Entrance Applause - love it or hate it?

It depends on the situation. Some shows break the fourth wall so much that entrance applause is just the first example of it. But I have to say, as much as I adore, say, Joanna Gleason, it was distracting when she got entrance applause. At least Dirty Rotten Scoundrels took care not to give any of its stars big diva entrances.

Lately shows have been directed to either encourage/allow for entrance applause or specifically to avoid it.

Vanessa Redgrave in Orpheus Descending backed onto the stage during a scene where her character was talking and by the time she reached down center and turned around, the audience was already in the scene and it killed any applause.

Sometimes it is in the writing like Mama Rose in Gypsy.

It all depends on the set-up. If it is a big star, one has to be quite deliberate in devising a way to kill it. See above.

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I don't mind when it does not interrupt the show itself...but I guess sometimes it is required as a courtesy of Theatre-goers...I don't know...maybe I am too much influenced by "Kabuki" etiquette:) (Even though I am not Japanese, I admire Kabuki...)

I know that when I went and saw Wicked, I wanted to applaud for Shoshana entering because it's the first time we see our heroine! And I knew Shoshana was going to be great, so why not show her right away that you love her? I don't mind it so mcuh...I just don't like it to last a long time; show your appreciation and then let them carry on.

I know that if I was a performer and I walked out on stage and the audience applauded my presence, it would be a very positive experience. Of course, you have to learn where positive reinforcement like that transforms into egotism in the actor and know where to draw that line. For instance, Carol Shelley walked out on stage and I could tell she was expecting the applause, so I didn't give it to her. And neither did anyone else. And I'm glad I didn't because she was pretty awful, overall.

I applauded George Hearn--'cuz, I mean, come on, it's George Hearn--but not many other people did, I think because not many people knew his significance.

In short, I like entrance applause.

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I agree that unless it is a special performance, I don't care for it.

The curtain call is for all of the praise.

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I hate entrance applause...... hate it, hate it, hate it!

Unless it's for me!

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Entrance applause is not acceptable under any circumstances. The performance has started and the audience needs to be quiet.

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It's a Broadway tradition.

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It has really lost it's meaning - if it's for a legend, like Bernadette, then fair enough, but for Shoshana Bean... she may be good, but she's not a star.

Mary P x

what about exit applause for a continuing scene, that's annoying for the actors still on stage.

Yes it probably is, but I have less of a problem with that because at least the performer being applauded has done something worthy of the applause, as opposed to just showing up.

And to address an earlier comment about expecting entrance applause, Count Fosco's appearance in Act One of Woman In White is so horribly obviously designed to garner entrance applause and the day I saw it, it failed spectacularly.

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For decades it's been tradition to applaud a star or other notable actor upon their first entrance. Not only appropriate but it's a tradition that should be upheld, and one I much prefer to the standing ovation that has become a curtain call standard.

I agree bonna. I enjoy giving entrance applause to show the actor I like them and appreciate their body of work. One earns entrance applause by having an impressive body of work behind them.
On the other hand I hate the obligatory Standing Ovation. The SO is earned by giving an exceptional performance that evening. If I was not blown away by the show there is no way I'm standing for curtain call, even if it means not being able to see most of it.