Man Shouts Heil Hitler at Fiddler Performance

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 11:56am

Very disturbing.

https://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bs-md-ci-hippodrome-20181114-story.html

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 11:58am

From a facebook post:

Tonight, I attended Fiddler on the Roof at the Hippodrome Theater. Shortly after intermission began, two men in the audience raised their hands and shouted "HEIL HITLER! HEIL TRUMP!" over and over again. Security promptly escorted them out of the theater, but not before the damage was done.

A Jewish woman next to me was shaking while on the phone with her son, as she seemingly made a goodbye call to him - believing that the same men would be waiting outside the theater to gun her down. "I have to go, the curtain's rising, but hopefully I make it home to see you again and not get shot in a firestorm of bullets outside."

For these men to pick Fiddler, of all shows, to spew their hatred is no accident. They set out to scare Jewish people. To make them afraid to see a show depicting the same anti-Semitic filth that occurred not even a lifetime ago in this world.

I share this story because I want everyone reading to have no doubt that this sort of evil still lives in this world today. I know many of you probably experienced this first-hand yourselves in one way, shape or form - but for those that still have doubts...

These men were emboldened to spread hate. Do not let their voices be the loudest ones.

"HEIL HITLER! HEIL TRUMP!". At Fiddler on the Roof. In 2018.

Never again.

[Theater_Nerd]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:09pm

Hate is a concept so foreign to me. This story shook me to my very core. What is going on?  The two individuals who chose to do this are in need of psychiatric help. A normal person does not do this. It is not normal behavior. So calculated, premeditated and evil.

[jbp1232]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:16pm

This is so terrifying and heartbreaking, but makes me want to support this tour even more. 

[thebookofwhizzer]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:20pm

I needed a bit to process this. For something so scary to happen in this time, and so close to where I live is heartbreaking and terrifying for me as a young Jewish person. There are some seriously messed up people out there and I wish with all my heart that things like this wouldn't happen. 

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:23pm

I know this wasn't on Broadway and wasn't anything more than yelling but security at theatres, especially Broadway are an absolute joke.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:28pm

Sopan Deb is asking for feedback if you were there: https://twitter.com/SopanDeb/status/1063106892141084672

[JSquared2]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:36pm

Broadway Joe said: "I know this wasn't on Broadway and wasn't anything more than yelling but security at theatres, especially Broadway are an absolute joke."

 

If you read the article it clearly stated that the nazis were immediately removed from the theatre by security --- what more would you have them do??  There is also plenty of security at Broadway theaters, so not sure what your beef is there, either.

[DrowsyKaye]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:37pm

When you get a President who encourages and normalizes this brand of behavior and hatred, this is what happens. No coincidence he was yelling Hitler and Trump's names concurrently.

The sooner this garbage monster is out of public office, the better.
 

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:38pm

What is wrong with people these days..

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:41pm

JSquared2 said: "Broadway Joe said: "I know this wasn't on Broadway and wasn't anything more than yelling but security at theatres, especially Broadway are an absolute joke."



If you read the article it clearly stated that the nazis were immediately removed from the theatre by security --- what more would you have them do?? There is also plenty of security at Broadway theaters, so not sure what your beef is there, either."

I read the article. Security at theatres are still a joke. Unless you're carrying a bag almost all the Broadway theatres don't even bother checking you when you come into the theatre. I've sat on stage at numerous Broadway shows and was never checked before being allowed to sit on the stage. It's been a disaster waiting to happen for years. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:45pm

DrowsyKaye said: "When you get a President who encourages and normalizes this brand of behavior and hatred, this is what happens. No coincidence he was yelling Hitler and Trump's names concurrently.

The sooner this garbage monster is out of public office, the better."

He has given them the confidence and support to demonstrate their true nature.

Updated On: 11/15/18 at 12:45 PM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:53pm

Broadway Joe said: "I read the article. Security at theatres are still a joke. Unless you're carrying a bag almost all the Broadway theatres don't even bother checking you when you come into the theatre. I've sat on stage at numerous Broadway shows and was never checked before being allowed to sit on the stage. It's been a disaster waiting to happen for years."

If you are that scared, perhaps you should stay home. I personally find it annoying to be searched like some common criminal, especially since, in reality, I'm more likely to be killed by an asteroid then being attacked in a Broadway theater. No matter what security procedures are in place, someone planning to attack is going to find a way.

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 12:58pm

Fosse76 said: "Broadway Joe said: "I read the article. Security at theatres are still a joke. Unless you're carrying a bag almost all the Broadway theatres don't even bother checking you when you come into the theatre. I've sat on stage at numerous Broadway shows and was never checked before being allowed to sit on the stage. It's been a disaster waiting to happen for years."

If you are that scared, perhaps you should stay home. I personally find it annoying to be searched like some common criminal, especially since, in reality, I'm more likely to be killed by an asteroid then being attacked in a Broadway theater. No matter what security procedures are in place, someone planning to attack is going to find a way."

I'm not scared and it hasn't stopped me from going. Just find it silly that pretty much every other venue with that many people in one place does have more security checks in place, including the Playstation theater concert venue on 44th. There's no reason to not at least show some sort of deterrent. I think the theater Potter is at is the only one that even has metal detectors. 

Updated On: 11/15/18 at 12:58 PM

[darquegk]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 1:06pm

A few months ago I saw the tour of "Aladdin" and was subjected to much stronger security protocols than usual: they were doing bag checks, pat-downs, metal detectors, extra security guards everywhere in a theatre which usually has none of that. At the time I'd thought it was an absurd, somewhat Islamophobic TSA pat-down to prevent a radicalized Muslim from taking offense at the musical's less-than-reverent tone towards the Middle East. Now, I'm wondering if it was the opposite: preventing an alt-righter striking out against a multicultural show and cast.

Updated On: 11/15/18 at 01:06 PM

[John Adams]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 1:12pm

Hmmmm... This situation is disturbing for me, but not because of what those two men did. My first thought is that by publicizing their behavior, they are receiving attention they do not deserve. When people do despicable things like this, the best reaction is to NOT react; to demonstrate that their action is completely unworthy of attention. Removing the men was an excellent decision.

BUT (and this is the part I am disturbed by), no one can predict exactly HOW insane, or despicable these men might be, and to what extent(s) they might go should they make a choice to take their conviction to a 'next level'. THAT is what I find most disturbing.

There is nothing any of us can do to try and predict what might have additionally happened. None of us have any control over what we cannot be certain of.

Still, there will always be opportunity to contribute to what we CAN control. For example, I would hope that anyone who overheard that woman's distressed phone call, stepped up to tell her that they would act as her escort out of the theater, and stay with her until she was safely en route to her home. In addition, I would hope that they would seek out others in the theater to assist as additional escorts, in an effort to saturate her with a sense of security and safety. 

We can't control the unpredictability of people like those two men, but that fear of the unknown shouldn't stop any of us from acting on the things we CAN control. New Yorkers in particular have proven, in the past, how quickly they will step up, band together, and do what's right when called upon to act for good. 

[l0l]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 2:46pm

This is terrifying. Seems like the book "The Plot Against America" by Philip Roth is becoming real life.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 2:51pm

These are dark times, my friends.

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 2:52pm

Fosse76 said: "Broadway Joe said: "I read the article. Security at theatres are still a joke. Unless you're carrying a bag almost all the Broadway theatres don't even bother checking you when you come into the theatre. I've sat on stage at numerous Broadway shows and was never checked before being allowed to sit on the stage. It's been a disaster waiting to happen for years."

If you are that scared, perhaps you should stay home. I personally find it annoying to be searched like some common criminal, especially since, in reality, I'm more likely to be killed by an asteroid then being attacked in a Broadway theater. No matter what security procedures are in place, someone planning to attack is going to find a way."

Get over it.  Get over that you find it annoying.  How selfish, entitled, and delusional towards reality to do you have to be to rail against bag searches in theatres because it "annoy"s you?  

Updated On: 11/15/18 at 02:52 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 3:03pm

In light of the recent shooting, there was very real potential for manic and a dangerous situation.  They purchased tickets and sat through the entire first act just to terrorize the audience.  They deserved harsher punishment for this.

My first thought is that by publicizing their behavior, they are receiving attention they do not deserve. When people do despicable things like this, the best reaction is to NOT react; to demonstrate that their action is completely unworthy of attention.

The problem I have with that is the lack of awareness to the epidemic occurring in the country.  The "just ignore them" tactic only succeeds in NOT addressing a problem.  We're not talking about a Milo Yiannopoulos or Ann Coulter, who leverage any form of inflammatory view as a career objective for money and celebrity, which is entirely expected.  These are unexpected acts by unknowns for the purpose of terrorizing society.  Would it only have been worthy of publicity had it induced a stampede and lives were lost?  These people deserve negative attention, including a more severe punishment.

[binau]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 3:16pm

DrowsyKaye said: "When you get a President who encourages and normalizes this brand ofbehavior and hatred, this is what happens. No coincidence he was yelling Hitler and Trump's names concurrently.

The sooner this garbage monster is out of public office, the better.
"

Anyone that thinks Trump or the Trump administration supports anti-semetic behaviour seems so mistaken to me. The USA government, including Trump is notoriously pro-Israel - it was the Trump administration that moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump has a Jewish son in law who had a Jewish wedding ceremony that Trump himself attended. I can understand how someone might blame attacks towards Mexicans or Muslims as being inspired by Trump. But if anyone thinks Trump is anti-semetic they are clearly mistaken. 

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 3:26pm

I don't think we are mistaken.

 

https://www.newsweek.com/trump-jews-creepy-history-controversy-775402

[persephone88]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 3:29pm

I had a friend at this performance. She said numerous patrons angrily shouted back at the men who did this. But local Jewish friends are rightly upset and disheartened by this. There have been recent incidents locally of anti semitic graffiti as well. It makes people feel less safe.

These men deliberately chose this show to publicly disrupt the atmosphere with their brand of hate. I would like to see less media attention given to these losers are harsher punishment. This goes beyond free speech. It is purposefully disruptive and threatening.

I do hope police were called and these men banned from the Hippodrome Theatre permanently, at the very least!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 3:29pm

Well...that's the thing about right-wing nationalism.  You may try to aim your fire at Mexicans and Muslims, but in western societies, it will always, always engulf the Jewish community.  So, though Trump may personally not have a problem with Jews, the ugly right-wing nationalism that he has stirred up and that he claims for himself is going to affect all minority communities.

So yeah...his fault. 

Updated On: 11/15/18 at 03:29 PM

[binau]

Posted: 11/15/18 at 3:36pm

OKBroadwayFan said: "I don't think we are mistaken.



https://www.newsweek.com/trump-jews-creepy-history-controversy-775402"

What terrible, terrible journalism. Talk about clutching at straws. SonofRobbieJ - I take your point. I suppose there is some link there.