Turn It Off! Potential Fixes for the Cell-Phones-in-Theaters Problem

After #CellphoneGate at HAND TO GOD, Patti LuPone's flabbergasted phone-snatching at SHOWS FOR DAYS and Madonna's rude behavior at HAMILTON, it's time for a solution beyond the "act now, apologize later" tactic. Addressing this, a new article in The New York Times digs into potential fixes for the ever-present, cellphone-using theatergoer.

In lieu of the usual recorded pre-show announcement, having an actor appear onstage and ask the audience to silence their devices seems to get through to the public. General manager of the Circle in the Square Susan Frankel told the Times she had an understudy make the request before performances of Broadway's THE RIVER, starring Hugh Jackman. "It added to the personalness, that it came from the cast, really, truly," she said.

Even if we really might want to, jamming cell phones is not an option -- the practice is illegal in the United States.

"We can all think about emergencies in theaters or schools where being able to reach 911 is critical," Brian Josef, assistant vice president for regulatory affairs for CTIA: The Wireless Association, told the Times. "The worry is that jammers are a very blunt instrument," and "resources would be better spent in educating the public about user etiquette." Because that's worked...

But by far the most innovative approach mentioned in the Times' article is from San Francisco start-up Yondr. The company came up with the idea of "a form-fitting, tamper-proof neoprene case that patrons are handed as they enter a theater. Phones are turned off or put on vibrate, slipped into the case and locked; the patron holds the package during the show."

But what about emergencies? Audience members would be able to leave the theater and have the device removed. Following the show, theatergoers would return the case "to a hamper near the exits, like 3-D glasses at a movie theater," writes the Times.

What do you think? Do you have any innovative ideas to stop the tide of rude phone users in theaters? Or should we just embrace it with "tweet seats" and tech friendly sections? Tell us in the comments below!

Photo courtesy of PSFK.