Added: 11 years ago
Back in the mid-19th century, this sort of thing (a lady of fashion--Tia Layne--handsomely tipping the usher--Danny--with a fine knobjob) was known to happen in opera houses and other theaters. A century later, the action had moved from the boxes down to standing room and didn't involve ladies at all. Now it's anything goes, I guess--including switching the opera from "The Magic Flute" to "Don Giovanni" midway in the action.