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[yankeefan7]

Posted: 5/5/19 at 2:29pm

"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.

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/5/19 at 2:38pm

Also, isn't this info provided for most shows? On the Oklahoma overview page on Telecharge, it says: "This performance contains fog, loud gunshot effects, moments of darkness, and violence."

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 5/5/19 at 2:40pm

haterobics said: "Is it only gunshots, though? Seems like fireworks in Aladdin, or bombs or anything else would also be an issue, no?"

I would say so. 

Since you brought up Aladdin, is Friend Like Me the only scene with noticable pyro effects?

[Joanie2]

Posted: 5/5/19 at 3:06pm

Some theaters tell you when gunshots are used in a production but they never tell you when. I understand that "when" might reveal spoilers but it doesn't help those of us with loud noise sensitivity. I often cannot see anything with a noise warning. Thank you for your help. It is greatly appreciated by me and many others.

[romain2]

Posted: 6/1/19 at 5:33pm

Seeing Gary tonight. I’m bracing myself for the loud burst of music that starts the show. But then again Ink, which I caught this afternoon, also had loud music cues. It can’t be that loud, can it?

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 6/1/19 at 7:06pm

BenjaminNicholas2 said: "Is thread for real?

How do people get through life? LOL"

Douche, meet bag.

Anyway, yes. Thank you to the OP for starting this thread, as someone who is very sensitive to sudden loud noises. (I went to pieces during fire drills at school)

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 6/1/19 at 7:56pm

Sorry if I'm "beating a dead horse" here, but...

How loud & sudden/startling are the pyro moments in BEETLEJUICE & ALADDIN?

I've heard that all of the pyro in Beetlejuice happens during songs. What songs/moments?

Also, I've seen video of the Friend Like Me sequence in Aladdin. Are there any other pyro moments or just that song?

 

Thanks

Updated On: 6/1/19 at 07:56 PM

[alex814]

Posted: 6/2/19 at 10:34am

RumTumJM said: "Sorry if I'm "beating a dead horse" here, but...

How loud & sudden/startling are the pyro moments in BEETLEJUICE & ALADDIN?

I've heard that all of the pyro in Beetlejuice happens during songs. What songs/moments?

Also, I've seen video of the Friend Like Me sequence in Aladdin. Are there any other pyro moments or just that song?"

I saw Beetlejuice last night so it’s still fresh in my mind for me to answer this: there is a lot of pyro in this show but it’s not necessarily “loud.” Beetlejuice’s character throws sparks and lights things in his hand on fire. But those aren’t the startling moments of the show. I think you will be fine! 

Not sure if it helps to know this: but the house lights don’t come up during intermisssion. Instead you have swirling green and purple lights all over the place. The lights dimmed slightly for the top of Act 2 and the music kicking in really startled me. I’m sorry if that’s not exactly answering your question but thought this was worth mentioning in relation to these sensitivities. I hope you have a great time seeing the show when you do!

Also, be prepared for strobes. They’re lined around the frame (?) of the proscenium. 

Updated On: 6/2/19 at 10:34 AM

[LxGstv]

Posted: 6/2/19 at 10:45am

I know Network closes in less than a week, but there’s a pretty startling moment in the middle of the show if you are in the back orchestra or standing room.
 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

It’s not even gunshot related.

One of the exit doors open with quite a loud bang and Cranston barges in like a mad man. The problem is, the second it happens, you don’t realize it’s Cranston. I actually thought it was a mad man with a gun that would start shooting up the place.

 

Updated On: 6/2/19 at 10:45 AM

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 6/2/19 at 11:09am

Thanks for your immediate response.

So there is not really any pyro in Beetlejuice that makes an audible/startling BANG or BOOM?

Updated On: 6/2/19 at 11:09 AM

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 6/2/19 at 5:41pm

RumTumJM said: "Thanks for your immediate response.

So there is not really anypyro in Beetlejuice that makes an audible/startling BANG or BOOM?"

I’m one of the people that are terrified of gunshots / loud effects in shows. I didn’t find beetlejuice’s to Be loud at all, as the music is playing/the actors are singing. They almost seemed silent. 

Also - big thanks to the poster who noted the gunshots in Network - I was able to cover my ears/prepare myself prior to the shots thanks to your post. 

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 6/2/19 at 5:59pm

Without spoiling plot too much, can someone tell me where the gun shots are in Miss Saigon?

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 6/2/19 at 8:22pm

Mike Barrett said: "Without spoiling plot too much, can someone tell me where the gun shots are in Miss Saigon?"

In Miss Saigon, the first gunshot is towards the middle of act one. However, it's not one that comes up out of the blue. The actress playing Kim holds onto it for a little bit before firing. So, that should give you a good heads up/ample time to cover your ears if needed. 

The last gunshot is in the final scene. without giving away any spoilers, the dramatic tension can give you a hint of when it is to come. 

As for gunshots, I have very sensitive hearing and hate it. Hell, I ushered more performances than I can count of The Play That Goes Wrong. There was one gunshot and even though I knew when it was a going to happen after ushering god knows how many performances, it still bothered me nonetheless. 

I did see All My Sons last week, and while there was a gunshot at the very end, it was interesting that they never mentioned it on that sign in the lobby that usually informs folks of things like that. 

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 12:01am

Islander_fan said: "I did see All My Sons last week, and while there was a gunshot at the very end, it was interesting that they never mentioned it on that sign in the lobby that usually informs folks of things like that."

I saw AMS too and I guess they didn't want to spoil the show? Which idk if that works though, as it's obvious the way the characters talk that someone is going to get shot, it's heavily foreshadowed.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 9:51am

I’m pretty sure the pyro from Aladdin is just during Friend Like Me though the sound effects from the Cave of Wonders can be loud too.

Since it’s still touring, I’ll mention Anastasia too. It happens in the 1st 10 min of the show. It’s suposed to represent gunshots but it sounds more like a really loud explosion.

[Mike3]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 10:32am

I revisited the Downstage Center interview of Andre De Shields from February 1, 2010. (I strongly recommend listening or re-listening to this podcast.) In it, De Shields recounts the story of an early performance of Ain’t Misbehavin’ when Jackie Kennedy had a terrible reaction to a gunshot in the show. It’s a moving story.

[Jish]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 10:44am

CatastrophicDay said: "This topic feels built for me haha

Here are my best "they're spoilers but as littleas possible so you can enjoy the show":

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.

"

You say this is off-stage - is it a sound effect or an actual "loud" gunshot? Is there any way for me to prepare more accurately for when it is going to happen?

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 6/10/19 at 2:55pm

I know that there's one gunshot moment in The Book Of Mormon.

Does anyone know if it's a blank being fired or a sound effect?

Updated On: 6/15/19 at 02:55 PM

[Joshua Kilimnik]

Posted: 6/10/19 at 3:55pm

I'm sure it's a pretty well-known one, but just for the sake of it being in the thread a notable gunshot is in The Phantom of the Opera.

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

As they're preparing to perform Don Juan Triumphant, officers surround the theater and an announcement is made to secure the doors. As the doors are secured the Phantom's voice is heard in random parts of the theater, and after shouting "I'm here!" three times the officer in the pit fires his gun.

 

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 6/15/19 at 3:36pm

For the record I've heard that TINA does have gunshots in it. (I'm not sure where & when.) Also, I've heard that AIN'T TO PROUD used gunshot sound effects in the show. 

Perhaps, others here know more & can elaborate. 

(As one of the persons who's had a gunshot/pyrotechnic "phobia" for decades, thanks to those who are contributing info to this thread. It really helps us enjoy the shows better.)

[Age_of_Mendacity]

Posted: 6/16/19 at 12:38am

I always jump when gunshots happen even when they are telegraphed. The biggest offender, which was for effect, was The Public's "Office Hour" in 2017 -- if the theater had not been in basically a blackout, I would have left but instead just shivered in my seat.

Interested if others are also a squirmy as I am when you see actors holding guns on stage, even if not fired. I am from the South and grew up around guns and being told the importance of safety, etc. But still, when I see one, especially in a small theater space, I have a mild panic attack. CSC's Mies Julie this year really did it for me. The space is so small and raising the gun means essentially it is pointed in the direction of audience members (in the round). I was sitting front row and basically crawled out of my skin. Anyone else get nervous just by seeing a gun on stage?

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 6/16/19 at 2:37am

Joanie2 said: "Some theaters tell you when gunshots are used in a production but they never tell you when. I understand that "when"might reveal spoilersbut it doesn't help those of us with loud noise sensitivity. I often cannot see anything with a noise warning. Thank you for your help. It is greatly appreciated by me and many others."

Often, if you talk to a house manager or usher and bring up your concerns, they can give you more detailed information. And when you're purchasing tickets, the box office attendant would probably also be able to give you the information you need. These people are there to help you have a good experience!

[LLW2]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 10:56pm

RumTumJM said: "So there is not really anypyro in Beetlejuice that makes an audible/startling BANG or BOOM?"

Just wanted to reinforce what alex814 said. I saw the show twice in DC and just this weekend on Broadway, and I think I can confirm that there’s nothing in the pyro that would startle someone with sensitivity to loud/sudden noises. However, there is a big WHOMP at the end of intermission to get the audience’s attention. It startled me every time, even when I knew it was coming, but I guess that was the point.

Updated On: 6/18/19 at 10:56 PM

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 11:55pm

LLW2 said: "RumTumJM said: "So there is not really anypyro in Beetlejuice that makes an audible/startling BANG or BOOM?"

Just wanted to reinforce what alex814 said.I saw the show twice in DC and just this weekend on Broadway, and I think I can confirm that there’s nothing in the pyro that would startle someone with sensitivity to loud/sudden noises. However, there isa big WHOMP at the end of intermission to get the audience’s attention. It startled me every time, even whenI knew it was coming, but I guess that was the point."

PHENOMENAL! A sincere thank you for the info. I bet the info will help others, too!

Updated On: 7/6/19 at 11:55 PM

[Stinkles]

Posted: 7/6/19 at 12:05pm

Miss Saigon builds up to one with a lot of foreshadowing.