This Play is Rated R

I remember some years ago working in a theater, in the box office. The show playing this day was the musical, “Spring Awakening.” The show was being produced by a local theatre company who rented the theatre. I remember when the show first opened on Broadway and the fan fare that was going on. I decided after box office closed that I would go in the theatre and watch to see what everyone was fanning about.

I go in and watch and as I see the scene where a father is about to abuse his daughter, a woman with all the anger in her, stands up with her two teenage children (son and daughter) and leaves the theatre. Being that she was sitting in the orchestra section and in the very first row, not only could the whole theatre see her stand up, everyone could see her leave in disbelief and anger. It was obvious she was oblivious as to the content of this musical.

The question is, was it her fault for not researching the musical, or the theatre company’s fault for not making it known through their advertising that it was for mature audiences?

I believe both are to take their blame for their lack of communication.

I do believe anyone interested in seeing any form of entertainment (plays, films, television shows, circuses, etc.) should do their part in researching the show and looking for reviews before choosing to see the show. IN the same breath as a producer or director, if you know the content you are producing may be offensive or inappropriate, it is your duty to make that known on websites, posters, or any advertising you do, including when speaking to the press.

In film, television, and video games it is the law to add a rating to media. In live shows there are no such laws.

Should there be, or should it be on the choice of the producer/director? Should there be a rating system for live shows for the audience to decide whether or not they want to see the show or should the audience themselves study and research the show before seeing it? Is it the responsibility of the producers to communicate to its audiences what they may be getting into?

Live Entertainment Ratings is an independent system that offers a rating system that can be used by anyone who produces live entertainment. Although it is not mandatory by law to notify the audience of the kind of content being seen in the production, the question is, is it respectful for the producers to do so voluntarily?

This is definitely one of those back-and-forth discussions with many viewpoints.

The main point is though, the audience does not need to see live entertainment, the producer/director needs the audience. Although bad press is good press, is risking a bad review or angry complaint worth taking the simple time to add a rating? With the way cancel culture is these days, can live entertainment afford to lose audiences over not communicating with their audiences?

Now, I know there are some audiences who don’t care. As a producer, I would rather have an audience member not show up knowing the rating, then show up not knowing and rant on social media.

This is something we can discuss for days. No matter which side you are on. Adding ratings does not hurt. Should we start rating or leave it alone? Which side are you on? Which would you prefer? Ratings or no ratings? Should it be a choice or law? Hopefully the woman who left the theatre learned a lesson on researching a show before seeing it and the theatre company learned a lesson on communicating the content with their audiences. To rate or not to rate is the question. What is your answer?

Also by Casey Bell:

Sisterly Pivoting: Sister Act in the Pandemic

“Booking It”: A Conversation with Dane Reis

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