Eh. I disagree with the idea that no one cares what the outcome is.
I think people are resigned to whatever is chosen if they think that the opposite choice is the majority. What WOULD someone do if they didn't get what they voted for? Chastise Jim Norton at the stage door, and boycott the show? No. You just shut up and accept it.
Yes - they can do whatever they want, but they shouldn't bill the show as: "The musical where YOU choose the ending!" Especially if you don't...LOL!
I do think in most cases they go with what the audience wants. And I DO think most of these character choices are approved by the director and stage manager, or they wouldn't happen.
However, what I think I mean when I say "unfair", is that if you are going to allow the actors to make BIG choices like that during the voting sequence, you need to allow the other murderer candidates to have business that match the bigger choices.
Also, as anyone who has been involved with a show or performed in a long running show knows, sometimes, performances...."grow". And that happens regardless of the watchful eye of a director or diligent stage manager.
It really comes across as unbalanced, if one person is beating their chest, jumping up and down and screaming, and lifting up skirts, etc. When other characters are just simply stating their final statements, and delivering them well, and relying on that only.
Not a criticism, but I do feel it is distracting sometimes.
Also, if you think the performers don't care about doing their confession or having a more prominent role once in a while, I think you might be mistaken. They might not whine about it, or protest and begrudge a co-star who performs endings often, but I am sure they'd like to perform their endings regularly.
I hope no one takes this as criticism against anyone...I just like discussing this show, and I love the cast (esp. Ms. Wolfe and Ms. Mueller).
"Someone tell the story...Someone sing the song...."