Should Theaters Provide Free Wi-Fi For Its Guests?

[Wynbish]

Is getting a buzz on your phone anymore annoying than having an usher come to your seat and telling you that you have a call in the lobby?

Yes, but an usher doesn't come get you when a friend calls or texts just to say, "What's up? I'm bored."

[CATSNYrevival]

Does anyone know if it's even possible to install cell phone blockers that wouldn't also interfere with the mics and other wireless equipment needed to run the show?

[PalJoey]

DEAL WITH IT because it is not going to change.

I put my curse on you. May you never attend the theater again without being surrounded, on all four sides, by boundary-less, wrapper-opening, plot-discussing, cellphone-addicted harpies, and may you forever have to deal with it, because, now that I've put this curse on you, it is not going to change.

[bobs3]

When the proliferation of cell phones began, some theaters looked into call blocking equipment but since cell phones are basically fancy radios and much automatic scenery, microphones and lighting are run by radio signals, it would interfere with the running of the show.

Brings to mind the story of when SUNSET BLVD. was going through tech before the London opening and the radio signals for the scenery fly-ins were on the same radio wavelength as London cabs, so whenever a cab driver would pass the theater and have his radio on, it wasn't unusual for a piece of scenery to fly in our out at an inopportune moment. They had to reconfigure all of the set cues to a new wavelength.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Only at intermission. During show of course not.

[DEClarke]

Only if they give us tazers to use on those who partake in free Wi-Fi during the performance.

[suestorm]

DUMBEST POST EVER

[ARTc]

I find this whole thread incredulous. Despite the fact that it happens often, I can't believe that anyone doesn't get how rude it is to keep their phone on during a live performance and even take a call or respond to a text.

I actually have grabbed the phone out of a neighbor's hands after her third call, multiple texts and my - at first nicely and then roughly - telling her to turn her phone off! The theater is not a place for cell phones.

[madbrian]

I haven't read the entire thread, so I apologize if this has already been posted, but a theater in Rhode Island is experimenting with the concept of 'tweet seats'.


Tweet Seats

[Marianne2]

Now we're using age against those who don't want cell phones interrupting performances and that it's the new thing and to deal with it? Um, no. I'm only 28, and I know how to behave and not use my cell phone in a theater. And ushers only need to interrupt people when it's important. They don't just go up to random people in the audience to talk during performances, so that's a bad example.

I guess I must have bad parents too because they never called a million times if one of us was sick. They left instructions and had common sense on what was an emergency and what was not.

[Movidude742]

As long as people are not on their mobile device during the performance (including Overture and Entracte when they exist) I don't care if they are on an app or texting. People on the phone or checking messages during the performance should be stopped by the ushers, just as always.

Now, There are a few theaters that already do have wifi in house. I don't ahve a problem with more adding them, but there is no reason they can't turn off any router with open public access before the stage manager cues the start of the show.

[Amalia Balash]

I wish they would for before the show and intermission, but I understand why it's a bad idea.

[doodlenyc]

Why would you need wifi for your phone?

This is clearly for tablets...which are completely unnecessary in the theater.

[uncageg]

New World Stages offers free wifi in the lounge area. It does not extend into the theaters.

The Denver Center offeqrs a phone number to patrons who are doctors or who want to be contacted in case of emergency. The ushers go to their seats if a call comes in or they wait until intermission, I think, if the caller says it isn't something bad enough to pull the patron out of their seat.

[DRSisLove]

Maybe they could provide free Wi-Fi and then shut it off when the show starts?

[suestorm]

i think its pretty sad to not be able to be unconnected for an hour unless youre a DR, you must be Hen-pecked

[Mister Matt]

There are ways of doing so without annoying those around you. Covering the screen with your hand.

No, that is still distracting.

If you see the phone, chill the hell out.

That sort of response is even more reason to ban cell phones from theatres. And probably from you.

As long as they're not being obvious and obnoxious with it then who gives a ****.

If they are doing it at all, they are being obvious and obnoxious. Especially since every show has an announcement at the beginning telling the audience to specifically NOT DO IT.

Ask nicely and I'm sure they'll try to be more discreet.

Tried that once. Didn't work. You're wrong.

Your kid's under the weather and is with the sitter.

If you're that concerned, stay home. Or wait until intermission. Like everyone else did for centuries. Or just "chill the hell out".

You and your husband spend over $200 on tickets to a show and your child gets sick.

And if your child is so sick, you are worried something tragic may happen in a couple of hours, to the point that you NEED to disrupt people who also paid hundreds of dollars NOT to be interrupted by your phone, then "chill the hell out" and stay home.

Phones maybe annoying, but most shows are even louder & brighter.

Most shows don't occur in a darkened audience.

What about if the kid falls and gets hurt while you're not there?

Then the sitter or the kid can use their phone to call 911, then leave a message with the parents that they will receive either at intermission or after the show. Just like it's always been.

Is getting a buzz on your phone anymore annoying than having an usher come to your seat and telling you that you have a call in the lobby?

Yes, because cell phones buzz FAR more frequently than ushers have ever been called to anyone's seat. That's precisely WHY it is more annoying.

DEAL WITH IT because it is not going to change.

Chill the hell out.



And to answer the original question. Of course not. Why on earth should theatres provide free Wi-Fi for patrons?

[doodlenyc]

I still dont understand why anyone needs wifi in a theater. You can use your phone already...what else do you want to do, pull out your laptop?

[suestorm]

OMG i agree TOTALLY with MISTERMATT. must be a sign of the apocolypes, or just a real ahole for us to be so in sync LOL

[wonderwaiter]

"I still dont understand why anyone needs wifi in a theater.

Verizon nixed my unlimited data with my last upgrade, so I would appreciate the free wifi for preshow and intermission. However, my phone would would be silenced (not even vibrate, because that's almost as loud) and completely out of sight during the performance.

[suestorm]

""Verizon nixed my unlimited data with my last upgrade, so I would appreciate the free wifi for preshow and intermission. However, my phone would would be silenced

i guess you cant spare the 10 cents or so you might be charged on your phone?

[wonderwaiter]

Why would I want to?

[suestorm]

why would i want to??

Ummm i dont know, to be courteous to your fellow theatergoers? to not embarrass the person you're with? to not look like a total jackarse? to show your momma didnt raise you in a barn? to not be a totally selfish douche? PICK ONE!

[wonderwaiter]

So instead I'll just pay more for my data plan to satisfy a particularly rude sock puppet on a message board?

Right.

[suestorm]

ha, WONDERWAITER youre using a cellphone in a theater and the people who dont like it are rude?? SELFABSORBED MUCH?

[mar6411]

Wonderwaiter said "I would appreciate the free wifi for preshow and intermission. However, my phone would would be silenced (not even vibrate, because that's almost as loud) and completely out of sight during the performance."

How is appreciating having wifi for preshow and intermission being self absorbed and rude? Seems like all responders to the thread have agreed that preshow and intermission are appropriate use of a cell phone.