BWW Readers Respond to THE KING & I Actor's Passionate Post on Autistic Audience Member

As BWW reported earlier today, Kelvin Moon Loh, who currently appears in Rodgers and Hammerstien's The King and I at Lincoln Center took to Facebook this week to share his strong feelings about an incident which occurred during the second act of Wednesday's matinee performance, involving a child in the audience with autism.

Loh explains that the audience began to become impatient with the child and his mother, who was unable to control his noise level during the performance. He shares that it saddened him deeply to see people reach the point of yelling at the woman and her child and he reminded us all that theater is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, not just those who are able to sit patiently and watch quietly. Read the Facebook post in full here

BWW readers had a strong response to Kelvin's passionate words. Check out some of the comments below and be sure to weigh in with your own thoughts on the issue.

Denise Mckee: He is absolutely right, the checklist that the parent of a child with autism goes through to ensure that their child will act in a manner that is not disruptive to others, before going anywhere, is overwhelming. Perhaps music makes a connection with this child and his mom wanted him to experience the joy of the theater. Shame on those people who became annoyed and forced her out ... Aren't you theater goers supposed to be the enlightened and progressive lovers of the avant garde, so accepting of differences and embracing the uniqueness of all people? Kudos to an actor who decided that standing for humanity was more important than the standing ovation. Perhaps a performance that is autism and sensory friendly would give more children the chance to enjoy his talents free from judgement until the general population can learn acceptance in practice rather than just theory.

Stefanie Picard: THANK YOU Kelvin Moon Loh!! Your response was fabulous as a mother of an autistic child. My son loves going to the theater, and yes he dances in his seat and hums the songs, he is not trying to disrupt anyone's enjoyment. An autistic child has every right to enjoy what life has to offer. These adults need to relax! Thank you for your harsh words to people who do not understand or that have the heart to get it.

Mary Beth Lindqvist: Yes, Yes and YES! I have a lovely special niece who gets enthralled at live performances and her responses are not always the "norm". She will sometimes let out a whoop that is not in tune with the rest of the audience or at the most opportune time but it is because the performance has moved her, excited her and she loves it. I would no more deny her that experience than I would deny any "normal" child and, frankly, if her pure joy and showing genuine emotion bothers those around her I don't care. We do our best to keep her as quiet as we can and, for the most part, she is appropriate but there are times when she is overcome with joy or sorrow from the performance and expresses it. Isn't that what any company hopes an audience member would feel? Others could learn from kids like her. And I commend her mother, and the mother of the child in this article, for continuing to take their children out into the world to give them the chance to enjoy the theatre as we all do.

Millicent Broderick: Yes, you should care what we pay for tickets. theatre going is a big, expensive event for most people. there are sensory event performances available and it may prove less stressful for mother. Child and surrounding audience members if the parent considered the appropriateness of the material presented as well as the child's ability to enjoy it. Yelping and screaming do not sound like those children were enjoying the show. I would consider these factors before bringing any child to a live performance.

Mindy Poon: Before I saw this posted or knew about it, my son and I had been eating lunch prior to his King and I rehearsal ( he is a royal prince in the cast) and he was talking about what a nice guy Kelvin is- Kelvin doesn't just talk the talk, but he walks the walk every show with the children in the cast he works with, being a kind, generous of spirit role model to them as well.

Janet Moskowitz: It amazes me No one screams at that asswhat who is typing on their phone Or if the phone goes off The mother should of taken the child out of the theatre But to scream... No That is what the ushers need to do, come over to the lady and tell her To take the child out of the audience

Sean Moran: bravo bravo bravo........as a youth director I have often had special need kids in my show- and it has been a wonderful and rewarding experience for all invlolved...... you sir, are a class act.

Elizabeth Tom Stuart: Thank you!!!! We need more Kelvins everywhere.

Ariane Grossi: Love this! Wish all people could be as compassionate.

Jay Pentzien: Very well said. Props to you. Hope the mother still brings her to the theatre more, its there for ALL to enjoy.

Lee Schaefer: What an amazing article! This actor truly has compassion and an understanding that theater should be for everyone.

Joseph S. Gallagher: Thank you so very much, You hit it on the head. I too am a Father of a son with Autism, My wife was yelled at and threatened at a childrens moive years back. She is scrared from this. I give that my a lot of courage and back her 100%. Thank you for being so kind, but most of all speaking out about it. I can not tell you how many times over the years we have watched so called normal children go off the walls and no one do anything about it. We are all over our son, trying to give him every expirence he deserves. Thank you again!!!

Robert L. Summers II: I applaud you, sir! As an actor and the father of an autistic son, I want to thank you for your words. Everyone, actors and audience members, need to remember theatre is all inclusive, not exclusive.

Andrew Valenzano: I never really post to things like this. Sometimes being an actor such as yourself you have to deal with situations when real life enters into a fantasy performance. You sir and your perspective of the situation is without a doubt one of the most professional responses I have ever seen. Compassion for those who are not as blessed as the average person takes patience and understanding. Your unique and positive perspective should be posted at any and all performances. People should know how the actors feel when they observe these situations. Perhaps it may change how people feel about their fantasy theater experience