Dealing with Yappers

[EddieP]

Just curious -- how far into the overture do you usually wait to give nasty looks to yapping out of towner yokels and senior citizens who think a Broadway theatre is kinda like their own living room and its o.k. to hold conversations?  My personal theory is that the second the conductor enters the pit, its time to go into SHUT THE F*CK UP MODE, but maybe a whisper or two are o.k.

Last week I caught MY FAIR LADY -- a show that has one of the GREATEST overtures of all time, and whose first 8 notes alone are worth the price f the ticket.  There was a senile old couple behind me who insisted on starting a conversation three notes in while the schmuck next to me decided to slurp from his cup like a six year old. Fortunately, someone turned back to give the old couple a look... but they didn't quite get the message, and resumed their "My hearing aid needs adjustment...." chat.  I turned around and like children they began staring forward pretending to be invisible.  They tried it two more times, so I finally turned back, and gave them a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG hard stare with the message, "Try it again... I dare you.... I eat seniles f*cks for breakfast..."  and it seemed to work.

My worst experience ever was a DRUNK party of about 3 during HELLO DOLLY who literally had to be told to STFU during the Oak Leaf Monologue. (Not me! A heroic theatre go-er several rows away... it was that loud.)  The thing I don't get are the ushers who will go RUNNING down the aisle and tackle anyone who dare pulls out a cell phone during curtain call -- but have no problem with yappers. Why can't they just do a prolonged flashlight shine or what about a seat ejection button that sends them straight to the pits of hell? (maybe a Disney production or ALW production around the corner.)

We need to start a vigilante group to deal with this... I know its the oldest problem in the book, but I can't take it...

[uncageg]

You should have put this over on the main board.

My last encounter with yappers was also at Hello Dolly. I shushed them about 5 seconds into the overture. Had to do it twice but they shut up.

[uncageg]

Double post

[Miles2Go2]

I detest yappers, too. But do you know what I hate more? Ageism. Shaming elderly patrons with the monicker of “senile” is wrong on many counts.

[dramamama611]

Yeah, Eddie sounds like a dream.


People are fallible. Those using hearing devices, cant know if they are set appropriately UNTIL the show starts...too much noise around them. Perhaps a bit if graciousness on our part is necessary.

Ive shushed as well as had words with ither patrons but then try to forget about it so I can enjoy the show and not become bitter and cranky.

[themeerkat]

During Fiddler on the Roof (Yiddish), I had someone in front of me reading out loud to her friend the captions projected onto the sides of the stage. Friend was swiftly given opera glasses by another patron and all was well (after the snoring man next to us was woken up...but a story for another post lol)