When I saw my first Broadway show, Cabaret, a couple years back, I was so excited and went out and bought a brand-new, beautiful outfit for the occasion. But when my friends and I hit NYC and got into Studio 54, I was shocked to see some people in less than nice clothing. There was even one woman in jeans and an oversized Tweety Bird t-shirt. Where do you all stand on what is and is not appropriate dress for the theatre, especially Broadway? You promised me poems. ~Tricky

For women, a tasteful dress or skirt, or even a pair of nice dress pants with heels and a jacket should do it. Guys *should* wear at least a button-down shirt or a jacket. However, you'll usually find that the ones in the t-shirts and jeans with ratty old sandals are the ones who don't go to the theatre too often, so you have to deal with that kind less. (Of coruse, these're also the people who bring Happy Meals for their kids into Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and talk loudly during the eleven-o-clock number...) If I were perfect for you, wouldn't you tire of me?

I used to make a point to get very dressed up - especially when I was younger. I mean, it's fun. But now that I live in the city and often go on a whim, or after a whole day out and about, in class, at work, whatever - I usually just go in whatever. If it's a planned outing, like with my family or something, I still do get sort of dressed up, I guess out of respect. I think I've been less inclined to get dressed up because I go to the theatre MORE often, rather - and I find that the tourists are the ones who go all-out. While I think there's a line (I yell at my brother when he tries to go to theatre in ripped sweats and a hoodie), within reason, I do believe it's okay to wear whatever. I recognize the habit. The addiction to being alive. We live past hope. If I can find hope anywhere, that's it, that's the best I can do.

The recent trend is the one that says, "If I paid $100 to see the show, I'll wear what I want". I certainly do not subscribe to this school of thought. At least make an attempt to look nice! For God's sake, men, would it hurt you to put on a Polo shirt and a nice pair of pants? No.

I'm all about always looking good at the theatre, but during the summer with the heat it's very hard to for a man. I mean, unlike women we can't wear a nice loose cool skirt, we either have shorts or pants. When I usually see shows I do a lot of walking and I really don't feel like wlaking 50 blocks or more in black pants and a jacket or button down shirt. But, if I do go on a cooler day, I will wear a nice pair of pants, a button down shirt, or a collared golf shirt. Alos, when I do wear shorts, it's not with a tweety t-shirt. "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." To Kill A Mockingbird

I see nothing wrong with wearing jeans or shorts (in summer) and a nice shirt for men for a matinee. Dockers and a nice shirt - polo or otherwise for evening.

Normally I am for dressing up. However, there was one time when we decided to rush RENT last minute on a whim. We ended up getting the tickets and did not have the time to get back to our place change and get back to the theater in time for the show. So, in that instance, we went in whatever we were wearing at the time which was just jeans and t-shirts. I did hear some snobby whispers as we were entering for the show. "You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. " --Sueleen Gay

I can definitely understand the rush seats and not having time to go change. I'm an out-of-towner, so I don't generally have the theatre-on-a-whim temptation so much. I just really feel like the theatre deserves respect. (I also feel I may be a snob. ) You promised me poems. ~Tricky

In my own city, I get dressed up...but for me to get to New York requires many hours on a cramped bus. I've come in to see DRS and Piazza, each time spending 8 hours of the day on a bus and only 3 in the theatre. In those cases, I try and look as presentable as possible...but I'm often in jeans.

I put more stock in how a person behaves in the theatre than what they wear. They could wear a burlap bag for all I care - it doesn't interfere with my theatre experience. As long as they are quiet during the show, wear what you want. Oh, but bathing is a must. Seats are too close together for someone to come to the theatre smelling like they just were picking up trash.

Hollaback for hygiene! You promised me poems. ~Tricky

I think it would be a better viewing experience if people were to get dressed up. It would make it more of a formal event and people's attitudes were be different. I'm not saying they should dress, because I never do. The best way to get people to look nice is to be print it on the ticket "Please Dress Appropriately" Baby, dream your dream Close your eyes and try it!

"print it on the ticket "Please Dress Appropriately"" but isn't that the point? People don't know what appropriate is. There is a general epidemic of lost manners in this country. If something were to be printed, it would have to be specific: i.e. "coat and tie required" or something. I get where you're going with it...I just don't think subtlety would work.

i remember when people got dressed up to go on airplanes. the best dressed theater audience i've seen recently was BOMBAY DREAMS without a doubt. they came out in glittering saris, kurtas, lenghas --it looked like a south asian festival. Mind is Mantra.

I always try to look nice when I go see a show. I usually wear nice jeans(no cuts or rips), a nice shirt(preferably one from the show I'm seeing), and a hat(preferably the hat from the show). I also make sure that I've showered and shaved before I go. The one thing that I never do, is wear shorts. Even in the summer, I never wear shorts, never. I'm just comfortable in my jeans. I also never wear ripped clothes or sweatpants to a show, that's where I draw the line is at ripped or sleeveless shirts and sweatpants at a show. Also, I hate the people how decide to take their shoes off during the show. ________________________________________________________________ "Somebody blows their nose and you wanna keep it." -Ghostbusters

usually, if it is planned, nice pair of jeans and a nice top. but when I have done lottery, I wore shorts (not really short ones I hate them) and a tank top. But I've seen worse. <--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage. -Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree. ~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~ There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel. ~Curtains~ It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known. ~A Tale of Two Cities ~

I'm totally w/ emcee on this one. I also go to school in the city, and after a day of classes, running around, the last thing I want to do is get all decked out. I usually wear whatever I had on, and call it a day. Then, there are some shows where the "dress code" would vary. Colleen, I find it extremely surprising that anyone at RENT would care what you wore. If ever there was a T-shirt and jeans show, it'd be RENT, but I'm sure you could run into that anywhere. I hadn't seen a show one night, but I swung up to Fiddler to get Nancy Opal to sign my Urinetown window card and some woman looked to her husband and said "Can you believe the nerve of people not getting dressed for the theatre." 1st of all lady, I didn't see the show (or any tonight) and 2. It's really none of your damn business! It wasn't like I looked like some vagrant or something. I'd imagine I had on what I usually have on: jeans, some decent shoes, and a decent jacket. But when did New Hampshire become--Such a backward wasteland of seatbelt hating crazies?...I mean, only 40 people actually live there. The others are just visitors who come for the tax-free liquor and three inches of novelty coastline. John Hodgeman on The Daily Show (1-30-07)

SorryGrateful, you are a theater snob. It's part of your charm. But, for the most part, I have to agree with you. It's the theater! Show some respect! Unfortunately there are always a few exceptions to the rule. Rush seats, hot weather, travel requirements, spur of the moment decisions.... They all make it nearly impossible to turn up at the show all dressed up. For some of us, getting a new outfit and getting dressed up is part of the fun of the theater experience. For others, what you wear doesn't really matter. And so I have to say to each his own on this one. I wish that everyone felt the way I do about getting dressed up for the theater, but it's never gonna happen. No sense getting upset about it. "Bush and Cheney have turned into the Dukes of Hazzard, just like every week, they get themselves into these crazy predicaments, 'ain't no way the Duke boys are gettin' outta this one,' then they jump the General Lee over the Bill of Rights, it's fucking insane!" - Patton Oswalt

Well, katygrace84, aren't you just the voice of reason today... You promised me poems. ~Tricky

I think it depends a lot on what type of show you are seeing. I would feel pretty stupid going to see RENT in a jacket and tie. Similarly, I would feel out of place going to see LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA in ripped jeans and a tee shirt. I think the time of year and performance choice is relevant too. If it's a Saturday matinee in the middle of July and it's 95 degrees outside, a nice pair of cargo shorts and a polo shirt are perfectly fine. For the evening performance, I'd wear long pants!

For me, a lot depends on the show. For Rent, I wore jeans and a nice top. For The Light in the Piazza, I wore black corduroy, dressier pants and a blouse. But I would never go to a show in jaens and a t-shirt. Never.

Fair Lady-- I would probably never wear jeans either. But that has everything to do with my being my mother's daughter, not a theatre couture snob. You promised me poems. ~Tricky

Lately I've just been wearing summer dresses and skirts. So, I haven't been overly formal or overly casual. Seems fine to me.

I wore a nice broomstick skirt and a shirt to see Spamalot---this is after traveling for 9 hours on Greyhound, and changing in the rest room of a restaurant. I would not be opposed to wearing nice (unripped) jeans to a show, however (but it depends on the show!). "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!"

Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer to wear something nice. Dresses/skirts, and dress pants are my common theatre attire. It also depends on the show. I love costuming and I love doing themes. I always wore sexy black lace numbers for Cabaret, and for shows like Piazza and ASU, I wore full circular skirts and neck scarves. I'm thinking about wearing a black skirt and a blood red shirt to Sweeney. "What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL