Broadway World reported earlier this month, a rude audience member continued the recent rash of inappropriate theater behavior during a recent Wednesday night performance of SHOW FOR DAYS at Lincoln Center.
Following the show’s matinee performance, which one audience member described as, “Cell Phone Hell”, star Patti LuPone reached the limit of her patience during the evening performance and snatched a cell phone out of the hands of an audience member who was texting. In the following days, Ms.LuPone shared her thoughts on the incident with BroadwayWorld (read her statement here) and opened the July 11th performance of the show with a special request to the audience. “I’m here to ask all of you to whip out those cell phones,turn them off, and come to the theatre,” urged the Tony winner. Watch the speech in full below.
In the July 24th Wall Street Journal, Ms. LuPone shared her top five rules of theater etiquette. Check them out below:
1. R-E-S-P-E-C-T- Be aware of your theatergoing neighbor. In front of you, behind you, to your right, and left. Treat them with respect, unless you’re sitting next to a loudmouthed idiot.
2. Power Down – Turn off all electronic devices, and watch the play instead.
3. Have Dinner Beforehand- Refrain from eating and drinking in your seat. The majestic old ladies that are Broadway’s great theaters deserve your respect. The theater isn’t your kitchen. There is always intermission to imbibe.
4. Use Judgment – Don’t feel obligated to give everything you see a standing ovation.
5. Prepare For Bliss – Come to the theater with the expectation of being transported. Isn’t that why you bought the ticket?
Source: R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Patti LuPone Shares Her ‘Top Five Rules of Theater Etiquette’