It’s probably something that many people have already noticed before, but Tony-award winning actress-singer Lea Salonga has had enough of cellphone users in the theater.
The singer posted on her official social media accounts on Saturday that she noticed how there have been more cellphone users at plays and concerts as of late.
She went on to say: “You guys have zero manners, zero breeding, zero empathy.”
Ouch.
While she didn’t mention which play or show she was reffering to, she continued: “If all you’re gonna do while sitting in the front row of a play is hunch over your phone, do everyone a favor and leave. Your presence is disruptive and disrespectful to the actors and the audience. Take your entitled ass somewhere else.”
She ended the post with a a fierce burn, Salonga-style. “Money may get you theater tickets and your state of the art cellphone, but it can’t buy you class.”
In a follow-up post, she went on to blast these people by asking them: “Do you buy theater tickets for whatever status it affords you, or do you go as a lover of theater and drama and stagecraft? Because if all you’re going to do is glue your corneas to your cellphone, then might I suggest something else? Like staying home?”
“If your intent is to be seen, congratulations. Seen, and hated,” she ended.
Wow, she did not come to play.
Salonga’s first Facebook post garnered over 2,000 reactions and 290 shares, while the follow-up post had over 970 reactions and 70 shares. She also posted the same message on Twitter. A lot of netizens agreed with her.
Michelle D. Lagdameo said on Salonga’s first post: “So right there! I hate it too. If it were an emergency they’d leave.”
Monique Helper also shared: “Amen!! I hate seeing the actors during and after the show hurt or pissed because of some down right disrespectful ass !”
In Salonga’s follow-up post, Jay E Moores commented: “I love this. Tell me more… this would be a good monologue or comedy sketch. The gripes of an artist. Give ’em hell, don’t hold back.”
Reginald Augustus Salazar Magpayo also credited the rude behavior to “a bewildering sense of entitlement, lack of proper home training, and lack of education.”
In December, Salonga also blasted theatergoers who took photos during the performance of the musical Waitress at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City. She tweeted about “idiotic photo takers breaking the rules.”
She said in a mix of English and Filipino: “You guys are embarrassing. The head usher has taken screenshots of your accounts and corresponding photos (one in particular had the gall to use the official hashtag). Very smart.”
Haaaaaaay, you idiotic photo takers breaking the rules at #WaitressMNL. Nakakahiya kayo. The head usher has taken screenshots of your accounts and corresponding photos (one in particular had the gall to use the official hashtag). Talino.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) December 3, 2018
Salonga is best known for her role as Kim in the original production of Miss Saigon, which earned her a Tony Award in 1991 for Best Actress in a Musical. She’s also the singing voice for Disney princesses Jasmine and Mulan.
What’s your take on this? Have you encountered theatergoers like this? Leave a comment below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.
