Hamilton Curtain Call question

[Wick3]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 12:53pm

Ok sorry for another Hamilton thread but quick question about curtain call -- Is it possible to take a photo or video of the cast during curtain call. I know during the actual show is a no-no but curious about curtain call. 

In addition, for those who have seen the show, did anyone else notice that the way Hamilton does curtain call is a bit different from other Broadway shows? I've seen it twice and both times I really wanted to stand up when Renée Elise Goldsberry takes a curtsey since I think she's amazing on that show --- but she never gets the opportunity. From what I recall, the entire cast does curtain call together, and then Hamilton joins them, doing a proper bow by himself, and then the entire cast bows together. Did anyone else find this odd? I was hoping for the traditional way of letting the ensemble go first, then minor characters, then the leads, then altogether.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 12:57pm

I think it's to continue the idea that has been stressed in show, articles, and elsewhere: it's a piece composed of many parts that all have their purpose.  The producers and cast want people to know it's an ensemble show.  

Lin-Manuel getting the only individual bow, to me, feels like he's receiving recognition for the fact that he wrote the show and has brought it to life.  It's not just him getting the final bow because he's the start.

[pickles2]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 1:02pm

Lin made an upset tweet recently about a woman he saw recording the curtain call, so I would say don't.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 1:05pm

^ Albeit she was apparently holding a large iPad and was in one of the front center orchestra rows. 

[vdirects]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 1:17pm

or those who have seen the show, did anyone else notice that the way Hamilton does curtain call is a bit different from other Broadway shows? 

 

YES. I'm glad someone else brought this up. I've been wanting to deconstruct the curtain call for a long time, now LOL.  

SPOILER:

Usually curtain calls are a celebration of a job well done, but in Hamilton, everyone is wearing the exact same outfit except Eliza and Alexander who are also the only ones to take an individual bow. And on top of that Eliza bows first. And on top of that the actors are so depressed-looking, some literally crying because it's right after an emotional scene. Then they all bow together and just leave. It has the opposite effect of a traditional curtain call. On top of that, the final number itself is a bit modest. Most shows have a grand finale of sorts, but Hamilton is like the part in biography movies when they show a picture of the people with a brief description of what happened to them later. 
 

Since Eliza gets to sing the final song, is the reason everyone is crying in the end and during curtain call, and is the first to take a bow it's a bit confusing. It makes people wonder if the whole show was really about her all along, but I think the real reason is to imply the show is an ensemble, when let's face it, it's not. King George for instance is not on the same level as Aaron Burr and neither are on the same level as the chorus in terms of script, story or character.  Hamilton's curtain call is a bit of a mindf**k.

Updated On: 2/22/16 at 01:17 PM

[pickles2]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 1:20pm

BroadwayConcierge said: "^ Albeit she was apparently holding a large iPad and was in one of the front center orchestra rows. 

"

That's true, but I don't think her location or equipment was the thing that really bothered him.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 1:24pm

vdirects said: "And on top of that the actors are so depressed-looking, some literally crying because it's right after an emotional scene. Then they all bow together and just leave. It has the opposite effect of a traditional curtain call."

 

This is the key thing to know about the Hamilton curtain call. To be frank, I more often than not grab a super quick shot of casts at most curtain calls on Broadway for shows I've enjoyed. But in the handful of times I've been to Hamilton so far, I've never once even considered reaching into my pocket for my phone during the curtain call because the energy in the room is just so uniformly emotional and profound. If you've actually paid attention to the show, it should feel almost sacrilegious to whip out your phone during/immediately following such emotion. Tears will be both on stage and in the audience.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 1:26pm

No matter who plays Hamilton, they get an individual bow. I've seen them all. It's not just Lin.

[Dave13]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 1:52pm

Wick3 said: "Ok sorry for another Hamilton thread but quick question about curtain call -- Is it possible to take a photo or video of the cast during curtain call. I know during the actual show is a no-no but curious about curtain call. 

 

In addition, for those who have seen the show, did anyone else notice that the way Hamilton does curtain call is a bit different from other Broadway shows? I've seen it twice and both times I really wanted to stand up when Renée Elise Goldsberry takes a curtsey since I think she's amazing on that show --- but she never gets the opportunity. From what I recall, the entire cast does curtain call together, and then Hamilton joins them, doing a proper bow by himself, and then the entire cast bows together. Did anyone else find this odd? I was hoping for the traditional way of letting the ensemble go first, then minor characters, then the leads, then altogether.

 

"

 

I know it is done,but I don't think it is acceptable. Even after the show, the costumes, staging and even the characters that appear in the pictures are copyrighted. So I would say absolutely not. 

 

[tamra2]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 2:36pm

No. Pictures are not allowed to be taken during curtain call, nor video. The only exception to this is on opening night . Just because it isn't allowed does not mean people don't try. Just because someone is breaking the rules does not make it right.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 2:41pm

Although it really doesn't help when actors and the shows' own social media teams like audience members' curtain call photos on instagram. (I can't say if this is the case with Hamilton, but I've definitely seen it with other shows.)

[Wick3]

Posted: 2/27/16 at 10:57pm

I agree. I'm glad someone else noticed this since I found it odd that Eliza and Hamilton were the only ones to have an individual bow at the end. At the very least I would have thought Aaron Burr would have one too. I've seen the show twice and to me, Renee Goldsberry was simply amazing.

I've seen a good number of Broadway shows and another show that had a depressing ending was Cabaret, yet I recall each individual minor/major character was given an individual bow at curtain call. 

To those who will see Hamilton in the next few days/weeks, please let us know if you notice this type of curtain call too where only Eliza and Hamilton have the privilege of an individual final bow.

[mpkie]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 1:40am

Though I haven't seen Hamilton yet, in general, you are definitely not allowed to at any time the stage is exposed because in addition to not being allowed to take photos of the performance, you are not allowed to take a photo of the staging, costumes, etc. Heck, I've been scolded by ushers for taking a photo of a plain curtain before a show so I can remember if a seat had a good/bad view for when I end up in that theater again. I thought their towards in that particular instance was a bit extreme. Some theaters have a blatant policy for no pictures in the theater of anything at anytime, others not so blatant.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 4:39am

It's not going to change. I like the simplicity of it.

[ssecnirpc]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 2:54pm

mpkie said: "...Heck, I've been scolded by ushers for taking a photo of a plain curtain before a show so I can remember if a seat had a good/bad view for when I end up in that theater again. I thought their towards in that particular instance was a bit extreme. Some theaters have a blatant policy for no pictures in the theater of anything at anytime, others not so blatant."

I'm glad you brought this up. Am I allowed to take photos of my Playbill in front of a closed curtain before the show begins? I never have just because I always thought photography in a theatre is a no-no, but I always really want to (I'm a social media professional, it's in my DNA!). 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 2:58pm

ssecnirpc said: "Am I allowed to take photos of my Playbill in front of a closed curtain before the show begins?"

 

I do this at nearly every show I go to (even Hamilton, which doesn't have a curtain), and I don't think there's a problem with it. I've only been scolded for doing so one time, at Hedwig, but I've heard that Belasco ushers are notoriously strict.

[pupscotch]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 3:59pm

ssecnirpc said: "Am I allowed to take photos of my Playbill in front of a closed curtain before the show begins? I never have just because I always thought photography in a theatre is a no-no, but I always really want to (I'm a social media professional, it's in my DNA!). 

 

"

I do this a lot, and the only time I've been scolded for it was at Spring Awakening, in the Brooks Atkinson, but that show didn't have a curtain. I think generally it's fine unless you are told specifically not to do it.

 

[mpkie]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 4:29pm

ssecnirpc said: "I'm glad you brought this up. Am I allowed to take photos of my Playbill in front of a closed curtain before the show begins? I never have just because I always thought photography in a theatre is a no-no, but I always really want to (I'm a social media professional, it's in my DNA!). "

 

You're probably right that it's no photos in the theater but you see people post playbill + curtain photos all the time on Twitter, and the social media accounts of the shows retweeting them! I say go for it unless the stage is exposed (e.g. Jersey Boys, Spring Awakening). It was the American Airlines Theater that scolded me in this instance (plain red curtain). I know the Vivian Beaumont ushers tell you as you walk into the seated area, as well as when ushers hand you the playbill, that it's strictly no photos at any time of anything inside the theater (people have been scolded for taking selfies of themselves not even facing the stage).

 

If ushers spot you they just tell you firmly if there can't be any photos in the theater, but I haven't seen them tell anyone to delete them, and certainly no one has ever been ejected from the theater for it. The School of Rock usher was really cool though, she was like "make it quick and then put those cameras away!"

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 5:05pm

I wonder what ushers are told about how to handle people filming curtain calls. I suppose at that point it might not seem worth it to intervene when everyone's about to rush to leave the theatre in a few minutes anyway. Personally, I don't know what you get out of that footage. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 5:13pm

Do ushers take the photography of the set before the start of the show seriously?

[LaneBryant]

Posted: 2/29/16 at 1:33am

Honest question - Why do people love to do this? I've been to a million shows in my life and I never understand why people just have to take curtain call pics, nor have I ever wanted to .... I'd think you prefer a pic with the cast members at the stage door. Those curtain call pics are rarely good (with the lighting and people aren't usually standing still long enough to get a non blurry pic)

Just wondering....

[Wick3]

Posted: 3/25/16 at 12:28pm

I wouldn't say people love to do this, but I know for myself if I enjoyed the show so much, I'd like to remember at least remember the curtain call (especially if I know I don't have time to stay at stage door since I have to take the train at Penn Station to go home.)

I've seen a lot of people take photos of their Hamilton playbill and the stage before or after the show on twitter/instagram. If anything, it simply helps promote the show for free (though I doubt Hamilton needs any advertising given how it's sold out for the next 10 months.)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/25/16 at 12:31pm

Kinda surprised Broadway Cares reblogged this, but:

http://bcefa.tumblr.com/post/141601610045/darrenburr-cast-members-observing-phillipa-soo

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/25/16 at 1:00pm

He's there; he's just in an ensemble costume like everyone else and has no wig, so he's harder to spot.

Updated On: 3/25/16 at 01:00 PM

[phan24]

Posted: 3/25/16 at 1:15pm

You can see Jonathan Groff/King George in ensemble constume taking his bow next to Daveed.