You Look New

Yesterday I promised a review of the production of “Singin’ In the Rain” I attended last night. While the play was wonderful and worthy of praise, my experiences with my fellow theater-goers inspired today’s post on a completely different topic: People who have no manners.

To give the people who sat around me last night the benefit of the doubt, it may have been their first time in a theater (or at least, I hope it was). I recognize that many people may not have had the opportunity to grow up going to plays and musicals, and therefore might not know what to wear, how to conduct themselves, etc. However… the rudeness of some of the people who sat near me last night was disgraceful, and in my humble opinion, completely out of line for even the most ignorant person.

I’ll start with the more petty things that probably only annoy me, and then work my way up.

BF and I almost arrived late to the show, and the curtain rose less than a minute after we took our seats. Just enough time to scope out the dress of those around me. Part of me wishes we had arrived two minutes later. The woman next to me wore flip-flops, and we’re not talking cute sandals, we’re talking worn out rubber flip-flops a la Target. I would have forgiven the shoe choice if not for her pick of dress, an ankle length brown rayon shirtdress. The couple on BF’s side was in jeans and nice shirts, not bad, except for the girl had a nice big knee patch on one leg. Finally, a young man sitting behind us was wearing a hoodie, ripped jeans, and tennis shoes, which BF had to politely ask him to take off of the top of his seat before he sat down. Call me snobby, but where do these people think they are? The Ordway isn’t owned by AMC, people.

Once the play began however, the real fun started. During the introduction of characters, a couple two rows in front of us (I later found out they were also wearing jeans and a jersey dress) began catcalling, whooping, and yelling for one character in particular. I assume they knew the actor, but if they did, they should have known better than to interrupt the play with their antics. Once again, Singin’ In the Rain isn’t a Vikings game.

Next, the two women sitting behind me started up. They talked THE WHOLE SHOW. And if they weren’t complaining about how bad their seats were (we were in great seats), they were howling with laughter that I swear people must have heard all the way in Rice Park. I finally glanced back at them with a look that said “please be quiet,” but rather than hush up they just got louder, now complaining about the “tight a** b$%*h sitting in front of them. Lovely.

The incident that took the cake came at intermission. The two chatter-birds behind me came in after BF and I had returned from our drinks, complaining very loudly about the “door Nazi” that wouldn’t let them bring their chocolate cake in the theater. Personally, with as slobby and loud as they were being, I wouldn’t let them have chocolate cake in the first place, much less bring it into the theater where they no doubt would smack their lips and spill crumbs all through the second act. Two seconds after they sat down, a man in a tuxedo walked by carrying some form of an alcoholic drink, and then they really started in.

“Did you see that? He has a drink! Oh My God! Why does he get a drink? We didn’t get our chocolate cake! What is this? Hummph”

Part of me almost turned around to politely tell them that when you dress and act appropriately for your surroundings, you would be surprised at what you can get away with, but I kept it to myself and endured the second act with them now complaining about how they would never come again and be “treated like this.”

Thank god.

Why You Should Never Go Shopping Without Your Umbrella

Yesterday morning I forgot to check weather.com, and I paid for it.

I left work to go run some errands a little after 4 p.m. downtown, but rather than go retrieve my car I decided to use public transportation because all of my destinations were located right on convenient bus lines. I skywayed it to my bus stop, and then stayed closely under the awning of the building while I waited. I wasn't too worried-- it was barely drizzling.

Then I got off the bus into a torrential downpour. Running in four inch heels is hard when the sidewalk is dry, and near impossible when you have to run up steps on wet pavement, all the while trying to cover your dry-clean-only ensemble and prevent your phone from getting wet inside your tote. Success was impossible.

I finished one errand and continued on to the next in a less torrential but still downpour rain. By this time I had given up on running, and turned my attention to coverage. Imagine a miserable Minneapolite desperately trying to keep her handbag closed under her arm, hunched over in vain to protect her dress and you have a good mental image of me.

After errand number two I had planned on going shopping at Cliche to pick something up for the Poolside Fashion Show. I knew it was probably a bad idea given the disarray of my hair and makeup, but I forged ahead, promising myself I would only decide on a frock from the neck down.

Although I failed in my promise and depressed myself with every glance in the mirror, I did come away with a lovely piece by Emily Weich! I am so excited to wear it tomorrow night (as long as the show isn't rained out!).

On the dance card for tonight is Singin' In the Rain at the Ordway! I am dragging BF along, and it will be his first live musical (that doesn't involve puppets). As fate would have it, Singin' In the Rain was my first live musical too, many many years ago. It has remained one of my favs and I was ecstatic when I got tickets.

Back tomorrow with a review (of course) and more anticipation of the Poolside Fashion Show (fingers crossed).

In the meantime, what is everyone else's favorite plays or musicals? Any special memories related to the theater? Commentter s'il vous plait!