Did someone call for a publicity stunt?
Last week, a Long Island student named Nick Silvestri got into hot water after leaping on stage before the July 2 performance of Broadway’s “Hand to God” in an attempt to charge his dying cell phone in what turned out to be a fake outlet that was part of the set.
Silvestri’s move should have been a momentary slap on the wrist, but producers appear to have seen this miguided move as a way to drum up buzz for the production. On Friday, members of the press were invited by a representative of the show to hear Silvestri read a written apology outside the Booth Theatre in midtown.
According to nytix.com, “Hand to God” is in the second-to-last position for Broadway ticket sales this month.
Rick Miramontez, a spokesman for the production, denies any financial trouble, telling Page Six, “There is nothing poor about ticket sales for ‘Hand to God.’ The show, while intimate for the usual scale of Broadway fare, is making a healthy profit each week.”
On Friday, 19-year-old Silverstri admitted some pre-theater drinks contributed to his behavior. “Before coming to see ‘Hand of God’ I downed a few drinks and I think that clearly impaired my judgment.”
“I don’t go to plays very much,” he continued. “And I didn’t realize that the stage is considered off limits. I’ve learned a lot about theater in the past few days.”
The newly enlightened college lacrosse player went on to apologize to the entire Broadway community and offered his sage advice to those who may be tempted to follow in his misguided footsteps.
“You can make phone calls and send text messages all day long,” Silvestri declared. “So when you’re in the theater for a couple hours, just put the phones away and enjoy the show.”
However, when asked by a reporter his opinion about phone use by audience members during stage shows, Silvestri went back on his scripted words.
“They’re paying to see the show so I don’t get why it’s that big of a deal,” he admitted. “There are so many other people there so why focus on that one person using their phone?”
Disruptive audiences seem to be a growing problem in New York theaters. Earlier this week, Broadway veteran Patti LuPone snatched a texting ticketholder’s cell phone during a performance of “Shows for Days” at Lincoln Center.