Last night saw In the Heights downtown with Pookie. We enjoyed it. It's not in my top five or anything, but it was obviously good. Tony winner and all. It's definitely a fun show. Maracas and Latin salsa. Much dancing. Much rapping. Fun is the word.
So, there was this guy a row to the right of us who insisted on clapping along to all the poppy songs. Okay, fine. But he also made very loud commentary when things looked spectacular. A sweet light cue and he would shout "Nice!" Then...in particularly sassy dances he would "woo!" and get sort of rambunctious. People around us were all very aware. Its an older stuffier crowd at a theatre on a Wednesday night in November. People weren't quite put out, but just surprised. I overheard a woman behind me sarcastically ask her neighbor, "Think he wrote it?" Maybe the show is meant to be viewed like that--very engaged and responsive. But, clearly, no one else was joining the goofy guy. So, he was not as much supporting the show as drawing away from it. As the big "Hooray We're Latino" number started this guy whipped out his own Mexican Flag and waved it righteously. This guy was also very white. Very non-Latino. I'm not saying he can't love the culture. I'm just saying he wasn't helping people appreciate his craze.
With art I sort of think you should really respond however you honestly feel. Sure, during Summer Brave when I was sobbing and begging Howard to marry, it was hard to hear laughter from the audience members who didn't see just how pathetic I was. But, they thought it was funny. So, whatever. They laughed. But...it does sort of ruin the moment for other audience members. Or does it? Does it just make it more complex?
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