-is-creating-844886
yes, this only currently solves the bootleg aspect but i am sure they will be able to somehow advance the concept to also mute devices. maybe. who knows? it's 2016. amazing things are happening..
#19The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 9:20am
CarlosAlberto said: "Here's the girl in the blue dress that was so into the show that Lin spotted and allowed him to get back into his performance, because when a performer sees someone truly appreciate the art and the effort that goes into a performance then that actor is going to be motivated to give 1,000 percent.
"This tweet is everything! When he is done with Hamilton 12 years from now, Lin Manuel should give a class to star performers on how they should behave. The man does not make a wrong move whether dealing with other actors, fans, royalty or everyday people. So talented, so giving and a class act.
When They Go Low, I Go High
mordav
Understudy Joined: 1/14/13
#20The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 9:41am
Recently saw a production at a theatre here in Melbourne which, because it was on a lower level at the Arts Centre, didn't receive a phone signal. It was a nice feeling knowing no one would be texting or tweeting or updating their Facebook status during the play.
is it too unreasonable to revisit the laws not allowing the use of devices to jam or block phone signals in places like the theatre?
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#21The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 10:01am
Loved it when Patti LuPone swooped down and took the phone out of a guy's hand while he was texting during "Shows For Days".
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
#22The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 10:11am
I think it would be great if every theater had someone whose sole job it was to stand at the back of the theater and watch out for texters. Whenever they saw one, they would notify the ushers who would go up to the perpetrator, take their phone, and tell them they could get it back after the performance. Do that and I bet idiots texting during shows would fall off real quick!
Make an announcement from the stage before the performance that this is going to happen, so no one could claim they "didn't know." If there is anyone in the audience who absolutely MUST have access to their cell phone (such as doctors etc.), they must notify the theater ahead of time for an exemption. Maybe that would work?
JM226
Broadway Star Joined: 11/10/15
#23The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 10:19am
I think it would be great if every theater had someone whose sole job it was to stand at the back of the theater and watch out for texters. Whenever they saw one, they would notify the ushers who would go up to the perpetrator, take their phone, and tell them they could get it back after the performance. Do that and I bet idiots texting during shows would fall off real quick!
that's another added expense. i doubt the theater owners would be very inclined to do that since there is no evidence that texting negatively impacts ticket sales...
#24The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 10:25am
JM226 said: "that's another added expense. i doubt the theater owners would be very inclined to do that since there is no evidence that texting negatively impacts ticket sales... "
Not if you make it the job of someone who already works there.
As for not impacting ticket sales, there's no way to know how many people don't go to the theater any more because of texters (just like a lot of people no longer see movies in the theater because of rude patrons.) But I say that anything that makes the theatergoer's experience better is worth a few extra bucks. Heck, I bet the actors would even chip in if it meant their concentration wouldn't be wrecked by some jerk in the second row playing games on his cell phone instead of watching the show.
#25The importance of shutting off your cell phone in a theater
Posted: 4/29/16 at 10:27am
Broadway Forever2 said: "Did the phones ring or something during the show.? That would be awful.
Yes, the phones must have rung taking Lin Manuel Miranda out of his moment in the performance.
