Singing Along, Late Arrivals, and More: Leslie Odom Jr. Weighs In on Theatre Etiquette

Leslie Odom, Jr., currently Tony-nominated for his performance and producing of Broadway's Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, dropped by Today May 30 to talk about the Ossie Davis play.

But the Hamilton star also took some time to weigh in on some theatre etiquette best practices. Watch the full appearance above to find out the Tony winner's takes on singing along as an audience member, what to do if you arrive after the curtain's gone up, and more.

Purlie Victorious completed its run at the Music Box Theatre February 4, but a live capture film is currently streaming via PBS. Watch it in full via the networks' Great Performances series at PBS.org.

Odom, Jr.'s Tony noms are part of six the revival is up for at this year's ceremony. Also nominated is co-star Kara Young, who became the first Black actor to be nominated for a Tony Award three years in a row with the nod for her work in Purlie Victorious.

The PBS filming of Purlie Victorious is a production of The WNET Group, and is produced by Odom Jr., Mitch Owgang, and Stephanie Dawson. Great Performances executive producer David Horn directed for television. Bill O'Donnell is Great Performances' series producer.

The film captures the revival's full original cast, including Odom, Jr. as Purlie, Young as Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins, Heather Alicia Simms as Missy Judson, Billy Eugene Jones as Gitlow Judson, Noah Robbins as Charlie Cotchipee, Vanessa Bell Calloway as Idella Landy, Jay O. Sanders as Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee, Bill Timoney as The Sheriff, and Noah Pyzik as The Deputy.

Directed by Tony winner Kenny Leon, the production officially opened September 27, 2023, and closed February 4, following 23 previews and 151 regular performances.

Davis both wrote and starred in the 1961 original Broadway production, appearing alongside his wife, Ruby Dee. Davis and Dee would go on to reprise their performances in a 1963 film adaptation titled Gone Are the Days!

A musical adaptation premiered on Broadway in 1970, making Melba Moore a star (and a Tony winner) for her performance as Lutiebelle, singing the Gary Geld-Peter Udell score's most enduring hit, "I Got Love."

The production features scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Emilio Sosa, lighting design by Adam Honoré, sound design by Peter Fitzgerald, hair and wig and makeup design by J. Jared Janas, and original music by Guy Davis.