Shh… I Can’t Talk Now
On my first trip to New York City I made it a point to make sure that my first show on Broadway was The Boy From Oz, starring Hugh Jackman. You see, I’d seen a clip of it on some entertainment news show and it made me cry to realize that I’d never have the chance to see it live.
A few months later, when I was given the amazing gift of a trip to New York, I knew I had to see that show. While my sister (who was amazing and gave me this incredible experience) wasn’t too keen on the show itself, she did agree that when it was over we could wait, huddled in the alley behind the theater, with the other groupies.
I stood in the alley and clutched my expensive, glossy souvenier program for dear life, praying that despite the fact that no one comes out after matinees, Hugh Jackman would deign to come out and scrawl his name across the pages. The Broadway gods heard my prayer and he did. I floated back to the hotel and began to call everyone I could think of to tell them I had just met Hugh Jackman.
I thought I could never be more in love with him than I was at that moment. And I was right. Until recently, that is. You see, Mr. Jackman is back on Broadway. He is currently staring in A Steady Rain with Daniel Craig. A few weeks ago, during a preview show, someone snuck in with a recorder. Gasp! I know. I was horrified, too.
But here’s the really big news. Worse than trying to tape the show is the terrifying moment the pirate caught on camera. A cell phone went off. In the middle of a Broadway show! Personally, I think there is a special place in hell for people who unwrap candy, send text messages, and let their phone go off during live theater. It’s next to the place in hell for people who take your order and ask, “You wanted diet, right?” But I digress.
So there they were: Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman, a pirating patron, a ringing cell phone, and an audience aghast. Mid-scene, Hugh Jackman took a beautiful and powerful stand against all that is wrong with the modern flippant theater-goer. For a moment, he broke the illusory fourth wall and, all the while still in character, turned to the audience to ask, “You wanna get that?”
The crowd went wild and my heart soared. He looked into the crowd and assured the villian that he should just answer it. They’d wait. Afraid of drawing any additional attention, the cell phone holder simply allowed the ringing to continue until it finally reached voice mail. I suppose no one wanted to be seen ducking into a coat pocket or purse to remove the offending gadget.
I cannot tell you how proud I am of Mr. Jackman. Way to maintain the integrity of the theater. Yes, breaching the fourth wall is not a great idea most of the time. However, I’ve also been told that nothing is more important than the show itself. If you need a moment to get the control back, then you take it!
I’ve included an article about the event and a clip from the same pirate who captured this sin against drama. While under normal circumstances I’d be furious, today I applaud the visual proof that Hugh Jackman took a stand and reclaimed his show. Bravo!
(And next time, put the damn phone on vibrate or just stay home, you jackass!)
I heartily applaud. I love him!
October 20th, 2009 at 4:46 pm