Curtain Calls — Page 2

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#26

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 6:53am

I like curtain calls. I feel it wraps the show up for the actors and for the audience. Whenever I'm watching a show, it's fun for me to see the actors out of character, and if i'm in a show, it's nice to be able to look forward to one alst hurrah before the night's over.

~And let us try, before we die, to make some sense of life~

#27

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 7:59am

I like curtain calls, particularly when accompanied by music. The Woman in White has a silent curtain call, and it just seems a bit awkward to me, when you've just listened to 2 1/2 hours of music - maybe the idea was to give the audience a break, but the orchestra start up again for the final bow. Mary Poppins has great curtain call music, as do Wicked and Hairspray. I love being able to show how much I've enjoyed a show, and think that, certainly a musical, without a curtain call would seem strange. Plays however might seem more real if there wasn't applause or bowing.

Mary P x

#28

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 8:24am

I'm feeling a bit mixed about it. After some shows it seems kinda weird "breaking the moment"... I felt that way after a production of "The Crucible" that I was in last November. Great last moment. Dead silence. Two actors walk on stage and bow and so begins the curtain call. I don't think there was a single performance where that WASN'T awkward.

From an audience's view, after seeing "Festen" in London last January the curtain call was a bit jarring. I didn't MIND, it was just bringing my mind back from a very dark place to applaud the performers that was a bit rough.

*~* Every time you double-post, God kills a kitten. *~*

Kay, the Thread-Jacking Jedi
Quando omni flunkus moritati (When all else fails, play dead...)

"... chasin' the music. Trying to get home."

Peter Gregus: "Where are my house right ladies?!"
(love you, girls! - 6/13/06)

#29

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 8:40am

Dreamflyer: It's interesting that you mention The Crucible. Last year, we did a production of it. There was a lot of debate throughout rehearsals about whether there should be a curtain call or not. We were about half and half. This went on for a long time. Would it ruin the mood? Did the audience need the relief after the show? Finally, we decided no curtain call. What we did do, however, was at the end of the show we walked with candles from backstage, off the stage, to the back of the house. It was interesting.

Overall, I am probably for curtain calls. I like showing the actors that I appreciate them and being able to stand and cheer. As a performer, I kind of think they're awkward but don't mind. But in some cases, some shows, I think it is unnecessary and kills the mood set by the show.

"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife

#30

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 9:19am

Those of you who act, have you noticed the disparate opinions about curtain calls among actors. I noticed that the marginal ones who have talent but don't often get leads (This being community theater the talent level being relative) tend to be very competitive about when they go and who they go with. Meanwhile, the stronger actors who are more polished tend not to not care and take those things in stride.

I was doing the Boys Next Door last Summer. For those of you unfamilar with the show is about four mentally challenged men living in a group apartment and their caretaker. There are also several minor characters including a girlfriend to one of the "boys". So the cast consists of the four boys, the caretaker, the father of one of the boys, the girlfriend, and two other actors who each play three parts. So the director wants to do two group bows, one with the boys and the caretaker and one with the four supporting actors: a four/five alignment. Pretty logical. However, the actress playing the girlfriend pitches a fit and insists on being in the "lead group" because she has XX number of lines...yes, she counted them. The director relents because, I don't know, he can't take the chance of losing her so close to production and thus we have an unbalanced 3/6 alignment. You can't split up the boys...the actor playing the caretaker selflessly suggested they go 3/2 (with he and the actress/4. But she wouldn't have that either so we went 3/6.

PS: Every night, she was slow getting on stage and was late! After all that, we had to wait for her every night!

BLAH BLAH BLAH

Updated On: 5/27/05 at 09:19 AM

#31

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 10:33am

I like curtain calls (when appropriate) both as a performer and as an audience member. I liked when I saw RENT that there was no curtain call, it felt right. I am doing Fiddler on the Roof right now and we are not doing bows. The entire cast comes back onstage and sings "To Life". It doesn't feel right that we have been forced out of our homes and then come back to sing such a happy song.

"When you're a Jet, / You're a Jet all the way, / From your first pirouette / To your last grand jete." --Brian Kaman

#32

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:22am

I'm pretty indifferent to curtain calls...

I've never done a production where we didn't do one, so I'm always going into the process knowing there will be one at the end.

And as for actors who are obsessed over their placement in the bow, I say: Grow up! When it comes to decisions like those, they are left to the director and should only be the concern of the director.

But one thing I cannot, cannot, cannot stand is a long curtain call. Huge-cast shows should try to consolidate as much as possible in my opinion. Any curtain call that lasts over 30 seconds is too long to me. I stop clapping. (Unless it was just too good, which I really haven't run up against.) I think the longest curtain call I've ever sat through was almost 2 minutes. It was ludicrous.

So for all you directors out there, don't keep the audience clapping, make it short and sweet and direct. That's the best way, I think. But, that's just me!

whatever and ever amen - ben folds five

#33

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:24am

Thib-

You are very right...long curtain calls are horrible.

The most important note for a curtain call is "smile and hustle."

BLAH BLAH BLAH

#34

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:52am

di2- I agree with you. The curtain call actually is what makes me most nervous and feel uncomfortable...mostly because I am myself and not the character. It's nerve recking for me to be myself onstage (like I have to speak in front of a class or something) then it is for me to be a character.

"You won't fight without layers of armor Suit on up and come brace my sword You look back when the pieces are missing Hollowed out hope that no time can restore."

#35

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:54am

I hate people who get all hot and bothered over the order of their bow. People like that just tick me off!!!

"When you're a Jet, / You're a Jet all the way, / From your first pirouette / To your last grand jete." --Brian Kaman

#36

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:57am

When I did Godspell we had no curtain calls (being that it was a passion play)

"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." Conan O'Brien

#37

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 12:06pm

I was in a production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" earlier this year, and we didn't take a bow. It's such a depressing sad story that it didn't feel right coming out and smiling and all that at the end, after the Nazi's had come and gotten us. LOL - We simply ended with a short tableau of all the characters in low light - very effective - of course, half the time I don't think the audience realized the show was over.

Of course, we're thinking of taking it to Broadway...we're gonna call it "Jews in the Attic - The Musical!" What do ya think?

#38

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 12:16pm

When I saw "Diary of Anne Frank" with Natalie Portman, I would have been very disappointed if there wasn't a curtain call.

BLAH BLAH BLAH

#39

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 2:33pm

SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR should definitely not have a curtain call.

"I am open, and I am willing, For to be hopeless would seem so strange. It dishonors those who go before us, So lift me up to the light of change." Holly Near

#40

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 6:13pm

If I remember my theatre history, "West Side Story" did not have curtain calls when it debuted on Broadway. It caused quite a bit of confusion as the audience did not know what to do; the curtain came down, the house lights came up and that was that. Much grumbling from the crowds on opening night!!

"I'm mad, you're mad. we're all mad"... The Cheshire Cat

#41

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 6:24pm

I mean, one of the purposes of the curtain call besides the opportunity for the audience to acknowledge the actors, but also for the actors to bow their heads and humble themselves for the audience, thanking them for attending...I think that's a big deal and something that shouldn't be taken away.

I do like the idea of not playing music during the curtain call after a serious show, because a curtain call should not be some riotous party if the show was serious, but an exchange of respect.

-Anyone want to turn anarchist with me?

"Bless you and all who know you, oh wise and penguined one." ~YouWantItWhen????

#42

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 6:35pm

Very well said, Pinguin.

"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer

"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher

#43

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 6:47pm

I would be very very upset!

#44

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 6:58pm

I actually used that same rationalization after "Festen", Pinguin... it wasn't applauding a fun, laugh riot evening of theater... it was definately respect for how much the cast gave of themselves for such a dark show. To get to some of those emotional places night after night has to be mentally brutal.

Though I've had some awkward moments with heavier shows I've performed in, I too agree that the curtain call is important. There are creative ways around just cutting it entirely. And, YES, for god sake, don't drag it out forever either. At my college we're pretty good about the quick curtain call, but back in high school there were a couple DEADLY long ones. Fast doesn't have to mean insincere either (had this debate with someone) it's just another respect issue. I mean, who wants to clap for 5 minutes straight??

*~* Every time you double-post, God kills a kitten. *~*

Kay, the Thread-Jacking Jedi
Quando omni flunkus moritati (When all else fails, play dead...)

"... chasin' the music. Trying to get home."

Peter Gregus: "Where are my house right ladies?!"
(love you, girls! - 6/13/06)

#45

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 7:07pm

I agree with everyone. But as a performer and audience member, I feel that there are so many emotions throughout a show that - like someone said - it gives the audience (and I feel the actors as well) a moment to come back into real life. I mean, leaving a depressing show, with no curtain call, can leave the mind a little strained. I just think that the curtain call is a moment of recognition, recolection, and making that slow transition back to "real" life.

Now, why most people nowadays ALWAYS give standing o's regardless of the quality of the show should be another board topic...

#46

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 7:18pm

id definitely feel cheated and hurt. its like, your ovation doesnt mean anything to us and such. its just sort of a slap in the face.

#47

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 7:21pm

Yeah. The joy of the standing ovation should be held for something EXCEPTIONAL... I agree that it's becoming more and more overused. I've been in a couple audiences where everyone stood up and I was sitting there going, "Uhm, it was good. Dunno if it was THAT good..". And then you feel pressured to stand up because you don't want to look like the sourpuss in the crowd if everyone else is on their feet.

(((And I don't think we need a separate topic for ovations, necessarilly... it fits in with the curtain call theme)))

*~* Every time you double-post, God kills a kitten. *~*

Kay, the Thread-Jacking Jedi
Quando omni flunkus moritati (When all else fails, play dead...)

"... chasin' the music. Trying to get home."

Peter Gregus: "Where are my house right ladies?!"
(love you, girls! - 6/13/06)

Updated On: 5/27/05 at 07:21 PM

#48

re: Curtain Calls

Posted: 5/27/05 at 8:07pm

I enjoy using that time to beat people out of the parking lot

"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2

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