Does this bug anyone else?

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 9:06pm

It annoys me to no end when people clap after every single song or when characters first come on the stage. I think that takes the audience member out of the show because something has broken the realism that the show is trying to put on. I mean, if a person sings a song that just moves you to clap for them, I say go ahead but not all the time. Does anyone else feel this way?

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 9:13pm

I'm with you Spidey on clapping when an actor comes out. I mean, the haven't DONE ANYTHING yet! Maybe they're gonna suck. Just clapping for a "name" seems ridiculous to me.

[capnkidd]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 9:14pm

?
No....doesn't bother me...people aren't supposed to applaud a live performance?Are you serious?? Updated On: 10/17/04 at 09:14 PM

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 9:19pm

I think clapping your hands after every song
supports the performers and shows that their
performance was important. And also the actor
knows that those claps are just for them.

And I am a big fan of clapping when a character
comes out, well mostly main characters
or Broadway legends.
If you dont know: Stage actors live
and perform for their audience and their claps.
If you ask any stage actor, they will tell
you that its because of this they are on stage
and not on t.v. I know thats why I do.

One of my acting teachers told me that
if you are watching a performance
and you get totally interrupted,
its because you want to be.
A cell phone, beeper, or even
audience claps should not take
away your focus of little
minor inconveniences. Although
its best to watch with total silence!

[timoon]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 9:19pm

I LOVE it when the audience claps for the arrival of a star. In fact, I find it thrilling! I think it is awesome to acknowledge someone (who deserves it!) in that way.

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 9:22pm

I've only expirienced clapping at the arrival of a star when it's a HUGE name in theatre...

-BSM in Man of La Mancha
-Idina Menzel in Wicked

Those are really the only times I can remember people going nuts.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 9:23pm

From my experience, it's usually pretty obvious when the audience is supposed to clap, and when it's not. I think a general rule of thumb is to applaud only when the music stops--i.e. in "Phantom," from the title character's first appearance during "Angel of Music" and then the title song, there isn't an appropriate time to clap until after "The Music of the Night."

As for applauding characters, I think it's stupid to applaud a character you really like, like if you're watching a tour of "Rent" and you applaud the actress play Mimi even if you'd never heard of her before. But I'm all about applauding stars--and I don't mean Brooke Shields, I mean people who are well-established in the Broadway community, or who at least have received a lot of recognition for that particular role. It may take the audience out of the show a little, but if the actor is a star, they'll already be a little "taken out" of it, and should acknowledge that. Besides, musicals are larger than life, and there's supposed to be lots of applause, and laughter, and in certain shows, a little bit of a "wink, wink, you know I'm just acting, right?" That's why in most straight plays, especially dramas, it's considered inappropriate to applaud star entrances, because the format of the show requires more of a suspension of disbelief.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 9:23pm

I guess I'm biased when I say it depends on the "star". I always hated that people would clap for John Stamos in Cabaret. It drove me nuts! But, I guess people just really appreciate him for whatever reason. Like I said earlier, when I saw Joel Grey walk out on stage, I went berzerk, the man is a legend. So I'm a woman and I can be all pissy and say, sometimes it bothers me, and sometimes it doesn't.

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 10:42pm

I have to agree with {The Distinctive Baritone}
clapping for a character in a straight play does
not work like in a musical. Today I saw my friend perform
a play, and I did not clap until the end. As much as I wanted to clap for her at her entrance, I didn't.
In Musicals I clapped at their entrance for

Marissa Jaret Winokur - Hairspray
Harvey Fierstein- Hairspray
Idina Menzel- Wicked
Joel Grey- Wicked
Kristen Chenoweth- Wicked

[NoDayButToday2]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 12:39am

I think it's annoying when people start clapping when a song is not finished yet, or when the audience claps so long that it is very obvious that the actors are waiting for them to stop. I don't mind as much with songs that end in blackouts or end then have movement onstage to take up time before dialogue resumes.

[Speed]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 12:46am

It's appropriate to applaud the arrival of a star onstage. It's the audience's way of saying "it's good to see you again." I think it's rude NOT to applaud the first entrance of a star.

And it's most DEFINITELY rude to not applaud after a song unless there's no musical break for the applause. The actors FEED off such audience response. You're actually bound to get a BETTER show if you applaud. Also, you're not disturbing the atmosphere or the "realism" as you put it, you're ENHANCING it. The REALISM is that the actors are actually there onstage and the audience is actually there and they are BOTH aware of each other and there FOR each other. It's not a movie. It's a live experience in which there is a relationship between the actors and audience.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:31pm

Why not? If it is a song that ends suddenly, though, like "We're Not Sorry" in Urinetown, and starts up right again with dialogue, I wouldn't applaud. But applause is only natural at times - if you enjoyed the number, then show them your appreciation!

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:37pm

I only applaud when an actor comes on if they're legends (like Joel Grey), or "big name" stars such as Idina, Adam Pascal, etc. I only applaud after a song if I enjoy it. There are some songs where people are clapping like crazy and I sit there thinking "Why are you clapping? They sang one line!"

The thing that REALLY bugs me is clapping in the middle of a song, so you can't hear the song! It drives me CRAZY! I always want to scream "Let them finish!!"

[Mythus]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:39pm

It depends on the circumstances. If there's dialouge right after the song, I make a point not to clap very much.

Something that also struck me as odd was applause at The Frogs. Nathan said the "Have you seen our leaders? Words fail them," line, which got laughter and huge applause. I was bouncing in my seat, trying not to scream, "WAIT! THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE JOKE!" Of course, when the applause died down, he said, "Even the simplest ones," and the audience went even crazier.

As to applause on entrances...it depends. If I had seen The Producers when Roger Bart, Gary Beach, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick reprised their roles, I would've clapped like a maniac upon their entrances.

[jmaclover]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:51pm

I'd like to add Kristin Chenoweth's ovation....

I felt bad for JLT because there was scattered applause (mainly b/c ppl were used to clapping for KC and werent sure what they should do..... [this was right after she took over the ROLE])

The delivery of the line "It's good to see me isn't it" wasn't that good - since with KC it sounded like ppl were happy to see her (I know I was)

I hate when the applause interupts the performance. Unlike Dracula, songs are usually followed by a break for audience members to clap.

It is SO energizing to actors when they get applause, especially when they first come on stage (I'll use KC and JLT as an example)

The one thing that ~Really~ bugs me his when people laugh during Something Bad when the good dr bleats - Hello? It's not FUNNY!!!!!!

Sorry...

[jmaclover]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:55pm

I also think its hilarious when one audience member seems to feel the song has ended and they start to clap - then others follow suit. The song continues and they stop clapping and a group of ppl laugh.

Its funny - and SO VERY irritating.

I was sitting front row and that happened and the guys wife or gf or friend (w/e) said shhhh!

The actor got a smile on his face - it was funny!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:58pm

"The one thing that ~Really~ bugs me his when people laugh during Something Bad when the good dr bleats - Hello? It's not FUNNY!!!!!"

It can be if it's something you are hearing for the first time. You probably heard it numerous times on the cast recording if you ever listened to it before.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:58pm

I understand when the singer is done and stands there (you know it is time to applaud) but when they are done and there is action directly afterwards, I hate it when people clap because like someone says, they just have to stand there and wait until the clapping dies down. And when I said about clapping when people come on stage, I am talking about if they are walking on while speaking. You miss a little of what they said because of the claps and cheers. If they just walk on, then fine......clap for them.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 5:00pm

I can't stand it when they have intermissions. I think THAT takes people out of the show.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 5:12pm

I think this entire thread is basically ludicrous. You clap at musicals. It's what you do. They've been doing it for years. It shows your appreciation of what the performers are doing onstage. No matter how much you don't like it, it will always be there. BUT, if there's not supposed to be an applause break after a song, that's not the performer's OR the audience's fault, it's the director's fault for not making it clear. So don't get annoyed with those clapping, get annoyed with the director. As for clapping on someone's entrance, I think it's a form of respect for super talented performers that have earned applause upon their entrances. I DO agree, however, that it's stupid for someone to applaud the CHARACTER's entrance. If you're applauding for the performer, fine, but it makes no sense to applaud for the character.

[capnkidd]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 5:19pm

very funny,bronx.
spider-ever heard the term "hold for applause(or laugh)"?.Most actors are,and know how to do it.Maybe you should stick to movies....

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 5:31pm

What the crap, capn? I know they are prepared for it and learn how to handle it. I am talking about how I think it is annoying as an audience member. And maybe this is a ludicrous thread. Now I know where stating your opinion gets you on this board.

[capnkidd]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 5:42pm

spider,
don't take it personally-really,if applause annoys you,live performances are not for you.Actors don't learn to deal w/it,they expect it-that's why they're on bway & not in movies or on tv-it's certainly not for the pay...seriously,you shouldn't be offended when people give you their opinions when you ask for them.Can't speak for other posters,but I certainly meant no offense.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 5:45pm

I am just in a pissy mood right now, don't take it to heart. I clap too when I watch a show but the thing that bothers me is people clap for the sake of clapping. If something moves you to clap, go for it. If a performer just makes you want to jump out of your seat and cheer them, go for it. Some people just clap because they feel as if they have to. That is all I am trying to say. Sorry if it came of differently. Maybe I need to chose my wording next time.

[capnkidd]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 5:50pm

np-no heart taken....