I had an experience this evening that was, perhaps, the most shocking of my theatergoing career. It had nothing to do with what was going on onstage. (Incidentally, that was Larry Loebell’s new play, House, Divided, which had a few issues, but was otherwise a rather complex and interesting story. But I digress.)
In what might be the most startling display of audience misbehavior ever, a few moments after the play began, the woman next to me opened her bag, took out some string, and proceeded to FLOSS HER TEETH. ALL OF THEM. I’m quite sure everyone reading this blog has gritted their teeth (but not flossed them) while a show’s climactic moment was deflated by someone’s salsa ringtone, but this?
Are people so divorced from the communal nature of theater that when forced to take in entertainment outside their homes, they just dissociate and go on as though padding around their living rooms in their underwear? Maybe this alienating effect is compounded by a steady diet of formerly private behavior turned shameless public display via blogging (ahem) and reality tv. Whatever, it’s gross.
Do you have a comparable story? Could one possibly exist? If so, bring it. At this point, I believe anything’s possible.
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Top This One - Drama Queen
