Did they throw tomatoes in vaudeville?

Yes, throwing tomatoes was a common practice in vaudeville performances, particularly when audiences disliked a performance. It was a form of audience feedback, often used to express disapproval or dissatisfaction with a performer. While it wasn't an official part of the act, it became a humorous and exaggerated way to indicate that a performer was "bombing" on stage. This tradition reflected the interactive and sometimes rowdy nature of vaudeville shows.