A vent... (long)

I preface this by saying: I do not hate kids, I am CF for now but DH and I hope to have children of our own in a few years, and I am not generalizing that every parent or every child acts this way.

However.

I just got back from seeing the Lion King on Broadway - a surprise for my DH's birthday. I realize that I did buy tickets for a Sunday matinee, but I wanted to go ON his birthday and we have dinner plans with family so this was the best time for us. I did expect that some children would be there, but with tickets running about $130pp (a big splurge for us!) I figured the children would be well-behaved/old enough to act appropriately in a theater setting and that all patrons would be respectful of other guests, so I didn't really worry about it.

Well... there were TONS of kids there. Fine, it's the Lion King - and kids are shorter so less likely to block my view, so not a huge deal. However, the people around me were so disrespectful, and it was more the parents than the kids! Sure the ~5 year old behind me talked through about 1/3 of the show, and the ~10 year old to my right asked A LOT of questions, but the parents around me carried on long conversations with their children throughout the show! "Honey, look at this!" "Honey, look at that" "This is the part where _____" "Dont you remember in the movie when ____ happened?"



I shushed the parent to the right of me after she would not stop carrying on a conversation during the show, and she eventually stopped.

However, a baby was screaming and crying during a serious slow song and wasn't taken out of the theater until the song was more than half over.

I loved the show and had a great time, but I'm a little annoyed that people were so disrespectful - especially the ADULTS, who I hold to a higher standard than children. Yes, this is a show that draws children, but I wish they designated a few "adults only" showings.

Message edited 1/31/2010 4:43:01 PM.

Re: A vent... (long)

While I agree that yeah, you went to a sunday matinee for a show that is very kid friendly, I also think that the idea of behaving for Broadway shows has gone by the wayside. I remember going with my school to see shows and being encouraged to wear our BEST clothing and behaving like we were listening to the President. Now, when I go, I see people in jeans and flip flops. Sadly, I think part of it is the times.

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That would annoy me wether it was a broadway play or even just a regular movie. It's not just the kids, it's also teenagers and adults and just people in general that are flat out rude and disrespectful. I hate going to the movies bc other people don't have the common courtesy to control themselves. I'm not blaming kids, they dont know any better than to cry or talk but as a parent, you should know enough to remove them from the room. If they did that, maybe theywouldn't grow up to be obnoxious teenagers who yell and run up and down the stairs or adults to pick up their phones in a movie theater!!!!

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ughhhhhh i'd be so annoyed its not even funny. That's NOT a cheap show by any means! I wouldve been shushing the whole time believe me, and I never care about how many dirty looks I get.

On a brigher note glad you enjoyed what you could, and had a nice time for dh's birthday!

Re: A vent... (long)

Children under 4 are generally not allowed in B'way theatres.
It's sad to hear that Disney is not currently following that policy with this show.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

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That stinks, I hope you had a good time anyway.

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Posted by Mushesgirl

ughhhhhh i'd be so annoyed its not even funny. That's NOT a cheap show by any means! I wouldve been shushing the whole time believe me, and I never care about how many dirty looks I get.

On a brigher note glad you enjoyed what you could, and had a nice time for dh's birthday!

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i think i would've yelled "stfu already!!"...and watched the parents and kids faces.....sorry they had to ruin your experience!

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Can I pipe in? Only to agree... if your child cannot sit quietly through a theater performance then it is NOT time to take them.

I started taking Alex to performances when she was 3 - I took her to the Cinderella ballet by the Philadelphia ballet company at the Academy of music, during a matinee performance. But, I knew, at that age, she would behave, and if she didn't, I would have removed her, as she was warned. She sat quietly through the 3 hour performance and when she had a question she would whisper it in my ear, and I would whisper back, and ask her to be quiet.

In fact, I just took her yesterday to a performance of Peter Pan in a theater in Philadelphia. She stayed quiet the entire time, and I was REALLY impressed that 80% of the audience was children, and they all stayed quiet, in their seats.

I LOVE going to performances with my daughter. But I am keenly aware that EVERYONE is entitled to a cry/conversation free enjoyable experience, INCLUDING the actors!

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I'm sorry the audience was so disruptive. And I agree with AnaMaree, it seems like common courtesy has gone out the window - kids are going to forget to whisper and babies are going to cry - its the PARENTS who are responsible for making sure they elminate (or at least keep to a minimum) any disruptions their family causes.

And I also agree that the ACTORS have a right to an attentive audience. They can hear and see what goes on in the audience and its rude and disrespectful to THEM most of all.

I didn't know there was a minimum age for Broadway shows. I understand its the Lion King and a LOT of children will be interested in seeing it, but people should realize that they are in a Broadway theater that other people also paid a lot of $$ to be in, and not at a private screening of a Disney movie in their home.

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Oh geez girl! I am sorry, I know how excited you were lovie!

ITA-if your child is not of an age where they can sit quietly, Broadway is not a good place-this is why my ILs waited to take my nieces and nephews.

I think this applies so much to every age group-I remember DH and I went to see The Fourth Kind a few months back and some obnoxious teens really ruined the show for us. Same goes for loud adults and those who don't comprehend that a cell phone should be off in a theater.

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i used to go to gateway and broadway shows when i was younger - there was no talking at all of any kind. Its rude to the performers and rude to the people around you. Now Lion King I can kinda understand some fuss from kids but as soon as its a problem to go outside and let them stretch their legs/etc. But to have parents go on to explain the movie vs the musical is just beyond rude when its on Broadway. Way to expensive to be dealing with distractions like that.

I want to take my niece and nephew to see mary poppins but they do not sit still (8 years old) for any length of time. I don't want to dish out $$$$ for me to be outside the entire time.

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I'm sorry you did not have a good time at the show. We are big broadway fans and my parents started taking us when I was 6yo. However we were ALWAYS expected to be quiet and non-disruptive.

I would not even think of bringing my DD to a show until I know she can sit quietly which will prob be around 4/5/6. I took my niece and nephew to see The Little Mermaid (they were 8 and 10) and when they tried to start talking I would shush them.

I know it is a kid's show, but it is very expensive to go and I'd be annoyed too if people around me kids or adults were talking throughout the whole show.

Re: A vent... (long)

That stinks!!

Sunday matinee or not -- that is a sucky thing to happen. And while The Lion King was a Disney movie -- the show is fantastic and not as 'cartoonish' as other Disney broadway shows (i.e.--The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast)....the increased focus on the African themes and music for the Lion King, make it a much more mature show.

For the most part, I think its a lot to ask a kid to sit still for 90 min at a time, (between the intermission for Acts I & II) when they are age 6 or younger. They get so antsy and bored easily....of course they're gonna talk! I don't think I would want to take a small child to a Broadway show until around age 7 or so, (maybe 6 depending on the kid), since they are very unpredictable.

The parents who were talking and such, were just downright rude. This isn't the circus or Elmo on ice, its a musical that people paid $100+ per ticket.

Very sorry that some of the rude people ruined it for you. Lion King is one of my favorite shows of all time!

Message edited 2/1/2010 3:26:59 PM.

Re: A vent... (long)

I may get flamed on this one... (from the parents )

Let me just say, if I was going to spend $130 per ticket, get myself together, and haul my cookies to Manhattan, it would only be me and DH. I would save the extra $130 for a babysitter and dinner I just don't see the need to bring a small child. My SD was 12 when I brought her to a regular movie theater and I wanted to KILL her.

Sorry you had a crappy experience Happy birthday to your DH.

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Posted by jps

What really rubbed me the wrong way was talking with my grandma, who told me it was my fault for going to a matinee and that I should have expected children would talk through the show because the Lion King is meant for kids so I appreciate you recognizing that it's not just a little kiddie show and can be very much an adult show too.

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That stinks!! Like everyone else said...it's expensive to see a show on broadway and it's really inconsiderate for people to ruin that experience for other people in the theater.

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Don't even get me started on the movies.
And this is not children I am referring to.
FULL GROWN ADULTS- speaking throughout the movie as if they are watching it in their own living rooms.
Commenting out loud- asking questions- throwing in their 2 cents.

When we saw the Lovely Bones I was ready to walk out.
I don't need other people's commentary. It did not stop.

Children behave better sometimes than adults!!!!!!!

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