I went with Matt last weekend to see his high school play. Matt had done behind the scenes work on it, so he was particularly interested in seeing the performance. I was prepared for a good play, as Matt had told me that a good deal of the students were professionally good.
Matt and I bought our tickets and took our seats in one upper corner of the auditorium. (assigned seating- we didn't get there early enough) From the very first moment the main character stepped onto the stage two girls to the side and behind us began laughing (as in big booming guffawing over blown fake laughing) AT the main character. The girls were so incredibly rude. My blood began to boil. The girls laughed and laughed through the whole first act at completely inappropriate times, and never at the truly funny parts of the play. The wonderful acting boy simply went on and on and he managed to give the audience a broadway worthy performance despite the hecklers behind me. I would turn around from time to time and tried to give the laughing girls the evil eye, but they only looked at the stage and wouldn't meet my gaze.
I hoped the laughing girls would leave during the intermission, I saw them chatting with their oddly scantily dressed friends, flipping their highlighted hair, and appearing to privately ridicule (at least that's what my imagination assumed) the show. Sadly for me, the two laughing taunters returned to their seats and continued with their harassment of the main character. Finally I just completely snapped and couldn't take it anymore. I whispered to Matt "Would you die of embarrassment if I said something to those girls?" and he shook his head NO. I stood up, leaned over towards the girls and shouted "GIRLS! SHUT UP!" and they looked at me all wide eyed like I was the crazy one. I continued "YOU"RE RUDE!" and then in a surprise maneuver the louder of the two girls leaned in my direction and started to say I was the rude one, when the lady who had been sitting directly behind me came to my defense and then I sat back down real low in my seat.
Those words had come out of my mouth much louder than I had intended them to come out. When the play was over I slunk out of the auditorium and high tailed it for my truck. Then I burned a little rubber getting out of the parking lot. I was most definitely not looking for a confrontation.
I hoped that no one in my corner of the auditorium knew who I was, but sadly, I am the only one who never knows who anyone is, and people around here seem to recognize me an awful lot. It wasn't totally a surprise when Matt came home from school today and told me that Ms. soandso asked him if it was his mother who yelled at the girls during the play. I was like "Oh, gawd, nooooo." and my heart crept up towards my mouth. Then Matt said Ms. soandso asked Matt to thank me. Whew!
Well, I'm VERY proud of you and I would not have waited that long to tell them off. I would probably have even gone further and would have tried to get them removed from the performance. The kids on stage are putting their hearts into it and deserve all the respect we can give them. Good for you!!!!!
Posted by: Wildmom | March 26, 2009 at 07:12 AM
I actually got out of my chair and danced a happy dance when I was reading this!!! YAHOO for YOU!!!
Hope your body is feeling better soon. My mom twisted and broke her ankle Wednesday afternoon, she's hurting all over too but mostly from having to use a walker.
Molly
ps, I have a new blog url
Posted by: Molly | March 27, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Brava for you! I did that once during a middle school talent show. Sitting in the balcony with a bunch of braying asses who didn't have the nerve to enter the show, but felt entitled to make fun of those who did. Society tolerates rude behavior too often...especially from intimidating teenagers. So glad you said what you did.
Posted by: apathy lounge | March 28, 2009 at 06:50 PM