Standing Fauxvation

[jczelyph]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 1:49am

I would hereby like to coin this term, 'Standing Fauxvation' (excuse me if someone has used it before now). You all know what it is, when a show encourages everyone to "Get on your feet and make some noise!" thus creating a false standing ovation. Like at the end of Lennon. It is a particularly inappropriate phenomenon in a show that wouldn't deserve an ovation, or get one, otherwise (a la Lennon).

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 1:55am

I really don't think a standing ovation is given to the show itself, but to the performers...and in Lennon's case, the performers deserve a standing ovation. All very talented.

[jczelyph]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:01am

Yes, the part about Lennon is true, the cast sang wonderfully and acted what little drama there was pretty well too. I think people give an ovation to a show as well though, because a good show is often more than the sum of its parts, and people will stand in recognition of how the skilled cast interpreted the excellent material. So I guess I'm agreeing and saying that people stand for a show as well as performers.

[CJWesselman]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:17am

I'm sure this has been talked about before somewhere, but I don't feel like searching.....pluuuus this is already a thread so why not? I think standing ovations have become such a cliche event now-a-days. i go to rink-a-dink high school productions and see standing o's for horrible shows with horrible performances. It sucks because if you're at a show and some nitwit starts an undeserving standing o, everyone around them feels obligated. shouldn't they be saved for something/someone/some show that's WORTH it? or am I just ranting? discuss.

[jczelyph]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:23am

I am sometimes forced to stand up simply because the fat people in front of me obscure my view of the curtain call. Not that I have anything against fat people, I just have to stand to see past them because I like to see the curtain call.

I only stand spontaneously when I truly want to show how much I loved a performance or show (not that they care whether I liked it or not) and then I often find myself rising to my feet before I know what I'm doing.

I should add, I didn't start this thread to reignite the discussion of whether ovations are now cliche, but to simply intorduce the term 'standing fauxvation' to the board's vocabulary.

[justme2]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:32am

Although I enjoyed Lennon, I agree with you....it certainly does not deserve standing ovations. The term is perfect; "fauxvation" is exactly what is going on.

Someone in another thread said something like, "I guess some people need to affirm to themselves that the $100 they paid was worth it". That could be the case sometimes, but in my experience, it seems to be a more "follow the leader" mentality. One person stands in Orchestra (usually someone within the first 2 or 3 rows) and the rest simply feel they HAVE to get up.

Now, having said that, I gave an honest standing ovation last night to "Golda's Balcony" in SF. Tovah received a five minute standing ovation from the audience, and came out for 4 curtain calls. This was the first time in years I felt that a performer actually deserved this kind of adulation.

[CJWesselman]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:42am

jczelyph, couldn't you then also be angry at tall people? as a fat person of america, I found your remarks weight-ist. lol, j/k.

also, I apologize for taking this thread in a different directions. just voicing my opinion. i very much like "fauxvation" and will use it when applicable from now on....as long as I remember how to spell it.

[jczelyph]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:52am

CJW: I wasn't trying to be cruel or weight-ist. Sorry, so if a tall person stood up, I'd be forced to stand too. I am a fairly inclusive person, hope no one was offended. And don't apologize about taking the thread in other directions, that's what keeps the board fun. Please use fauxvation, I love what it expresses. It's everyone's to throw around.

justme: I think that people give ovations for the affirmation reason ("This show is So amazing, I'm glad I paid $300 for my premium seat. Yes I am. No, I truly am. Damn those who say I have more money than sense!"), but also mainly because of the follow the leader mentality. It is SOOOO obvious as soon it happens. But I love a standing ovation when it happens for the right reasons - true and spontaneous expression of pleasure. They're especially cool when they happen mid-show. One of the first times I saw this was midshow of BKLYN of all things, during 'Once Upon A Time'.

[justme2]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:54am

was the Brooklyn fauxvation deserved, though? I never saw the show, so I am not sure if you are using it as a good or bad example!

[showbiz]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 8:25am

I don't think the term is worthy of being coined, it's actually very corny.
I also think that when an audience gives a standing ovation it's generally because they want to, no one can force people to stand and clap. I was at Lennon when the show was given a standing ovation and it was well deserved. Get over your negative bashing jczelyph.

Posted: 7/29/05 at 9:21am

I've seen "Lennon" twice so far and each time the audience rose spontaneously and gave the production a very well deserved standing ovation.

Are you sure you were at "Lennon" Jczelyph? Your description sounds completely foreign to what I saw with my own eyes.

And just a bit of advice. You can't very well insult "fat people" in one sentence then say you didn't mean to in the next. It's quite disingenuous. But honestly, the more I read your posts bashing both "Lennon" and John Lennon in every thread, the more I realize that this is likely a profound personality trait of yours.

[lildogs]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 9:45am

I agree totally with jczelyph on this.

To me, a standing ovation is merited only if I have been absolutely wowed. Otherwise, they become meaningless, or in the case of "Lennon," coerced.

As a short guy, I too often have to stand just to be able to see--but i did not do that with "Lennon."

In no way was MY evening at "lennon" extraordinary. And it *issed me off that they did it! And I felt like curmudgeon for sitting there, but I'm a curmudgeon with standards.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 9:54am

At the performance I attended of Lennon, most of the audience applauded warmly but less than half of them stood.

I agree with Lildogs that a Standing O is only really deserved when you have seen something that is completely earth-shattering. Great term, Jc!

[jczelyph]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 11:50am

I think the Brooklyn ovation was deserved, I loved Eden's warbling, though I gather it wasn't to everyone's taste.

What I find hilarious is that because I am criticising Lennon, people on this thread have taken umbrage to my views on their new favourite show and have decided to attack my personality, concluding that I have a "profound" personality disorder. Well, this is obviously the case because I didn't like a moralising, unconvincing, wet rag of a show. I MUST be screwed up! Actually, I'm not. The show was awful. That's that.

I am sure I was at Lennon, believe me, there's no way I could have dreamt anything that bad. I was sat in row N, I have my ticket if you'd like to see it.

Slacker: If you don't like my posting about Lennon, don't read my posts. I have to discuss how awful it was simply to relieve myself of the immense burden of poor theatre it has shed upon my soul. As to whether the standing ovation is deserved... The performers deserve an ovation for singing well and doing their best to interpret weak material. The show itself does not. By encouraging people to stand and clap, the cast are bypassing the audience's choice of whether or not to stand. This is one example of a fauxvation.

Showbiz: I like the term 'fauxvation' and hope people think it's appropriate. Perhaps you could come up with a different term to express this. I think the show you are currently shilling is corny.

lildogs: I often applaud weakly after a song that I think was poo, or during a show I think is rubbish. I kinda hope that it'll give people the message that they are not obliged to traumatise their palms with clapping after a song if they don't think it was good. It's part of that "If I clap really loudly, that means I am having a good time and that this show was worth the megabucks I paid for it." mentality.

[Calvin]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:05pm

Was the "Megamix" tacked onto the end of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" the granddaddy of this trend?

ITA, BTW. I was quite impressed, however, last week when I went to see two shows and neither got a standing ovation: "The Constant Wife" (which deserved it a lot more than some of the shows I've been forced into standing for) and -- a show I saw only in my quest to see everything that comes out -- Jackie Mason.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:07pm

I resent forced standing ovations as a cheap trick.

How much more wonderful when the ovation is generated by the talent in the performance and the adoration of the audience for what they have seen!

It's like the difference of being in a relationship with a selfish demanding partner versus a mutually loving and giving one.
Updated On: 7/29/05 at 12:07 PM

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:08pm

I am trying to start a new trend. I refuse to stand for mediocrity. I feel a standing ovation should be earned not mandatory.

[jczelyph]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:17pm

Calvin: You make such a sad point. The megamix is my favourite part of Joseph. But it is now glarringly apparent that it is in fact the biggest culprit of the fauxvation trend. Darn. I think I'll make an exception to my curmudgeonly behaviour for the megamix.

[showbiz]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:24pm

Well how convenient jczelyph, I was wondering when you were going to resort to that "shill" term. Isn't that what you negative, naysayers apply to anyone who doesn't agree with you? And pray tell what does that make you a "kill" as in kill a show??

[jczelyph]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:28pm

Perhaps you are not a shill. But your recent appearance on this board and the fact that the majority of your posts so far are about Lennon's fabulousness provide scant evidence to the contrary. If my judgement proves incorrect, then I retract the comment. And I'd view the death of this show as a mercy killing.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:29pm

I have not seen Lennon yet but I plan to.

I remember Will Chase from Miss Saigon and he was great.

Can't this be a valid thread without concentrating on any particular show?

[jczelyph]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:32pm

Yeah, sorry it has turned into another Lennon thread. Maybe my fault. Will Chase was very good. Let's return this to a general thread.

[showbiz]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:36pm

To jcyelyph, I didn't realize I needed your permission to post on this forum. I also don't need you to validate me as a non-shill. I happen to be a positive person who loves and supports the arts and attends theater regularly. Perhaps you can also become a positive theatergoer or do you just like being the focus of several threads?

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:38pm

Kiss and make up, you two.

Read my lips.

[jczelyph]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:43pm

You don't need my permission, sweetheart. Post away on thr thread, since you are part of the Lennon fanclub attacking me for posting on multiple threads, I thought I'd perform penance for my sin and turn this thread back to a general thread.

And here's some evidence for how much I love theatre and of how many shows I enjoy. What follows is a list of show I have seen and enjoyed, with the number being the number of times I have seen the show. This should prove that 1) I attend theatre regularly, 2) I am a true fan of the form, 3) I have seen enough quality shows to know what I like and when something is bad and 4) I am a positive theatrgoer whose greatest passion in life is quality musical theatre.

Aida 1
All Shook Up 2
Altar Boyz 2
And The World Goes Round 1
Avenue Q 2
Bat Boy 1
Beauty And The Beast 2
Billy Elliot 1
Brooklyn 1
Blood Brothers 4
Bombay Dreams 1
Buddy 1
Calamity Jane 3
Cats 1
Chicago 2
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels 1
Fame 5
Fiddler On The Roof 1
Forbidden Broadway: SVU 1
Grease 1
Guys And Dolls 1
Hairspray 2
High Society 1
Hot Mikado 3
Into The Woods 1
Jerry Springer: The Opera 1
Jesus Christ Superstar 2
Joseph 19
Kiss Me Kate 1
La Cage Aux Folles 1
Lennon 1
Les Miserables 2
Little Shop Of Horrors 3
Love Shack 1
Mamma Mia 1
Martin Guerre 1
Mary Poppins 2
Miss Saigon 2
Oliver 1
Phantom Of The Opera 3
Rent 4
Spamalot 1
Spelling Bee 1
Starlight Express 2
Sweet Charity 2
The Lion King 1
The Producers 1
The Woman In White 1
Tommy 1
We Will Rock You 2
Whistle Down the Wind 1
Wicked 3

Granted it's not hundreds but for a 22 year old who has only been into theatre for a while, it's enough. I'm not trying to turn this into a "i've seen more than you" competition, I'm just using this to show that I am a regular attendee of theatre and enjoy most of it an awful lot.

Updated On: 7/29/05 at 12:43 PM