...and I want to enjoy it as much as the next person. Last night, I was in good company, attending a fabulous show, with great seats (Row F, center). "The Cripple of Inishmaan" http://www.crippleofinishmaan.com is not a musical but a play, with LOTS of dialogue. The dialogue is almost in English. The play is set on an island off of Ireland and the dialect is particular to the area- full of lilts and colloquialisms the American ear is not accustomed to and the actors, as far as I could tell, were not mic'd. My role as a a member of the theatre triumvirate (show-audience-space) is to pay attention! The gentleman next to me thought he was discreetly texting throughout Act One. THOUGHT. Every time his bright light popped on, I was distracted. I was further distracted by 1. irritation 2. my inner dilemma of what to say, how to say it (and still be polite!- yes, I'm a southerner) and 3. curiosity/amazement. These orchestra seats are not cheap! Really? casual texting can be so important that the $100+ seat and amazing talent before you (hello? Daniel Ratcliff?) plays second banana to a text?
This texting fool (yes, I would categorize him as foolish) was not a teenager, nor in his 20s. I would say late 30s maybe. Old enough to know better.
I doubt that anyone reading this blog is a serial theater texter but I do hope that somehow the message is spread- no matter HOW discreet you THINK you are being, texting during a show is distracting to at least 4 - 5, maybe more, theater goers around you. That light is like a beacon in a darkened theater. If you are so disinterested in the play before you (and believe me, last night, that was not possible - the show is terrific) or not willing to participate in a great experience, stay home. Go to Starbucks. No one cares if you text there.
The end of the story is that to my delight, this person and his friend did not return after Intermission. Was it something I said? I hope so.
