While circulating backstage after last Saturday's Theatre 7 performance of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," my congratulations were received by one cast member with a sad smile.

"I just wish more people were seeing it," this cast member said. "Nobody wants to go to plays any more. I guess it's 'old-fashioned.' "

The issue, of course, isn't that simple. And it isn't as though "Forum" was being performed in front of a bunch of empty seats at the Decatur Civic Center Theater. The place appeared 60 to 70 percent full on the second Saturday of the musical's six-show run.

But some folks remember a time not too long ago when waiting until just before show time to purchase a ticket was a chance not worth taking.

This concern isn't limited to Decatur's community theater group. Concert ticket sales are down (unless you're Hannah Montana or Rascal Flatts or Bruce Springsteen). While this has been a good year for film attendance, there won't be any Shreks or Spider-Mans or Jack Sparrows to rescue next year's box office.

As audiences, we're consuming more art than ever before. And few filmmakers would argue they'd rather not have their films seen at all than watched in peoples' houses, especially when many individuals would argue their home entertainment systems are superior to some theaters (and have the added advantage of no cell-phone conversations, text messaging, idiotic commentary from those sitting around you and commercials before the feature).

But you don't have those kind of options with theater and live music. (Don't try to tell me live DVDs are the same thing. We all know they're not.)

And those experiences can be fraught with foolishness as well. (Question for the knucklehead who decided to use the flash on his camera during the second act of the play: What on earth were you thinking?)

Regardless, some things need to be experienced in a crowd, with other people around. Theatrical comedies are always better in a crowd, and action flicks are great on the big screen.

No one, however, will convince me I missed anything by seeing "My Dinner With Andre" - a film of two guys talking for 90 minutes - on my television rather than in a theater.

Back to the theater, which is where all this begins. It's easy to share the disappointment of the actor who wishes for larger crowds. Saturday night's crowd was a good one (except for the thoughtless photographer), with people keeping on top of running jokes and catching some of the subtleties. How much more entertaining would it have been had the rollicking laughter been increased by 100 people or so, to the size of crowds the MacArthur Jazz Band draws to its concerts?

Now, there are any number of reasons for missing performances that have nothing to do with the performance itself. An acting acquaintance remains upset with me years after missing one of his performances. The problems? A combination of an out-of-town overnight trip, a snowstorm and a cold that left me in a position where sleep and recuperation were far more important than enjoying some art.

It happens. The limited nature that makes community theater attractive to those putting it on is also one of the things that can unfortunately keep some people away. (Missing Theatre 7's presentation of "Ragtime" - both weekends, other events kept me occupied - is one of my disappointments.)

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" was one of the more solid Theatre 7 productions of the decade. Each cast member was solid, from theater veterans Doug Bishop, Nancy Sullivan (Theatre 7's current president) and Tim Haworth to newcomers Leah Brown and Eric Burgett.

And if the Theatre 7 folks know what's good for them, they should lock down a commitment from Andrew Curry to perform at least once every season.

"Forum" has closed, but theater goes on. Richland Community College is presenting "The Foreigner," with shows through Sunday. High school productions abound in the area. A Millikin production of "My Favorite Year" will be given at Kirkland Fine Arts Center tonight through Sunday. (And remember, it's not a long leap from Millikin to Broadway. A number of young performers have already done it.)

Keep enjoying your iPods and Wiis and DVD players; you've earned that. But you also owe it to yourself every once in a while to get out of the house and enjoy something live and in the company of others. Besides, you never know when you'll get to see someone juggle again, or perform with three hula hoops.

But when you do go, turn your cell phone off, leave your flash camera in the car and understand that those sitting around you might not be as interested in your conversation as you are.

Tim Cain can be reached at timcain@herald-review.com or 421-6908.