Poll: Are tweet seats in theaters a good idea?

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Culture fans, brace yourselves: Twitter is poised to invade live performances in a major way as arts groups across the country entertain the idea of reserving sections of the house for people to tweet during events.

The trend of tweet seats started a couple of years ago as various arts organizations tested the concept at certain performances. In 2010, the Pacific Symphony encouraged audiences to tweet during an outdoor performance at -- where else? -- the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine.

Other groups that have at some point encouraged live audience tweeting include the Lyric Opera in Kansas, the Carolina Ballet, the Dayton Opera and the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut. This month came news that the new Tateuchi Center in Bellevue, Wash., is being constructed with its own wireless antenna to allow audiences to tweet, text and access Facebook during live performances.

The phenomenon is even starting to gain a toehold on Broadway. As reported by USA Today, the current Broadway revival of ‘Godspell’ intends to use tweet seats at some point in its run.

The trend is part of an effort by arts groups to cultivate younger audiences. But organizations risk alienating loyal subscribers who would be bothered or annoyed by the glare of digital devices and the flurry of thumb activity from their neighbors.

We know what Patti LuPone would think of all of this. (Hint: Take cover.) But what do you think? Make your opinion heard by taking our poll.

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-- David Ng

Photo illustration: Paul Gonzales/Los Angeles Times, with photo by Lawrence K. Ho/ Los Angeles Times