My favourite musical of all times v. moronic audience members.

I have loved 42nd street since I was wee. I remember visiting from Mexico, and it being one of the few (beta) vcr tapes that I had watched maniacally on my grandmother's fancy tv/vcr combo. Even though I couldn't understand the language, I loved it so much I could sing along in pidgin english.

I was so excited to be able to go see this stage production of the musical this past weekend. I even got a new outfit and got all dolled up! And, the show didn't disappoint, but the audience sure did.

The musical itself was cute and corny, and full of infectious music. And, just as when I was little, I had a strange compulsion to madly start tap dancing just by watching.

But, the audience. No manners. Seriously. What is wrong with people.

Firstly, when we arrived some other people were in our seat (in the center of an aisle)....they shuffled and claimed they had tickets, couldn't find them etc...stalled long enough that we finally sat off to the side in frustration in some empty seats and the usher promised to fix it at intermission. It was ok, but, if you pay for premium seats, you'd like to be able to sit in them.

At intermission, we moved to our rightful seats, and the old cows that had been previously sitting there glared at us and glowered and harrumphed and made a big show of moving over and sitting in the seats directly next to them. Which of course was a problem when the owners of those seats returned from intermission. Finally they produced their tickets and acted all shocked when they "realized" they were in the wrong row! But, never once an apology for "stealing" our seats for the first act.

Secondly, what is with the shuffling and talking and personal conversations and play by play commentary during the show? Seriously. SHUT UP!

Thirdly, yes, it is a comedic musical. The jokes are corny and cute, and I agree with a quiet chuckle...but guffawing like a hyena? Come on, control yourself.

Fourthly, all performers appreciate applause...but not during the flow of the musical itself. You don't have to clap every time one of them taps their feet.

Finally, like I said, all performers love the appreciation/applause... but am I the only one that finds the obligatory standing ovation annoying? Especially when the audience gets up before the show is even over? At the end of the show they have one last number, where the chorus is highlighted and bows, then the leads.... well the entire audience jumped up...so we had to get up to see the number. Then everyone realized they were still dancing so sat back down... only to jump up maniacally again when the cast took a bow. It interrupted the final number and annoyed a good number of the audience that was enjoying the show.

Anyways, the show was great...I loved it loved it loved it. It made me giddy happy and even now I feel the compulsion to shuffle-ball change my way down the corridor....

but, man, the audience.....