In a recent incident, Representative Lauren Boebert, a prominent Republican figure from Colorado, was asked to leave a touring production of the “Beetlejuice” musical in Denver. This event has reignited an ongoing debate within the theater community about how to respond to disruptive audience behavior.
The incident, which took place during a performance of “Beetlejuice,” a musical adaptation of the popular film, involved allegations of Lauren Lauren Boebert “causing a disturbance,” as per an incident report from the city of Denver. This isn’t the first time Boebert has faced such accusations; in the past, she notoriously heckled President Biden during the State of the Union address and refused a bag search by Capitol security.
“Beetlejuice,” known for its gleefully devious ghost haunting a suburban home, had a somewhat tumultuous run on Broadway but garnered a dedicated fanbase and has been enjoying a successful national tour.
Lauren Boebert Vs “Beetlejuice”:
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, which includes the Buell Theater where “Beetlejuice” was being performed, issued a concise statement acknowledging their guest policies and vaguely mentioning that two patrons were removed for not adhering to these policies.
The city of Denver, which owns and manages the performing arts center, released an incident report without explicitly naming Boebert. The report stated that in response to complaints from other audience members about noise, singing, cellphone usage, and lack of respect for fellow theatergoers, officials warned a pair of patrons.
During the second act, after additional complaints about disruptive behavior, the theater sought assistance from the Denver Police to escort the disruptive patrons out.
The Denver Post identified Lauren Boebert as the individual involved in the incident. Boebert’s campaign manager, Drew Sexton, confirmed the incident but offered a different perspective. He emphasized Lauren Boebert’s support for the performing arts and her enjoyment of the “Beetlejuice” performance. He also noted the theater’s strict no-photography policy, using the opportunity to comment on the Biden Administration’s approach to border laws.
Despite being asked to leave, Lauren Boebert expressed her continued fondness for the show on social media, mentioning her laughter and enthusiastic singing during the performance. She encouraged others to see the musical and share their thoughts on how it ended.
This incident comes at a time when theaters, especially in England, have been grappling with a surge in disruptive behavior by overly enthusiastic patrons. The theater community faces the challenging task of determining whether and how to address such behavior. While similar concerns exist on Broadway, there have been fewer high-profile confrontations.
In conclusion, the ejection of Representative Lauren Boebert from the “Beetlejuice” musical in Denver has ignited a debate on how theaters should respond to disruptive audience behavior. This incident serves as a case study in navigating the delicate balance between maintaining a positive theater experience for all patrons while respecting individual freedoms and opinions. It also highlights the broader issue of disruptive behavior in theaters, a concern shared by the theater community both in the United States and abroad.
As theaters continue to grapple with the challenges of maintaining decorum in the face of increasingly diverse and passionate audiences, it is essential to strike a balance between preserving the sanctity of the theater experience and accommodating the varied expressions of theatergoers. This incident involving a prominent political figure underscores the need for theaters to have clear and consistent policies in place to address disruptive behavior swiftly and impartially.
Furthermore, the incident resonates within the broader cultural context of political polarization and the role of public figures in society. The intersection of politics and the arts is a complex arena, with tensions between the freedom of expression and the responsibility to maintain a respectful and enjoyable environment for all patrons
