AT&T encouraged people to watch live sports games during Broadway performances in a new ad campaign — causing angry actors to tell their supporters to switch carriers.
“I encourage everyone to DROP AT&T,” tweeted “Hand to God” star Marc Kudisch.
On Monday, AT&T sent out the tweet promoting their All-in-One Plan: “Don’t let life get between you and football,” the company wrote, with a photo of a person watching a game on ESPN during a Broadway performance. The pic included the slogan “Catch a winning play at the theater” written across the curtain.
Kudisch was one of many performers who were infuriated at the cell phone company’s tweet.
“Hey, @att-you forgot to add in the fine print how utterly obnoxious this behavior is. #shameonyou #hereicometmobile,” wrote former “Wicked” star Julia Murney.
Some suggested theatergoers just skip the show entirely if they plan to be on their phones.
“Stay home because this behavior is against the rules at the theater and totally rude to everyone in the building,” wrote Andy Mientus, who is currently featured in the revival of “Spring Awakening.”
AT&T later removed the tweet and tried to play down that they were advocating people actually live-stream sports in the middle of a live performance.
“Certainly it’s evident our ads take place in an alternate reality and are not meant to be taken literally. The broad concept of the campaign is that you see content just about anywhere,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement to NBC.
Cell phones have caused major drama on Broadway twice this year.
Patti LuPone ripped a phone out of an audience member’s hand while she was texting during a performance of “Shows for Days” in July.
Just a few days earlier, an audience member jumped onto the stage at the Booth Theatre to try to charge his phone just as “Hand to God” was about to start.