Manners? Self-respect?

Yesterday, my best friend and I attended a matinee of "Side by Side by Sondheim," a well-crafted, beautifully performed cabaret of Sondheim's music. This is not easy to sing! There were 4 singers and 2 pianists, and the theater had been re-vamped so that the audience was virtually on the stage. LOVED IT! Kudos to the artists of the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, who sang and danced and acted their way into my heart.

THEY DESERVED A BETTER AUDIENCE!!!!!!!!

Philadelphia added a new definition to the term "Ignorant Slob." Okay - a matinee does not call for the glitter of an evening performance, but it certainly calls for a certain level of dress. Easily one-half of the audience wore shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers!!!!!! Where were they going, the bowling alley? They were dressed worse than actors dress for rehearsal. Now for the kicker - these were ADULTS, many over 40. Out of the 100 or so people in this intimate cabaret setting audience, maybe 10 of us were in dresses or skirts.

Have people gotten so casual and so disrespectful of themselves and others that they want to be seen as slobs? What an insult to the actors to perform to a bunch of shorts and t-shirts!

Philadelphia was not hot yesterday, actually quite comfortable, so the weather is no excuse. This is not a famous musical like "Carousel," which was performed downstairs on the main stage of this theater. So, one would assume that people who are acquainted with Sondheim, especially this production which virtually has no set and absolutely NO special effects, would be slightly better-bred - not rich and famous, but just a bit more versed in common decency and manners. It does not require money to know when shorts are appropriate. It does not require money to present oneself with dignity. A comfortable, but presentable pants-suit for the women would be fine. There are numerous casual options that look dressy enough for a matinee - and they don't cost much.

Guess my best friend and I - and the other 8 ladies violated the official Philadelphia dress code - "THE BIGGEST SLOB WINS."