Patti Lupone stops 'Gypsy' mid-show to yell at a photographer

It was January 10, 2009. Patti Lupone was heading into the climax song of 'Gypsy,' "Rose's Turn," when Lupone realized that "You either have it -- Or you've had it." And Patti had HAD it with that photographer! "Stop taking pictures, RIGHT NOW!"
Patti, I love you, but this is hysterical. And no I didn't film this. And yes, go ahead and laugh at the irony that she's yelling at someone using a camera while the person who took this video was also using a camera. Ya-da-ya.
No copyright infringement intended. I didn't film this. For entertainment purposes, only.

[@kaylae19]

It's weird that there are so many people saying they would have asked for a refund, cause I would pay a full price ticket just to watch Patti yell at bad audience members.

[@SMSClassof07]

I would pay a full price ticket to watch Patti do anything on stage!

[@Zenocius]

@@SMSClassof07 naughty boi

[@henryalmoney2917]

i would pay double to watch her throw an audience member out

[@kellicoffman8440]

Me too

[@Patroklus3]

I'd pay double.

[@JesseColton]

There's a thing called theater etiquette people, you don't scream and cheer during a symphony and you don't take flash photography during a play. This isn't a rock concert.

[@swaingles]

***** Things are changing, and must be so if we want new generations to come to the theatre. People are there to have fun. And believe me, I do no like people to behave like children either.

[@richardiritano1197]

***** Well, if it means that new generations are coming to the theater without first knowing how to behave (i.e., social grace, breeding, manners, composure), then I'd be very content to have them abstain altogether. I'll never forget my first Broadway show, and how the audience members themselves looked like they were part of the extended cast on stage: All perfectly manicured, perfumed and attired, where the men wore suits and ties, the ladies were dressed for an evening of enchantment, with their couture dresses----and when the curtain was raised, there was silence and respect---and that's how it works, folks, and that's WHY it works. Patti LuPone should receive a proclamation award for finally taking a stand against cell phone disturbances, and the proclamation itself should be proudly displayed in the theater's lobby or on either side of the stage! Best performance ever! Brava! Encore!

[@swaingles]

I partly agree with you; however, the time and place were not the most suitable to try to educate or better reeducate people.

[@JesseColton]

***** The time and place also wasn't acceptable to hold a cell phone in Patti LuPone's face during Rose's Turn, the biggest moment in the show.

[@richardiritano1197]

***** At no time is it acceptable for any picture taking at any live theater performance, when the rules strictly forbid such unlawful practices in the first place, Jesse Colton. That's why there are societal rules for us all to follow. And, when a person makes a voluntary choice to breach rules, regulations and ethics, well, that's when a person will start to experience a lot of problems in life, not to mention contempt from law abiding citizens!

[@dmelnick87]

I was at this performance! It was thrilling, my friend and I were sitting twelve rows up from the stage in the orchestra, and it was SO SCARY. We had no idea what was going on, and talk about professionalism all you want, but I have to say it was a theatrical experience (on many levels) that I will certainly NEVER forget! By the way, what she did that elicits the applause, after she said, "You know what we're gonna do?" was that she picked up her coat, as if to signal that she was starting again at the beginning of Rose's Turn. Thanks for uploading! :)

[@broadwaymike92]

Oh Shoot!! I wonder if anyone took a video. I went to see BRING IT ON at the St James and one of the Ushers told me whom was there that night said that the idiots whom were taking the photos was sitting in the center of the Orchestra. I'm sure they got arrested.

[@mariemarchesani1595]

David Melnick a

[@xxliew]

Thanks so much for letting us know about the coat thing, David! Seriously appreciate it!

[@MICHGO1]

@@broadwaymike92 SOME NUMB NUT PROBABLY DID. HOW PATHETIC IS THAT OR THAT YOU ENCOURAGE IT.

[@broadwaymike92]

@@MICHGO1 oh shut up!!! I never pull put my camera or phone during the full show.

[@MrCrowebobby]

For the person who said Mary Martin or Ethel Merman would never have done this. Elaine Stritch was once a stand-by for Ethel Merman for the musical "Call Me Madam". In her one woman show "Elaine Stritch: At Liberty", Stritch told a story illustrating Merman's showmanship and attitude: One night, while performing the song "Can You Use Any Money Today", a drunken audience member kept calling out to Merman while she performed, annoying both the audience and Merman herself. Finally, Merman got to the last line of the song, hit the first three notes, and then stopped the song. She then walked off the stage, through the wings, down the stairs and into the audience. She got to the drunken man, yanked him out of his seat, dragged him up the center aisle and through the doors that led out of the theater and literally threw the man out into the street. She then walked back into the theater, down the center aisle, up the stairs, through the wings onto the stage, got to dead center and hit the final note of the song as if nothing had happened.

[@rickchatham4333]

Robert Crowe That's absolutely awesome and sounds 100% like Merman. People who are saying Patti Lupone is a bitch have NO IDEA, compared to Elaine Stritch, Merman, etc. Those ladies were TOUGH. :-)

[@2008bruin2008]

Wow! Thanks for the story.

[@KarlMariaFattig]

If Patti had done that, in this day and age, she would have been sued and paid a heavy penalty. Merman basically committed assault.

[@Ronizetti]

You DO know that was simply a story!?? 😁 A Str(et)itch of the truth ...

[@grandshadowseal]

Woa!

[@eliasayala1444]

Patti Lupone: *Breaths* Audience: *roaring applause*

[@kittykat123425]

E.G.A Kwipet what else would you do in the presence of a GODDESS

[@Jayjee762]

Justly

[@lunalgaleo1991]

That just proves how AWESOME she is!

[@pumbaaj]

I was at the first Chicago pre-Bway show of "War Paint". Lights up: there are LuPone and Christine Ebersole sitting side by side. They got a 45 second standing ovation before singing a note.

[@soaribb32]

As they should

[@drewqq]

She had every right to stop. She's all over the stage at this point and the flash is enough to blind her into falling and killing herself either off the stage or into the pit. People don't realize how dangerous it is to take a flash photo of a performer--YOU see them in light--all performers see from the stage is darkness.

[@nickkellerman1638]

drewqq oh arent you a tad dramatic

[@popthisway]

@@nickkellerman1638 fuck off

[@nickkellerman1638]

Gustavo Martins drama queen in the house 🚨 i bet youre one of those queens that clap like a performing chimp when a broadway diva takes to the stage

[@popthisway]

@@nickkellerman1638 actually no because i've never been there but if betting makes you feel comfortable so yeah, i do that

[@nickkellerman1638]

Gustavo Martins oh, so you have never been, youre from the backwaters and you tell me to fuck off?

[@leahwhite1236]

For everyone who is mad about her stopping the show to kick someone out needs to stop. The person was using FLASH photography. I have no Idea how many of you have ever been in a play or musical, but I have. 3 years ago I was in a highschool production of Into The Woods, and I was the witch, on the last performance night, during my solo I was on a platform and everything was going fine, then as I was moving to go down the steps some asshole had his flash on and took a picture, even though it was posted everywhere no FLASH photography. Well the light blinded me because at the point in time the lights on stage were low. Well I fell down the stairs and broke my leg, and we couldn't finish the show. She had every right to stop the show, because what happened to me could have happened to her.

[@otomodachifan]

Well, I like crutches!

[@otomodachifan]

I like crutches! ;)

[@singenstattatmen5096]

+Leah White Wow that really sucks! :( Good on you for playing the witch though, that's an awesome role!

[@MultiEquations]

+Leah White I agree with you so much because I'm a student photographer at my high school and I hate it so much when the flash from the camera of a parent goes off. Not only is it distracting and perhaps dangerous for the actors, it throws off lighting and ruins my photos (I had sat through several runs of the show so I have a clue on how to lit the scene w/o external flashes). I don't understand when parents refuse to not take photos of their kid's performance, there is a good chance that there is someone taking photos if it's the school play or musical, so sit back and enjoy your kid's performance because they worked pretty damn hard on it. Rant over. Sorry about your incident.

[@randomlink2770]

+Leah White Even when that's explained, people still decide to use flash. I went to see a production of Sweeney Todd and even though they explained before intermission no flash photography, they had to make the announcement again and explain that because they were using high platforms, it could blind the actors and make them fall off and probably do worse than break their leg (they were using like, 15 feet tall platforms at some points). And yet as I said that, I remember somebody readying their flash. People who go to see shows think it's done for them, and honestly I'm sick of people taking flash photography. I would say for a ban on cameras altogether, but the we wouldn't get bootlegs. Then again, most shows are preserved in the Lincoln center library

[@JadeTheGeekGoddess]

As someone who does theater. Everytime we hear that click of a camera in the audience, it messes with us.

[@MKF30]

+JadeTheGeekGoddess One thing I do wonder, while I'm not a theatre actor I'm an aspiring voice actor so we dont have that issue. But curious about live shows, if there are rules against cameras why not just ban them all together? Like when you go the movies they ask you before the movie, silence or turn them off. Which most usually do, so why not just a rule for theatre no cameras allowed? Just an idea. If they use their cell cam they get tossed.

[@firealarm2905]

+MKF30 in most theatres that is a rule. About a year ago I was doing a production of Dogfight The Musical and before curtain call we had staging where everyone walked across the stage and I would walk up stairs, some lady took a picture and I fell, and almost took down my friend in front of me. That's why that's a thing, recording the show can also have some legal issues. As far as tossing phones or recording devices, that's generally illegal as it is their property. The most they can do is kick out the person from the theatre.

[@MKF30]

firealarm2905 Oh no, no I'm sorry maybe I worded it incorrectly but I meant the person gets tossed by an usher like they do in movies...not tossing their cell phones lol. I don't think anyone should touch anyone's property either way, but they can easily make rules as any establishment has the right to ie some bars with dress codes, movies with phones, theatres with cameras in middle of shows etc. The latter part of your post was more so what I was referring to.

[@Ninafan68]

I used to sing in bars and cruise ships for people who were never listening. One time, a fight broke out right in front of me and I continued to sing! If a click messes you up, you have a problem with focus and concentration. Those stars like Lupone who ruins a performance by throwing publicly a tantrum just because they are addicted to drama, we should just turn our back on them. Those kind of stars are entitled little children who don't appreciate the luck that they have. Lupone should feel really lucky and appreciative to be there because she forces her husky voice and her performances are way too calculated.

[@Ninafan68]

Hi Tavon! So, you're a singer too? As unknowns, isn't it hard to see that some stars don't appreciate the luck that they have and misuse their powers? People should not reward them for those bad behaviors and they should be stripped of their status. And the worse thing in all of this is that Patti doesn't even deserve to be a star in the first place. Her voice and personality are horrible! That husky sound and that emasculating personality just creep me out! She reminds me of Cruella De Vil. Watch this, she sounds like Lupone : kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipXPe3-YjLiLrM0

[@warnold909]

Patti: STOP TAKING PICTURES!!! The guy who is audio recording this: Yeah! How DARE you!

[@timothyj.mannion5210]

That's kind of what I was wondering, too!

[@martingardner9124]

I wonder how the person recording even KNEW to record it

[@SwiftTAY.13]

@@martingardner9124 It was probably a song they liked so they recorded it and caught Patti yelling at the photographer. Idk, that's just what I thought.

[@ianthehimbo]

Thank God for that guy

[@dollyhood6549]

😅😅😅

[@DarkWaterfall]

Since people feel the need to post their negative comments without first reading the comments and or researching what actually happened here's a quote from someone who was actually THERE that night as well as a recap. First recap: This person was taking flash photos all night, multiple announcement were made, Patti complained multiple times, and then nearly fell after the last flash went off before stopping, and here's the quote: "I was there that night. I was stage right in the orchestra and it looked like Patti stumbled and almost fell off the stage the last time she spotted the camera. Her outburst remains the best thing I've ever seen on B'way! And to respond to what she did to get more applause when she said "this is what we are going to do" - she picked up the smocked she takes off at the beginning of the song and proceeded to put it back on to start over. BEST theatre night of my life! :)"

[@lloydarriola3481]

Awesome! You know, she is impressive as hell. She may have broken character, but for God's sake, the lady is WORKING up there. Why do you need to take photos? Watch the show. Can't your brain remember what happened and you let it live in your memory as an intense theater experience? ???? Oy vey! Miss Lupone, thanks! You stood up for all artists who have to live in the moment and who get interrupted while doing their job by rude people!

[@richardiritano1197]

Lloyd Arriola Lloyd Arriola---the new (and hopefully) everlasting voice of all reason!

[@davidserrano3601]

The photographer was HIRED by the theatre to take photos.

[@1001Redflags]

@@davidserrano3601 2 days from closing night?

[@thomasstamey4443]

Dom the Geek Yes Patti was mortified when she realized she forgot the photographer was planned, and she apologized

[@larrydirtybird]

What she did was fantastic. She gave the audience a theater experience that they'll never forget. They loved it-- felt they were part of an unusual, spontaneous and real moment. That's what live theater is all about.

[@ayembic7933]

and it was in character!!!

[@neko4923]

to all the people screaming about how she shouldn't have done this and how she is the one interrupting the show have you ever been to a show where someone's taking pictures? it's annoying as all hell.

[@solelymyself]

Truth, its annoying. But I think it would be more annoying to be engaged with a story and then have them completely stop the production for something as common and trivial as someone taking pictures.

[@JaredGoerke]

Kurtis Dennison When you are the actor/actress with pictures going on you will understand.

[@solelymyself]

Jared Goerke but Ive been that guy. I work in the theatre. I design mostly, but I have acted, and pictures have been taken. And it is annoying, but its never been so distracting that I felt compelled to stop the show and personally scold them. In fact, if I am acting and in the scene with my partner, I have never noticed anything else; my energy and attention is on my scene. As an actor, I or she or they are there to do a job. There are ushers and house managers whose job it is to deal with camera users. That's not part of my responsibility, just as it isn't the stage manager's to come to me with a design for the costumes nor the actor to come in to sew. I will say, one time, a friend of mine went out after the show, after he had gotten out of costume, and saw a girl whom the cast had been talking about their camera usage. And when he saw her, he scolded her and told her not to post the pictures anywhere. It may not have been his responsibility to do that, but he didn't stop the show in the middle leaving the orchestra and his acting partners to suffer to do so. I do understand, and it is never okay to do that.

[@JaredGoerke]

I researched this whole situation on why she stopped it. Opening of show *Announcement for pictures* Starts taking flash pictures through the entirety of act one *Patti complains to the stage manager* Opening of act two *Announcement made again to not take flash photography* Act to up to roses turn *Flash Flash Flash* Roses Turn *Gets kicked out* I understand its unprofessional but on top of the fact that it was going on for over an hour she is Patti. She has been doing it for years and we know she is respectful.

[@brianwilliams9]

Kurtis Dennison It's not common or trivial in a theater performance. It's actually forbidden, and they make announcements at the beginning of the show. It's distracting, and potentially dangerous to the actors.

[@jtturner4319]

The irony of the situation is that she flips out about illicit photography, but we can only hear her freakout, and the subsequent mob's reaction, because someone was bootlegging an audio recording of the show.

[@raphaelweb9677]

She was right. Don't go to the theater if you can't follow the rules.

[@richardiritano1197]

Raphael Web It really IS that simple, Raphael Web---and, yet simplicity is so far removed from modern day life, and the defiant way many people live today, where many, if not all believe that there are no consequences to their rude, hostile and inconsiderate actions. During this theater season alone, I had to stand up no fewer than six times to reprimand rude audience members from talking during a performance, and had to call for assistance, when a woman refused to stop eating noise food and drink that wasn't permitted in the theater at all. Now, I don't care if I shell out ten dollars or $150 dollars---I expect that everyone in the audience is on board with the rules of the house. No excuses, no exceptions! Period!

[@otomodachifan]

Well, I go to Broadway's autism-friendly performances. So there is an exception.

[@otomodachifan]

When I go to the theatre you don't have to follow the rules. There's a program called the Autism Theatre Initiative.

[@caseyj5637]

+Raphael Web does that include staying in character? :DD

[@rpwVideoInstruction]

+otomodachifan Then, that's a case where the rules are different and that's cool.

[@andypotts3197]

For people mad that she broke character. This is the most in character breaking character I can imagine! This is Rose's Turn, Rose is performing to an (admittedly imaginary) audience and she's pretty much already having a nervous breakdown. I can totally see her reacting in the same way Patti did to an audience member ruining her moment!

[@toadster749]

"*this person's clapping sounds like a horse trotting*" -DEAD-

[@hollisrut.8759]

Also "this one girl thinking she can hit a high note" lmaooo

[@emmamcgiff]

if a legend such as patti lupone screamed at me like this i would go home and never leave my house again

[@tatemitchell1479]

I would dig my own grave and bury myself in it

[@nahbirdie4773]

I would lock myself up in a fridge to preserve myself and my remains so when people discover me they'd learn

[@playlistnation423]

This moment is actually pretty in-character for Rose. So not only did Queen Patti LuPone call out someone for doing what they weren't supposed to do, but ROSE called out someone for doing what they weren't supposed to do. I'm not sure which is scarier.

[@tatemitchell1479]

THIS.

[@squigglyco]

The person was supposed to be there.

[@abbybarsanti6436]

only a true theatre diva would be able to stop a show point someone out the start where she left off. Miss Patti LuPone a applaud you

[@dsbliamsmom1040]

I'm a performer and often an audience member. Here's the reality - we can see you. Yes, even in the dark, and when we are trying to concentrate on creating the world of the play, it takes a great deal of focus. That focus is knocked out by the brightly lit screens of cell phones and the clicks of photographs. The audience, ALL of whom have paid well for their tickets (I pay full price for mine too), are also distracted by their neighbor's screens, talking and texting during shows. It is not OK to take pictures in a theater unless it is your kid's dance recital and even then, the parents behind you would probably rather see the stage than your cell phone blocking their view. If you love the theater, respect what must be maintained for everyone to be present, the performers and the audience. I've had to stop shows too - for rude kids throwing things on stage, kids who probably had parents like the troll who feels it is their right to do whatever they please wherever they please. Please. Please. Stay home.

[@dsbliamsmom1040]

***** My goodness - speculative trolling? How cute. Tell your mom I said, "hi" when you come up from her basement.

[@LadyAryun]

Deborah Sale-Butler I don't tolerate it either, as a former singer, there's nothing that irks me more than bad theater behavior. I've politely asked people to stop and if they refuse? I notify the ushers. I do not appreciate paying $50 for WICKED and having some idiot beside me texting with their screen at full brightness and/or taking pictures. I agree - if you can't separate yourself from your cell phone, don't go.

[@LadyAryun]

***** Not sure how many high end productions you've gone to, but me? I go for their acting and singing and watching them perform LIVE... Unless it's audience participation, yes, those performers ARE your boss. You are in THEIR space and there are RULES to theater... basic common sense has gone down the tubes were people think it's perfectly A-OK to take photographs of copy-written material... which can easily get you sued for infringement. Turn your phone off, put it in your purse or pocket, somewhere other than your hand texting because quite frankly, it's damned obnoxious to be interested in what's happening on stage and be pulled out by a cell phone's light. Unplug yourself and get some common decency for the stage performers, stage hands, and the house crew.

[@Frankbluejay]

Deborah Sale-Butler Nicely said and I am posting because of your remarks on the kids. I have no idea what these parents are doing or not doing to their kids at home for them to act like that. I have seen it many times and each time my jaw drops. These people must have giant chips on the shoulders and their kids pick up on it because mom and dad do not correct or stop them unless a policeman is called. Then they act innocent and start blaming others and telling lies. They then smile and laugh at what they got away with after the police leave. I wish nothing bad on anyone but one day those chips will be knocked off.I consider myself a good man and would not do it but if I am feeling this way I am sure others who cannot hold back will feel the same too and act. Sorry to say this but the best way to tell if someone is lying these days is to which their mouths and see if there lips move.

[@otomodachifan]

If you find screens in the dark distracting then you probably shouldn't do an autism-friendly performance. House lights kept on...noisy audience. And yes, I do have autism

[@nahbirdie4773]

Omg who had the balls (at 0:33 ) to take a photo after she already stopped the show to yell at someone?! That's insane.

[@elizabethpage_]

a flash going off in a dark theatre could severely injure an actor if they get distracted. she was 100% in the right for this

[@accooper97]

lol a lot of you don't know this (apprently) but he was hired by the theatre to take pictures of her during the show for her last show. He was doing a rehearsal shoot and she was (reportedly) informed of that multiple times before hand lol

[@DeeprUnderstanding]

It was revealed today that the photographer was hired by the show to take photos! She just did a photo shoot with Patti for Interview magazine.

[@patnstephen2]

And if La Patti had known you were making this audio recording of her show, she would have had you thrown out too.

[@pmcmahon2493]

***** Perhaps, but for me it's one thing to be taking a sound recording. It's quite another to have bright lights flashing continuously in your face while you're trying to perform on stage.

[@patnstephen2]

Yeah - true... There is more to this whole story than this clip...

[@pudgeuncle]

I am old enough to remember that Katharine Hepburn did the same thing. When she was in the musical Coco, some moron took a flash photo and she reprimanded him from the stage. She had the curtain brought down and they started the show again.

[@nursegrace7492]

Katharine Hepburn was kind of a cranky coot.

[@maxwellalberts7332]

God. Grow up. I can't believe the level of cultural retardation in this crowd.

[@joyciejd9673]

I remembered that as well but could not remember who the performer was. Thanks!

[@kyokohitsuji]

You don't fuck with Lupone! That woman is a fucking icon and you should be honoured to be able to see her because some of us would give anything to see that woman belt out Rose's Turn!

[@JamesToupin]

I have been a musical theatre actor for 30 years now (Oh dear God, I'm old!). I think the appropriate response in a case like this is to child the rule breaker in the audience in character. Have an extensive background in improvisation helps a lot. I have done this in character and made huge fun of the idiot audience member and the crowd loved it and the camera was never seen flashing again. Of course, I am no Patti!

[@mikaelacash3791]

That's actually genius! Great idea, stopping the photos in character! I'll remember that for if I ever do professional theater and see someone taking pictures in the audience.

[@valerie3058]

James Toupin That is a genius idea! That actually just happened recently when I attended a showing of Hedwig and the Angry Inch with John Cameron Mitchell. Some drunk, belligerent idiot was yelling and screaming along to the songs and JCM talked to the guy and told him to shut up completely in character as Hedwig and security threw him out when he didn't stop. I have a new found respect for JCM for handing the situation so perfectly.

[@JamesToupin]

Vallie G That is perfect. Exactly how I would handle it. Glad to know it works so well!

[@CV-Moore]

That would have been so much better.

[@wickedramaqueen]

I've been in theatre for only 12 years but i think staying in character is the most normal way to handle it hahaha, i mean i would get distracted too, i'm living the story too i don't know if i would recover from the yelling

[@scottstephen5129]

Every time I listen to this I just think about how terrifying it would be to see Patti in her full "Mama Rose" rage and then immediately start yelling at the audience.

[@s.c.paulson6797]

I was at this performance and my god was it chaotic. No one knew what was going on when she first started yelling. The entire audience collectively moved backwards. It really wasn't until she monologued that what had transpired made any sense. Great time. I saw this performance three times and this one was the best; she was so fired up after that event.

[@chrisbullPiano]

The irony that someone else has recorded this, and didn’t get caught or told off 😂

[@hollisrut.8759]

Patti: "STOP STOP STOP TAKING PICTURES YOU HEARD THE ANNOUNCEMENT WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE" The pit: *scared and confused playing*

[@nicholasdelaney6800]

rebecca sugar trying to cast yellow diamond: *listens to this video*... the search is over.

[@jessicalovesdicaprio]

As much as her breaking character would usually annoy me, I feel like she was justified. The audience appear to agree with her also, so hopefully the person taking photos didn't ruin everyone's night.

[@KyleOgilvie1]

Iconic. Flawless. Slay Quen Slay tbh.

[@tatemitchell1479]

I FREAKING LOVE YOUR PFP OMG

[@99eleblanc]

I would have wet myself if Patti Lupone yelled at me.

[@ameliamorgan2287]

The irony is this is a bootleg of someone getting yelled at for bootlegging.

[@bluediamond283]

"some random girl thinks she can hit a high note"😂😂😂

[@thirstfortruth8904]

And she reprimanded the photographer … IN FULL BELT VOICE. Slay!!

[@katelizabeth24]

I went to see Phantom in London last year and the foreign guy in front of me kept LAUGHING throughout the whole entire first act.... Phantom of the Opera is not a comedy... it totally took me out of show and stopped me from enjoying it. Nobody next to him told him to shut up, so at intermission I told him off and when we came back from intermission him and his girlfriend had left the show and didn't come back. I'm not putting up with that kind of sh*t after paying hundreds of dollars for a ticket and travelling half way across the world!

[@afrenchguardsman6121]

You're right. Phantom in London is very expensive. I've been there two weeks ago (unfortunately we had to leave the theater after Music of the Night for my mother had health problems) and some guy couldn't stop to talk during the performance. Eventually a member of the audience told him to shut up.

[@katelizabeth24]

Auroshara de Belgrand I think it has something to do with the different cultures that visit the theatre... as they are usually tourists.

[@afrenchguardsman6121]

I am French and French people are not used at all to musicals and theaters, but as I became a "Phan" I learnt the usages... :)

[@katelizabeth24]

Auroshara de Belgrand I understand that, but it should be taught universally that when you are out in public that you respect others and maintain your manners, which people do no these days. Sit still, and keep your mouth shut. Also, turn your phones off.

[@Yesica1993]

***** Good for you! I can't STAND when people do things like that! I was at a Patty Griffin show some years ago and people were talking at full volume while she was singing! Why did you pay money to go to a show you don't even want to see?! (And then ruin it for the others who do want to see and hear it?)

[@theyan5512]

She has a little of Yellow Diamond herself

[@AndreB23]

Peridot: You CLOD!! Yellow Diamond: HOW DARE YOU?!! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!!

[@AAAAHHSJD]

Andre B yasss

[@pearlg.7331]

Exactly what I thought lol

[@marisafaith9975]

She said each character she plays has a part of herself in them

[@ceciliamarques7832]

If she yelled at me like this I would be honored

[@j.s.5180]

The random girl hitting a high note: absolutely a musical theatre major from a small town who thinks that breaking out into song in public is a personality. Kaitlynne, it isn't. Relax.

[@moxied3564]

For punctuation, I’m completely using “OH-ppreciate” next time. haha. Also think she can? 2:18 WAS a crazy high note or...something. Anyone know if Kristin Chenoweth was in the audience that night? LOL 😂

[@hollisrut.8759]

BRUH IT LITERALLY SOUNDED LIKE SOMEONE SLOWED DOWN KRISTIN SINGING AN E6, THAT SOUNDED LIKE SLOWED DOWN VIBRATO LMAOOO

[@JackMorganEFLavandowska]

"Random Usher Guy" saying they're gone is actually my Uncle Gary, the stage manager on this production...

[@jmo4585]

All this drama bc Patti didnt remembered that they hired a photographer themselves to take photos of one of the last nights of Patti being Rose. That backstage photos after this were awkard for sure hahaha.

[@whatdoyousuppose]

This video (or audio, mostly) still doesn't get old after 5 years. This photographer just got Patti luPWNED :P

[@clairefreeman6273]

That should be her catch phrase…”WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?”

[@xww6849]

I don't know how the bastard took another photo after she started yelling at him. Patti LuPone is easily one of the most terrifying women in theater.

[@catharinalangle4890]

I would have sunken to my knees

[@kaylielepley7902]

Peridot: *click click* Yellow diamond: Get her out who do you think you are!

[@hannahrosereviews5073]

Wow! Oh my word! Wow! I felt embarrassed for the person who got kicked out! But Patti's right. If you don't respect the rules ya gotta be "punished" somehow I guess.

[@jessierain3354]

God she intimidates the hell out of me

[@catharinalangle4890]

She's a Queen of Broadway! What is even more intimidating is that she doesn't seem to have a microphone. Jesus! That's like the breath force of a 10ft woman!

[@drbernstein3073]

While it may have been right to stop the show and comment about the flash bulb picture, this was a bit of over reaction. She wasn’t in any danger and apparently the shoot had been arranged beforehand with NY magazine. The sadistic response of the diva sadly indicates an underlying insecurity, a fear of being not loved but injured by the audience (which is a kind of mother, holding the infant). Ironically Gypsy Is about a narcissistic stage mother.

[@KLK1618]

This is fantastic! This is one of the many reasons I love Broadway! Patti Lupone rocks!

[@sawyer6264]

Who else is here after the Hadestown drama?

[@melindahayflinger6090]

it was a photographer from the new york times that they hired.....

[@AndreB23]

You tell em, Yellow Diamond!!

[@crakhaed]

+Andre B how hilarious would it be if they somehow had her say this in-show?

[@BlessTheFallenOnes]

I know everyone’s like “yeah theater etiquette! How dare he!” Except this was a photographer hired to take professional pictures for the show and Patti legit forgot about it 😂 whoops!

[@scswp6945]

Taking professional photographs of the production the day before it permanently closed? For what purpose?

[@xubs5919]

she wasn't hired as a photographer, she was a journalist. and she still shouldn't use flash, so it doesn't matter

[@iliesko]

How many of all you condemning her reaction are stage actors??? Do any of you know what's like being in character on stage in front of hundreds and concentrating on the show, and a morron with a cell keep badgering both you and the audience around him?

[@matthewbishop4785]

I come back to this now and again for no reason what so ever

[@195511SM]

I think it MAY have been Kevin Spacey that told this story, but I'm not 100% sure. He was onstage doing some Shakespeare play or something.....when someone's cell phone in the audience started ringing...and ringing....and RINGING. Spacey stopped mid-soliloquy, reached into his costume & pulled out his OWN cell phone & answered..."Hello? HELLO?!!?!" There was another story I heard back in the 1980s. Pia Zadora was starring in 'The Diary Of Anne Frank'....and while she's supposed to be a pretty good singer, back then she had a less-than-stellar reputation as an actress. Apparently, when the Nazis showed up in the play, people in the audience began shouting, "She's in the attic!"

[@Frankbluejay]

195511SM That is VERY FUNNY ! I hope it is true because I love it ! I will remember that line forever...Shes in the Attic !

[@marcbenson2279]

195511SM great story, but see www.snopes.com/movies/actors/attic.asp

[@195511SM]

Marc Benson Thanks. There was no snopes.com back in the early 1980s, when I heard this story.....told by KGO radio talk show host Jim Eason.

[@legalavocado3447]

Lupone was wrong here. She'd been told but apparently forgot or misunderstood that these pictures were authorized. They were doing a long in-depth article on her and on her final performance in Gypsy, and the photographer had been following her around all day.

[@KristophersKorner]

On one hand I see her point, on the other hand if I paid $200 for a ticket and then the star stops the show to yell at someone, I think I would be pissed. However, when she goes back into song, WOW that kinda works and makes the number even greater. I just read her book and was shocked she did not talk about this happening. I was hoping she would. She is the best and when you are the best, you can do what you want.

[@dhoust170]

I do have to say, as a theatre performer we see every little thing out in the audience because our attention is drawn. It takes a lot of work to become someone who is not you and that focus can be thrown off by the smallest things and take you out of the world of the character. The smallest flash, the sound of a camera when there is silence because it is a pivotal moment in the show, or the glow of a cellphone (even if the brightness is turned down low). It's all very noticeable and easily distracting and then at that point your no longer acting the story, your just belting a pretty song with no emotion. AND the audience no longer can focus because their attention is on the person doing wrong and not paying attention to the story or the people on stage and so your working to give the people what they paid for and your distracted and they are distracted because of 1 person.

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

*I just read her book and was shocked she did not talk about this happening.* In her memoir, all she did was bitch and moan and whine about something or other. For someone who's has had so much success and laurels and fan devotion, she certainly likes to play the victim and never takes responsibility for anything. Always someone else's fault. Needless to say, it was a very tedious read.

[@maxwellalberts7332]

Your post is a very tedious read. Get some talent or shut the fuck up.

[@richardmayora1289]

@@musicaltheatergeek79 I was going to listen to her book on Audible and in the sample she reads it as though she is ordering cold cuts at the deli. No feeling at all.

[@theatreaficionado]

The photographer was actually there with her consent to cover her for NY Magazine and called to apologize that night.

[@dickhartzell6261]

Alas, for anyone of a certain age Broadway can be a dislocating place to visit. There are the avid photographers, the insistent cell phone users, and those who think dressing for the theater involves just the right pair of cut offs and sandals. And then there are the standing ovations, which are no longer reserved for milestone performances by theatrical legends -- they now apply to virtually anything that's managed to hold your attention for a couple of hours. So I'm hardly surprised there are performers like Ms. LuPone who may have developed a short fuse. Over the years mine's gotten shorter, too.

[@rickchatham4333]

Dick Hartzell OH man... don't get me started on the standing ovations. I'm hard pressed to go to a performance that DOESN'T get one now, whether it's a touring Broadway show starring Idina Menzel or a grade school production. Of course by NOT standing, you suddenly turn into the rude jerk. Question for someone "of a certain age"... decades ago did theaters have to post/announce so many rules? I remember when I was young seeing in the playbill that you should go easy on perfume and unwrap your cough drops in advance, and even that seemed like "common sense". My guess is that theaters have had to get increasingly explicit with the 'rules' over the last decade.

[@knighthorse967]

Rick Chatham Completely agree with you. Also when you said "touring Broadway show starring Idina Menzel" what do you mean by that. Isn't she supposed to be spectacular? And for "a grade school performance", I think people do it for encouragement/ their kids are the performers or something. Good day Mr. Chatham

[@dickhartzell6261]

Rick Chatham Frankly I can't remember any rules from 40 or 50 years ago -- except for the one about understudies never substituting for a starring performer unless an announcement is made at the time of performance ... and that was never spoken over the theater PA system, the way the turn off your cell phone, no photography, and unwrap your cough drops rules are today. It just appeared as an advisory in your copy of Playbill.

[@otomodachifan]

I am a perfect example of the avid photographer

[@katherines9323]

ehh it’s cause ur not a real new yorker. my grandfather produced shows on broadway so i was at a show on average, 3 times a week for years. often times i’d come straight from school or gymnastics practice so I wouldn’t have time to change and i would show up in a leotard haha. i always laughed at the tourists who were fancy at shows. for real NYers it’s just a way of life to go to shows casually.

[@mongaspam5571]

Oh my god thank god, THANK YOU PATTI, honestly I had bought tickets with my parents to go to watch phantom of the opera (my first ever time in New York and my first time watching a Broadway show) and we saved up to buy tickets in the front mezzanine front row in the middle, halfway through the performance I had been mesmerized by the magic until I kept hearing talking right next to us, I couldn't even concentrate on music of the night because these two extremely rude ladies were talking WHILE The performance was going on, and taking video and photography, I swear the most annoying thing, I mean the tickets were expensive I don't think you'd go to a Broadway SHOW AND PAY 200 DOLLARS per ticket to talk during the show, it's RIDICULOUS how people have lost respect, manners and etiquette. SO THANK YOU PATTI

[@JamesFlockhart]

I think over 90% of the audience didn't care she stopped the show it was sort of musical theatre history, I'd have paid 100 dollars to just be there for those 5 minutes! It's really funny and Patti was just brilliant! I loved it when she said I won't continue lol

[@JillBrewerVideos]

Yah, but if a chorus member did the same thing, it would be a very different story!

[@davidtoddsingleton]

she pulled out a joint

[@haydenanderson8804]

I would have paid just to hear her yell at someone. I would have paid double for her to yell at me😂😂😂😂

[@erin_elizabethsmith]

A lot of mixed feelings in the comments. Was Patti LuPone's actions justified? Maybe not; but, that just shows how amazing of a performer she is to be able to pull off a stunt like that and still have the audience in applause and the crew respecting her wishes with no repercussions. She's a diva, but it works for her. If it takes being a diva and taking control of the the whole theatre herself to show people how to act at a show like this, then I applaud her for having the guts to do so. The crew should have immediately got those people out of there, but they didn't so she had to take control.

[@richardiritano1197]

Erin Elizabeth Smith That was no 'stunt,' that Patti LuPone pulled, Erin Elizabeth Smith---that was pure disgust that was visited upon an obvious, defiant imbecile and insensitive clod. That's why there are rules to be followed---and unless there was a hospital calling to alert the caller of a kidney, heart or liver transplant availability---then there should be no exceptions to disrupting any theater performance with any and all vile, vapid and vacuous devices of electronically bonded slavery. And, if anyone doesn't like the rules, or is unable to contain any impulse control issues, then he/she should not buy a ticket in the first place. Alas, common sense is in the shortest of supply in this digital age of purported standards of better living!

[@erin_elizabethsmith]

It could be said that breaking character and stopping the show is more disruptive than taking pictures; however, the crew should have gotten those people out of there before Patti had to resort to that.

[@richardiritano1197]

Erin Elizabeth Smith That is very true, Erin, but the crew are not professional babysitters, and are not always able to stop a defiant audience member who is bent on ignoring the rules. At that point in time, then, the onus was upon Patti LuPone herself to take action, and thankfully she did. Hence, there was nothing inappropriate with the action that she was forced to take. Actually, that thoughtless clown was lucky---because, if it were me up there delivering a dramatic scene that forced me to interrupt it, then that fool would've had the prettiest, shiniest (and busted) smart phone in Intensive Care!

[@abigguitar]

+Richard Iritano Maybe, but breaking character and berating an audience member is not really the way to go about it. If I had paid $70 or $100+ to see a show that she stopped mid-song to point out and berate an audience member, I'd have gotten up and left probably asking for a refund. The point at which she broke character and started yelling, the show was effectively ruined. She might as well started doing standup comedy. It's never the actor's job to break character to take care of an unruly or disruptive audience member. If she was concerned over the photos, she should have stopped the song, motioned to have the curtain dropped, walked to an usher or security person, raise the lights and have the person escorted out of the theater. Then, have a stagehand step out and ask the audience to wait 5 minutes while they resolve a technical problem. In 5 minutes, raise the curtain and have her continue the show. This prevents breaking character. Also, Patti is clearly not worried about her own personal safety. By breaking character and heckling, who knows what that audience member might actually do to her either there in the theater or after the show? It's best not to take measures into your own hands, let the security staff take care of it. That's why they're there.

[@richardiritano1197]

Patti LuPone had every right to break character, when a selfish, thoughtless and disruptive audience member ruins a live performance for the entire audience. And, if you choose to walk out and leave because of it, then don't expect a refund from the theater, because it isn't justified. Why not sue the individual personally, then? Hence, your reply is not very practical, because security and other theater staff may not even be aware of the disruption during the exact time of occurrence, which would only require immediate action by whomever was performing (as was the case with LuPone), where she was clearly no longer able to carry on her stage role, without possible injury and further nuisance and interference. In the end, it's always much easier to give impractical directives from the audience, 'abigguitar,' when it isn't you yourself in the middle of a performance that is suddenly disrupted by an inconsiderate audience member. What Patti did was to publicly shame her offender, and she executed it without any middleman, as time simply did not permit her the luxury of wasting even more time, when she was already beyond the tipping point of personaly anger and senseless audience distraction. To Ms. LuPone, I say, Brava!

[@148jules]

Love the irony - can't take pictures but someone is recording the performance!!!

[@Behind_the_Curtain23]

Just so everyone knows, Patti yelled at a person taking PRESS PHOTOS! He was HIRED by the theater!

[@marccardiff]

I don't believe that. Production photos are never taken during performances, just dress rehearsals.

[@theclown7840]

@@marccardiff It was Patti's final performance, of course someone would be hired to take pictures of it. That's a big deal.

[@badhost]

But did she know?

[@Behind_the_Curtain23]

@@badhost No. she’s pattu

[@badhost]

@@Behind_the_Curtain23 you right

[@PeanutsAssorted]

This is amazing as hell. Her absolutely making the point, kicking the bum out, making sure everyone else knows that she Oh-preciates them and then effortlessly returning to finish the number as though nothing happened.

[@AGwebkinz10]

I am dying of laughter. Patti is the best. Oh and "that persons clapping sounds like a horse trotting"....

[@petermeredith3873]

As a person who does theatre, I honestly support bootlegs and photographs. Most people can't afford to see shows, and everyone should have the right, not just bourgeois New Yorkers.

[@winterwilliams3618]

I agree with you except there is a difference in video recording the show (that 99% of theatre lovers may never see that certain Broadway cast perform) and taking FLASH photographes. Flash photography during a show is ridiculous and distracting to the performers.

[@petermeredith3873]

Good point! I was so caught up in my support of bootlegs that I wasn't really thinking about what was actually happening

[@marishanameyer6132]

Well said.

[@marishanameyer6132]

And doesn't she want pictures for prosterity. She has had some of her greatest moments on stage and only a small group of people get to see it.....

[@etcetera1995]

There's making things available for people and there's not using fucking flash photography in a dark theater.

[@bzzarre815]

"Stop stop stop, three times, tree times you took the picture. you heard the announcement in the beginning you heard the announcement at intermission WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!!, " this is such a monologue 😭😭😍

[@nathangolden8823]

and yet the person recording this sound clip is in the same violation as the photographer.

[@veb_edvard]

YOU ARE SOOOOOOO RIGHT.

[@CV-Moore]

Audio recordings don't distract.

[@btinsley1]

and yet here we all are listening to...

[@cijmo]

@@JTuck3390 I agree...was just thinking though that the show wasn't on. I remember asking a friend about that because I didn't even think photos at curtain call weren't allowed, he said that it's acceptable.

[@mjjunk]

to provide actual context: the new york magazine was taking professional pictures after they were told to by the producers or gypsy (sorry ik this is old but still)

[@Verilysgh]

Hey, I just want to say that the camera man was paid to take photos of gypsy but she didn't know until years afterwards.

[@acgogoacgogo8854]

Kathrine Hepburn took shit for doing this. I mean the critics just laid into her. Called her unprofessional, etc. But giving a live performance takes a lot of concentration. And flash photography is forbidden for mostly this very reason. Patti will give 100% and if she feels the audience is with her on a given night, she'll give even more. So don't trash her for just trying to do her job the best she can. And spend the $50 bucks and buy the official book in the lobby.

[@skeeverats]

If I was there, I would have shit myself because I hate when people yell. But I would give her a huge applause.

[@adrianmcdonald7966]

Your profile pic gives me life

[@cbarton2193]

I mean, there’s better ways of dealing with this than having an on stage tantrum imo! If performers stopped a show anytime someone in the audience was distracting them then there’d be constant interruptions. Also from reading the comments seems like this was a photographer paid to take photos by the producers 😆🤷🏻‍♀️

[@sadiguess2794]

I'd be honored if Patti yelled at me and took my phone.

[@chastesanctum1862]

The great Canadian tenor Jon Vickers once stopped mid aria to yell and a persistent cougher, shut up with your damn coughing.

[@pay2cusername845]

Everyone: Good for her Me: Yellow diamond sure is angry at another gem, good for her

[@jbegelfer]

i was there when she did it. When it says "god knows what she did to prompt more applause" she walked to the back of the stage as if she was going to start again. and then she decided to talk more to the audience and walked to the front of the stage. It was a spectacular thing to witness. She had so much emotion built up from the scene and the outburst that the remise of the song was brilliant and amazing. I'm so glad i saw this in person.

[@danielanguiano4635]

That’s why she is and only… YELLOW DIAMOND 💛💛💛🙏👏👉⚡️⚡️⚡️✨☁️✨💎

[@cellardoor4199]

After this and BEAU IS AFRAID I never want to piss off Patti Lapone.

[@billysmith4867]

Patti: *Yells at an audience member taking pictures* The Person Recording: *Chuckles* I’m in danger.

[@HeartWithATear]

As a person who has worked in theatre, I think it's awesome that performers actually do this. It's hard to get people to stop taking pictures and video sometimes, and to know that the performers on stage have your back is a good feeling. Yes she broke character, but I think it was justified. Video, pictures, and flash especially do not only disturb those on stage; the techs can see it too and we can miss our cues because of the distractions. Rules are rules for a reason, and it's kind of irritating when people try to break them because they think they have more rights than the person sitting next to them; we are all equals.

[@KristiContemplates]

This response seamlessly ressonates with the flow of the production and character Bravo

[@markmontanaart2831]

this is AWESOME, but it's a little bit ironic that the only reason we have this (priceless) audio of the amazing moment, is because someone was 'breaking the rules' and using their phone to record a Broadway Show.

[@ActorsWithIssuespodcast]

I've been on stage since I was 13, and when people take pictures using the flash, it's very distracting and can blind you for a second, which can cause you to make a face and look like a complete fool to the audience, or miss a cue or something. She was right to call the person out and have them removed. I like that she thanked and appreciated the audience. She did what no one else would.

[@januarymanful]

I applaud Patti Lupone for what she did...the only thing I regret is that the person who got thrown out of the theatre was not Alec Baldwin...that would have been hysterical!

[@janezamudio4940]

After just hearing that display, I'd pit Patti LuPone up against Alec Baldwin any day!

[@shaqman145]

I love how she yells at a person for taking pictures then a second later another person takes a picture lol.

[@sarahmcqueenie]

Fabulous diva. I’m reading her autobiography atm, and she’s wonderful!

[@wingsandash]

Bravo, Patti. Well done.

[@buffymovies]

honestly, i wouldn't care if she broke character or not. Gypsy is one of the most overdone shows in existence. people didn't come to see the show; they came to see patti. and if I was able to hear the one and only patti lupone do something this epic, I wouldn't complain. I'd probably be shaking from excitement. Everyone in that audience got a treat.

[@IvannaPM]

The person recording this while watching Patti DEMOLISH this other mans SOUL 👁👄👁

[@kerrifarrell2772]

Of course recording in the theatre is also prohibited....