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Standing 'O'

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#1

Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 2:36am

So, I’ve been thinking about standing ovations. We all know that people will say that standing ovations are given too liberally nowadays, especially at the curtain call.

Now, how often today do we see/experience standing ovations during the show? I know I hadn’t ever seen or been in an audience that did a during-the-show ovation until a production of Show Boat at the MUNY in St. Louis last summer. Michel Bell was Joe, and nearly every time he sang “Old Man River” in Act One, the audience gave him a rousing standing O. There was, to quote Harold Hill, an electric thrill during and at the end of the number that people just connected with. Now, this is an audience that I had never seen get up out of their seats when cheering or applauding. Never! It seemed to happen every single night, too, and the show would actually stop for a minute until the conductor would start things back up—considering the show was horrendously long and the stage manager probably wanted smooth sailings for the evening.

What are your experiences?

-SuperSchubert

#2

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 5:18am

The first time I saw The Boy From Oz, in preview: As the show was winding down, Hugh Jackman sang this song that sent chills up my spine and had me close to tears. It wasn't the song listed in the Playbill, and well after the fact I learned it was "Once Before I Go." The song finished and people were applauding wildly. Suddenly I saw people near the front stand up; then more, and more until the entire orchestra section was on their feet. I had never seen that happen before. As I understand it, it has happened just about every time since then. I know the last two times I went to see BFO it happened -- second time I think I started it.

As you say, there was some kind of electric thrill that connected with the audience -- he certainly got to me.

#3

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 8:38am

Gypsy. On a Sat afternoon performance back in May. Now I am not a fan of the handing out of "Standing O's" But it seemed the entire six rows of the orchestra were. During "Rose's Turn" they were on their feet before the end of the number.
Now I am not a big fan of Miss Peters, and she had (and was having a little bit of trouble) in her performances. But I am glad I did see the show with her in the role.
Needless to say the said same rows of folks were up and going mad. I myself waited for the 3 strippers from the "Gimmik" number to come on out for their bows.

"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." Conan O'Brien

#4

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 8:51am

The last one I encountered was for Hugh's rendition of 'Once Before I Go' - and I willingly participated.

The first I remember was Jennifer Holliday in 'Dreamgirls' - twice during the same show. The first for 'And I Am Telling You' - for which we literally had to stop the orchestra and she had to come back out (in the staging, the numbers melted into each other.) And the second for 'I Am Changing' - during which some of us - and yes, I was one of them - were standing on our seats SCREAMING. What can I say, it was during my coming out phase and everything was SO dramamtic - and besides, it was one of the most electrifying experiences I've ever had in a theatre - to this day.

#5

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 8:58am

The converse is true too. These days, standing o's are so common that if a performance doesn't get one, people notice.

Leaving Lincoln Center after Frogs, I actually heard an old crag say: "I was NOT going to stand up for THAT!"

The night I saw BFO, Hugh got a standing o then, too. Mid-performance standing o's had to happen more often in the past. I mean, I'm assuming Barbra got them in Funny Girl.

Stop worrying about what I'm doing -- focus instead on what you're eating.

#6

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 9:32am

I've only seen a standing O once during the middle of a show: it was when I went to see Man of La Mancha. Brian Stokes Mitchell had just finished the last note of "The Impossible Dream", and the crowd absolutely went wild- he definitely deserved the standing O. He was amazingly incredible.

I have my books and my poetry to protect me...

#7

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 9:33am

I was at Boy from Oz on Mother's Day, which may have skewed the sudience composition. But I have to tell you, there were fans (Hugh seems to have a huge following among middle aged women) who were giving him a standing O after every song...AND for every blessed onstage clothing change. Watching the show in the audience almost as much as what was on the stage, I was reminded why the word "swoon" is in the dictionary.

Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10

#8

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 9:40am

iflit - that seems a bit much - even though I myself understand the concept of swooning over Hugh!

#9

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 9:41am

At Cheno's last night performance she got a partial standing O for Popular, and a full one after For Good. Idina got a full standing O for Defying Gravity, but that also might have been because it was the end of the act and people were just getting up.

David walked into the valley With a stone clutched in his hand He was only a boy But he knew someone must take a stand There will always be a valley Always mountains one must scale There will always be perilous waters Which someone must sail -Into the Fire Scarlet Pimpernel

#10

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 9:55am

When I went to Man of LaMancha, there was a standing O after "The Impossible Dream" as well. I knew it was going to happen b/c before the song was over several people in the audience were in tears, myself included. People were pullin out tissues left and right. Again the standing O was well deserved.

#11

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 10:17am

Idina got a full standing O for Defying Gravity, but that also might have been because it was the end of the act and people were just getting up.

LOL, very funny

As far as Man of La Mancha goes, i had to give Impossible Dream a standing "O" that song made the show for me.

In the words of Mr. William Morris Barfee, "In my whole life I have only been able to breathe through one nostril and today is no exception!"

#12

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 10:34am

Memorable Standing O's:
Bernadette in Gypsy-Roses turn
Hugh Jackman in BFO-Once Before I go

and when i saw Man of La Mancha it almost got a standing ovation since most start near the front and i was 5th row center(so at the end definite chills up the spine) BUT it got a lot of applause

"Look on the Bright Side Not on the Blackside get off your backside shine those shoes! This is your golden opportunity: Your the lightning and the news!" -Assassins

#13

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:15am

Wicked. An AMAZING show and every time I saw it, Defying Gravity got a standing O as well as For Good. It was also the only show Ive seen where the whole cast got a standing O from the beginning of the curtain calls to the end. It was ALSO the only show I saw that deserved it :)

#14

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:17am

When I saw Assassins, all the cast got a very prolonged standing ovation that lasted even after they were gone from the stage. And they deserved every second of it.

#15

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:19am

Hairspray's YOU CANT STOP THE BEAT got a standing O. Wait...that was the last song of the show. Sorry, but the song deserved it anyway. Another phenomenal show!

#16

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:22am

I agree with both assassins and hairspray.
When I saw Hairspray (just after it won the tony) Harvey got a standing O the first time he came out on stage (at least a minute long). He looked so flattered but embarassed that he had stopped the show.

David walked into the valley With a stone clutched in his hand He was only a boy But he knew someone must take a stand There will always be a valley Always mountains one must scale There will always be perilous waters Which someone must sail -Into the Fire Scarlet Pimpernel

#17

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:23am

I read somewhere that they actually timed how long the applause went on after "The Impossible Dream." It was somewhere aroung 5 minutes. He was amazing and deserved the standing O.

#18

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:25am

Don't forget Cheno's 5 minute standing O just for coming on stage.

#19

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:31am

That's right.
I knew I was forgetting something.
"It's good to see me, isn't it?"

David walked into the valley With a stone clutched in his hand He was only a boy But he knew someone must take a stand There will always be a valley Always mountains one must scale There will always be perilous waters Which someone must sail -Into the Fire Scarlet Pimpernel

#20

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:35am

Last year I was working for a man who was one of the producers of a musical which turned out to be a flop. He had never been involved in theater before, and used to get on the phone with the LA office of his company and brag on and on about how the show got standing ovations at every preview. And of course the people in LA didn't know that this meant nothing. It was pretty amusing.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#21

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:49am

Bernadette Peters in GYPSY during Rose's Turn. AMAZING. I was practically crying (as i was for many parts of the show). She delivered an amazing performance, and the standing ovation (that i may have started) was definitely well deserved. This was back in December 03'.

Updated On: 8/4/04 at 11:49 AM

#22

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 12:23pm

Jennifer Holiday in Dreamgirls. My memories are as vivid as DGrant's. People were standing ON THEIR SEATS at the close of Act I. It was magic.

#23

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 1:11pm

The two mid-show standing ovations I remember were Hugh Jackman in Boy from Oz and Robert Cuccioli (This is the Moment) in Jekyll and Hyde.

Everybody goes down well with beer.

#24

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 1:11pm

Same for me with Dreamgirls -- one of the "perfect" moments in theater....

"Sir K, the Viscount of Uppity-shire...." -- kissmycookie

#25

re: Standing 'O'

Posted: 8/3/04 at 1:25pm

The Boy From OZ- Once Before I Go (Hugh)
Man Of La Mancha- The Impossible Dream (BSM)
Caroline or Change- Lot's Wife (Tonya Pinkins)

Three mid show standing ovations that I took part in b/c they were extremly well deserved!

Jai

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