Re: Has Theatre Become Too Casual?

I was recently introduced to the world of musical theatre through two friends--both performers in theatre and I was appalled at the mode of dress that I saw when I went to my first Broadway show. I dressed up in very nice slacks and silk blouse to see Phantom of the Opera and the other show--Closer than Ever, I dressed in a very nice dress as if I were going to church. When I went to see Phantom, I saw people in shorts and sandals or blue jeans and every day shirt.

My perception of going to the theatre without ever having been to one was that you dressed in your finery. I could not believe at how lax people were in their dress. I still continue to dress in my finery because I still believe that going to the theatre is a special night and a special culture. I try to ignore and/or not look at how others are dressed anymore because it doesn't do me any good to get worked up about. I still treat the theatre as a means of culture and for me that means dressing in my finery. It makes me feel special and the night special.

Re: Has Theatre Become Too Casual?

Absolutely. The theatre is a place for live entertainment, but not only that, the work that the actors and actresses put in, to entertain us at their best, is a distinct honour. Unlike movies where actors are given a "redo" with scenes, the theatre depends on the actor to entertain us, and where we can plainly see a fault if made. Why can't we put in a similar effort to dress as best as we can, to respect that effort, and encourage it? When I see audiences in what looks like tourist clothing, I believe it an insult not only to the theatre, but to the actors that put in the effort themselves. Anyone can go to the movies, but not everyone can go to the theatre, and there is quite a marked difference, so please dress and act accordingly.

Re: Has Theatre Become Too Casual?

I personally like to dress nice to go to the theatre so I have Sunday season tickets. I have had them for many years. Going to the theatre is one of the few times I get dress up. I have made it a special occasion for my children and me. We dress nice and go eat out and make it a special day. I hope it is something they remember fondly from childhood; the special times of going to the theatre. I don't think it is as important to dress up as it is to just dress nice. I am opposed to tshirts with holes or vulgar saying and jeans with holes. I think it is good to dress respectably and tastefully. And no electronic devices during the show. That is totally rude.

Re: Has Theatre Become Too Casual?

Hmmm. For one thing I hate dressing up. Hate it. Especially since I'm a girl and if I have to wear a dress I have no place to put anything. No pockets I mean. I don't like the feeling of having a purse. I'm not going to wear jeans and T-shirts to the theater, but I am going to wear pants with pockets.

Checking one's phone during a performance is rude! It's rude to the performers and it's rude to the people sitting around you. Arriving late to the theater and walking in front of people to get to your seat is also rude! I build in some extra time to get to the theater to make sure I arrive on time.

Checking your phone before a performance or during intermission, though, is OK I think. Like I said, I get there early, so what else can I do? I bring a book and there are always people on Twitter or Tumblr posting things I can look at while waiting. Also, it's fun to Tweet that you're at the theater and make all your friends jealous. ;) But my ringer gets turned off and the phone is stowed in my pocket during a performance.

I definitely think it's a more sophisticated thing to go to the theater than to go to the movies. But it's not necessarily a bad thing that theater is attracting a wider crowd. As long as people aren't rude and just keep to common etiquette, I'm cool. As for what I do when someone is being horrible... I suffer in silence because I'm so shy I can't talk to people.

Re: Has Theatre Become Too Casual?

Not everyone has the resources to afford diamonds, evening gowns, furs and tuxedoes. Some of us work right up to the time to walk to the Hobby Center and attend the performance in our work clothes. For me that's dockers and a polo shirt, for my husband slacks and a dress shirt. We sit way up near the ceiling because that's what we can afford. Our season tickets are purchased during the Theatre District Open House because there's usually a discount then. TUTS is our one entertainment luxury each year. We would NEVER think of emailing, texting or making phone calls during the performance and when my husband starts to sing along I poke him and remind him that the patrons around us have paid to hear the performers and not him. To suggest that we are somehow boorish because we aren't dressed to the nines shows a distinct lack of compassion.

Re: Has Theatre Become Too Casual?

I attended a production just last night. A young woman turned on... not her cell phone... her iPad multiple times! Can you imagine the beam that thing sent out in a (small) dark theater?

Re: Has Theatre Become Too Casual?

Yes Yes and Yes to all! I so totally agree.

We finallly got to the point of not going to see movies and and also the theatre for these very reasons. I think the biggest problem is that there is nothing ever done about it and until there is it will continue happening.

I think the only place that I have ever heard of that actually kicks people out for using their cell phones for any reason is the Alamo Drafthouse but then again this was a while back, wouldn't know if they still do. More places should kick people out for not following the rules and ruining everyone else's experience like using their cell phones. I mean really even movie theatres state no cells/texting during movies, etc. and before every play rule is stated about cell phones, but is there ever anything done about it? NO.

That's just my two cents.