Don't the performers have an obligation to be engaging enough to keep their paying audience awake?

And, a "bad crowd" should make one work harder, not less so. Although, I'm a musician not an actor, so I could be off base. But that's how I've always operated....

had to fight the sleepies with all my might. Small community theater, only 30 in attendance. Hoped the cast didnt notice. Wasn't their fault.

"the actors droning away in this more than usually dreary piece"

After all, people have paid a lot of money to attend a B'Way show and maybe are owed more tha a show that puts them to sleep.

I was nine years old and pretty excited. I got to get dressed up and do a grown-up thing. My mom and dad in an attempt to broaden my horizons arranged that we attend a real live concert at the Festival Hall. Dad loved classical music. Mom loved classical music. They wanted me to love it too. I lasted about 15 minutes. Dad lasted probably 20. Mom said she was mortified, but before she could nudge either one of us, she nodded off too. Between phrases I perked up a little, only to see that both of my parents were asleep. My nine-year-old thought was, "Okay, I guess this is what you do at a concert."

On the way home in the car, mom and dad came to a conclusion, "It must have been the Strings."

Music is powerful medicine. Brahms makes you sleep, Chopin makes you sleep, while Beethoven, depending on the piece, and enjoyed in conjunction with dark liquor, might make you want to throw bill collectors down the stairs, or groom the perfect goatee.

Listen Responsibly,

Toast

First, as others have pointed out, the actors/actresses should be performing at a level that keeps the audience engaged. I get that and I understand the point completely.

However, as to my second point, our current generation, and I'm including myself in this critique
, is so dulled by the constant instantaneous award of likes/comments/snaps/dislikes from social media that the sheer act of sitting through a three hour production is more than their minds can handle. That's the sad state of where we are in this country!

on much needed sleep. You are obligated to wear an anti-snoring device so as to not annoy others.

That kind of thing burns if you've been there, done that.

If you're doing your job and shining your light, it feels like a personal slight. Primate thing, I suppose.

It's why live theater and music is sooooooo tough. Thick skin required.

I find bad theater even more interesting than good. I watch the performers, think about their lives.