What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
#1What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/23/19 at 10:52pm
Saw Fiddler for my 21st time tonight, But this post is not about that. In the second act, this jerk lights up her phone right before a heart wrenching scene where Golde tells Tevye that their daughter, Khave, has married a Russian. I’ve been really good lately with phones and talking and crinkling wrappers in the theatre but when I saw that this jerk was going to peruse her phone, I leaned over and quietly but forcibly said, “will you please turn that off!” She was scared and quickly shut her phone off. It remained off for the rest of this amazing production. I think Patti would have been proud of me.
#2What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/23/19 at 10:53pmMazel Tov.
#3What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/23/19 at 11:51pm
Maybe it was the creepy nudie snapper from Frankie & Johnny hoping Jackie Hoffman would have a wardrobe malfunction!
Updated On: 7/24/19 at 11:51 PM
#4What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 12:20am
Kudos to you.
I have read on the other threads where people complain but do nothing about it. If it is happening next to or near me, I address it. I have even gone to staff at intermission and pointed people out.
It just amazes my why people don't say anything but we live in a world where people just seem to ignore it or can't handle the confrontation. JMO
Just give the world Love.
Updated On: 7/24/19 at 12:20 AM
UncleCharlie
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/26/16
#5What Gives You The Right Start Yet ANOTHER THREAD on this subject.
Posted: 7/24/19 at 2:08am
What gives me the right??? I am Zeus, all powerful and all knowing. I am the Lord.
Seriously, someone turned on their phone. Shame on them. You told them to turn it off. They did, Good for you. Everyone should do that. I've done this dozens of times. Really not that big of a deal.
magictodo123
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/19
#6What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 3:52am
And while we’re on the subject, what gives people the right to record the show ILLEGALLY??? Wait-they just don’t care. Truly disappointing that they have no respect.
Updated On: 7/24/19 at 03:52 AM
theatregoer3
Broadway Star Joined: 3/8/13
#7What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 9:05am
I think we can also try and be understanding. At Moulin Rouge the other night I had to look at my phone to quickly respond to emergency work texts. I was in the middle of the row and would have made a bigger fuss by leaving. The patron next to me was clearly perturbed. At intermission I apologized to him and explained the situation. He seemed to be grateful for the apology. We’re all human.
Updated On: 7/24/19 at 09:05 AM
#8What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 9:24am
<<edited by BWW staff>>
I had had a woman refuse to turn her phone off when I asked one time so I simply asked the usher to handle it and they did. Sometimes can’t be as easy as that but it happens.
LxGstv
Broadway Star Joined: 11/22/16
#9 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 9:45am
uncageg said: "Kudos to you.
I have read on the other threads where people complain but do nothing about it. If it is happening next to or near me, I address it. I have even gone to staff at intermission and pointed people out.
It just amazes my why people don't say anything but we live in a world where people just seem to ignore it or can't handle the confrontation. JMO"
I avoid confrontation, but also, complaining to someone about cellphone usage will also bother more audience members as you’ll have to talk during the performance... also, some people don’t quietly put their phones away, some people even in the wrong feel the need to talk back or justify their actions, making the whole thing even worse...
Pashacar
Broadway Star Joined: 11/2/18
#10 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 12:39pm
theatregoer3 said: "I think we can also try and be understanding. At Moulin Rouge the other night I had to look at my phone to quickly respond to emergency work texts. I was in the middle of the row and would have made a bigger fuss by leaving. The patron next to me was clearly perturbed. At intermission I apologized to him and explained the situation. He seemed to be grateful for the apology. We’re all human."
Sorry, but no. If you knew you had to answer an email or text that couldn't wait the 60-90 minutes until intermission, you should not have entered that theatre. Simple as that.
#11 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 12:47pm
Pashacar said: "theatregoer3 said: "I think we can also try and be understanding. At Moulin Rouge the other night I had to look at my phone to quickly respond to emergency work texts. I was in the middle of the row and would have made a bigger fuss by leaving. The patron next to me was clearly perturbed. At intermission I apologized to him and explained the situation. He seemed to be grateful for the apology. We’re all human."
Sorry, but no. If you knew you had to answer an email or text that couldn't wait the 60-90 minutes until intermission, you should not have entered that theatre. Simple as that."
And forgo the hundreds of dollars they paid? I don't think they should've taken their phone out either, but they explained and apologized after which was appropriate. Also people have last minute emergencies they can't help. If anything happens in my life where id need my phone possibly, should I just avoid that entire event?
herewegoabc
Leading Actor Joined: 1/26/08
#12 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 12:49pmI sat next to a lady and her daughter at Hamilton, and she told me before the show that she needed to check her phone periodically but that she would be as quick as possible. Her daughter's insulin pump fed numbers to her phone apparently, and she needed to keep an eye on it. She was very quick and subtle, and it didn't bother me. I was glad she and her daughter both got to see and enjoy a show they were obviously excited for. I was worried the whole time that someone else would snap at her, though, which would have been embarrassing and caused more of a commotion. Obviously that's not the same thing as texting or browsing FB, but there are legitimate reasons from time to time.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#13 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 12:58pmWell, since your phone was supposed to be OFF, no, you shouldnt have responded to a work email. Your work emergency shouldn't interfere with someone else's experience. Apology or not.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
CT2NYC
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/7/17
#14 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:08pm
Mike Barrett said: " If anything happens in my life where id need my phone possibly, should I just avoid that entire event?"
If it infringes on others, yes.
#15 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:21pm
CT2NYC said: "Mike Barrett said: "If anything happens in my life where id need my phone possibly, should I just avoid that entire event?"
If it infringes on others, yes."
Fair. But if an emergency happens last minute, when I've pre paid for this ticket months in advance, should I just not go then? Its one thing if you're expecting a phone call, and I agree he shouldn't have brought his phone out as I said, but they seemed to do so quickly without disturbing and apologized immediately after when it was appropriate. Idk I don't think this one is a huge issue especially compared to others.
#16 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:22pm
I agree that phones should be turned off. If you know beforehand that you will need to have access to your phone, etc. then please please buy a rear side orchestra aisle (the one closer to the wall) so having the phone light up, etc. won't infringe on other people's theater experience. Or do standing room.
CT2NYC
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/7/17
#17 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:27pm
Mike Barrett said: "CT2NYC said: "Mike Barrett said: "If anything happens in my life where id need my phone possibly, should I just avoid that entire event?"
If it infringes on others, yes."
Fair. But if an emergency happens last minute, when I've pre paid for this ticket months in advance, should I just not go then?"
If something happens in your life, and you still go to the theatre, then it's not an emergency, and there's no reason to need your phone. If it's a true emergency, then no, you shouldn't go, regardless of how long ago you bought the ticket, or how much you spent. I don't think this is difficult to understand, since it's just common sense. For example, if a family member is in the hospital, and you go to the theatre anyway, being rude to the strangers around you by checking your phone for updates, then you're just a terrible person. If it's important enough to need your phone, then it's important enough to skip the show.
EllieRose2
Broadway Star Joined: 11/22/17
#18 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:29pm
At Moulin Rouge the other night I had to look at my phone to quickly respond to emergency work texts. I was in the middle of the row and would have made a bigger fuss by leaving. The patron next to me was clearly perturbed.
As he should have been, considering it's illegal, disrespectful to other patrons, and everyone who is working so hard on the show. If you have an emergency situation at work or just in general, please do not attend the theater that night. Exchange your ticket for another night, because it's selfish and rude. Why can't everyone see that?
#19 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:33pm
CT2NYC said: "Mike Barrett said: "CT2NYC said: "Mike Barrett said: "If anything happens in my life where id need my phone possibly, should I just avoid that entire event?"
If it infringes on others, yes."
Fair. But if an emergency happens last minute, when I've pre paid for this ticket months in advance, should I just not go then?"
If something happens in your life, and you still go to the theatre, then it's not an emergency, and there's no reason to need your phone. If it's a true emergency, then no, you shouldn't go, regardless of how long ago you bought the ticket, or how much you spent. I don't think this is difficult to understand, since it's just common sense."
A work emergency can come up last minute, and id assume the poster wants to keep his job. Not many people have the $ to go to more than a Broadway show or two a year, if that. This situation sounds totally harmless. You can't exchange tickets normally, so thats not an option for people. Nor do they have another date they can go. The poster apologized and clearly recognized their wrongdoing here, so I don't think we need to stomp on him for it. It is rude, and selfish, and they apologized. The annoyed patron accepted and acknowledged their apology. Whats so awful?
ArtMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/10/08
#20 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:37pm
I had a lady at Hello Dolly check her phone close to the end of the first act. She did it a couple of times. I was sitting two rows back from her. No one close to her said anything. At intermission, I confronted her. She said she was trying to sell a bicycle. I said then go to the lobby and check your phone. She responded, "and miss the show?". In her mind, it was okay to ruin the experience of others vs what was going on trivial in her life. I then told her off. The people around her thanked me, but I responded you could have said something...you are sitting closer. And I agree with the others who have posted. Don't go to the show if you have an "emergency" that is going to cause you to get out your phone.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#21 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:38pm
But EVERYONE thinks THEIR reason is a good one. It's not. Again: his phone was supposed to be OFF, if he felt there was no way the call/text could be avoided - he shouldn't have taken his seat and stood in the back so as not to disturb anyone else.
Honestly, forgetting to turn your phone off is a better "excuse" then knowingly accepting/answering a text mid-performance.
A reason is NOT the same thing as an excuse.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
CT2NYC
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/7/17
#22 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:41pm
Mike Barrett said: "A work emergency can come up last minute, and id assume the poster wants to keep his job. Not many people have the $ to go to more than a Broadway show or two a year, if that. This situation sounds totally harmless. You can't exchange tickets normally, so thats not an option for people. Nor do they have another date they can go. The poster apologized and clearly recognized their wrongdoing here, so I don't think we need to stomp on him for it. It is rude, and selfish, and they apologized. The annoyed patron accepted and acknowledged their apology.Whats so awful?"
The poster said the the person next to him was clearly perturbed. Regardless of whether or not they apologized, the stranger's experience was negatively affected. If you can't see why that's unacceptable, then there's not much more to discuss.
#23 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:41pm
I agree phone should have never been brought out, however I think this poster handled this well and the best way he could if he was going to use a phone. I think there are far worse examples of phones being brought out during a show to rag on.
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#24 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:41pm
I don't think anyone should have their phone on during a show. I've had to not got to shows before because of emergencies because I knew I wouldn't be in the right mindset to see a show if I thought that I needed to be with my phone. It sucks. I would just rather not disrupt everyone else's experience.
#25 What Gives You The Right To Turn On Your Phone During The Show
Posted: 7/24/19 at 1:49pm
EllieRose2 said: "You can't exchange tickets normally, so thats not an option for people. Nor do they have another date they can go.
None of that is accurate in my experience. On my way to After Midnight,I got an emergency call from work. I went directly to work, called the theater and they were more than happy to exchange my ticket. You have no idea if people can go another time or date. You don't seem to get it, but luckily everyone here is telling you all the right stuff, so you will get that it's never okay to do anything like that. Have an emergency? Don't attend. It's a very easy decision if you are a decent person in the world."
This is Moulin Rouge, and not After Midnight. Moulin Rouge is a big ticket sold out hit, where After Midnight was not. No disrespect to After Midnight or anything, but with a show like Moulin Rouge I don't believe exchanges are easy or viable at all. Even if so, the amount of availability is lessened. Also I understand that, and everyone seems to ignore my comment where I've said he shouldn't have taken his phone out in the first place but thats fine.
