I must be really old but I am so sick of everyone everywhere with heads down, fingers on screens, mouths agape--oblivious to everyone and everything around them (including their own children). And what is this earth-shattering commentary/ news updates? "Walking onstage; sitting in a seat; feeling a hunger pain; it's cold outside; looks like that paint is drying pretty good." Boring.

As long as I don't have to sit anywhere near the Tweet Seats, it doesn't matter to me. But if it becomes widespread, then I'll just stop going to the Guthrie and any other venue that allows it.

For the love of all that is decent, can't you just sit in your seat for two hours, absorbing the moments for what they are, and then share that experience IN THE LOBBY afterwards, like civilized people? Does it really always have to be about getting attention in 140 characters or less, right at that moment?

I think part of this idea is more of a publicity and a marketing stunt, to get those not watching the show to consider going, by reading live emotions. I don't even have a twitter account (won't do Pinterest either) but as long as it doesn't impact me, people can do what they want with their social media.

Lol, I like the crustiness of the retired critic. Still doing what he does best! In regard to the title question it may seem like a "stupid" idea but it would be even more stupid to not try something just because it doesn't fall into the way plays are currently marketed or, even, experienced. Kudos to the brave men and women behind the scenes willing to break the mold and go forth into the new age of audience engagement. Who knows, it might end up being a failed experiment but they experimented. It's not just directors, designers, playwrights, actors who shape the theatrical experience, it's the audience, too. And if you don't have an audience because you're a crap marketer of your theatre, season, or play, well, good luck with your endeavor. Long live those willing to reframe "stupid" ideas into opportunities: radical hospitality, location-specific theatre, audience sourced criticism, play video trailers, whatever. So, you audience engagers: keep exploring, keep bringing in an audiences to live theatre. "Make voyages! Attempt them! - there is nothing else..." - Camino Real

Waht a sad statement about today's world that you can't go a couple hours without having your face stuck in whatever electronic device you happen to be carrying.

I don't see how people whose attention is elsewhere are fit to comment on a play. Part of the magic of theater is being completely absorbed (and feeling like you're part of) the play. Anyone who thinks you can really experience theater while staring at one's phone (or dividing one's attention between one's phone & the stage) has never really truly experienced theater.