The Do's and Don'ts of Broadway

For all of you about to see a broadway show, whether you’re a newbie or an expert in the task, a frequently asked question is how to behave, act etc. Well, search no further for your answer. For here is your official dos and dont’s for Broadway.

DOS:

• Respect and support the show!! You haven’t spent all this money for nothing; clap when you’re meant to, compliment the cast at the end if you’re lucky enough to do stage door. Leave positive reviews and tell your friends, for it can help the show run for longer - resulting in you maybe getting the chance to see it again! 

• Tell a bouncer if you’re having problems! Someone tall blocking your view? Someone chewing loudly? Tell them, during the interval if you don’t want to disrupt the show - it’s what they’re there for! They’ll have a word with them, or - if you’re lucky - you may get a free upgrade if there are unused seats!

• Cosplay! Not all theatres have dress codes, but for shows like Hamilton cosplaying is perfect! People will take notice and think it’s awesome, not to mention you’ll look pretty damn cool! A lot of casts post pictures of themselves with cosplayers, so, if you want to get noticed by your fav it’s a pretty easy way to do it!

And now, for the dont’s.

• Don’t sing along if not prompted. Seriously, just don’t. We’ve all had our one woman shows in our cars and think that we sound like the next Amber Riley; but guys - we paid to see the pros - not the woman in C32 having a ball whilst she thinks she’s able to do both parts of defying gravity. Mouth along, and - yes - if prompted you can sing (e.g - during King George’s parts more often than not the audience is invited to participate in the ‘da da da das’), but  - aside from that - please restrain yourself.

-Don’t record. Bootlegs are a sin and will get you chucked out, many writers and actors have openly against them (check out Georgia's post on bootlegs here: http://anybodyhaveamap.blogspot.com/2018/08/bootlegs-good-or-bad-right-or-wrong.html)  , and - regardless of your opinion, it just isn’t worth the risk. Why watch the show through your phone screen when it’s right in front of you? 

• Don’t be an ass. It’s quite a broad one, but for heavens sake - if you have popcorn don’t chew obnoxiously during the main characters death, don’t whisper throughout, and honest to god if you’re one of those who sit in the two hundred pound seats and text the entire time you don’t deserve the opportunity to see this amazing show live. Just don’t.

Those are the only ones I can think of currently, but if any of you broadway veterans have more - let me know in the comments down below!

See you next time,

-Molly.