Huge Pet Peeve (June 9)
okay...this is going to be a short one because i have to get ready for our two shows today. i just wanted to say something to get it off my chest.
after doing a show for over 2 hours, and especially with a show like this where these character's lives are put on display and their souls are torn apart right in front of your very eyes...please don't stand up and leave as we are taking our bows.
last night, as our Four Seasons are taking a bow, three woman in the FRONT ROW get up and slowly make their way out to the aisles to leave. They even stopped halfway through to say something to each other.
listen ladies...you are sitting in the front row. everyone of us (and the audience) can see what you are doing. it's rude. just sit down for the last 3 fucking minutes and let us finish our bows and the "Oh What a Night" playoff.
maybe i would understand if these ladies were senior citizens (they weren't) and they needed some additional time to make their way to the exits. or maybe it would be cool if i saw them leaving from the last row of the orchestra where they aren't really interrupting anyone else's view.
but front row center...? really...? did you really need to beat the traffic that bad?
and perhaps i was just upset about it. or maybe it was that all of us in the cast are so overtired from this looooooooong week. but as they were making their way out, i literally screamed at them, "where are you going? we're not done yet. why don't you sit back down". they didn't hear me, but i have to apologize to Courter and Melissa who did...as well as Michael Ingersoll, who told me it was near impossible holding a straight face when he heard it.
so new rule: unless you are ill, need extra time to safely get out of your seat and get to the exits, or are in the last row and on an aisle, stay in your damn seat until the show is done.
thank you.
after doing a show for over 2 hours, and especially with a show like this where these character's lives are put on display and their souls are torn apart right in front of your very eyes...please don't stand up and leave as we are taking our bows.
last night, as our Four Seasons are taking a bow, three woman in the FRONT ROW get up and slowly make their way out to the aisles to leave. They even stopped halfway through to say something to each other.
listen ladies...you are sitting in the front row. everyone of us (and the audience) can see what you are doing. it's rude. just sit down for the last 3 fucking minutes and let us finish our bows and the "Oh What a Night" playoff.
maybe i would understand if these ladies were senior citizens (they weren't) and they needed some additional time to make their way to the exits. or maybe it would be cool if i saw them leaving from the last row of the orchestra where they aren't really interrupting anyone else's view.
but front row center...? really...? did you really need to beat the traffic that bad?
and perhaps i was just upset about it. or maybe it was that all of us in the cast are so overtired from this looooooooong week. but as they were making their way out, i literally screamed at them, "where are you going? we're not done yet. why don't you sit back down". they didn't hear me, but i have to apologize to Courter and Melissa who did...as well as Michael Ingersoll, who told me it was near impossible holding a straight face when he heard it.
so new rule: unless you are ill, need extra time to safely get out of your seat and get to the exits, or are in the last row and on an aisle, stay in your damn seat until the show is done.
thank you.
posted by The Guter at 6/10/2007 10:59:00 AM
15 Comments:
Hey Eric,
I TOTALLY agree with you hear. They were just plain RUDE, RUDE, RUDE!!!!!!!!!
Otherwise, I hope all is well with married life. I hope your next post is a happier one.
Take care.
Stacey S. from SINY
My gosh, don't these people know that dancing at your seat during the "Oh What a Night" reprise is one of the most enjoyable parts of the evening? One of my pet peeves is when people SIT DOWN after the standing o when it's CLEARLY intended that the audience dance along with the cast! But to leave the theatre? Incredible! More power to you, Eric, for sounding off!
-Andrea Kim
People in Los Angeles just don't have proper breeding...that's all.
I feel ya.
E,
My wife and I saw the LA show a couple weeks ago (first saturday) and it was truly outstanding. My hands still hurts from applause (true), otherwise I'd slap that digbat in the front row. You're right, of course, but 2,199 to 1 is still adds up to incredible. Our thanks to you and the company for the hard work and the sensational experience. -s-
Bravo Eric, for speaking up!!! Thank you for stating this simple rule of decent behavior to say nothing of what these women missed. No one should be permitted to leave until the lights come up. I have instructed my daughter from a young age that one NEVER leaves their seat early (I don't care if she is 90 years old or where the seat is). I've explained that the actors have given so much of themselves and that we OWE them a proper thank you. (The only time I was forgiving was when Rod Stewart had no choice but to slip out early.) I just wish I had been as strict about her finishing her vegetables...
Eric, how about submitting that to the LA Times?!
~ SF fan Leanna
Welcome to LA. I think you guys got spoiled in SF. It's great to play in such a big market as LA with maybe some potential movie/TV people to watch in the audience. But other than that, I can't think of anything that would make an actor want to do theater in LA, from some of the audience behavior tendencies to the fact it's not a great theater town to the fact you have to live in LA until the run is over.
You are now officially slightly smaller fish in a very large pond, instead of big fish in a smallish pond. But I'm sure most of the audience enjoys it and were taught manners by their mothers instead of the crowds at Dodger Stadium.
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wow, how horrid. it reminds me of this discussion here, where someone had the guts to call people out on it.
it was great seeing you guys on saturday!!
What's up Eric! We miss you guys in SF, but considering this happened to you in LA, it's been happening to the 2nd cast a lot too during their bows as well. I know that traffic in SF and LA sucks after matinees or anytime during the evening, but have some consideration for the cast and audience!
Patrons standing up and leaving their seats for bathroom breaks during the performances, forcing the side doors open and letting sunlight beam through while final bows are occurring and talking during the performance bugs me!
Michael Ingersoll should have drop kicked that group since he has a black belt and you guys could play it off like Nick Massi practicing a slam dance as part of the act.
I feel for the casts that work hard to entertain us but having unruly and uncivilized audience members spoil our fun and distract the cast is bad and they should be immediately ejected (dragged out by their hair)!
Good luck during the rest of the tour and I hope to see you in LA soon!
That is very hurtful to the cast and crew. Although the ladies may not have meant it, but it shows that they were not very grateful at all. :( I am sorry that happened Eric.
Eric - I read your Blog & agree that it is very inpolite to leave before the final curtain goes down - Unfortunately you are addressing the wrong people - the ones that read your blog know better - Im glad you got it off your chest -but remember you have to keep your cool
Love to you & Sarah
Bubi
The problem with LA theater goers, especially at the Ahmanson/Music Center complex is that parking is soemtimes 8 levels down. I am not making excuses for the behavior which is terribly rude. You will also see a good number of people who are not regular theater-goers because of the type of show you are doing. BTW- I saw the show last week and you were out. I was quite impressed!
Eric:
Just know that people in L.A. have a tendency to be self-centered and inconsiderate. Am sorry you and the other outstanding cast members experienced such rudeness!
We, in San Francisco, love each and every one of you! Where will you perform after L.A.? and...will you be making a return appearance in our fair city by the bay?
Thank you again for the joy you brought us night after night during your run in San Francisco. Jersey Boys will have a lasting impact on the theatre scene here!
Buona Fortuna,
Annette Baron
Eric, since someone mentioned Dodger Stadium, I really need to say this. I grew up in New York City and watched every inning of every Mets and Yankee game (OK, most every game)...what's the deal with the Dodger crowds coming in around the 3rd inning and leaving in the 7th inning. Well, OK--at least I don't have to fight traffic after the game is over.
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