Irked!

[Saxton]

We have a beautiful old theater here and I love going for musicals. I'm always shocked at the number of people wearing jeans and sneakers - how much effort does it take to put on a decent outfit? I'm not talking about getting dressed to the nines, just a nice pair of pants and a cute blouse/ dress shirt. The senior citizens dress nicely but others just don't get it. And I'm not ranting about teenagers because I often see folks who are old enough to know better looking like they're going to a monster truck rally.

 

[kitsch4]

My husband and I went to see Phantom in Toronto a while ago. He wore a sport coat, and I wore a dress, and we felt totally overdressed compared to most of the people around us!

 

[rpmdfw]

I thought Barney's was closed? Yep, I totally agree. There really isn't a decent privately owned restaurant in the area.

There is Cedar's in Dr. Phillips. That's pretty good. Ceviche in Orlando, but that's a bit of a chain, eh? The one in Orlando is better than the one in St. Pete's was the last time we were there.

We had a little place here in Winter Garden, Zia's but it didn't last long.

Probably shouldn't bash on the greater Orlando area, as we did choose to live here and it is a free country, eh? Well, for some things.

We LOVED Ceviche!!! We tried it for the first time last week.

 

[wallyb]

I'm behind Rob on this.

Boston has a decent, old, some of it beautiful, theater district -
and it is expanding with 2 more theaters revived and opening soon.
I think that will bring us to around 12 in Boston proper.

Anyway "theater manors" are dead or dyeing.
We tend to try to see shows on a weeknight because the crowds seem a bit more behaved - not sure why - More urban people?/ Less suburban?

 

[NHdisneylover]

We have a beautiful old theater here and I love going for musicals. I'm always shocked at the number of people wearing jeans and sneakers - how much effort does it take to put on a decent outfit? I'm not talking about getting dressed to the nines, just a nice pair of pants and a cute blouse/ dress shirt. The senior citizens dress nicely but others just don't get it. And I'm not ranting about teenagers because I often see folks who are old enough to know better looking like they're going to a monster truck rally.

It does seem many people have completely lost the ability to dress themselves decently I have nothing against ver ycasual attire--but if you are going out somewhere nice please have enough respect for the venue and its patrons (if you do nto ahve it for yourself) to dress appropriately. Sweats and a ripped T-shirt do not belong at the theatre

 

[PeterPan09]

I was thinking about this yesterday. I swear that people cannot go 5 minutes without talking anymore!! They talk on the phone in their cars, I assume they talk all the time at home, they're on the phone at the store, at WDW, they talk at movies, shows and even church! I had a couple behind me and one in front of me during church yesterday and they talked through the entire service!

News flash, people-your life is not that interesting.

 

[wallyb]

I was thinking about this yesterday. I swear that people cannot go 5 minutes without talking anymore!! They talk on the phone in their cars, I assume they talk all the time at home, they're on the phone at the store, at WDW, they talk at movies, shows and even church! I had a couple behind me and one in front of me during church yesterday and they talked through the entire service!

News flash, people-your life is not that interesting.

And then we have the texting - incessant texting

 

[MonorailMan]

If someone did any of those things at one of the Broadway theaters, they would be escorted out either by one of the ushers or in some kind of choke hold by one of the angry audience members.

 

[NHdisneylover]

If someone did any of those things at one of the Broadway theaters, they would be escorted out either by one of the ushers or in some kind of choke hold by one of the angry audience members.

I wish ushers everywhere DID escort such people out. If the theatres would not tolerate then it would stop. I think they are afraid they will lose business--maybe they really would, but I know we go less than we would otherwise becuase such distractions greatly detract from the value for us; so maybe, just maybe people like us comming more often would make up for rude idiots going less often

 

[rpmdfw]

I wish ushers everywhere DID escort such people out. If the theatres would not tolerate then it would stop. I think they are afraid they will lose business--maybe they really would, but I know we go less than we would otherwise becuase such distractions greatly detract from the value for us; so maybe, just maybe people like us comming more often would make up for rude idiots going less often

The thing is, the Broadway theatres are very small compared to most of the touring venues. Some of the touring houses are four or five times the size of a B'way house. When there isn't an aisle system that makes access to seats an easy thing, there isn't any way an usher can do anything without disrupting the performace for many, many more people than just those around a problem group.

Back to my plan of a cattle prod. Or if I can improve my aim, tranquelizer darts!

 

[NHdisneylover]

The thing is, the Broadway theatres are very small compared to most of the touring venues. Some of the touring houses are four or five times the size of a B'way house. When there isn't an aisle system that makes access to seats an easy thing, there isn't any way an usher can do anything without disrupting the performace for many, many more people than just those around a problem group.

Back to my plan of a cattle prod. Or if I can improve my aim, tranquelizer darts!

Oh I don't mean to blame ushers at all (though I can totally see it sounds like that is what I am doing). Most of the time ushers are wonderful volnuteers--I have been one plenty of times (not that I am all that wonderful I am just happy to see the show for free). You are correct that often the venue does not make it possible for an usher to get to a problem (or be around to notice) without causing even more disturbances and even when they can then often the theatre has a policy of not doing anything unless asked, etc. Although, I did sit through one perofmrance last year where the ushers themselvse were talking and laughing as they stood in the back of the theatre. I wanted to knock their heads together

 

[rpmdfw]

I wanted to knock their heads together

See. This is where a tranquilizer gun would be really handy.

You just tranq each talker, they sleep and don't bother anyone else.

Perfect solution!

 

[MonorailMan]

When there isn't an aisle system that makes access to seats an easy thing, there isn't any way an usher can do anything without disrupting the performace for many, many more people than just those around a problem group.

Exactly! And the audience, as a whole, would more than likely either start immediately throwing stuff at the people causing the problem, or they'd angrily seek them out after the show and...well.....let your imagination run wild here.

You're right, though: When I went to see Sunday in the Park with George there was literally no room whatsoever between our knees and the seats in front of us. And walking up and down the steps with the lights dimmed would be dangerous since the seating rows were at a good 50-60 degree angle.

 

[NHdisneylover]

See. This is where a tranquilizer gun would be really handy.

You just tranq each talker, they sleep and don't bother anyone else.

Perfect solution!

I like the way you think

 

[zeitzeuge]

I haven't read all of the post, but regarding to rude audience members....My partner and I have decided that we're cursed when it comes to going to movies. We end up sitting next to someone who repeats what someone says on screen every five seconds, talks to their friend next to them, answers their phone and carrys a conversation or eats popcorn like it's their last meal they're ever going to have. Seriously, how much popcorn can you shove into your mouth at one time?

Cursed I tell you, we're CURSED!

Last summer, we were at a movie when this guy and his girlfriend were making fun of the movie. Talking outloud, complaining, laughing, etc. We did the courtesy shhhh a few times. Nothing worked. I've done this before and I'll do it every time. I got up, went to the manager outside the theater and told him that I either wanted two free movie tickets or he needs to come in and have the people removed. He walked in with me, asked who it was, I pointed them out and he removed them.

I got an ovation from the crowd. I was so embarrassed. Everyone seemed too scared to say or do something. Normally I don't mess with the rude people. I go straight to management.

 

[wallyb]

Normally I don't mess with the rude people. I go straight to management.

Oooops!
Don't believe a word of it Mike.
Lies I tell you - All Lies!