Bad Characters get Booed at Curtain Call? — Page 2

Oh yeah, and the Childcatcher.
I don't know why they billed it as a "family musical" when Kevin Cahoon was so f'ing scary.

I mean, I got nightmares.

Ya know, honestly I think it depends on the show. If it's an over-the-top show *i.e. melodrama* I think people should be encouraged to boo. In the Vaudeville days it wasn't uncommon at all for the audience to boo and hiss at the evil person in the show.

I agree with whoever mentioned that it was a compliment. If I was evil incarnate in a show and people booed my curtain call, I would be ecstatic because I knew I had done my job at acting the role so well that people were so moved to hate me :)

just my 2 pennies

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I have never been at the theatre when I have witnessed something like this happening. But, I have read a lot of interviews with actors who play the bad guy in children's shows like any Disney on Broadway show. They say that they they look at it as a compliment because by getting the audience to boo it shows that they did their job to scar/annoy the children in the audience.

And, keep in mind. In those shows there are usually more children in the audience then there are adults. So, that is why there would be more boos then cheering.

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Well, *we* understand that booing is meant to be for dreadful performances, but we also care about the difference between a cast recording and a soundtrack and can go on for DAYS about precisely which Tony awards 'Spring Awakening' actually deserved. If I'm playing a bastard, and I feel I did a good job, I know the boos are for my character, and that's just as sweet as applause. It's not good manners, but it's a strong emotional reaction, and if you're a baddie, it's the correct strong emotional reaction, so just go with it. :)

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Winston, I was going to post something to that effect and then I read your post. It is mainly at shows aimed at kids that I have seen this. However, all 8 times (I cower) that I saw Martin Guerre in London, the villain (I forget the characters name and I am too lazy to go dig out the program) got booed...but it was obvious he knew it was for his character as he smiled. I think it is important to note also, that the "boo's" were accompanied by enthusiastic applause.