Orange County Register

 4 Comments

• Julie Scott says:

  November 9, 2009 at 10:01 am

  It depends on the performance - location, time, theater level, etc.

  My sister in law is a professional stage actress and coreographer, so we go to more than a few theater shows during the year. If it’s an evening performance or one of the nicer theaters, I usually dress up, but if it’s an afternoon performance or one of the smaller theaters (like Maverick), I usually go for something more casual.

  That said, I don’t think I’d wear the outfit of the woman on the left out in public unless the words “going to the gym/beach” were involved. (Or at all, really - what’s with the word on the bum thing? Hasn’t that fad died yet?)

  I have, however, seen many many people at performances dressed like the person on the left. The most amazing thing is that they are often other theater people coming to see their friends perform. I think perhaps the fact that a good number of them either paid nothing or greatly reduced prices for their seats, that they are often young, and/or that they are so used to visit rehersals, etc. may account for their lack of appareciation of the formality of the occasion. Or they might be the same group of people that are appalled when nice restaurants or bars dare have a dress code that demands no sneakers or jeans. (I’ve actually seen these complaints posted on Yelp when looking for new places to try. It’s amazing.)
• eva kilgore says:

  November 9, 2009 at 3:12 pm

  I think it is fun to dress up for the theatre! It’s an event! Leave your old
  torn jeans home, and shower, put on something nice…and show some
  dignity, folks.
• Magda says:

  November 9, 2009 at 9:50 pm

  I always dress up.
• Dave says:

  November 10, 2009 at 12:22 am

  I think it is disrespectful to the performers to attend the theater in shorts or sweats. Wear something nice or stay home and watch TV — at least those performers don’t have to look at you.