Paul Rudd and His Grace Co-Stars Kept it Together as a Theatergoer Vomited All Over the Audience

Looks like ushers might need to start handing out umbrellas as theatergoers take their seats these days. Audience members in the orchestra section at Grace's November 14 evening performance were the victims of quite the unpleasant surprise when a theatergoer seated in the balcony suddenly vomited on the crowd from above. 

A patron, who was reportedly drunk and appeared to be elderly, "fell forward so that he was leaning/hanging over the balcony," audience member Gabe Alfassy told New York magazine. "As people were trying to get him back up and into his seat, he threw up all over the people below him in the orchestra and then collapsed on the floor of the balcony. A group of about 20 formed around where he was, and everyone in the theater was looking back at the commotion."

During the incident show stars Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon, Ed Asner and Kate Arrington were noticibly distracted, according to Alfassy's report, but like true professionals they knew the show must go on! "The actors kept it together, but Paul Rudd was trying to see what was going on during it all," Alfassy said. "Michael Shannon was noticeably agitated by what was happening and started speaking much louder than before while staring at the huge group in the balcony. At the end of the show, they all made jokes about it, Paul Rudd saying how as an actor being able to move people to tears or to laughter is amazing, but moving them to puking is a whole different league." Well said, Paul!

Grace tells the story of Steve (Rudd) and Sara (Arrington), a religious couple who move to Florida to open up a chain of gospel motels. When Sara makes an unlikely new friend (Shannon), the couple’s world is turned upside down. Craig Wright's play runs at the Cort Theatre through January 6.