Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
#0Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:22am
Well I have never experienced this type of situation in all of my theater going life and I hope never to agian. I "attended the tale" (sorry couldn't resist) yesterday and student rushed it. I ended up getting front mezz which I was thrilled about. The show started off great until Perille's Miracle Elixer bit. Just as Donna started her bit, a cell phone started to ring. Unfortuanatly, it didnt just ring once, it rang four or five times. At about the 4th ring, Patti looked at the orchestra and very seriouly said "answer it already". I almost audibly gasped. It was just horrifiying and if I were the person, i'd be scared out of my mind!
If that wasn't enough, during another portion of the first act, a cell phoen went off agian. Now this time, you could see the whole cast just look down in dismay. Michael had teh razor up and he just let it fall to his side, Patti shook her head and Donna looked horified. It was just a disturbing expiernce and speaking from an avid theater goer, it was very hard to get back into the show.
This of course, didn't affect the amazing experience that I had yesterday seeing it for the 5th time but it was a saddening experience. I know there is talk about movie theaters electronically disconnecting all cell phones and I think this should happen in broadway theaters as well. If a person can not turn off their cell phone after the announcement then something should be done.
Happy...Everything!
Kaye Thompson
#1re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:28am
"Answer it already."
I love that.
I really wish people would just take the 2 seconds to turn their phones off before going into the theater. It's really not all that difficult. I've been on both end of that problem. It's annoying having a cell phone go off while you're watching a performance, and even worse when you're ont he stage! I know I hate hearing cell phones go off during my own performances, so I just try to return the favor and remember to shut my cell phone off. If you absolutely have to have it on, put it on vibrate.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
#2re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:32amI know it's "unprofesional" to break character like that, but good for them. Make the people who didn't turn off thier phone feel like $#!t!
I Wish... Madeline Kahn could have played the Witch in Into the Woods. She would have rocked!
YessicaB
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/05
#3re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:33am
Unbelievable!
I had won the Wicked Lotto once and the person next to me had her cell phone go off and started looking through her bag to find it, after ringing for about the 10th time it stopped and after she then finally managed to find it, she did not turn it off for good....oh noooo, she had the nerve to call the person back (this is sitting center in the 1st row!)! I was in complete shock. Who is THAT rude?
I told her to turn off her f***ing phone...
Updated On: 4/13/06 at 10:33 AM
#4re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:34amthe whole breaking character really surprised me coming from Patti. I don't know though. Its a thin line you have to cross, especially in this production where alot if not most of the dialogue is directed towards the audience.
Happy...Everything!
Kaye Thompson
#5re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:36am
I don't blame the actors one bit. It was justified.
Some people are just thoughtless, self-involved idiots... and they need to be called on it, not ignored, and held accountable for their stupid behavior when they ruin a show for hundreds of other people... not to mention the concentration of the performers on stage.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#6re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:38am
Ushers should have the authority to come in and remove anyone whose cell phone rings during a performance. It's no different than standing on your chair and screaming at the top of your lungs.
Richard Griffiths will take care of those clods, though.
#7re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:40amI think that especially since it rang twice (i don't know if it was the same phone, though it had the same ring) action should have been taken. When they made teh saem announcement before the second act, people started to cheer loudly. Many theater goers were affected by this incident and there should be repercusions.
Happy...Everything!
Kaye Thompson
#8re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:41amBreaking charcter from Patti doesn't really surprise me. If you read her Web she vents about her frustration with the rudness of the audience, this just sounds like the straw that broke the Divas back.
I Wish... Madeline Kahn could have played the Witch in Into the Woods. She would have rocked!
jsrocks
Broadway Star Joined: 2/27/06
#9re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:43am
I'm sorry you had to experience that! It is really annoying when cell phones go off and people don't realize that they are ruining the show for everyone else.
I applaud the cast of Sweeney for being upset!
"Michael's got a head like a Ping Pong Ball"
-The Cast of Sweeney-
#10re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:46amWell i've said it before but I'll say it agian....this cast is the best cast currently on broadway. They are TOP NOTCH!
Happy...Everything!
Kaye Thompson
#11re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:49am
I recall back when I saw SOUVENIR way back in December, a cell phone went off during the first act. Twice. I remember that right before the second act they had to make an announcement to turn off all your cell phones.
Some people. I'm glad that Patti was upset. When I saw the show, I met Patti at the stage door. I told her that I loved her ramblings on the website, and her response:
"Ugh, it still goes on!"
Tsk, tsk tsk.
MARGARET: "Clara, stop that. That's illegal." - The Light in the Piazza
"I'm not in Bambi and I'm not blonde!" - Idina Menzel
"I'm not in Bambi and I'm not blonde!" - Idina Menzel
PK2
Stand-by Joined: 3/2/06
#12re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:54am
I found the audiences both theatre lovers and tourists became annoying more and more.
Last week, I went to see Light in Piazza. One guy kept exhale loudly though out the show. It’s especially loud when it’s at the quite moment.
As much as I dislike bad behavior tourist audience, I’m annoyed by extremely sensitive audience as well.
My experience with other audiences have not been that positive recently and I don’t think it will get better.
kgee30
Stand-by Joined: 6/1/04
#13re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 10:59amHah! Once again, don't f*** with the Patti. Good for her -- if people insist on being morons, when they've been warned again and again and again, somebody ought to call them on it. They ought to KNOW they've ruined the show for EVERYBODY.
#14re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:04amI think Patti was wrong. It's not her job to do that, let the ushers deal with that and she should just worry about staying in character, which is VERY hard because I've experienced this many times when performing.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird
#15re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:08amWhile I wouldn't have taken the same approach, I think Patti was perfectly jusitified in doing what she did.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
#16re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:11amI'm not going to say whether its right or wrong but I will say that Michael had a look of shock on his face.
Happy...Everything!
Kaye Thompson
#17re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:14am
If my memory serves correct, I heard a story that in Death of a salesman, Brian Dennehy, actually stopped the show, asked the guy whos phone went off to be escorted out, and started the show over.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
#18re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:16am
WickedGeek, please tell me you did not just compare your acting skills to those of Patti LuPone.
Good for her. People that are selfish enough to ruin the show for the rest of the audience deserve to be publically called out.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Wanting life but never knowing how
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#19re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:18am
i love patti for that...
:)
#20re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:20am
Umm well first thing first, I could be a better perfromer than her, because you don't know who I am. And I'm not doing that at all.
I just thought it was in poor taste to break character like that, just my opinion, you don't have to share it.
I just re-read my post and don't see how you get me equaling myself to her. If you're confused on my post, PM me.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
Updated On: 4/13/06 at 11:20 AM
To Kill A Mockingbird
#21re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:22amWow.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
BwayBaby18
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/19/05
#22re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:22amI would have been pissed if i was there not for the fact of the self ring but for Patti being tasteless like that. Yes i understand people are stupid and don't turn there cell phones off but you have no right as a person to cut someone down for a mistake they made and degrade them as a human. ( Yes i do consider ordering someone around degrading). She is not paying to teach manners. She is played to perform a role in a show.
#23re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:26am
She is not paying to teach manners.
She's not getting paid for it, either.
...but you have no right as a person to cut someone down for a mistake they made and degrade them as a human.
And yet, that's what you're doing to Patti right now, only not to her face. You may think it in poor taste, but she might not have.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
PK2
Stand-by Joined: 3/2/06
#24re: Sweeney Todd yesterday...cell phones and Patti LuPone
Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:26am
Personally, I think breaking out of the character in this production does not have a big effect. I love this production.
The performers face the audience often and it's like they tell us the story.
