Mother-in-law refuses to attend her 32-year-old daughter-in-law's community theater production because tickets cost $75 and she hates musicals: 'I snapped that I do not wish to go.'

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Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Jan 9, 2026 11:00 AM EST

What is family for if not supporting each other's bad art? 

So much of what it means to be part of a family is showing up for each other, even when it's inconvenient, or you'd rather be doing something else. Nobody wants to pick up their aunt from the airport, but you do it because you love her and you don't want her to spend $40 on an Uber!

When you're a kid, you dread having to sit through three hours of your brother's Little League games, but you show up to them anyway. It might feel like you're only showing up because your parents don't want to leave you at home unattended. While that might be half true, you learn a lot by sitting through an event that you don't particularly want to attend. You learn how to entertain yourself when you're somewhere you don't find entertaining. You learn that you don't always get to do exactly what you want to do all the time, and that's okay. You also learn the importance of supporting the people in your life, because your presence makes them feel valued. And when your brother attended your violin recital, even though he didn't really want to, you got to be on the receiving end of that support. 

If you are bored by a sporting event or a theatrical production a family member is taking part in, there's nothing wrong with tuning it out and letting your mind wander for a couple of hours. Some of the best contemplations of my life have taken place in the audience of a mediocre production of a high school musical. 

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  • A group of people standing on top of a stage
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • It doesn't matter if your family member is 3 or 32: you should show up to their events. The mother-in-law in this story does not want to watch her daughter-in-law perform in the chorus of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but her son insists that she attend because her presence means a lot to his wife.

  • Am I the bad guy for not going to my daughter-in-law's musical?

    My daughter in law (she is 32) and is very good at playing instruments and singing. Her main job is live preforming at weddings. Usually she plays the piano when the bride comes down.
    via u/SeaworthinessOdd5616
  • Last year she tried out for the local theater and was casted as a the ensemble. She has been rehearsing with them for a couple of months and the first performance is in the beginning of February. She
    via u/SeaworthinessOdd5616
  • mentioned wanting everyone to buy tickets over the holidays. There are a few reasons I don't wish to go. One, I hate musical ( I never liked them) Two, the musical is religious (I am very much
    via u/SeaworthinessOdd5616
  • not, it's Jesus Christ Superstar). Three, the tickets cost 75 dollars, I would rather spend that money elsewhere. Four, it will be an 1.5 drive to get to the place.
    via u/SeaworthinessOdd5616
  • Person riding on vehicle
    via Samuele Errico Piccarini

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I talked it over with my husband and he didn't wish to go either so we gave a polite reason when we wouldn't make it. Just said we had other plans already. I thought that was the end of it
    via u/SeaworthinessOdd5616
  • My dil brought it up the other day and asked if we could move our plans. I told her no and then kept pressing what we were doing. She kept pressing
    via u/SeaworthinessOdd5616
  • and I snapped that I do not wish to go. She stopped afterwards My son is pissed at me and told me I need to go. We got into an argument over
    via u/SeaworthinessOdd5616
  • it. I explained my reasoning and pointed out that not everyone goes to everything. Hes is 29 and knows that. He is telling me I still need to go.
    via u/SeaworthinessOdd5616
  • Man holding telephone screaming
    via Icons8 Team

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Ok-Perspective-5109 Jesus Christ Superstar is not religious lol. YTA for not using Google to learn about the show.
    via u/Ok-Perspective-5109
  • YTA BranBranMuffin Woman My sister (40) is a violinist and plays with a local non-profit symphony. I don't particularly love classical music but you can bet your ass the entire family was there for her recent first performance as concert master of the ensemble. We are a supportive family. It sounds like you are not.
    via u/BranBranMuffin
  • BallsoMeatBait NTA for not wanting to go, but don't forget scenarios like this in the future where they decide they'd rather do things than spend time with you. it's obviously important to her, and therefore your son.
    via u/BallsoMeatBait
  • Hopeful-Material4123 Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that is disliked by a lot of super religious ppl. Please look things up before dismissing it. I am glad my mother in law did not talk about the show that I did with my local theater group in this manner. I understand that 75 dollars is a lot of money. And had you mentioned only that, I would understand. But your posts screams of carelessness and its rude also. It is like you simply cannot be bothered. Frankly idk why she even asked you
    via u/Hopeful-Material4123
  • Apart_Insect_8859 Sometimes we do unpleasant things for the sake of others. For the low, low cost of half a day and $150, you would make two people in your life utterly thrilled and happy, reinforce your relationship, and obligate them to reciprocate at some future event of yours they'd rather skip. I think that's worth it. But it you don't have that level of relationship with your son and aren't interested in building on it, then I guess that's your decision. Just be aware of the long term cons
    via u/Apart_Insect_8859
  • soggy_boy1124 YTA. It clearly sounds like this is important to her and I get not wanting to go, but it sounds like she wants you there. Unless you have a legitimate reason (like real plans instead of lying), you should go. She wouldn't be asking you about it so much if she didn't care.
    via u/soggy_boy1124
  • ImpossibleReason2204 Wow. Your daughter is performing in Jesus Christ Superstar (NOT a religious musical) and you're not even going to go see her? It's a big deal to her, who cares what it is? Go see it. YTA, it's almost like you're trying to be selfish and unsupportive.
    via u/ImpossibleReason2204
  • giantbrownguy YTA. She's asking you to attend because it's her first performance in a musical and your support would be meaningful to her. Your excuse about JCS being religious is ignorant if you can't do bare research about a musical. Why would you expect people to show up for you when you cannot reciprocate. Your DIL wanted to include you in her life and experiences and you're unwilling to suck it up for a night? Your attitude firmly makes you an asshole.
    via u/giantbrownguy
  • The1Bonesaw "So, I have a really low-stakes opportunity for you: You can pay $75 per ticket to a show your daughter-in-law will be performing in, that lasts about only about two hours (plus a three hour round-trip to get there). But, I'm sure we could do dinner or something fun and, you know... make a night of it." "So, what do I get out of it?" "Ah, well that's the best part. You'll be showing your support to both your son and your daughter- in-law, which will pay dividens towards your future
    via u/The1Bonesaw
  • Sure-Lemon6424 YTA. It's literally one day out of your entire life. Just do it. Who cares if it's boring. She's your daughter in law.
    via u/Sure-Lemon6424

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musical theatre daughter in law singing driving musical mother in law expensive tickets son lying
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