I agree it was absolutely none of their business, and "yelling" is never called for in any case. I did find the OP's plaint just a leetle overdramatic, and I found that off-putting. Seriously: "escape my tormenters"? Made to feel as "though I'd clambered out of steerage at the Titanic and was trying to cut in the life [sic] for a lifeboat!"?
A couple of boorish patrons complained, perhaps noisily, about her taking a seat they felt she wasn't entitled to. No matter what, they were wrong, of course - but the entire incident was avoidable, and it's unfortunate that OP allowed them to make her feel bad.
It is common for ushers to offer empty seats to people in the back of the theatre? I remember it happened once when I saw HAIR for the second time. The theatre was very empty and during intermission, one of the ushers went to the people in the back of the theatre and said they could move closer to the stage if they wanted to. Off course everybody did.
I also remember arriving 10 minutes late to one the first previews of Sondheim on Sondheim and the ushers made me seat in the back and wait until intermission to move to my seat. When I did, 2 people seating behind said I shouldn't do it because it wasn't right taking a seat that I didn't paid for even if no one was using it. I showed them my ticket and the look on their faces was priceless haha
"It is common for ushers to offer empty seats to people in the back of the theatre?"
I've seen that happen a lot, particularly in the mezz, when the rear mezz is cheaper, and the front mezz is fairly empty. I can specifically remember that happening at Grey Gardens and The Apple Tree.
"It is common for ushers to offer empty seats to people in the back of the theatre?"
It is fairly common, yes. As April pointed out, actors like to see faces. Ushers know this and often have standing orders on shows that are not doing well to move people closer to the stage, esp from a balcony to a mezz, and often from rear orch as well.
Interesting thread - can see it both ways, especially if a tall person takes an empty seat in front of a short person and blocks their view (although their view may have been blocked anyway if the person who did pay for the seat happened to be tall).
^ As a tall person, I probably wouldn't plop myself down in front of a *very* short person if that wasn't my original seat. (If it was my original seat, though, there's nothing I can do about that) But as April says she's 5'2", that obviously wasn't the case here.
The only time I've had the nerve to ask an usher to move was the intermission of Mary Poppins, where the kids were noisy and there was an empty box. What she told me was, "I can't say yes, but no one will stop you unless the owner of those tickets comes in during the second act, in which case we'll ask you to return to your seats."
The only time I've ever had other patrons complain about where I was sitting was when I had the standing room at Book of Mormon, where I paid $27 and the people directly in front of me paid $150-something. I've also had some inquisitive people get peeved when they ask about how much my tickets were when I've rushed.
^ As a tall person, I probably wouldn't plop myself down in front of a *very* short person if that wasn't my original seat. (If it was my original seat, though, there's nothing I can do about that.)
I'm also 6'3" and rarely take an unoccupied seat just because I'm afraid of blocking someone's view. (In the seat I paid for, I figure there's nothing I can do about height.)
I certainly wouldn't agree to slouch through a show. That can't be good for anybody's back.
But I was once asked if I would try sitting on the floor. The theater had continental seating and plenty of leg room; the woman behind me was very tiny. I figured, "Sure. Why not try it?"
It turned out I could see the show just fine while sitting on the floor and everyone was happy. (This was NOT a Broadway house. I've never seen a theater in New York with that much leg room.)
(ETA as for the OP, I suppose she should have checked with an usher, if only for her own peace of mind. But she did the most important thing, which was make sure the seat had been empty. I think her conscience should be clear.)
First, let me say those peopel were rude a@#holes. You didn't deserve that.
However, I will say that if theatres are going to sell premium seats at exorbitant prices, then I don't feel folks from cheap seats should be plunking down in them unless they are asked to. If I have paid $250 bucks (sometimes I have) for first three center rows, then I don't think it really fair that someone just helps themselves.
That being said, I'd never reprimand someone but I would inquire if they were huge and blocked my view.
It's like airlines. Jetblue won't let you move to an extra legroom seat if the plane is full and those seats are all empty because you didn't pay the premium.
I've never moved seats unless and usher has asked me, which they have on occassion.
I once witnessed an extreme overreaction to someone moving up. A somewhat heavy but not really obese young woman came at intermission and took a seat in the side of the rear orchestra. The guy behind her totally went off, saying loudly and repeatedly that now he couldn't see because she was "SO FAT. HOW CAN I SEE AROUND SOMEONE SO FAT?"
Of course, he got what he wanted -- the young woman became very red in the face and left. The guy's wife was pretty horrified, although I find it hard to believe that he behaves differently at home.
After Eight, thanks for the compliment! Sure, I guess I sound a little dramatic here, but it was like getting emotionally mugged. They were really loud and abusive, everybody around us heard them, and it was hard not to cry, much less enjoy the rest of the performance. Maybe if I'd have fired back at them at all, I wouldn't need to rant about it here. And it was at Porgy and Bess.
I just can't imagine being that mean and acting that entitled...and for no reason at all, because I would have moved immediately the moment they'd said anything. Life is too short...
The fact that it was at Porgy and Bess makes it worse, because even though I haven't sat in the first two rows, that theater has the best sight lines! Maybe the rake gets higher as it goes back, but complaining about one's height, something they can't control is absurd.
I think it's very rude, when people change seats during the Overture. I ran in to that problem during Mamma Mia. Just because the curtain hasn't gone up doesn't mean the show hasn't started. I wish more people could appreciate the overture now a days.
You tall people may be uncomfortable, but at least you can see. I'm approximately 5'0, and I can't tell you how many times I've paid good money to see nothing but the back of someone's head.
I have moved up one or two rows on occasion. I confess it never occurred to me to check with an usher (I will in the future), but it's never been a problem. I don't see anything wrong with it.
At the Saint James during American Idiot, by the end of the run, before Billy Joe Armstrong came back, the ushers were directing everyone who had a balcony ticket to just go down to the front of the mezzanine and fill in empty seats, so yes it happens quite often, particularly if a show has repeated patterns of empty seats. Moving during the overture is also irritating because it isn't uncommon for a latecomer to come in a few minutes later and find their seat occupied; they then have to involve an usher and create a huge commotion with people moving around and grumbling during the middle of the show It's one of my biggest pet peeves.
Moving to an unoccupied seat during intermission is entirely acceptable presuming it's done politely and with the consent of an usher who will almost always say yes unless there's something particularly special situation (if you did standing room at the Book of Mormon and saw an empty seat in the third row, I could understand why an usher might be hesitant to let you sit next to people who paid several hundred dollars more to see the same show.) However, those rude people would never know that you didn't ask an usher and would also have no idea where you seat originally. It's not really their place to enforce anything, and I understand why you didn't want to be confrontational but you were under no obligation to succumb to their bullying and move.
I've been moved by ushers before. When I went to see How to Succeed on the second night of Nick Jonas's run, my friend and I had rushed for tickets and were in the very first two seats of the right side box, which were considered obstructed view. We were the only ones in the box, and if nobody else showed up we were planning once the show started to move back a couple of rows (just because they shove the first two seats right up against the box and our knees were pressing into it.) But right before the curtain came up the usher came over and asked us if we'd like to sit in some unobstructed seats in the 4th row center of the lower mezz. We said sure, and quickly moved over before the show started.
I was glad she did that, because we got better seats for $30!
I was moved by an usher once at La Cage. I was there a few weeks before it closed, with a rush ticket for the box. One of the cabaret tables was empty, and at intermission an usher came up to the box and asked us if we would like the table. Of course we said yes immediately. I assume the reasoning is that it's better for the actors, especially in a show with a lot of audience interaction, not to have empty seats up front.
Absolutely can not STAND people who change seats at intermission.
I remember one time I was at Legally Blonde and this couple sitting next to me moved down at intermission and it drove me CRAZY. Like bitch who do you think you are? You get what you pay for. I wish ushers were more strict about it. But it's almost always going to result in a argument and they can't disrupt the show so they usually just let it slide. grr
First of all, chill out. I am sure each and every person on this board is guilty of trying to get "more for their money" at some point. Second of all, what about from the actors' point of view? Would they not prefer to see the first rows full than people scattered? Third of all, it's ridiculous to get annoyed at someone for their height. Last of all, their reaction was uncalled for. I have rarely moved seats, but next time I consider it, I will ask an usher first.
I agree with you. It's sad, yes, but even more so, ugly.
I've engaged in the reverse phenomenon. Some of these theatres are so uncomfortable, with seats so cramped, that at intermission, I've moved back to the empty rows behind. I've seen others do the same.
I'll bet the types April described would then get enraged and start screaming, "get back here and be squashed just like the rest of us!"
I've also observed patrons yelling at people for moving into their row.
Small world, isn't it? Small, and petty, and not so fine.
I usually just stay in my seat. Unless it's uncomfortable for some reason and then I try to move. I don't know if this makes any actual sense, but I find that once I experience the first half of a show from a certain seat, it kind of ruins the experience to experience the second half from a totally different angle.
I don't think there's anything unethical about it, although I think it's a good idea to ask an usher first. The only ones uptight enough to say no are the ones who would notice you're there and make you move back anyway.
Except that isn't necessarily true anymore. Discounted and rush tickets can plop a thrifty person in the middle of the orchestra. You have no way of knowing for certain what the person next to you paid, short of asking them directly or looking at their ticket.
And it shouldn't matter anyway.
It seems to me that what irks you more is that some people are more willing to take a chance than you.
Taking an empty seat has no consequences, save for a better view for the person who took it. Nothing is being taken away from anyone else... save, perhaps, for the satisfaction that someone has spent more money than someone else.
You know, I think what people tend to forget is that when you pay a good amount of money in advance for a terrific seat, you are also buying the peace of mind of knowing you won't be disappointed...and especially if you don't live right in the city, that can be worth a lot. Theater lovers on a budget--and I am one--are flying blind and last-minute with TDF, papering organizations, craigslist, rush lines and whatever else we can find to satisfy our theater cravings.
So while we might once in a while be in a situation where we're sitting next to someone who paid more--just like on a plane--I'm not so sure we should be so resented on the occasions that we luck out and get a good view for a second act.
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joined:12/5/04
Posted: 5/4/12 at 11:50am