Short curtain calls at the end of shows ?

[Rusty]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 8:09am

In most of the shows today the curtain calls are too short. Lead actors take one bow and that's it. In "Wicked" the two star leads came out together and the curtain came down. Why don't star leads take individual bows anymore and why are they so short ? As in most shows today the audience rises to their feet to congratulate fine performances. They are cheering their favorite stars, dancers, etc. and then the curtain comes down much too quickly. Years ago this did not happen.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 8:58am

Years ago shows were of better quality and DESERVED the standing ovulations and prolonged curtain calls. Today the "Standing O" has become a mechanical response to the evening's end. In most cases, I don't want the curtain call to be any longer than it already is. Why should we applaud for shows that really belong in theme parks? Do you see crowds rising to their feet after they've visited the Haunted Mansion at Disney World?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 9:24am

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF was so lackluster I was hoping they'd cut the curtain call. Bad acting, poor direction, drab set design and mediocre lighting don't demand applause.

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 9:51am

Yes, I've noticed that the curtain calls have grown shorter.

Thank God some of them have, I was pretty reluctant to clap, and I would have winced if a Standing "O" commenced. However, some shows that I think were very deserving of it left the stage too quickly. I felt like an idiot for standing and clapping for a curtain.

And out of all the shows I've seen this season, Never Gonna Dance had the longest curtain call opportunity. There were bows, the last dancing sequence, and more bows, which gave the audience about 5-10 minutes to start the standing O. It felt like they were encouraging the audience "Please! Give us a standing ovation!" with that long one...and they did get it.

[JakeB]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 9:52am

Last show I gave a standing ovation? Oooh.. oooh.. would it be.. Taboo?

[MusicMan]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 10:31am

Audiences today rarely give standing ovations for what they have just seen---they are applauding themselves for dragging their sorry asses from the HDTV, getting dressed up (maybe), paying exorbitant ticket prices for mediocre shows and convincing themselves they liked it. Call them OVAs--Ovations for the Valor of the Audience.

[Rusty]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 11:09am

Just a clarification: I don't support standing ovations, unless it is a stupendous acting job. I do however want to show my appreciation for a job well done as I'm sitting--nobody blocking my view of the actors acceptance of my applause. I think that standing ovations occur as some people immediately jump to their feet and others start to stand up so they can see the stage. In some cases the mob rules. Very seldom do you see standing ovations at the Met, but many curtain calls and of course many bravos.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 11:18am

Maybe I'm still young and living in a world where most shows I go to are simply incredible, but I give a standing ovation at almost every show I go to. And I feel no shame when I'm the first one up. These actors give their all onstage 8 times a week, and deserve to be really be appreciated and recognized. Whenever I get a standing ovation, I feel on top of the world- I love to give Broadway performers that very same feeling.

Of course, there have been shows where people don't give thier all and certain people I just didn't like watching, so I won't spring to my feet at curtain call.

[A19Ben]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 11:28am

the thing is today there try to leave the audiance wanting more!!!




x x x

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 11:49am

I don't really like the shorter curtain calls. They leave me wanting more, but they seem to put me in a disatisfied mood too.

As for the standing ovations, it seems like every show I go to gets a standing ovation no matter how bad. But there always are the few people who refuse to stand up.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 12:07pm

I've been to outstanding performaces on Broadway, the Metropolitan Opera and at various concert halls, where the curtain calls were over and the audience remained cheering. The curtain had to be raised again for the cast to come out for one more bow.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 3:47pm

I think the most annoying thing is when people applaud and cheer just because a well known person walked onto stage. Wait to see if they are any good then applaud.

[Broadwaygirl4life]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 4:19pm

Yeah thats true. I have noticed that a couple of times.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 9:07pm

I like it when people cheer when the star of the show comes out, but if it's just some one who is well-known, not neccessarily the star, then it sort of bugs me. I've been in situations like that where the person who was cheered for upon entering was terrible.

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 9:13pm

"I've been in situations like that where the person who was cheered for upon entering was terrible."

I saw the South Pacific tour with Robert Goulet, and I'd have to agree.

The entrance applause was embarassing. Of course, no one yet knew how that would would later apply to the rest of his performance.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 10:36pm

Standing Os have almost become as typical as regular applause at the end of a show. Standing os have been replaced by cheers and screaming. The louder the audience...the more you've pleased the crowd. It's so true sometimes.

Posted: 2/21/04 at 11:06pm

Distracting. Hate it. Wait until they proof themselves. Everyone bombs now and then...just the law of averages.

[johny0828]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 11:20pm

rent really dosen't even have a curtain call. the last standing ovation i gave was at the closing night of taboo.

[alterego]

Posted: 2/22/04 at 12:45am

I agree with Dollypop's first posting. Hear! Hear!

[BroadwayNYC]

Posted: 2/22/04 at 1:23am

I have to agree with the short curtain calls. I remember during the holidays, the whole cast would come out after the performances and they would request that we buy some autographed stuff to support charities. Wheresas, all the other times they just bow and the curtain comes down.

I support charities and by all means I don't want to imply that we shouldn't give to charity, but I would have liked the cast to say a couple words instead of just "please buy the cds and posters to support ________ charity. Ok thanks. Bye"

[etoile]

Posted: 2/22/04 at 2:09am

The charity is Broadway Cares and often more is said than just, "please buy our CD and posters." It all depends on the show. And while half the cast could be out of makeup and out the door they stay for photos and sales on their own time. For charity.