Is this possible?
 

Went to lunch today with a group of woman. I had mentioned to the ladies that I had seen crystal Gayle at the Sharon and enjoyed the show well one of the women had asked me if they made an announcement prior to the show on using the restrooms. I told her No what did she mean? She told me that she recently went to a show and when she got up to use the restroom, the usher would not allow her back into the theater. I never heard of this so am just throwing out there to see if anyone has experienced this?? She said the usher said it would be disturbing to the others trying to enjoy the show? Makes no sense to me (especially seniors as they do need restrooms). Has anyone heard this before?

Oh ja, but they let people take flash pictures and videos and don't stop them from disturbing other people?

I know. It all sounds crazy!! Will be interesting to see if anyone experienced this

Yes this is absolutely true. It happened the same way when one of our party got up to use the bathroom and was not allowed to go back in.

It happened at Million Dollar Quartet. The usher said it was the performers who requested no one leave. He said if you did you would have to finish watching the show on a big screen TV downstairs. It was a great show but I think it is alot to expect of a crowd of senior citizens. I will say this though I didn't want to miss one minute of that show. It was worth having to cross my legs for the last half hour.

I have been to a LOT of concerts, in all size venues in my life and I have NEVER heard of this policy ... anywhere. Out of courtesy, I have / do waited between songs to retake my seat,

The "usher" would have to physically restrain me from going back to my seat.

We sat in the first row of the mezzanine and I noticed that people only came back in during applause after a number. Very nice to not be disturbed during the performance!

I like waiting until a break before going back in; but to be banned once you leave? Not so much.

Such practice, of not allowing re-admittance while a show, play, or concert is in progress, is standard procedure in finer venues across the country. It sounds like The Sharon may be adopting this practice for certain performances.

Request of performers
 

We went to see the Million Dollar Quartet and the "no return" was the policy. We were told that it was at the request of the performers and it was NOT a policy of the Sharon. If it is happening at other performances, then we were not given correct information.

I think that when negotiating contracts here they will need to put in the contract for an intermission. It could be item, umm, P.

But that all Depends.

This is not an unusual practice at upscale performances and is for the enjoyment of all. For seniors, it is more awkward. I prefer to enter again at a break, not wanting to disturb the audience.

HaHa!

It's a good thing the performing arts center is in Spanish Springs, because, uh, er... there is no p in Sumter.Whereas there is pee-pee in Spanish Springs.

I am so funny. (Not...)

I would suggest that it is a stretch to term a venue that books a B- Country act like Crystal Gayle one of the "finer venues across the country" .... considering that she regularly plays at the Orange Blossom Opry in metropolitan Weirsdale. That place is your basic dump.

Obviously a lot of people like Crystal Gayle and would go to what you consider a "dump" to see her perform. It was good to see her name among The Sharon's first offerings. She's a lovely woman, talented performer, and certainly didn't deserve your pejorative "B-Country" label.

I certainly understand and would support a policy that prohibits re-entry during the program. It is very disturbing to have to stand or otherwise accommodate someone returning to their seat during something you have paid to see, not to mention the distraction it is to people in the rows behind. But patrons should be able to retake their seats between numbers or breaks and not be told they had to watch the remainder on a TV screen in the lobby.

I think this all started with the Million Dollar Quartet because there were no breaks in the performance at all.

Another reason why I wouldn't pay a lot of money to see B list performers at a beautiful new venue.

Even my dentist gives me bathroom breaks!

Some of you may know that I'm a musician and performer and that I play around The Villages. I played in bands for years and I never heard of anything like this. I've gone to see some of the greatest performers of our generation in person and never saw this rule.

I think that at some point some performers forget why they are there. It's for the people who have paid good money to came and watch and listen to them do what they do. This is at the request of the performers??? They don't want to be disturbed while they are doing their thing?? ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME???????

The audience is there to judge you, not the other way around. What we do as performers we do for the people who have come to see us. We should want them to be as comfortable as possible. It is us who should be doing what may be uncomfortable in order not to disturb you.

I guess some people reach a certain degree of success at playing an instrument or singing or otherwise performing and somehow get the idea that they are better than or more important than the rest of us.

I can tell you that some of the greatest musicians that I have met in my life are not known outside of a small circle. I met people that can play guitar as well as Eric Clapton or sing better than Pavarotti yet most of us have never heard of them.
The ones who have become famous have gotten there, not only because they have talent, although that's a part of it. Like I said, there are millions of unknown people in the world with just as much and, sometimes, more talent who never become famous. The ones that become famous are there because of a blend of talent and pure luck. Being in the right place at the right time. Meeting the right person under the right circumstances. That's the reason many, if not most of them are where they are at.

They need to remember that and remember the reason that they are on that stage. The reason is that person in row 85 who has to take a leak real bad. Without that person, that performer is nothing.

I think you are missing the point. I know the rumor is that the MDQ prohibited people leaving during the performance, but I doubt is was to prevent a distraction or problem for them. The rule, IMO, is in place to prevent a distraction for the same people you are advocating for, the paying public. There was no break in the action on stage, so having people come and go would be a problem for the spectators.

Where I have been seated for performances at The Sharon, it would be a great distraction to have someone get up and leave in the middle of a number or scene. And remember to double that because they would be returning as well. So, my enjoyment of the performance for which I have paid, is reduced. Now, I understand that sometimes people have no choice, and I would accommodate their leaving for those reasons. But I think it is reasonable to require them to wait for a break in the performance before returning to their seat. I do not agree with a requirement to have them watch the remainder of the show on a TV in the lobby.

I think the problem arose, at least one time, when there was no break in the performance. If I were the performing arts center, I would not allow such a no-intermission clause in the contract. Not for senior citizens. If they won't schedule an intermission, I would move on to some other group that will.

Here's a thought...a few puddles left on seats may render this entire conversation moot!

I see this as once again Villagers being inconsiderate of others. My issues are most important. How about limiting your fluids prior to seeing the show. Use the bathroom just before the show begins if you are one that has to go frequently. Don't eat your largest meal before seeing a show. Think about how you are disturbing other people might have paid a considerable amount at The Sharon. It must be very distracting to the performer. Went to see the Temptations. Second row orchestra seats. Oh course you know what's coming. An older man in the middle gets up to leave. Everyone either stood up or he climbed over them. The people behind us were muttering, as we were. Then they let him back in and we did it all over again. You could see the performers could see this old folks circus going on in the second row. As for puddles on the seat, wear protective underwear if you need.

I can see you are a very serious person. Lighten up a little...the "puddle on the seats" post was intended to bring a bit of levity into the conversation.
chilout

Good one!:a20:

Just a life long RN always trying to find a solution to patient's issues.

I love a good sense of humor! Thanks!:wave:

So do I. Appreciate the humor.

IMO .... that is what the OBO is, a dump. Feel free to go there and form your own opinion

She was a mega star, big time A list'er in the 70's & 80's. However, she has not had an album on the charts in 2+ decades. So now, she is on the B team. That is just the way it works.

To "P" or not to "P", that is the question.

If they are going to have a policy like this in place, they need to put up signs informing people that if you get up, you won't be able to return. I totally understand no returning to the seat during a number, but there is absolutely no reason to not let someone return while people are applauding or intermission. This is pretty much how it is done in most venues. To force people to watch on a tv is inexcusable IMO.

Personally, I prefer to think of the OBO as funky. I enjoy going there. The seats aren't the best but the performances are fun, the audiences lively and a good time is had by all for very reasonable prices. I would hate to see it change.

Sadly, I don't think the majority here want A performers. They want the sounds of their youth and early adulthood. Given that concept, Crystal Gayle would be on the A list here.

You may be too young to remember the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, California. It was also a "dump" once owned by Greek immigrants, George and Ted Nikkas. It's a national icon. A great number of "A-list" stars got their start there and performed there. Crystal Gayle, Linda Ronstadt, Hoyt Axton, John Denver, Mac Davis, Glen Campbell, The Mamas and the Papas, and a host of others come to mind..."B-listers" that you describe, soon to become top stars.

The Golden Bear was a wonderful, down-home venue. "A-listers" were climbing over one another for the opportunity to play there, probably for very little money. The ambience was just about the same as that of the Orange Blossom Opry, but that didn't stop anyone - including the so-called "Hollywood glitterati" - from going there regularly to watch the shows...and to be seen! It didn't seem that they thought they were too good for it.