Chorus Member Joined: 2/3/09
If anyone has attended a movie screening of a Broadway show: do they break for intermission, or does it all get screened in one sitting?
Also, do audience members applaud & respond as if being at a live performance?
I saw one of the memphis screenings back in April and the audience responded as if they were in the theater. At intermission there was just a still shot of the Shubert Theater a "Memphis resumes in..." countdown during intermission. Hope this helps
The running time is being listed as 2:30, which makes me think there is probably a brief intermission, but I don't know for sure.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/19/03
Les Mis had an intermission with a countdown clock.
So did RENT. I thought they were doing that kind of as a reference to their website countdown they did for the movie and are now doing for the off-Broadway production but it must be something they just do with filmed shows.
What do people do at the intermission of a screening...there's no bar, or Playbills to read...do they just sit and twiddle their thumbs?
They use the bathroom.
Or buy soda and pop corn.
Get more snacks. Stretch their legs if they need to.
'k.
Where I saw it tonight there was a 20 second intermission. The word "INTERMISSION" came up on the screen and an usher came in and announced that there was only 20 seconds and he would turn the lights up if anyone needed to go to the rest rooms. But that they would miss the beginning of act two if they did. The film never stopped rolling, it transitioned right into act two.
And the house was fullish. But there were no applause moments. Though that might just be the particular audience. You know, no one wants to be the first/only one to clap because they're not sure. Though, since you hear the filmed audience clapping, I don't think it would be awkward if you did start some applause.
I just came back from the first "Company" screening, which I highly recommend. The Tony performance was a very pale representation of the show--and even of "Side By Side."
Re: the Intermission, there was an "Intermission" sign, which went away in about 30 seconds, then the second act started.
Seriously, don't wait for the DVD on this one. Patti LuPone's "Ladies Who Lunch" on the big screen was thrilling and worth the price alone. It was really a strong production, especially given the short rehearsal time and "run."
Agree. Patti was a revelation.
At my theater there was a full 15 minute intermission. I agree that the Tony performance is not like what I saw tonight, but I wasn't totally thrilled by it overall. Patti was remarkable, though.
edit: and my theater was practically full, it was amazing to see!
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/06
I caught it tonight in Philly. No intermission, and a half-full house but folks around me were wildly enthusiastic, laughing a lot and breaking into applause often...a more animated and happy crowd than many B'way audiences I've shared a theater with!
I wished it wasn't $18 for the ticket but still found it to be lots of fun. Yes, some weak links in the cast for the sake of marquee appeal, but loved Anika Noni Rose, Katie Finneran and LuPone in particular, and of course, Neil Patrick Harris is really on fire these days!
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
The theater I saw it in did the 20 second thing, which is a shame because there is a bar in this place and the audience could have had vodka stingers for act two.
Ugh. I had a Vodka Stinger at dinner before seeing the concert at Avery Fisher Hall. Several board members were there and saw my face turn the same shade of green as the Creme de Menthe.
It was like drinking toothpaste and vodka. I couldn't possibly imagine ever having ANOTHER Vodka Stinger.
Ever again.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
^ It was done wrong. Vokda Stingers are supposed to be white creme de menthe. It tastes much better that way.
20 second intermission and yes, clapping in Randolph, MA
I saw it tonight as well.
My theater only had a 10 second "intermission", and a staff member came in and announced before it started that it was all there was going to be. There was a section of people who clapped after every song enthusiastically, and there were a few moments where most of the audience clapped (Getting Married Today, Ladies Who Lunch, Being Alive...) The house was nearly full, but I am in a pretty artsy and affluent area at the moment, and I think my friends and I were the only ones under the age of 30.
I really enjoyed it. I thought some of the tempos were a bit slow for my liking, but overall I think it was a really solid production. Neil Patrick Harris and Patti LuPone were fantastic, and I think that everyone else did a really nice job. To my surprise at least Stephen Colbert has a lovely voice. (There's a really great interview on NPR with him about working on the show if you're interested!)
Updated On: 6/15/11 at 10:59 PM
Featured Actor Joined: 7/16/10
At my showing the film just kept rolling after a few seconds of the Intermission slide. A handful of people ran out quick to take advantage of it. As far as audience response goes, there was a lot of laughter, but no clapping really(someone tried after the opening number, but no one joined in). I thought the show was great, and I hope this trend of filming shows/events continues.
I saw it live, so I'm skipping the screenings. Is it definitely being released on DVD?
My screening (in Toronto) had a 15 minute intermission. Near the end of the intermission the manager (presumably) came in and asked the audience if they were enjoying the show and gave the hockey score (0-0 at the time).
Although I have the revival cast CD (with Raul Esparza) and was familiar with the songs, I had not seen a production of Company before, I was surprised at how good the book scenes were. Such a well-written show!
There was lots of laughing and clapping here in Chicago. The Tiffany and Co. commercial was booed, and some people sang along to the bows. No intermission!
Chorus Member Joined: 2/3/09
I saw it tonight as well (we got an intermission)
I'm so glad they recorded this! I really enjoyed the performance: I had only seen the 2006 recording. It's cool to see how one show & a set of characters can be interpreted & played in different ways.
Things I liked in 2011 show:
- Plimpton & Colberts's karate fights
- Have I Got A Girl? (I thought the 2006 version seemed weirdly sinister)
- Susan & Peter (more than the 2006 version)
- the bed sheet dance!
- the party scene & delivery of dialogue between Robert, Joanne, & Larry
- the full orchestra
- it felt more authentically 70s
Things I liked about the 2006 show:
- the delivery of dialogue between Sarah & Harry in their first scene
- Little Things You Do Together
- I like the 2006 April (Elizabeth Stanley) a lot more. I enjoyed Hendricks, yet it felt like she was playing it as Marilyn Monroe. Stanley's April was so much more affecting: her butterfly story got tears out of me (which rarely happens)
- Barbara Walsh's Joanne
- I like that it ended with Being Alive
Videos