Random Thoughts: Curtain Calls

I love curtain calls, particularly for musicals. I'm also interested to see the staging, which actors come on in groups, couples, singly, etc. I assume there are Equity rules for the order of actors, ensemble in groups, stars by themselves. Depending on the show, interesting to see which actor gets the final spot, particularly if a larger name/veteran is in a supporting role but the "star" is a newcomer or unknown.

I always like the music that's played, usually reorchestrations of a prominent theme or themes. I WISH more recordings would include the curtain call and exit music. To me that is the full listening experience. Similarly at the movies, I always stay seated until the very last credit, as the "any similarly to living or dead" text and copyright line crawl up the screen. At live theater, depending on where I'm seated and if it is not too disruptive I'll stand by the pit and applaud the orchestra after the exit music.

Sometimes curtain calls are overindulgent and a bit much. I'd put the recent Sunset Boulevard CC in that category. Clocked in at about 3 minutes with multiple entrances. Yeah, I get it, it's Glenn f'ing Close reprising one of her most well known roles. But a little much for me. Nice to see Kristen Blodgett get acknowledged. Any CC's you thought were too much, tried too hard, or didn't give actors appropriate due?

Pet Peeves: Yes, yes, the now-obligatory standing O. Not on Broadway, but at a regional performance of Spamalot, a few audience members wildly leapt to their feet as the lights went out on the finale and before the CC had even started! Quickest SO I'd ever seen.

Actors clapping for other actors or for the audience. I know, it's one big love fest, and I'm certainly not a curmudgeon, but let us, the audience, applaud YOU, the actors. You don't need to applaud for us (in my opinion).

And one last peeve ... something that seems to be written into nearly every CC today ... one last verse or chorus of a number from the show. It's not necessary. Isn't the adage in show business, "Leave 'em wanting more."?

I LOVE the curtain call and exit music too, it gives the orchestra and orchestrations a chance to shine especially in shows where there's no overture/entr'acte.

As for order, I know my one actor friend has felt slighted more than once due to questionable order.

I like curtain calls for shows I loved, hate them for shows I disliked. With the latter, I just want to get out of there, but I feel trapped. The worst is when it's a bad show and then after the curtain call they sing another number. I saw a regional production of Mary Poppins last week, and after this already excruciating, interminable show (clocking in at nearly three hours, and they were rushing), they did the curtain call and I thought, Finally, I can leave, but then they broke out into "Supercalifvckinshyt..." again! And it was unbearable the first time! And I was in the middle of a row, so I couldn't just leave. Why were they doing this to me? Why?! Please, let me go home, PLEASE!

Updated On: 7/15/17 at 12:16 AM

Personally, as an actor, I like the quick company bow and goodbye. Most curtain calls for a bit indulgent. I'm in a production of "Shrek the Musical" and the curtain isn't super long, but then we break out into "I'm a Believer" and you can tell most of the audience isn't into it or wants to go or whatever. It just doesn't feel needed.

How is one forced into a standing o? If I don't want to stand up, I don't. Don't care if I can or can't see what's happening.



That being said. I don't mind an encore song...IF I've enjoyed the show.

I love fun curtain calls that are more than just bows, but it does depend on the show, not every show needs it. Add me as another that would like it if the curtain call/exit music were included on cast recordings.

That being said I agree with, hork, if I liked the show, I'll enjoy the curtain call, no matter how long, but if I didn't enjoy it, just let me get out of there.

Well, not every show IS the same, and I'm glad that CCs aren't cookies cutter. The director & producers have their reasons and I'm sure the cast knows/understands exactly why they are the way they are. With few exceptions, I'm sure they don't care all that much. After all, they do it 8 times a week, hopefully for many weeks running.



I do agree with a lot of what you say about standing ovations, they are TOTALLY overdone on bway. They mean very little. In fact, the opposite is true: if musicals DON'T get one, it seems a smack in the face. I do see play goers show much more restraint giving them then do musicals.

kdogg36 said: "The song wasn't there when I saw it in previews, and it really annoyed me when they added it."

There was always a song. Originally it was When It's Time.

As an actor, I hated them. I mean, you know whether the audience is enjoying your work throughout the evening. The curtain calls seemed to be asking them to give even more of their time and approval.

Then there were those turkeys I was in where I wanted to crawl out the back door rather than face the audience one more time during curtain calls!

I agree that there are a few shows where it feels wrong to have a curtain call (or where the absence might be used to good dramatic effect) but it is also important to understand that the curtain call is not for the actors; it's for the audience. So for actors to say they don't want a curtain call is like Hamlet saying I don't want to kill Polonius tonight.

Bette's Turban said: "I love a good curtain call. Any favorites with video clips?"

I love the Great Comet one a bunch. They do a medley of all the main characters' solo songs when they take their bows, and different lighting cues for each character (my favorite is Sonya's, where they play Sonya Alone and turn off every light except a single lightbulb when she bows). They posted a recording of the music on their YT page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW3VrwBUDOk. It also ends with the "Goodbye my gypsy lovers" melody, which I think is funny.

There's also a video of it from Josh Groban's last show, but it cuts off some of the ensemble members' bows, which is a shame because they each do something special as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXu5B-o3veA

Updated On: 7/15/17 at 02:39 PM

I like the revival CHICAGO CC, mainly because the music is so up tempo and it fits the mood after the girl's triumphant pairing and final number. Fun the way the conductor names the actors and the actors do a quick individual pose center stage. And Roxie and Velma descending on the lift is a unique touch. The CC sends the audience out in a good upbeat mood.

PatrickDC said: "I love curtain calls, particularly for musicals. I'm also interested to see the staging, which actors come on in groups, couples, singly, etc. I assume there are Equity rules for the order of actors, ensemble in groups, stars by themselves. Depending on the show, interesting to see which actor gets the final spot, particularly if a larger name/veteran is in a supporting role but the "star" is

Sometimes curtain calls are overindulgent and a bit much. I'd put the recent Sunset Boulevard CC in that category. Clocked in at about 3 minutes with multiple entrances. Yeah, I get it, it's Glenn f'ing Close reprising one of her most well known roles. But a little much for me. Nice to see Kristen Blodgett get acknowledged. Any CC's you thought were too much, tried too hard, or didn't give actors appropriate due?

The standing ovations at Sunset Boulevard were very thrilling to me. I had never seen a production where there was a 3 minute standing O after a song during the show and then 3 curtain calls at the end, each one louder than the first. It was certainly the most iconic performance I had ever seen on stage and for me, it was well deserved. That being said, in comparison, the standing ovations at a show like Groundhog Day seems trivial, even though I was entertained, I did not stand since it wasn't that type of show or performance to me. I'm sure many others feel differently but I feel standing ovations should occur when the show and performers are above exceptional. However above exceptional is certainly subjective, so that's why we see as many SO nowadays.



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