When did live theatre become just like a movie theatre??

Sorry, there is no punch line, it was more of a rhetorical question, but I'll tell you why I ask.

It wasn't that many years ago that going to the live theatre meant showering, shaving, and dressing up, you certainly wouldn't be caught in any less than "golf attire". Things have apparently changed, and for the worse! You could say jeans(yes jeans!!!) are more comfortable, but I ask if jeans are more comfortable than a dress?? Well I've never worn a dress(that I'd like to tell you about:)), but I assume that since it's much closer to naked than jeans that it must be. Now what about men?? White collar workers always tend to wear either a suit or Khakis, so would it be much of an imposition to wear them to the theatre?? I DON'T THINK SO! As for all the blue collar workers that head home after a long, physically demanding day, THIS IS A SPECIAL EVENT, is it that hard to find something better than jeans?? REALLY!

OK, now let me qualify that a little! I will say that it should be more of a production based dress code, I'll admit that may sound weird, but hear me out anyways. I wouldn't expect ANYBODY going to see Les Miserable, Phantom Of the Opera, ETC.... things that would be considered ""productions", or "epics", IN JEANS, but I'm afraid that might just happen ..... I guess they should impose a dress code, and I always thought there always was one, it was just "unwritten". Now what about productions like Rock of Ages and The Toxic Avenger, something more in the vein of "modern" theatre productions. OK, I guess I can understand where NICE jeans are acceptable. Now we're not talking worn out, acid washed jeans, we're talking the darker more expensive dark jeans ....... sorry the proper definition escapes me, but you know what I mean:) When paired with a nice top and proper shoes the look can be quite acceptable, so I'll accept it:) although I'd still prefer more proper attire:) I think where the question arises is in more middle of the road productions, things like Jersey Boys, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Raincoat ...... let's make this simple, ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF BEING OVER DRESSED INSTEAD OF UNDER DRESSED!.

Now where did this come from?? Well I had to do some thinking both after seeing "The Toxic Avenger", where I saw more than a few pairs of worn out jeans and runners(OH MY!), and "Rock Of Ages", where I saw lots of the "better" jeans.

So what did I think about the productions AFTER I got past the jeans dilemma?? I liked em both, certainly having a group with me made seeing ROA more of an evening out, and it's always fun when you see your close friends, something that doesn't happen as much as I'd like:) ROA was certainly a step up in terms of production quality, and since I knew pretty much all of the songs I could always get into that. What I did notice is BOTH productions tended towards audience participation just a little.

So, my rating would be

Rock of Ages .....80% .... loses points for a weak story and trouble with incomprehensible dialog .... probably something to do with hosting a rock show in a century old theatre!

The Toxic Avenger ..... 73% ..... I said in my review(Nov 09) that I might have been a little giddy after seeing my first production in years, and gave this an 80%, I guess I was:) .... Not the greatest premise for the theatre, but some good original songs and lots of fun ... too bad it never caught the interest of the public!

Next production ..... Jersey Boys ....... and you can bet it WON'T be in jeans!

Brent