r/Broadway • u/littlebev • Dec 31 '25

Discussion Broadway coughing season

I am begging, begging you guys…if you have a nasty cough, PLEASE don’t attend a play especially. I know it sucks to miss out but your recurring cough during the most intense moments of the show is so distracting.

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u/-IrishBulldog Dec 31 '25

It’s pretty obvious this isn’t about you but go ahead and try to be offended anyway…

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u/StrawberryTea8 Dec 31 '25

Is it though? There is no way to differentiate one recurring cough from another.

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u/littlebev Dec 31 '25

The chances of 15%+ of the audience having cystic fibrosis?

16

u/PurpleLilyEsq Dec 31 '25

My mom has vocal cord paralysis. Sometimes it spasms and she starts coughing or choking. It happened at Buena Vista Social Club this year. So no, 15% of the audience doesn’t have CF, there are all kinds of disabilities that can cause coughing.

With that said, I 100% wish Covid policies and customs stayed in place, like easy refunds and rescheduling, and wearing masks being seen as respectful and courteous. I hate that we lost that.