Laura Benanti chides people for not applauding

Updated On: 5/20/16 at 12:05 AM

That really turns me off her and sadly she comes across as a spoiled little girl. If the audience aren't feeling it, so be it.

aaaaaa15 said: "I agree with her, they should applaud. They don't have to stand up or cheer but it's courtesy to applaud in a theatre. It's gonna make the actors feel awful if they look out and see people who clearly didn't appreciate your performance.



"

But you don't know for a fact that they didn't applaud, it might have been nothing more than subdued. For her to call them out is nothing more than unprofessional and rude.

She is wrong. I admit it is disrespectful for audience members to walk out when the cast is taking their bows.

Mmmm I have no problem calling out stupid people on their phone because that **** is annoying but calling them out for not clapping seems a little much.

I get it can be disheartening for the actors though so I kind of get it. When I did theatre in high school and college when people didn't laugh when they were supposed to or there was silence after a song it does kind of throw you off but I mean maybe the audience isn't feeling it.

Updated On: 5/20/16 at 12:31 AM

Maybe not the most professional move to call out the audience for not applauding, but also... what kind of a**hole doesn't applaud?

Probably the same idiots who talk, eat or use their cell phones during a show.

Maybe they weren't feeling it. The show isn't earth shattering. Get over it. They paid money and as long as they aren't disruptive, then they don't owe anyone anything just like the actors don't owe you a stage door.

Eta Carlos we posted the same thing PR minds in synch!!! Lol

Updated On: 5/20/16 at 12:46 AM

Not at all!! I love her. I saw her in Gypsy, and I think her twitter is a lot of fun.

However, this video is really off putting. Guess what, doll? If people not applauding is an ongoing problem for you in that show, maybe it ain't the audience, if you catch my drift.

She does not come off well here at all but rather entitled.

I don't think she's talking about people who visit the theatre often - who know the "rules", so to speak, of the space. I think it's mostly for the tourist types - who I have been seated next to and sometime will not clap (this happened when I saw She Loves Me). It's really bizarre when performers are giving their all with a song like "Will He Like Me?" and the tourist only claps when Jane Krakowski does a split.

I understand perhaps she was so upset by this issue she felt she had to make a video but it does seem a little whiny. Especially since the people following her on Twitter are not exactly who she's talking about. Maybe she should make a video about bows. If you have time to see a show, you have time to stay for bows. Period.

Personally, I always clap for a performer unless something is so egregious (by which I mean they blatantly don't care) they don't deserve it. The only time I have not applauded at a performance was Al Pacino in China Doll, where he obviously didn't know his lines or care about the play (this was at least three weeks into previews and the play was basically frozen since the first performance).

Sally Durant Plummer said: "Maybe she should make a video about bows. If you have time to see a show, you have time to stay for bows. Period.

Personally, I always clap for a performer unless something is so egregious (by which I mean they blatantly don't care) they don't deserve it. The only time I have not applauded at a performance was Al Pacino in China Doll, where he obviously didn't know his lines or care about the play (this was at least three weeks into previews and the play was basically frozen since the first performance)."

Someone tweeted her about old people leaving during bows and she said she didn't mind that as she could understand them not wanting to get trampled on.

I agree with your perspective. People should clap as long as they think there is effort being put in, even if the performance is not to their taste. It's similar to how you treat people in retail/wait staff. Their service may not be up to your personal standards but if you can see that they're trying then they should get 'thank-yous' and a smile. I somehow doubt Laura Benanti was giving a half-hearted performance.

Updated On: 5/20/16 at 01:13 AM

Spitting out food would be closer to booing than not clapping. Saying you're not hungry is more equivalent

Updated On: 5/20/16 at 01:23 AM

I can't see the video and can only presume what might have been said so can't comment on that.

What I can comment on is that 'these days' with many baring there all, words AND body, on anything that can be printed or filmed is totally out of hand-every thought and action MUST be kept.

Progress maybe, but pen pals,letter writing and waiting for the post allowed for judgment to be contained due to lack of the 'instant'.

A memory--my first visit to a Broadway theatre--the end of the show and it seemed as if I was the only one left applauding as the majority were rushing for the aisles.

I thought, 'how rude are these New Yorkers' but was later told they were all rushing for the subway. Might be true but usually there is always another train.