Dear Ticket Buyer: Don’t Act Surprised. You Knew What You Bought.

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

Theater people, we need to talk.

I’ve noticed a growing trend lately — and by “noticed,” I mean I’ve seen it unfold on social media, in local headlines, and even right there in the lobby after the house lights come up. People are buying tickets to shows and then acting shocked — outraged, even — when the content of the production matches exactly what was advertised.

Case in point: recently a situation in Utah blew up after a theatergoer took issue with a local production of Legally Blonde: The Musical. Yes, Legally Blonde. A show that has been around for nearly two decades, is widely known, and came with clear content warnings on the ticket site. And yet, someone still got offended and made a fuss.

Not for nothing, but 1. $16 to see Legally Blonde is a steal of a price. 2. If they left after 15 minutes, that means they saw "Omigod You Guys", “Serious”, and maybe part of “Daughter of Delta Nu”…not exactly scandalous material.

And the theater, bless them, had to defend a show that they had already flagged for strong language and mature themes. Spoiler alert: Legally Blonde is not The Sound of Music, but it’s also not rated R material either.

I see this all the time. People go to Cabaret and get mad there’s Nazi symbolism. They see Spring Awakening and are offended by its portrayal of teen sexuality and suicide. I even saw someone once leave Chicago because they didn’t realize it was about murderers. Really?

The reality is, most theaters today are doing everything they can to keep you informed. Trigger warnings, content advisories, age suggestions — it’s all there. On the website. In your email confirmation. On posters in the lobby. They practically throw it at you. Theaters aren’t hiding this stuff — if anything, they’re begging you to read it.

And still, people ignore it. They buy tickets based on a title they recognize, or a pink poster, or a vague memory of a movie, and then they act personally betrayed when the show isn’t what they expected.

Here’s the thing: no one’s making you go. If you read a content warning and think, “Hmm, maybe not for me,” that’s perfectly fine. Make that choice! But if you read nothing, ignore the signage, and then clutch your pearls mid-performance, that’s on you. Not the artists. Not the theater. You.

Theater isn’t always comfortable — and that’s kind of the point. It’s supposed to make you feel something. It might challenge your thinking. It might make you laugh one minute and squirm the next. That’s what makes it powerful. But the one thing it shouldn’t do is catch you completely off guard — not when you had all the information ahead of time.

And let’s be honest — if you’re going to judge a show based on what you wish it was, rather than what it is, maybe it’s time to reevaluate why you’re in the audience in the first place. Theater isn’t a choose-your-own-adventure. You don’t get to rewrite the script in your head and then punish the production for not matching it.

So if you’re buying tickets in 2025, here’s a revolutionary idea: read the fine print. Glance at the content warning. Do a quick synopsis check. Make sure what you’re about to see is something you’re prepared to engage with.

And if you don’t? Then don’t storm out or demand your money back. Because, frankly, that’s not the show’s fault.

You knew the ride when you bought the ticket. Own that choice. And maybe — just maybe — stay for the whole story.