HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH THREADED MODE

not logged in

Threaded Order | Chronological Order

re: Etiquette?

Posted by: AlanScott 01:37 am EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: Etiquette? - FriendofDorothy 12:52 am EDT 03/17/14

I hate to remember the night that I kept nodding off while sitting in the front row at a play starring two extremely famous and extraordinarily respected actors. I was just very tired, and back then I never drank coffee. And that first row was very near the stage. I kept nodding off and then trying to force myself awake and then nodding off again.

Fortunately, I was quite awake during the second (probably thanks to my dozing in the first act). I wonder if they were appalled to see me still there when the lights went up for act two.

Sometimes there's just nothing you can do.

Even if I had thought to myself during the first act, "I need to get out of here rather than keep nodding off," it would have been worse to get up when I was sitting dead center in the first row. ;)


reply to this message |
re: Etiquette?

Posted by: JereNYC (JereNYC@aol.com) 12:02 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: re: Etiquette? - AlanScott 01:37 am EDT 03/17/14

On my first trip to London in 2000, my friend and I unwisely got tickets to see a musical called LA CAVA in the West End on our first night in town. We got tickets, I think, at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square and ended up front row center.

It sounded like a good idea at the time. But, after a red-eye flight into Heathrow, and a day of sight-seeing around London, we were dead on our feet by showtime.

We nodded off constantly during the show and I was so embarrassed that I wanted to send a note back to the cast and explain. I remember that the show (what we saw of it) was actually very interesting, although I no longer remember what it was about.

The upside is that I learned from the experience and, on many trips since have never scheduled anything important on the evening of the day I arrive. Better safe than sorry.

Link Jere-Rigged

reply to this message |
Your mistake was not taking a nap

Posted by: dramedy 12:58 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: re: Etiquette? - JereNYC 12:02 pm EDT 03/17/14

Usually I can't check into the hotel until 2, so I do a bit of sightseeing and then check in for a two or three hour nap,before dinner. That really helps.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Your mistake was not taking a nap

Posted by: Ann 01:45 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: Your mistake was not taking a nap - dramedy 12:58 pm EDT 03/17/14

Oh, I never take a nap the first - I just soldier through. From then on, I don't notice the jetlag at all.


reply to this message | reply to first message
That probably would have worked too...

Posted by: JereNYC (JereNYC@aol.com) 01:20 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: Your mistake was not taking a nap - dramedy 12:58 pm EDT 03/17/14

But, as I said, it was my first trip to London and I had no idea how bad the jetlag was going to hit. I have never experienced anything before or since quite like it.

My guess is that adreneline kept me going most of the day, but, as soon as I sat down at the theatre, my body had a moment to relax and it all caught up.

Luckily, this was not an issue the rest of the time we were there, as a good night's sleep at the hotel was all we needed to adjust to the local time.

Live and learn...

Link Jere-Rigged

reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Etiquette?

Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 09:50 am EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: re: Etiquette? - AlanScott 01:37 am EDT 03/17/14

I drink a large cup of black coffee beginning 1 hour before show time -- this always works for me (although the side effect is that I need to use the washroom right before the show begins and at intermission, which can be a challenge at the Court Theatre especially).


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Etiquette?

Posted by: AlexanderKat 12:17 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: re: Etiquette? - BroadwayTonyJ 09:50 am EDT 03/17/14

Unless you have an aversion to them, try picking up some caffeine pills before the show at Duane Reade. One caffeine tablet should do the trick without effecting your night's sleep (or your bladder). I've been taking them before attending evening theatre performances for ages and they work well for me.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Etiquette?

Posted by: mamaleh 07:40 am EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: re: Etiquette? - AlanScott 01:37 am EDT 03/17/14

That's why I always keep a small bottle of water on my lap when I go to the theater--especially when the odds of my nodding off rise on a day I've woken up very early to get a rush ticket. I can't stand it when I find myself getting sleepy, no matter how engrossing the show is, so when that situation arises I make sure to sprinkle my face with water and/or take small sips every couple of minutes. It usually works.


reply to this message | reply to first message


All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)

Please direct technical questions/comments to webmaster@talkinbroadway.com and policy questions to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.

[ Home | On the Rialto | The Siegel Column | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Restaurant Revue | Off Broadway | Funding Talkin' Broadway ]
[ Broadway 101 | Spotlight On | Talkin' Broadway | On the Boards | Regional | Talk to Us! | Search Talkin' Broadway ]

Terms of Service
[ © 1997 - 2014 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]

Time to render: 0.281486 seconds.