That announcement before live shows to silence your phone and keep it in your pocket isn’t just for kicks, and everyone should know that by now.
But Kanye West isn’t just anyone — eye roll.
Related: Watch what happens when a Trump supporter tried to troll Disney’s ‘Frozen’ on Broadway
At the opening night of “The Cher Show” on Monday, Broadway’s glittering ode to Cher’s life and legacy, West, who was in attendance with wife Kim Kardashian, apparently didn’t get the memo that staring at your glowing phone screen during a play is rude and distracting to the audience and performers alike.
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Actor Jarrod Spector, who plays Sonny Bono, took to Twitter to call out West’s etiquette breach:
Hey @kanyewest so cool that you’re here at @TheCherShow! If you look up from your cell phone you’ll see we’re doing a show up here. It’s opening night. Kind of a big deal for us. Thanks so much.
— Jarrod Spector (@jarrodspector) December 4, 2018
The tweet has received over 44k likes and 5k shares, attracting the attention of outlets like New York Times.
For his part, West did reply to Spector with some kind words about the show, which still don’t negate the fact that he should have known to keep his phone tucked away:
the dynamics of Cher and Sonny’s relationship made Kim and I grab each other’s hand and sing “I got you babe”
please pardon my lack of etiquette. We have so much appreciation for the energy you guys put into making this master piece.— ye (@kanyewest) December 4, 2018
The producers of “The Cher Show” issued a lengthy, seven-word statement: “We are happy Kanye enjoyed the show.”
Related: Cher shares an adorable story about the first gay men she ever met
The problem of audiences using their phones during live performances is, of course, nothing new.
West may have been the most high-profile cellphone user in the crowd opening night, but two phones wound up ringing during the show’s second act.
Last week, during a preview of the show, Stephanie J. Block, one of the three actresses starring as Cher, asked an audience member to stop recording her in the middle of a song. She apparently turned off her microphone between lyrics so the full crowd wouldn’t hear the request, which is a whole new skill for Broadway performers to have to master.
Yes, you did… off mic and I even said “please”. https://t.co/KBeaLOcvJA
— Stephanie J. Block (@StephanieJBlock) November 29, 2018
Get it together, people.
And now without further ado, here’s the real Cher joining the cast for an “If I Could Turn Back Time” encore at curtain call, the only appropriate time to bust out your phone:
Talk about an encore! Ladies and gentlemen: Cher ?
Posted by The Cher Show on Monday, December 3, 2018
QueerTruth
OMG. Stop trying to make this a story. It’s not.
stanpaske
And neither is your comments. What a waste of letters and time.
startenout
Actually, it is a story for those of us that like live theatre and know how to behave in public, so how about you have three seats. Oh and put your phone away.
batesmotel
I know this has to be the lamest story I’ve ever read. Must be a lull in current events.
QueerTruth
stanpaske,
Oh wow. Aren’t you so so clever. (eye roll) Try to harder.
ShowMeGuy
This is not shocking since the warmth of the media spotlight was starting to fade and Kanye was getting cold again.
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Casinoguy
ALL shows should use YONDR… locks up the phone and prevents its use during a performance. Anyone that doesn’t like that idea can watch the show when it comes out on Netflix…Problem solved.
batesmotel
Lighten up. You know you do it too. If it was Cher herself doing it you’d be defending her. This is just about disdain for Kanye and his antics. Not about the cell phone light. Admit it.
armandov
I would say its disdain for both. ReIated -I rarely go to live concerts anymore b/c of all the idiots waving their phones up in front of my face for the entire show blocking my view. So annoying
decampbell
It IS a story because this is rude n ridiculous behavior that should be shamed. I’m no fan of Kanye and I certainly am not trying to put the spotlight on him, just his shitty behavior. Just like when Madonna did the same thing. And YES, even if Cher did it.
And a concert is not the same as live theater. If you can’t be separated from your phone for a couple of hours, then you are clearly too important to be wasting your time with Broadway or other live theater. You should probably stay home and watch TV where the other 899 people won’t look at you crossly when you pull your phone out.
RIGay
Dear God… we almost went a full week without a Kanye story.
Chrisk
The only story I look forward to happening is Kanye throwing himself off a 10 story bldg or something.
crowebobby
QueerTruth: Okay, screw respect for the performers, when you’ve paid 300 bucks for a theater seat, you don’t want some asshole next to you eating a tuna sandwich or recording his thoughts into his diary (which one of the TMZ cast seemed to think was a legitimate excuse). Don’t tell me you’d be able to ignore that and enjoy the show.
Donald Dork
Kanye thinks his s**t don’t stink
brianlange
Kanye has nental issues and is being treating with a battery of meds