Could we have an ongoing post for those of us who do not like to hear loud noises in the theater (especially surprise ones)? Starting with shows that have opened in 2019. Like Oklahoma.
After you attend the theater, please post which shows contain gunshots, explosions, or other loud noises, etc. Please post spoilers stating where the loud noise is used in the show. Those who do not want to read the spoilers, do not have to access the post.
Many of us cannot enjoy a show while waiting for the gun to go off. And we would greatly appreciate your kind posting.
It’s as if I had started this thread myself! This terrifies me (I’m also afraid of balloons popping and fireworks lol). Whenever I see a gun come on stage I immediately cover my ears and get very anxious. I sat with my ears covered for a majority of King Kong and when they eventually “fired” it was just sound effects through the speakers, not like a fake firing. I wish I had known that from the get go though - it would have made the show more enjoyable for me!
I don’t think it’s unusual. Here are the gunshots in Oklahoma!:
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There are four — two in Act 1 and two in Act 2. The first two take place in quick succession at the end of “Pore Jud Is Daid” while the theater is still in blackout. Curly shoots at a knothole and Jud does the same. The third happens near the end of “The Farmer and the Cowman,” when Aunt Eller shoots into the air to prevent a fight. The fourth happens near the end of the show, when Curly and Laurey are wearing their white wedding clothes. Jud gives Curly a gift and kisses Laurey, and the gunshot happens soon after that.
I can VERY MUCH relate to the scenario outlined on this page. I'm in my early 30s and have always LOVED live theater/rock concerts/live performances. However, there's always been that "anxiety" (for lack of a better term) of gunshots/pyrotechnic blasts/etc. People on here have probably noticed my posts about this in the past, recently with Beetlejuice or Bat Of Out Hell.
I hope this thread does stay open so others, like myself, can get the info that they need to go to these shows & genuinely enjoy them. (I've always hated the thought of missing a show, althogether, for such reasons.)
The current revival of KING LEAR has multiple gunshots where the characters would traditionally be stabbed. I can’t remember exactly where but there is usually more than enough lead time to cover your ears
Would the beginning of Gary count? I don't think I was close to any speakers (the rest of the audio was normal), but the music to start the show seemed purposely loud. Not ear-piecing but still unexpected (at least for me, even as I was waiting for the show to start).
I hear that there are few pyrotechnical/fireworks moments in BEETLEJUICE, most of which (if not all) are during songs. In what scenes/songs does it all occur?
Also, I know that there is one gunshot in BOOK OF MORMON. Admittedly, I've seen a bootleg video of the show, and it got me wondering if the gunshot an actual blank or a sound effect. In the video I saw, it almost sounded like a sound effect. (I know that, at least for me, sound effects are less startling than actual blanks being fired.)
I know several people who have gun-related PTSD and become severely distraught at the sound of gunshots. Having a heads-up would surely give them some peace of mind and allow them to enjoy theatre more.
How do you get through life letting yourself be affected by threads that may help other people? LOL
Anyway, OP, nice idea. I'll post when I think of any that have not already been mentioned.
Here are my best "they're spoilers but as little as possible so you can enjoy the show":
Shows I've seen recently without gunfire: Ink Gary (though as another poster mentioned, the initial music is loud, but that's it) What the Constitution Means to Me (lol) Burn This Hadestown Tootsie (also obvious)
Shows with: All My Sons
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
There are no guns on stage, but there is a sound of one firing as the characters prepare to head to the police in Act 3.
The Ferryman
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There is a single gunshot immediately after one character attempts to attack another with a knife, late in Act 3
Network
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There are one or two shots immediately after Howard's third live broadcast begins (easy to note because the hype man will have come out three times)
Kiss Me, Kate
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There is a single gunshot after Lili / Kate trills with the bird. You can still enjoy the trill, and you'll see the gangster take a step forward to take a shot.
I too have problems with live gunshots (I’m fine with recorded gunshots and wish directors would opt for them instead). And yes it’s a PTSD issue for me. I witnessed gunfire and was almost shot when younger. So this thread will be helpful.
Anyway, the most recent show I saw with startling gunshots is King Lear.
Actually the first shot is the most startling, the other 3 not so much. Spoiler below.
Spoilers
Towards the end of this production’s first act (after the loud storm scene, and around two hours in): After the eye gouging scene, the audience’s attention is focused on center stage. However if you are startled by guns look stage right. A character suddenly has pulled out a gun and fires. It’s very loud.
In the second act you see military rifles but they never go off. But when a character comes out with a pistol to confront another character, two shots end up being fired. Not as startling. You know it’s coming. Then later there’s a duel and again not as startling because, well, it’s a duel.
A moment that startled me. In the second half you can hear distant bombs during a battle scene. When the blinded Duke of Gloucester kneels alone on stage a sudden recorded loud explosion fills the air. It’s after a moment of quiet.
Seriously??? Show some compassionate. Some has PTSD. Some are rightfully paranoid because everywhere from our colleges to our synagogues are war zones now. Heck, my own mall had a mass shooting a few years ago and I am nervous when I’m there sometimes. I went to school with the shooter, which was even more surreal.
As for me, I am sensitive to loud noises. There’s a difference between gun sound effects and actual guns going off because how loud it is.
"Heck, my own mall had a mass shooting a few years ago and I am nervous when I’m there sometimes. I went to school with the shooter, which was even more surreal. "
Very sorry to hear that and I understand. I live about 10 miles from the UNCC campus which had tragic shooting several days ago.
I am so sorry for you too, yankee. My co-worker is actually friends with someone who lives right by Sandy Hook and her friend wrote a blog about it soon after. Devastating times we live in, which is why this thread is necessary.
Do you know any veterans? If so, I am willing to bet some of them may react to gun shots or loud noises."
veteran here. 6 months in Afghanistan. and while gunshots/explosions don't ruin the show for me, I definitely have an exaggerated reaction when they do happen. where people will look at me like "wtf dude its not that serious" so I get where the OP and the likes are coming from
"I am so sorry for you too, yankee. My co-worker is actually friends with someone who lives right by Sandy Hook and her friend wrote a blog about it soon after. Devastating times we live in, which is why this thread is necessary."
I agree, scary times. I saw "War Horse" in London last December and I remember they actually made announcement before the show that the show contained gun shots and loud noises. I remarked to my family how surprised I was to see that many children at that show (it was a week day night) because of the content of the show. Anyway, the children at the show were very well behaved (had two children in our row) and everybody was ok with the noises.
joined:3/22/13
joined:
3/22/13
Posted: 5/4/19 at 11:50am