Renee D.
Yelp
The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic gem. I've never walked out of a performance here. The quality of the shows produced have always been good. And there's a little theatre upstairs from the courtyard that has also had some amazing pieces presented here too. I'm only giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the stairs are quite steep to the balcony, and the aisles are narrow.
At intermission I shimmied past the knobby kneed patrons that remained in their seats to get a drink of water from the fountain outside. On the way back to my seat I tripped over a patron's water ski length feet. If the man with the clodhopper feet happened to be a gentleman, he could have stood up.... but no! Let's presume he is not a curmudgeon for a split second, because that's how much time it took me to do a full body slam to the ground.
Laying in the aisle, taking a beat to surmise if I had sustained any serious injury, the revelation came to me that the patron I tripped over was most definitely possessed a misanthropic demeanor. Or perhaps he was an attorney and an apology or feigned concern would some how be an admission of bad manners and guilt. Either way, I feel I accurately surmised the situation.
After the not so silent gasps and gawking of those who saw the scene unfold, I assessed I was OK, except for the blood from my knee seeping through my silk trousers. I sat there through the second act, realizing it could have been a lot worse. However, I was miffed at the lack of chivalry by the patron with elephantiasis of the feet and the sheepish usher that did not acknowledge the fall that she clearly was aware of.
I understand ushers are volunteers, bless their hearts, but I assume there should be some orientation and training that would at least offer a band-aid or assistance. Perhaps there is, so I'll give the Playhouse the benefit of the doubt and lump her in the same dim witted light as the misanthropic curmudgeon possessing social inequities and a lack of common courtesy.
The production was good, musicals are tricky, this one was well done and was worth staying for the whole performance.