Tear Me Apart and Then Some ...
Now, to explain about what happened at The Phoenix. We went to see their current production, "Miles and Ellie". We were running late but managed to grab two seats up front (my preferred seating area) sharing a table with a very nice lady.
Due to the fact that there were seven shows that opened last weekend, we had to defer this production until this weekend. Also, I did check out a review from the previous weekend and they said that the show was quite funny in places but they were spaced out a bit. Well, that review was quite misleading. The show was a laugh riot. At least, the first act. I had to leave at intermission. I was assured by beldar that the second act was poignant and just as funny.
I feel that since most of you out there are more recent readers, I need to fill you in on some background before I finish the story. I am what is known as "A Laugher". I have a loud, raucous laugh that carries and while endearing to the actors, often annoys other attendees. Also, if you weren't aware, beldar works at an area newspaper and we get free passes to most all of the area theaters to review their shows. This is also helpful because I am still terminally unemployed. In fact, we are currently barely covering our bills so if it were not for this, we would never get to do anything outside the house.
So, now, back to the story. The reason I left when I did was that another patron came over and complained about my laughter. This isn't the first time it's happened. In fact, I am no longer allowed to attend the Broadway touring show because there were too many complaints about it. I was also put on "double secret probation" at last year's Fringe festival for this as well (those complaints came from the performers I was told). So now, when it does happen, I just move far away from them and try to tone down my voice. However, the house was very small and there was no place I could move to. Therefore, I left. I believe she did as well but that isn't what matters.
The reason I left was because I adore this theater. It's my absolute favorite of all the stages in the area (there are around 20 of them too). The people are great and the productions are always wonderful. In fact, I was introduced to several of my favorite shows there. I would never want to do anything to harm them in any way. So, you see, I had to leave. This woman was a paying customer and I was just a freeloader. If I had bought my ticket, I would have stayed but I just couldn't. I sometimes forget when I am out in public that I am not at home and allow myself to be obnoxiously overly enthused. She was right. I was too exuberant. I was detracting from the show and needed to go in order that the rest of the audience could properly enjoy themselves.
You know, normally, this sort of thing would just annoy me but this time it really hurt. Mainly because she verbally assaulted the ticket girl and made her cry (I found out later about this part). I had a book that I tried to read but I just couldn't stop crying and wasn't able to read at all. I got up and started walking and that helped some. I came a across some guys with a sweet little dog whom I petted for a bit and that too helped. Then I walked some more. I was heading for a little area bookstore a few blocks away but before I got there another dog barked a greeting. He was sitting in the basket of his owners bike & was so desperate for attention that I petted him as well (I grew up with a dog and I really wish I could have one again). However, after I left, he barked at the next people walking by and was sternly scolded by his master. Once again, the tears returned. I couldn't bear to be around anyone so I just kept walking. By the time the show was over and beldar called me, I had walked over 1.25 miles. Now, this is quite a lot for me as I have severe arthritis in my right knee and a severe strain in my left due to it. Plus, I'm on a dosage of Coumadin that makes walking painful to start with.
I was just so upset with myself for the whole thing. I just wanted to go back there, apologize to everyone there and promise them that it would never happen again because I would never make them suffer through having to put up with me and my obnoxious behavior. I also felt/feel that until I can afford to purchase a ticket for the show, that I can no longer impose on their hospitality. I'm still upset that I have probably driven away a paying customer who not only won't come back but will surely besmirch the reputation of a theater I truly love. The thought of injuring anyone there in any fashion just breaks my heart.
I really just don't know what to do. I pretty much spent all day yesterday crying almost constantly. Which brings up an interesting item. I have known for a long time that it's very possible to cry yourself to sleep but I discovered that it's also possible to cry yourself awake.
So, now I'm sitting here reliving every horrible moment of that event and the pain I caused to others still stings.
I want to point out that I am posting this more for therapeutic reasons that for sympathy or to wallow in self-pity. After writing this last night, I feel that I have managed to purge a lot of the pain and have finally gotten my tears into check. I just needed to get this out somewhere. I do appreciate you taking the time to read this and appreciate your indulgence. I will do my best to start posting more upbeat entries soon.
TTFN!
Due to the fact that there were seven shows that opened last weekend, we had to defer this production until this weekend. Also, I did check out a review from the previous weekend and they said that the show was quite funny in places but they were spaced out a bit. Well, that review was quite misleading. The show was a laugh riot. At least, the first act. I had to leave at intermission. I was assured by beldar that the second act was poignant and just as funny.
I feel that since most of you out there are more recent readers, I need to fill you in on some background before I finish the story. I am what is known as "A Laugher". I have a loud, raucous laugh that carries and while endearing to the actors, often annoys other attendees. Also, if you weren't aware, beldar works at an area newspaper and we get free passes to most all of the area theaters to review their shows. This is also helpful because I am still terminally unemployed. In fact, we are currently barely covering our bills so if it were not for this, we would never get to do anything outside the house.
So, now, back to the story. The reason I left when I did was that another patron came over and complained about my laughter. This isn't the first time it's happened. In fact, I am no longer allowed to attend the Broadway touring show because there were too many complaints about it. I was also put on "double secret probation" at last year's Fringe festival for this as well (those complaints came from the performers I was told). So now, when it does happen, I just move far away from them and try to tone down my voice. However, the house was very small and there was no place I could move to. Therefore, I left. I believe she did as well but that isn't what matters.
The reason I left was because I adore this theater. It's my absolute favorite of all the stages in the area (there are around 20 of them too). The people are great and the productions are always wonderful. In fact, I was introduced to several of my favorite shows there. I would never want to do anything to harm them in any way. So, you see, I had to leave. This woman was a paying customer and I was just a freeloader. If I had bought my ticket, I would have stayed but I just couldn't. I sometimes forget when I am out in public that I am not at home and allow myself to be obnoxiously overly enthused. She was right. I was too exuberant. I was detracting from the show and needed to go in order that the rest of the audience could properly enjoy themselves.
You know, normally, this sort of thing would just annoy me but this time it really hurt. Mainly because she verbally assaulted the ticket girl and made her cry (I found out later about this part). I had a book that I tried to read but I just couldn't stop crying and wasn't able to read at all. I got up and started walking and that helped some. I came a across some guys with a sweet little dog whom I petted for a bit and that too helped. Then I walked some more. I was heading for a little area bookstore a few blocks away but before I got there another dog barked a greeting. He was sitting in the basket of his owners bike & was so desperate for attention that I petted him as well (I grew up with a dog and I really wish I could have one again). However, after I left, he barked at the next people walking by and was sternly scolded by his master. Once again, the tears returned. I couldn't bear to be around anyone so I just kept walking. By the time the show was over and beldar called me, I had walked over 1.25 miles. Now, this is quite a lot for me as I have severe arthritis in my right knee and a severe strain in my left due to it. Plus, I'm on a dosage of Coumadin that makes walking painful to start with.
I was just so upset with myself for the whole thing. I just wanted to go back there, apologize to everyone there and promise them that it would never happen again because I would never make them suffer through having to put up with me and my obnoxious behavior. I also felt/feel that until I can afford to purchase a ticket for the show, that I can no longer impose on their hospitality. I'm still upset that I have probably driven away a paying customer who not only won't come back but will surely besmirch the reputation of a theater I truly love. The thought of injuring anyone there in any fashion just breaks my heart.
I really just don't know what to do. I pretty much spent all day yesterday crying almost constantly. Which brings up an interesting item. I have known for a long time that it's very possible to cry yourself to sleep but I discovered that it's also possible to cry yourself awake.
So, now I'm sitting here reliving every horrible moment of that event and the pain I caused to others still stings.
I want to point out that I am posting this more for therapeutic reasons that for sympathy or to wallow in self-pity. After writing this last night, I feel that I have managed to purge a lot of the pain and have finally gotten my tears into check. I just needed to get this out somewhere. I do appreciate you taking the time to read this and appreciate your indulgence. I will do my best to start posting more upbeat entries soon.
TTFN!