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Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s Awes

ChezC3

ChezC3

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“I am angry and sad.
Just got off stage from today’s matinee and yes, something happened. Someone brought their autistic child to the theater.
That being said- this post won’t go the way you think it will.
You think I will admonish that mother for bringing a child who yelped during a quiet moment in the show. You think I will herald an audience that yelled at this mother for bringing their child to the theater. You think that I will have sympathy for my own company whose performances were disturbed from a foreign sound coming from in front of them.
No.Instead, I ask you- when did we as theater people, performers and audience members become so concerned with our own experience that we lose compassion for others?
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Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show-And It's Awesome! - For Every Mom

As a theatre-goer, I am one of the first to get upset at interruptions from inconsiderate people. I would admit, while not confronting the mother, I'd have been kinda pissed off. Now, once it was determined that the child was impaired, I'd have just quieted my displeasure and rode the interruption out. I agree 100% that the theatre is for ALL and applaud this actor's words.

Bravo!

:applaud

(don't ask me how this site got across my desk...;))
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

Loh understood the courage it takes to bring a child with autism out in public, let alone to Broadway, so when people started giving the mother a hard time Loh had to do something.

“I thought that what was happening wasn’t right,” Loh said.
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BS
a responsible parent would not take an uncontrollable child to the show
(s)he then places their personal enjoyment above that of the rest of the crowd, and during a live performance, the cast's
yes, her child is a special snowflake. but does not justify allowing the kid to be a public disruption when it is in the parent's power to make sure the child is not
to do otherwise is rude
the actor should quit making excuses for her rudeness
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

justabubba said:
BS
a responsible parent would not take an uncontrollable child to the show
(s)he then places their personal enjoyment above that of the rest of the crowd, and during a live performance, the cast's
yes, her child is a special snowflake. but does not justify allowing the kid to be a public disruption when it is in the parent's power to make sure the child is not
to do otherwise is rude
the actor should quit making excuses for her rudeness
Click to expand...

Did you read the whole thing?

Me thinks not.
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

ChezC3 said:
Did you read the whole thing?

Me thinks not.
Click to expand...
notice, i quoted the link, not your post
but share with me the part of the story you believed i missed
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

ChezC3 said:
Did you read the whole thing?

Me thinks not.
Click to expand...

I did, and I appreciate the actor's point about his being a family-friendly show with all being welcome.

But I don't think that this sort of disruption would be welcome in other venues. Not all Broadway shows are "family-friendly." And imagine if disruptive behavior interrupted a solo violinist or pianist on stage. Being able to focus intently enough to continue performing would be very, very difficult.
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

A responsible parent would hire a professional baby sitter and not take an uncontrollable child, even if it is unaware of its actions, to the theater.

However, he is entirely correct. many Hollywood celebrities are out only for their owns elf gratification, and that's all they care about.
 
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Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

nota bene said:
I did, and I appreciate the actor's point about his being a family-friendly show with all being welcome.

But I don't think that this sort of disruption would be welcome in other venues. Not all Broadway shows are "family-friendly." And imagine if disruptive behavior interrupted a solo violinist or pianist on stage. Being able to focus intently enough to continue performing would be very, very difficult.
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one of the features of some theatres on military bases was a glassed-in quiet room located at the back of the facility's seating area
there, the parents with young/disruptive children could still take in the show without disrupting it for the rest of the audience
too bad it did not catch on in the civilian market
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

justabubba said:
BS
a responsible parent would not take an uncontrollable child to the show
(s)he then places their personal enjoyment above that of the rest of the crowd, and during a live performance, the cast's
yes, her child is a special snowflake. but does not justify allowing the kid to be a public disruption when it is in the parent's power to make sure the child is not
to do otherwise is rude
the actor should quit making excuses for her rudeness
Click to expand...

For some reason your post here reminded me of a video I recently watched.

 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

nota bene said:
I did, and I appreciate the actor's point about his being a family-friendly show with all being welcome.

But I don't think that this sort of disruption would be welcome in other venues. Not all Broadway shows are "family-friendly." And imagine if disruptive behavior interrupted a solo violinist or pianist on stage. Being able to focus intently enough to continue performing would be very, very difficult.
Click to expand...

Yes, but the thing he was saying I believe is that these people have to live their lives and that they shouldn't be admonished for doing so because they pushed past the fear of having what happened, happen.

Remember, well I don't know your age, but there use to be PSA's back in the day, one of which was by Tony Danza -- "How do you treat a person with a disability? Like a person."

I mean, I don't think the kid was brought there with the express knowledge that the kid was gonna go off the rails. She knows the kid better than all of us, was the possibility there? Yes. But it was her determination of the probability I'm sure which she based her decision on.
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

justabubba said:
notice, i quoted the link, not your post
but share with me the part of the story you believed i missed
Click to expand...

Couldn't rightly say, your response thus far has been found wanting...
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

justabubba said:
BS
a responsible parent would not take an uncontrollable child to the show
(s)he then places their personal enjoyment above that of the rest of the crowd, and during a live performance, the cast's
yes, her child is a special snowflake. but does not justify allowing the kid to be a public disruption when it is in the parent's power to make sure the child is not
to do otherwise is rude
the actor should quit making excuses for her rudeness
Click to expand...

There is no way to determine how an autistic child will react to any particular show. I know I have one and had a very similar experience. We thought he would like a Sesame Street live show, since he seemed to enjoy the one he had been to before. We were wrong. My husband ended up taking him out within 10 minutes of the start of the show because he was getting fussy.
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

ChezC3 said:
Yes, but the thing he was saying I believe is that these people have to live their lives and that they shouldn't be admonished for doing so because they pushed past the fear of having what happened, happen.

Remember, well I don't know your age, but there use to be PSA's back in the day, one of which was by Tony Danza -- "How do you treat a person with a disability? Like a person."

I mean, I don't think the kid was brought there with the express knowledge that the kid was gonna go off the rails. She knows the kid better than all of us, was the possibility there? Yes. But it was her determination of the probability I'm sure which she based her decision on.
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The theatre is an elective activity, it's not vital to the child's development, nor does missing a show drain one ounce of living from the child. Good parents used to avoid taking small children to theatres where the show wasn't a children's show. This is good for the child and good for all the others who bought tickets to see the show.
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

Broadway is retarded.;)
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

WCH said:
Broadway is retarded.;)
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Do you even realize the amount work and effort it takes to put on a show
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

clownboy said:
The theatre is an elective activity, it's not vital to the child's development, nor does missing a show drain one ounce of living from the child. Good parents used to avoid taking small children to theatres where the show wasn't a children's show. This is good for the child and good for all the others who bought tickets to see the show.
Click to expand...

Except the experience of the theatre, right? Not once ounce but...
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

ChezC3 said:
Yes, but the thing he was saying I believe is that these people have to live their lives and that they shouldn't be admonished for doing so because they pushed past the fear of having what happened, happen.

Remember, well I don't know your age, but there use to be PSA's back in the day, one of which was by Tony Danza -- "How do you treat a person with a disability? Like a person."

I mean, I don't think the kid was brought there with the express knowledge that the kid was gonna go off the rails. She knows the kid better than all of us, was the possibility there? Yes. But it was her determination of the probability I'm sure which she based her decision on.
Click to expand...
*bolded for relevance

Yes, that was an excellent PSA, and stays with me 'till today.

I nice display of a little Italian Brooklynese 'cut-to-the-chase'.

I'm a big Tony Danza fan!

Here's a quick video of his Golden Glove days, when he was bartending after his mother apparently objected to him (ironically) applying for a cabbie licence!

(It seems Ali may be in the crowd too - if I'm not mistaken)

 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

winston53660 said:
Do you even realize the amount work and effort it takes to put on a show
Click to expand...

Yes. But, I'd rather see a rodeo.
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

ChezC3 said:
Except the experience of the theatre, right? Not once ounce but...
Click to expand...

Nonsense, there are a ton of other venues more suitable for children, especially for children who cannot control themselves yet, to experience the wonders of theatre.
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

WCH said:
Yes. But, I'd rather see a rodeo.
Click to expand...

It doesn't have to be an either/or...

I'm a HUGE PBR fan...

Going 8 seconds is on my Bucket list...

(I root for the bulls as a rule but I won't be on that day...)
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

Ancient Herald said:
A responsible parent would hire a professional baby sitter and not take an uncontrollable child, even if it is unaware of its actions, to the theater.

However, he is entirely correct. many Hollywood celebrities are out only for their owns elf gratification, and that's all they care about.
Click to expand...

Service providers have limited hours and on top of that, families require (and deserve) time alone with their family. While it is generally agreed-upon that should a child with emotional and behavior needs experience an "episode," the family should do what is in their power to not disturb public entertainment. However, that requires time to ensure. Furthermore, it cannot be said enough that families with children who have behavioral needs are aware of the public's desire for calm almost every moment of the day. Trust me, it's a bit hard to not be aware of public sensibilities when you have a child or family member with such difficulties. Families would like, however, some amount of understanding from the public. They most often do not receive that understanding, however.

This is said as someone who grew up in young childhood with a sibling who required immense numbers of staffing hours and someone who works those families now. A number of my family also work for those service providers. We were asked to leave our parish because of his behavioral issues, we had difficulty going out in public anywhere at any time, at pockets at a time we were not treated well by schools or human service agencies, and it consumed most of our energies.
 
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Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

ChezC3 said:
It doesn't have to be an either/or...

I'm a HUGE PBR fan...

Going 8 seconds is on my Bucket list...

(I root for the bulls as a rule but I won't be on that day...)
Click to expand...

I'll slap his ass and tell him "good boy, Toro" but that's as far as I go. <]:)

Never have been a fan of opera, broadway or theator of any sort. Barely got through Pink Floyd's the Wall and JCSS. I can't stand people singing their parts...period.
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

maybe nobody stopped the killed from "yelping" because they thought it was hilarious :2razz:
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

Fiddytree said:
Service providers have limited hours and on top of that, families require (and deserve) time alone with their family. While it is generally agreed-upon that should a child with emotional and behavior needs experience an "episode," the family should do what is in their power to not disturb public entertainment. However, that requires time to ensure. Furthermore, it cannot be said enough that families with children who have behavioral needs are aware of the public's desire for calm almost every moment of the day. Trust me, it's a bit hard to not be aware of public sensibilities when you have a child or family member with such difficulties. Families would like, however, some amount of understanding from the public. They most often do not receive that understanding, however.

This is said as someone who grew up in young childhood with a sibling who required immense numbers of staffing hours and someone who works those families now. A number of my family also work for those service providers. We were asked to leave our parish because of his behavioral issues, we had difficulty going out in public anywhere at any time, at pockets at a time we were not treated well by schools or human service agencies, and it consumed most of our energies.
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This wasn't "public entertainment". This was a private theatre that sold tickets to the show. I know you're older as am I. Do you remember how it was when we were children? Parents rarely took us anywhere where there was even the possibility we would misbehave.
 
Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

clownboy said:
Nonsense, there are a ton of other venues more suitable for children, especially for children who cannot control themselves yet, to experience the wonders of theatre.
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Children, yes, however, there are certain environments more suited for the general public with children rather than a friendly atmosphere or sensory experience for children with certain needs. One obviously cannot reasonably expect that most community events cater to such unique needs, but it deserves mentioning that the options do become limited for such families. As a side note, it's rather interesting to read parents' experiences with young children on the spectrum in an era of more public awareness of autism. Businesses try to hold some sort of autism awareness day or "autism-friendly" day without really doing so (perhaps even penalizing families who have kids that, in fact, show some of the behavioral characteristics common in the spectrum). Most of the time that is because they haven't really done much outreach to find out what would, in fact, be a good way to devise such events for children on the spectrum. Their hearts, as it were, are in the right place, but it ends up feeling to those families as either ill-conceived or perhaps disingenuous.
 
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Re: Broadway Star Has a Message to the Autistic Child Screaming at His Show–And It’s

clownboy said:
This wasn't "public entertainment". This was a private theatre that sold tickets to the show. I know you're older as am I. Do you remember how it was when we were children? Parents rarely took us anywhere where there was even the possibility we would misbehave.
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I'm not disputing the need to secure the entertainment value of the other customers or citizens seeing the event. I was saying that, as rogue had started saying, it's much more complicated than that and families generally aren't doing this out of inconsiderateness. They are like the rest of us and sometimes they seek family time as the rest of us do. With a child with unique needs, a child's emotional health can flip quickly. That doesn't mean that a family, for the sake of the community, keep itself isolated from anything fun and endearing in public. They should be mindful (and most are) of the public's need for their own enjoyment. Often they do in fact offer less in the way of the public eye. Many folks would never think about taking their kids on the plane or any number of community events (even though there's some manner of legal protections and company-self regulation involved in making it possible for these children to travel). They just would like a bit less guilt tripping about it when they decide that, you know, one friday they decide to go to a theater.
 
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