Theater etiquette

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by misterm

same type of story about Patti LuPone a few years back in Sweeney Todd. ...

During her concert the other night, Miss LuPone stopped right after the musical intro to "Don't Cry for Me...," lowered her arms, and admonished a boy in the second row for texting during the show. She received a standing ovation then and there.

Here is an article on the incident: http://thestrippodcast.blogspot.com/...n-texting.html.

[wah0808]

Man I couldn't agree more about the severe lack of etiquette in the theatre these days. I agree that everyone should be welcome, however there demands a level of respect no matter who you are. That respect; I believe, is partly displayed by 'dressing the part', business casual isn't all that hard to achieve... by showing a little (now unfortunately, not so) common sense when it come to behavior, ie. cell phones, talking, etc...

A few weeks ago I was in looking out the booth window before the show, the house was open and I was noticing that alot of people playing with their phones. So we start, I drop the house to half and then out a about a minute or so later. I counted 28 people playing with their phones still in a house of about 140... that's sad.

Alan...

[MSLD]

its not only the audience members, did anyone notice that during the CMA awards Brad Paisley whipped out his Blackberry to update his Twitter? yes, you're famous, but that doesnt give you the right to treat your fans like that, accept your award, say your speech and get your ass off the deck.

Might not agree with me, but hey, im 14 and an LD that hates it when people do that. (stop the show for personal reasons)

[gafftaper]

Originally Posted by MSLD

its not only the audience members, did anyone notice that during the CMA awards Brad Paisley whipped out his Blackberry to update his Twitter?

Wouldn't it have been cool if a rogue follow spot operator at the pointed him out as he did it.

hmmm... we might be onto something here. CB could become the official sponsor some of the "Stop texting during events now!" campaign. How much do you think the bribe would have to be to get a follow spot op to do this? It would be career suicide, but what a way to go out in a blaze of glory. If we all chipped in $5...

Maybe we could find a way to give the person a fall back job. CW do you think you could grant the spot asylum in Pageantland for a while? We'll put ruinexplorer to work on the getaway car. Dave I bet Rach would be glad to chip in a chunk of your vast empire's wealth to see this happen.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

Wouldn't it have been cool if a rogue follow spot operator at the pointed him out as he did it.

In Mr. Paisley's defense, he was not at the awards--he appeared via satellite from home waiting for his wife to give birth. I don't think he twitted, I believe he just looked for the "It's a boy" message. [Edit: speaking of the ACMAs, not the CMAs, Sorry, MSLD. We're both wrong--it was the CMT Music Awards.] My father went bowling while I was being born, and has never heard the end of it.

[gafftaper]

BOWLING!?!?!? That's justifiable homicide in the eyes of any jury. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury... He deserved it." "Case dismissed".

[MrsFooter]

The audience members are not the only ones guilty of this texting epidemic. Over the last year I did some work for a performing arts high school, and no threat, no matter how severe, could get those kids to ignore their cell phones. It didn't matter if they were waiting for a scene shift, carrying a corner of something heavy, or sitting in class; if the phone vibrated, they HAD to look at it and respond. Even now, working for a well-respected summer theatre, I've had to stand by while my boss (the ME) takes a call from her mother, and during a show backstage glows from more than just run lights.

Like it or not, this texting thing isn't going to go away. I agree that our best hope is education, but I also feel that if we as crew members are going to complain about audience members texting, then we need to make sure that we're setting the proper example.

[cdub260]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

Maybe we could find a way to give the person a fall back job. CW do you think you could grant the spot asylum in Pageantland for a while? We'll put ruinexplorer to work on the getaway car. Dave I bet Rach would be glad to chip in a chunk of your vast empire's wealth to see this happen.

Are you suggesting that we send someone to help 'dip keep the raccoons company?

As for the getaway car, we already have the back half in this year's Pageant. Ruinexplorer just needs to build the front half

[ruinexplorer]

Originally Posted by cdub260

Are you suggesting that we send someone to help 'dip keep the raccoons company?

As for the getaway car, we already have the back half in this year's Pageant. Ruinexplorer just needs to build the front half

I'm still looking for the horn that plays "Dixie". Techs of Hazard anyone?

[derekleffew]

Seriously? One source: Dukes of Hazzard General Lee Dixie Car Horn - WOL430.

This Dukes of Hazzard car air horn by Wolo will have your vehicle sounding just like the General Lee flying through Dixie! Inspired by the extremely popular television show (and also the recent movie starring Jessica Simpson), these super-loud air-powered musical horns attract immediate attention with 5 trumpets playing the Dukes of Hazzard Horn Sounds at 118 decibels!