You are inside of a stunning, historic Broadway theater and the lights are dimming. The enormous chandelier hanging above you flickers momentarily before it, and its smaller counterparts, extinguish completely. Members of the pit orchestra vigorously play the opening notes of the score that sets the mood for the evening. For a little while, you are unable to remember anything that is going on outside of that theater because the show has begun. However, just as the curtain rises and your eyes adjust to the expertly lit stage…you see it. Someone around you, whether they be a grown man in flip flops or a teenager sporting a baseball cap, has their smartphone out, illuminating the theater. This is not one of those cases where a person has turned off their phone late into the game because this individual is scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, or some other pointless social media app. In a dream scenario where this happens, an usher would come barreling down the aisle with sharpened claws signaling for the doors to open so this audience member can be swiftly removed. Unfortunately, this only occurs in my dreams.

This society has become so obsessed with staying in constant connection with the outside world that they are apparently unable to remove their eyes and paws from the rectangular screen. A standard Broadway production is approximately two hours long including intermission. Countless activities can be performed in two hours that do not require cell phones, but for some reason, people cannot stand the thought of ungluing themselves from these devices. I am no more innocent than anyone else is. I, too, am concerned with what is happening every day in the lives of my friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. However, I also believe that there is a time and a place for everything and attending a Broadway show is not the place. What boggles my mind is how one can spend a significant amount of money to watch these professionals perform and care only about something like Twitter? Why spend the money and be “that guy” when you can just sit at home and stare at a screen for free? Those actors and actresses onstage work tirelessly eight shows a week to bring an incredible story to life through song and dance. It is inconceivable to not give these performers the respect that they deserve, and that disrespect is clearly conveyed through one’s preference for their phone.

Thankfully, those onstage have taken a notice to this ridiculous trend and have decided to act. Patti Lupone, Broadway legend and avid supporter of live theater, is most notable for her disdain of the use of technology in the theater. On July 8, 2015, at a performance of “Shows for Days,” Mrs. Lupone gracefully nabbed an audience member’s cell phone from their hands while exiting the stage. This was received with great support and further resentment from the Broadway community towards those who use their smartphones at live productions. This is not the first time Mrs. Lupone has displayed her intolerance for this behavior. At a performance of the 2008 revival of the musical “Gypsy,” Lupone stopped the entire show in the middle of one of her songs to yell at an audience member taking photographs. Patti Lupone is nothing if not attention grabbing. Perhaps we need more people like this on Broadway: those who work hard enough to not have to tolerate that minority that do not respect the efforts put forth by those onstage.

Personally, as an audience member and theater lover, I do not tolerate it at all whatsoever. I attend Broadway productions relatively often, and I have found that it is impossible to not be distracted by the person whose artificial light blares into the cool darkness of a theater. More than once, I have scolded my loved ones because the chimes of their smartphones removed me from my Broadway trance. It is about time that theatergoers realize that this behavior will not go unpunished. Although it might be difficult at first, please be respectful, listen to the announcements, and shut off your phone for the painless two hours. Broadway is a magical world consisting of those with incredible talent that make true magic happen eight times a week. Attempt to respect that through the silencing of all devices.