Is "Mandatory" Audience Applause Out of Control?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 2:33am

Of course it's out of control. We can't control it.

You know, sometimes after a powerful number, you just want to sit in stunned silence, in awe, in tears, in disgust, or in rage. Sometimes, clapping your hands ISN'T what you want to do.

But it has become custom in theatre to applaud after buttons of musical numbers. We applaud the performer for singing and we applaud the writers for the experience. In my opinion, this should happen during the curtain call.

Yes, many times, clapping your hands and "wooing" is appropriate. But when Bobby sings "Being Alive" in COMPANY I don't want to applaud. I want to cry. When Frauline Kost sings "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" in CABARET I want to feel that cringing chill in my spine and my throat close up. Why should I have to sacrifice my emotional responses to "mandatory" audience applause?

Is the purpose of art appreciation or storytelling?

[gumbo2]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 2:36am

Agreed. I felt this way a lot during Grey Gardens. Those kinds of songs you don't really want to applaud them, you just want to sit there and let them sink in. Although on the other hand sometimes a number moves you in a different way when you really just want to cheer and applaud a performance or a moment. So I don't know, it goes either way.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 2:41am

Oh yes. I'd imagine (since I haven't seen it on stage) that when Effie White sings "And I Am Telling You" we applaud her because she demands to be loved.

Thinking about it further...one might say the Broadway musical has turned more into a concert. We want to hear a memorable, likable score instead of to be told a story.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 2:52am

Actually, Capn', that is why Doyle/Sondheim during COMPANY took out the "normal" applause after "Ladies Who Lunch". It's meant to lead you into "Being Alive" to add to tension for that release. Steve likes to take out as much "forced" or button applause as possible. SWEENEY last year certainly showed that... Both Steve and Doyle don't like the applause to get in the way of the narrative.

Any forced applause or more blatant these days, the standing "O", just seem false. It's been happening ever since the prices have jacked up to premium seat status. People want to feel like they've spent their good money the right way and will have a good time no matter what! Even if they hate it.

The thrill of a natural applause--or standing "O"--is much more exciting. Think of the original DREAMGIRLS (or even the current screenings of the film--unheard of in movies for applause or standing "O"), or currently the JERSEY BOYS, or more recently SPRING AWAKENING. Those, IMO, seem to be authentic moments of pure joy for the audience, where there is no choice but to applaud or stand--even during the show!

It's only "mandatory" because of their pocketbooks. (and, s**t, they have to be pretty thick these days--after sitting on them for a few hours, standing is the only option!!)

Updated On: 12/14/06 at 02:52 AM

[gumbo2]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 3:16am

Yeah, I loved in Sweeney Todd that there was nowhere to clap until like, at least 5 whole numbers into the show. It kept it flowing. Another thing I hate is entrance applause. Even if it is someone famous or something, they haven't done anythign yet and I don't think they deserve applause. I noticed it especially with Jersey Boys, I mean yeah Young won the Tony and it's Frankie Valli entering, but clapping for him is so inappropriate in the context. He like, runs on stage and starts singing in the middle of a song, and everyone is busy applauding and missing what's happening.

End of rant. Sorry. Anyway, I pretty much agree with you guys.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 5:59am

I went to a show in SF the other day where there was absolutely no applause of any sort, even when the show called for it. It was REALLY awkward.

[aspen]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 7:13am

It's because most people have such a herd mentality. One person starts clapping because he thinks it's appropriate or polite or whatever and the rest of the people join in because they assume that they'll look rude if they don't.

It's sad, because it's become some sort of faux paus not to cheer fervently even after a mediocre show. Clapping/cheering has become a social responsibility, not a gift to the performers/writers/etc.

[jasonf]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 8:03am

I'm the voice of dissension here. Applause is a natural way for us to release tension as an audience. It feels natural, and, in fact, I was getting angry during Sweeney that I COULDN'T applaud because it feels right to do so. Additionally, we as audience members want to show the cast up there that we appreciate what they're doing - and though I'm not an actor, I know that actors respond to applause - hell, there's an entire show named after it. I've been in theaters where there has been polite applause as well as natural, well earned wild applause. Example: at High Fidelity this weekend - many songs got polite applause, some lasting as short as 5-10 seconds. Three moments that got large applause were Dick's "No Problem" song because it was SO ridiculously funny, the killing Ian songs, and the Bruce Springsteen song. All three moments got genuine reactions including whoops from the audience. Despite other more subdued applause, it doesn't feel right not to give the audience the chance to show their appreciation for the work being done on stage. We're as used to applause as an audience as we are to laugh tracks on old sitcoms. Sure, it stops the show, but I've yet to see it truly kill the pace of a performance. It was MUCH more noticable and aggravating to me when that opportunity WASN'T there.

As for the standing Os - there I agree with everyone, they're out of control. However, I've noticed that a LOT of shows get them now - not just on Broadway but regional or even school productions - it's just becoming standard and there's really nothing we can do about it. I think that audiences feel guilty not showing the cast that all that work paid off - a LACK of a standing O says way more than having one now actually does!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 8:31am

Think of it this way....if you were on stage, sang your heart out, and after your big number, nobody applauded....how would you feel?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 8:37am

Either that I was INCREDIBLE and they were so moved they couldn't respond, or that I need to re-think my approach to that number.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 8:56am

But with applause and standing ovations so common, no applause would seem like a shock....especially to the many approval-thirsty actors....no?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 8:57am

I remember a particular moving performance of Verdi's Requiem that I sang last year and before the conductor could even put down his baton at the end of the final number, a lone person started applauding and it broke the entire mood that the piece set. I've sung that piece before when there's been complete silence at the end for a few seconds and then the collective and effective applause. At those moments it seemed like a definite release of emotion.

I also remember feeling that way at the end of "The Light in the Piazza". It took me a few moments to gather my emotions.

I make a point of not standing if I feel the show or performances do not warrant it, although those around me might be giving a standing ovation.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:07am

Thank you so much for making this thread because I was looking for somewhere to post this, without starting a new thread.

The WORST was at Les Miz Tuesday night. Thank god it was only 2 people, but after everyone died on the barricade, one person started clapping, and another joined in clapping really loudly. They were the only ones, but WTF?? They all died, let's applause? Talk about "mandatory" applause being out of control...I've seen a lot of retarded behavior at theatre but I think that one was a first for me.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:30am

Applause is not mandatory - people do it out of consideration for the actors.

Another idea is that people who pay $111 want the full experience, standing ovation and all.

If you don't want to applaud, don't applaud. Just think about how you'd feel after performing a number like Rose's Turn or Fable and get no recognition.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:32am

Hey, if the actor's performance of Rose's Turn or anything else isn't up to my $111, why should I applaud out of "consideration" for them? Their paychecks aren't going to bounce.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:47am

I HATE when people applaud during the middle of the song. The audience can't hear the lyrics and makes it harder for the performer.

[MotorTink]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:52am

I hate applauding AND singing during songs. I will admit that I may mouth words to a song I know and like, but I would never let out anything audible. I've had people at plays and even in movies w/ a catchy song, clap and sing along with the song. And then give you a dirty look if you complain.

[Kringas]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:20am

Think of the original DREAMGIRLS (or even the current screenings of the film--unheard of in movies for applause or standing "O"), or currently the JERSEY BOYS, or more recently SPRING AWAKENING. Those, IMO, seem to be authentic moments of pure joy for the audience, where there is no choice but to applaud or stand--even during the show!

This may be topic for another thread, but I don't think that in the case of "And I Am Telling You," the rabid applause and mania is usually spontaneous. That song has become like Pavlov's Bell for people and it seems that any rendition at any time or place causes people to hoot and cheer and scream, regardless of whether or not the rendition actually warrants it.

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:25am

I have become especially annoyed with this since last night's screening of Dreamgirls. I knew going into it that there was going to be applause after "And I am Telling You" because there have been mentions of it before. I honestly feel like some of that applause came because people heard about it happening at other screenings and feel the need to do it too. Trust me, Jennifer Hudson's performance during that song was extraordinary, but I felt more sad than anything. No, I did not want to cheer. Not because she didn't do a great job, but after a song like that, I think silence says an awful lot as well. It says that not only did she sing the hell out of it, but she acted the hell out of it as well. And not only that, people started cheering BEFORE she even finished the song, so that you couldn't even hear the entire ending

And at screenings where NO ONE involved in the film is there, it just seems so strange. I can understand applause at the premiere when the people involved are there.

[morosco]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:56am

"...But it has become custom in theatre to applaud after buttons of musical numbers..."

I agree with what you're saying but aren't buttons on songs actually soliciting the applause?

[D2]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:38am

I agree with Yankee Fan: If you don't want to applaud, don't applaud. If you don't want to stand at the end, then don't stand. No one is forcing you to do anything.

To quote ALL ABOUT EVE "From now on it isn't applause, it's just something to do until the aisle clears."

But by the same token, if you feel like clapping, jumping up and screaming your head off, by all means have at it. (Just not in the middle of the number, please. Even Bernadette Peters looked a tiny bit non-plussed when it happened during "Rose's Turn" the night I saw GYPSY.)

Updated On: 12/14/06 at 11:38 AM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:37pm

It's not ABOUT not applauding if I don't want to. Of course I'll give whatever natural applause I feel appropriate. It's about everyone else. After "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" the last thing I want to hear is applause.

And yes, buttons are written for applause. But that is only because writers have to work it in. In order to tell the story, they know it is customary for audience applause, so they TELL the audience when to applaud. No problem there, it's better to attempt control if there IS going to be applause. Just a shame.

[theminutepast]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:44pm

I used to care about this, but then after going to some high school performances and having the audience clap after every song to be polite, I didn't mind so much. Just imagine there being clapping after every song.

[popculture37]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:45pm

I think audience applause-or audience laughter, or cheering, or whatever-is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. Sitting in an enthusiastic audience gives me chills. The more applause the better, as far as I'm concerned.

[Kringas]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 1:04pm

And not only that, people started cheering BEFORE she even finished the song, so that you couldn't even hear the entire ending

Oh, that's the case with any performance of that song.