Saw The Color Purple tonight and it was really fabulous.  Loved it.  Sofia and Harpo were really, really good and the Church ladies acted as a Greek chorus and were so amazing. Loved the score and the interpretation of the book.  Since the story covers many years, the music captures the style of music of many of those years. I thought it was brilliant.  If you have the chance, I really recommend seeing it.

However, I sat next to a trio of people who must never have even seen a movie before. They were really rude.  I'm thinking of printing up little cards for the theater that maybe the ushers could hand out to people:

We appreciate your coming to the (insert name of theatre here). Please make a note to observe the following polite behaviors because if your neighbor stabs you with a Mont Blanc pen, it won't be our fault.

♦ Please keep your footwear on at all times.
♦ Please refrain from talking loudly to your friends about things that don't include your having a heart attack and having to leave right now.
♦ Please turn off your cell phone. If your cell phone does ring, please do not answer it. If you do answer it, please leave your seat and answer it in the lobby.
♦ Do not text anyone from your cell phone.
♦ Do not get up several times before intermission.
♦ If you must get up several times before intermission, please endeavor to buy your shoes at someplace other than Payless - those crappy hollow heels are noisy.
♦ Be on time.

That being said, I think I will keep my snobby little self to the dress circle from here on in. I am not a mezzanine girl.  The further back you go, you're just asking for trouble. 

We got in on rush tickets and that was a really good deal - $35 versus $110 for first row balcony. We could have gotten dress circle for the same price but it would have been far house left. In retrospect, we would have had a good view on where to upgrade ourselves to better seats.

There were $10, but those were upper balcony. My opinion on those is might as well stay at home and wait for the video to be shown on PBS. I saw - Rent or Miss Saigon from those seats and I didn't know you could be that far from the stage and still be in the same theater.  Anyway, I was going someplace with this - if you like live theater, don't let the price keep you from going. Call up the box office and ask if they are selling rush seats on the night of the show. Or some smaller venues have a pay-what-you-can night. You really can't beat live theater.

By the by - in the category section? No theater and dance, or arts and culture catergory. Jes' sayin'.