Broadway Comparison

 

Broadway audiences follow similar principles but with less rigidity in practice. Talking, whispering, or rustling food wrappers is discouraged, yet tolerance varies from show to show. Unlike in Korea, most theaters sell snacks and drinks, creating mixed signals — eating during the performance is permitted, though many consider it poor form.

 

The general rule is that spectators should not draw attention to themselves. Phones must be completely off, filming is strictly prohibited, and late arrivals disrupt both actors and audience. Applause usually follows musical numbers, though the timing can shift depending on the flow of the score. Mid-act standing ovations remain rare but do occur in iconic moments — for instance, “Rose’s Turn” in Gypsy at the Majestic Theatre often brings the house to its feet, and in Moulin Rouge! at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Satine’s line — “I am my own woman” — prompted extended applause, lasting nearly ten seconds and sometimes accompanied by standing ovations.

 

As in Korea, the curtain call is the designated space for release. Standing ovations are common, and certain productions (Six, for example) explicitly encourage audience participation, transforming bows into concert-like finales.

 

In American concerts, etiquette diverges sharply. Cheering, dancing, and singing along are expected parts of the experience. Broadway theaters, by contrast, preserve a stricter line between musicals as performances to observe and concerts as communal celebrations to join. The result is that Broadway audiences are generally more expressive during the show than their Korean counterparts — laughter, mid-song applause, and ovations are freely given — yet still fall short of the full 떼창 that so often astonishes touring artists in Korea.

 

Reflection

 

The differences in etiquette underscore how deeply culture shapes audience behavior. In Korea, musicals are treated almost like ceremonies: silence is a sign of respect, and applause is carefully timed. In the U.S., musicals are viewed as entertainment with rules of courtesy, but audiences allow themselves more freedom to laugh, cheer, or applaud mid-show. Both traditions highlight a shared principle — respect for live performance — but they express it in different ways.