I attended my first Broadway show in the Nederlander theatre 14 year ago when I saw "Rent." It was the best experience I have ever had in a Broadway theatre. Last night's visit to "Disney's Newsies" was the singular worst experience in over 75 shows since. My group, and others around us were overwhelmed at the rudeness of nearby patrons. Apparently, they were family of a member of the cast because they spent the entire first act shouting at "Tommy," standing and even waving. It was as if they were on top of their camper at the infield of a NASCAR race. They were shushed multiple times by those around them and asked quietly and politely by members of my party to quiet down. This only exacerbated the situation, with their talking becoming more obnoxious. At intermission, they refused to let us out of the row and one member of their party started yelling. Yes, yelling. I contacted an usher and then the manager who expressed sympathy, but did nothing to resolve the situation. The only solution offered was to allow us to stand in the back, with limited views of the stage. Nothing was done to curb or control the outrageously inappropriate behavior of Tommy's clan. If we could only convince Patti LuPone to spend her down time as an usher....
"At intermission, they refused to let us out of the row and one member of their party started yelling. Yes, yelling. I contacted an usher and then the manager who expressed sympathy, but did nothing to resolve the situation. The only solution offered was to allow us to stand in the back, with limited views of the stage."
I'm confused. If they didn't let you leave your row, how did you get to the back of the theatre? And why stand back there -- where by your description, their behavior would be even more of a distraction (standing up and blocking your view) than if you had returned to your row and they would be beside you, not in front of you.
I'm confused. If they didn't let you leave your row, how did you get to the back of the theatre?
I may be insane thinking this, Patash ... but don't rows of seats usually have two ways to enter and exit them? I don't think DrMike meant they were held prisoner.
Broadway debut! Special thanks to the functioning dysfunctionals and to all my teachers who helped this dream come true. “You can take the boy outta Brooklyn but you can’t take the Brooklyn outta the boy” @tommybracco
He must be so proud of his classy family. Well done Bracco's.
Perhaps you were to nice. I would have caused a scene and started cursing them out at the top of my lungs. Even during the show. If they are not going to do anything about them then they are not going to do anything about you. Fight fire with fire. Like them Puerto Ricans do.
Whenever I find someone in the audience to be uncooperative, I casually mention that I know Loretta Swit and their behavior changes immediately. Try it some time.
Patash, I understand your confusion about the logistics. We certainly were not trapped in the aisle, but when given the choice of passing 3 people or passing 10, the most considerate action would be to go in the direction which inconveniences the least number of people. Apparently, "considerate" is not in the vocabulary of the belligerent Brooklyn bunch, so they would not allow us to pass. It is just a small thing, really, but goes a long way towards illustrating the classlessness of this group. Our seats were in the house left mezzanine so spending act two in the standing room section, with limited sight lines only accomplished getting our party away from the offensive group, and nothing more.
Dolly, unless Loretta Swit had recently appeared on "Real Housewives of the Trailer Park," this group would have not known to whom I was referring. I am sure their confusion would have only resulted in additional shouting.
DrMike, maybe you should consider writing a letter to the producers and/or the Nederlander organization. To have the Bracco brood treating that particular performance as if it were the school play by hooting and hollering is unacceptable. Maybe they serve should tell Tommy to keep his brood in check next time. Personally I would have been mortified if my family behaved in such a manner. I'm sure his castmates were thrilled. He looks like a tool.
Dr. Mike, yes I'm aware that normally there are two ways you can get out of your row of seats, but since the decision of which way to go is often based on how many people are on either side or how difficult it might be, I didn't understand why anyone would refer to their being blocked in their seats by a group that might be clearly on one side. Why even bring it up if you can easily go out the other side?
JerseyGirl2, I can't speak for DrMike, but it looks like he tried to get theatre management to deal with the situation effectively, but it appears as if they didn't do anything besides offering to relocate him to the standing room area. I certainly would have written a letter to complain about how the situation was dealt with, especially considering how expensive tickets are. Tommy Bracco can't be held accountable for the actions of those there to support him, but you'd think they'd know how to behave.
JerseyGirl, the "kid" won't get fired. Even if this is brought to management's attention, there's no proof. Also, last time I checked... contracts don't have a you're responsible for everyone you know who sees the show clause. It's also Disney; they're not going to be annoyed with this.
I do find it amusing, but I suppose I shouldn;'t be surprised, that some people have turned this into blaming the actor who apparently was connected to the group,and that he looks like a tool. If they were that disruptive and he did notice it I'd be more likely to suspect he was horrified and not thrilled by it.
and i bet he took care of it already. If it was truly that disruptive the rest of the cast noticed, and he would feel the peer pressure to not let it happen again. Can certainly understand the OP being discomfited, but highly unlikely producers or theatre owners will re-dress after the fact. Time to let this dead horse stop taking a beating.
I still don't see how it's proactive. To complain AT the theatre makes sense. To send out a letter after the fact--when those audience members aren't are long gone, and to single out the performer (if you did) who had no control over it, both seem like wastes of time. I suppose if you complained about how the ushers handled it, and that was the gist of your letter, it could do a bit of good. Otherwise...
It is my assumption that the role and responsibility of the ushers and theatre management is to minimize behavior that is inappropriate or disruptive. If they are unable or unwilling to take on that responsibility, I feel it entirely appropriate to inform others. I believe my actions in the theatre were proactive: attempting to prevent further disturbances. I also believe that my actions since leaving the theatre: writing to management and yes, even discussing the incident here on the board, are also proactive. If ushers and theatre management know that their lack of action will be publicly criticized, then perhaps they will be more diligent in the future.
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Posted: 4/9/12 at 09:24am