Brantley makes a case for the return of the "sitting ovation"
Brantley makes a case for the return of the "sitting ovation"
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#1Brantley makes a case for the return of the "sitting ovation"
Posted: 5/17/12 at 9:40pm
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/theater-talkback-against-ovation-inflation/
Interesting read. I agree with a lot of what he says too.
After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
#2Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 6:21am
I was given holy hell (actually, more like unholy hell), on this board some time ago for complaining about these kneejerk standing ovations. My major complaint focused on something that Brantley just mentions in passing: the lack of consideration towards the person behind you.
Yes, indeed, let's end these standing ovations. (I had suggested an announcement to this effect at the beginning of the show, an idea met here, predictably, with incensed vilification.)
#2Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 6:28am
Nobody wants to pay $200 for a ticket and then not show the world around them that they got their money's worth.
See, everybody? SEE? It was WORTH it!!!
Extreme prices call for extreme reactions to the "product."
Brantley would never understand this, because Brantley never has to pay full price (or any price at all) for his premium tickets.
EDIT: It's no different than someone who spends $200 on an expensive bottle of wine. They're going to tell you this was the best wine they ever had, whether it is or isn't, because of the cost. Otherwise, they think others will think them fools.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Updated On: 5/18/12 at 06:28 AM
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After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
#3Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 6:59am
"EDIT: It's no different than someone who spends $200 on an expensive bottle of wine. They're going to tell you this was the best wine they ever had, whether it is or isn't, because of the cost. Otherwise, they think others will think them fools."
Not necessarily. I've spent a lot of money on overpriced wine and bad meals in expensive restaurants, and on such occasions, have never fooled myself into thinking otherwise. I felt ripped off, and said as much.
The same with plays. If the play stinks, you know it stinks, whether you pay $200 or get a comp. It just hurts more to have paid $200.
Updated On: 5/18/12 at 06:59 AM
#4Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 7:23am
Sorry, I disagree.
I've seen way too many people pull the "emperor's new clothes" routine far more than own up to a lousy purchase.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#6Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 8:35am
I agree with Brantley100%. I have a knee replacement that makes standing difficult, and yet I want to see the curtain calls and give the actors the applause they deserve. Sitting ovations would allow that to happen. The knee-jerk standing ovation reaction really gives me a pain, and not just in my disabled knee.
"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"
#7Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 8:59amThere can be a snowball effect. I've seen many shows where I haven't felt compelled to leap from my seat, but I do want to see the curtain call. So, often I'm the last person to stand in the theater. When I do stand by choice, I usually do so for a particular performer.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
Brian07663NJ
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
#8Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 9:03amWow...never thought I'd say "I agree with a critic". Just goes to prove 'never say never'. I am one of those who will sit my seat while surrounded by the walls of those who are standing because they feel obligated and/or cannot see through the idiot in front of them. Also...if I don't like something I won't clap. Not being swayed because 'have to clap'.
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#9Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 9:05am
Sheep. If it doesn't deserve a standing ovation, I don't give it one. If it doesn't deserve the courtesy of a basic hand-clap I don't give it one.
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick
My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#10Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 10:22am
Why in the world would you let other patrons giving a standing ovation affect you in any way? The phenomenon of fussing that someone else is enjoying a show "too much" is really quite baffling to me.
Here's your rule: If you feel like standing up, do so, If you don't, don't.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#11Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 10:30amOn the other hand, are some of these ovation jumpers paid by the producers? I worked with a woman whose job it was to begin a standing ovation for a certain geriatric actress in her star vehicle.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
greensgreens
Broadway Star Joined: 10/14/09
#12Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 11:07amI think a sitting ovation is totally appropriate for some shows. Like Cock.
#13Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 11:14am
"Why in the world would you let other patrons giving a standing ovation affect you in any way?"
I believe this has been stated several times, but if someone stands in front of you, you can no longer see the curtain call. If you want to see it, you are forced to stand as well.
It's become a ridiculous and meaningless custom, but I see no way of getting out of it, as long as so many people are convinced it does mean something.
#14Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 11:19am
I'm still standing (when appropriate) 
... But this is the first thing Brantley has written that has not made me want to rip it up LOL
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
#15Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 11:33am
Admittedly, there are some shows that deserve an s.o., which I don’t necessarily mean as a compliment. “Newsies the Musical,” in which the characters keep dancing and cartwheeling and jumping all over the place, seems so pathetically eager for an s.o. that to deny it one would be like forbidding an adorable puppy its chew toy.
Haha this made me laugh. I actually agree with what he said. Very interesting article.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#16Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 11:34amReally Newintown- Everyone feels so strongly because they can't see the curtain call? Brantley compared it to date rape. If needing to stand to see the curtain call is the issue, goodness people REALLY are overreacting.
#17Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 11:38am
I was just answering your question, Joe, about how standing up affects others in the audience. No one should be forced to stand to see anything, including the curtain calls.
I think most of us are able to tell the difference between a show that truly deserves an unusual ovation, and a show that's just plain good. Standing should be for unusually great, not merely good.
If a show really deserves an SO, then most of the audience will spontaneously give it; however, most of today's SOs are started by a small group who then force others to get up one by one in order to see. We've all seen these "dribbling" standing o's - and they're pointless.
Updated On: 5/18/12 at 11:38 AM
#18Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 11:43amWhat newintown describes is pretty accurate. Some of us are old enough to remember a time when standing ovations weren't compulsory, and have witnessed those special kinds of standing ovations (reserved for a truly remarkable work of art or performance) that seem to just happen. Nowadays, some people are on their feet clapping and whooping as soon as the lights go down, before anyone has come out to take a bow. While I don't want to be the person who "polices" standing Os, I do find it refreshing when I notice an audience who's comfortable showing appreciation from their seats.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Updated On: 5/18/12 at 11:43 AM
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#19Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 11:49amI blame small seats. After sitting for 2+ hours, people want to get up. Look at people at the end of a movie while the credits are rolling. But in the theater there's protocol, people have the need to stand but it's rude to leave, so they stand and applaud.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Owen22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/24/11
#20Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 12:09pmThe only time in recent memory that the Brits gave a standing O was the recent Imelda Staunton/Michael Ball "Sweeney". And it felt totally organic.
#21Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 12:26pmI stand if I think it deserves it, or if I have to since since the people in front of me are and I can't see.
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#22Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 1:35pm
My friends have called me rude before when I refuse to stand. I clap politelyly, maybe louder for some more than others, and I never just ditch. I just refuse to stnd based on pressure. A couple of times I was in the front row and was totally noticed by the actors.
I too experienced this sitting ovation at encores and recently at Clybourne Park. For the best reviewd play of the year I expexted a requisite standing O but only generous applause happened.
When I saw Sweeney Todd in London a few weeks ago I kept thinking "Oh it's a shame nobody will stand because this freakin deserves it but I don't want to be the stupid standing American" But to my surprise people lept to their feet, a well deserved SO. The next night Singin' in the Rain also got one so now I have no idea what to think (I really didn' care for that show).
#23Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 2:21pm
When I was in London in 2005 I saw Billy Elliot in its first or second week of performances with the original cast and Liam Mower going on as Billy. During the finale I knew I wanted to give a S.O because I was absolutely in awe of that production and I kept thinking I'd be afraid too because I was in the West End. To my surprise, almost the entire packed house was up on their feet applauding. I was like THIS is what a Standing O' should be like.
Last week, I saw a production of Cabaret and I was forced to stand ( and I did NOT want to) because otherwise we would have been the only group not standing and that was the awkward part. I've always thought Cabaret should not break the wall and take bows. Like A Chorus Line and Indians. It just doesn't feel right...
Updated On: 5/18/12 at 02:21 PM
Bwaydide92
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/12
#24Brantley makes a case for the return of the
Posted: 5/18/12 at 5:07pm
I think s.o's still mean something. Performers can tell when the entire audience stands as one and when it's a slow ripple effect. They might not acknowledge it in interviews so that it seems like people love the show and hopefully more people will come.
I don't really like Brantley's idea of sitting ovations too much though. I actually feel very good when the rest of the audience stands and I don't. I saw Center Theatre Group's production of The Glass Menagerie a couple of years and thought it was one of the worst and most boring plays I've ever seen (I fell asleep several times) and everyone in the audience stood and my friend and I were the only two sitting. I felt as if I made my statement by not standing. At other shows where I feel the show didn't deserve the s.o I gave it one because everyone else did. That's usually for really good show, but they weren't great or awful.
I've also been one of those automatic standers though. I saw In the Heights (which I thought was mediocre) and stood as a=soon as the cast came out. I didn't think the show deserved a s.o but the ensemble did an amazing job and I wanted them to know that. I feel like usually only leads get the s.o but often the ensemble deserve as much if not more praise.
Basically, I just think that every audience member should give the reaction they want. If they want to show off that they paid good money or they're just following the crowd, so be it. In my experience if I don't bother to stand and people stand in my way of the curtain call, I probably won't make the effort to stand just to see the actors bow.
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