Politics

GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert caused a 'disturbance' and was escorted out of a performance of 'Beetlejuice' in Denver

Lauren Boebert, laughing with arms outstretched, edited in front of a photo of the Beetlejuice musical
Colorado GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Boebert: AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File
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"Boebert! Boebert! Boebert!"

It took more than saying her name three times to get disruptive GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert to leave a performance of the "Beetlejuice" musical in Denver.

According to incident reports filed by officials and obtained by the Denver Post, which broke the story, two theater-goers were asked to leave a performance of the Broadway musical on Sunday night at the Buell Theatre after causing a "disturbance" by singing, using her phone to record, and vaping.

One usher quoted by the Post said in the incident report that the two patrons, who remained unnamed by Denver Arts & Venues officials, refused to leave after being asked.

"I told them that they need to leave the theater and if they do not, they will be trespassing," the unnamed usher said, per the Post. "The patrons said they would not leave. I told them I would (be) going to get Denver Police. They said go get them."

While being escorted out, the patrons shouted "stuff like 'do you know who I am,' 'I am on the board' (and) 'I will be contacting the mayor,'" the Post reported, per the incident report.

The Post later confirmed that one of the patrons was the Colorado Republican after reaching out to her campaign manager Drew Sexton, who admitted she was kicked out while defending the representative.

"I can confirm the stunning and salacious rumors: in her personal time, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is indeed a supporter of the performing arts (gasp!) and, to the dismay of a select few, enthusiastically enjoyed a weekend performance of 'Beetlejuice,' " Sexton said in a statement to the Post.

Sexton said Boebert did not vape during the show but did use her cell phone, apparently unaware of the theater's policy. Online, the Denver Performing Arts Complex policy states that "absolutely no photography or recording devices" are allowed unless an exception is granted by a company or artist.

Boebert also addressed the incident on social media.

"It's true, I did thoroughly enjoy the AMAZING Beetlejuice at the Buell Theatre and I plead guilty to laughing and singing too loud!" Boebert wrote. "Everyone should go see it if you get the chance this week and please let me know how it ends!"

Denver Arts & Venues, Boebert, and Warner Bros, which produces 'Beetlejuice,' did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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Hannah Getahun was a reporter for Business Insider's West Coast team covering just about everything, including national politics, social justice, pop culture, science, and technology. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in environmental science and policy. Before joining Insider, she interned at CalMatters writing health and environment stories.Story highlights: Beyoncé wore statement shades throughout the Renaissance World Tour and played a part in making them cool againThe photographer who captured people occupying subway tracks for a Black man killed in the 1980s says history came 'full circle' after protesters did the same for Jordan Neely'I would die': People with disabilities say abortion bans could have fatal consequencesOfficer response in Jayland Walker shooting was 'overkill,' use-of-force expert says: 'The police officers involved determined that his life wasn't worthy to be preserved.'She helped raise $2 million for abortion funds by calling out Matt Gaetz: Meet Olivia Julianna, a Gen Z activist who has inspired copycat fundraisersAmerican car culture is changing thanks to younger generations. But Gen Z and Millennials see vehicle ownership much differently.It's not just you: Cybercriminals are also using ChatGPT to make their jobs easierOrca whales were discovered with a toilet paper chemical in their livers and skeletal muscles. It's just the 'tip of the iceberg' for one of the most contaminated marine mammals in the world.