Standing Ovations

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 1:11am

After many Broadway trips, I have noted that every show I see gets a standing ovation, I have seen this happen and a show close quite soon afterwards, so word of mouth cannot be that good. a standing Ovation is very rare in the West End, where I come from.

So I have a question. Do the audience applaud the production or the performance or both?

[Taryn]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 1:52am

They applaud the amount of money they paid for their tickets.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 2:00am

LOL Taryn. And to answer the original question, I think it's a cultural difference. In fact, the practice isn't a general United States thing but certainly exists on Broadway and in other areas. I was recently at Mamma Mia (Broadway production -not West End) (don't ask - it was for the third time!!) and I continue to find it unappealing yet I obliged in giving a standing ovation with the rest of the crowd.

[egghumor]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 3:15am

I ultimately agree with Taryn. People have got to LOVE what they threw down hundered of bucks for; but I think also (at least in my case) Broadway audiences are standing for the actors/performers. Broadway employs the finest in their respective fields, and so they have often performed a weak work or production with tremdous skill and even artistry; and so we stand up for such gifted people.

[Eos]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 3:50am

I'm kind of annoyed with the way standing ovations have become so commonplace. Not to take anything away from the performers, but people I've seen in NY, and certainly here in St. Louis (many folks here will give a standing ovation to a well-executed passing of gas), rise to their feet the second the show ends. Like Taryn said, it's as if people stand to reiterate what a good time they had, and how well their $$ was spent, as opposed to the ovation being an almost involuntary reaction, reserved for characters that truly moved you. The standing ovation has lost a little potency. But of course, although I resent it, I end up standing too, just so I can see the curtain call!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 3:58am

I don't stand unless the show really blew me away. I will always clap at curtain call, but I think standing ovations should only be given when the performance and/or cast were outright incredible. Of course this is going to be open to the individual's opinion of the show which is why some will stand when others sit. Standing at curtain call should not just be an automatic thing though. Just my thoughts.

[chewy5000]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 4:51am

Or maybe they just want to get out...

[ReggieonBway]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 6:01am

It's more of a courtesy to the actors. If everyone else is standing and you're not, it makes you look like you

a. didn't enjoy the show.
b. thought the actor giving the bow sucked.
c. are flat out pretentious.

It's really discouraging to look out at an audience and see six or seven people sitting down clapping lamely with unhappy expressions on.

[TIGGOSAURUS]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 6:32am

Reggie, that's very interesting but it obviously doesn't apply in the West End (though the standing ovation is becoming more prevalent there). Isn't applause in itself a 'courtesy' to the actors? I'm with the poster who said they will usually only stand if they felt blown away by a performer / production.

I believe the phenomenon is down to three things on Broadway: (1) affirming that you got your money's worth (2) being able to actually see the curtain call (a sort of ripple effect) (3) dance-style endings which encourage audiences to their feet. I was one of perhaps a dozen people who didn't stand at Lombardi today, but in no way did I think the actors sucked. And egghumor: standing because 'gifted people' have had to work with weak material smacks of patronising them. If everyone stands for EVERYTHING how is an actor going to know that their efforts are genuinely appreciated?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 7:05am

A stanading ovation is NOT a courtesy. It is suppose to be a sign of excellence.

I never stand for an ovation unless I think it's deserved. If someone is going to judge me for that, so be it. I'd rather be judged a bore, than a hypocrite. And to set the record staight, I don't think for one second that anyone gives a hoot if I stand or not. If only 7 or 8 people are sitting....the cast can't even SEE them if everyone else is standing.

YES, American b'way audiences stand MUCH too easily and I agree it's about proving to themselves that they have well-spent their money. But it doesn't happen at every show. I can easily remember shows that did not: BBAJ, (later in the run of) HAIR, The Story of My Life spring to mind.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 10:33am

Sometimes I have to stand up so I can see over the person who is giving the real standing ovation in front of me.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 10:40am

Audiences had been trained to stand at the end of the show...ads promoting Broadway often show audiences on their feet applauding at the final curtain. And yes, it is irritating to have to stand just to see over the people standing in front of you. Last Broadway show I stood for voluntarily was SCOTTSBORO BOYS.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 11:40am

I've found audiences are less likely to stand after plays (that don't feature a big name actor).

[once a month]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 11:45am

This past week Priscilla had a sustained and immediate ovation. Yesterday Book of Mormon had 16 people on their feet. At Spiderman, I saw possibly 6 on their feet.

I stand and applaud if I laughed and cried, and never got bored. Priscilla, Scottsboro and Bloody Andrew Jackson had me on my feet. Spiderman, Book of Mormon and Women on the Verge had me impatiently awaiting to get the train out of town.

[Taryn]

Posted: 3/21/11 at 12:07am

I refuse to stand unless I feel the show was truly outstanding. I don't care if everyone else is standing up around me. I somehow sincerely doubt that the actors will focus on one person sitting instead of the people standing. (Even if they did, it's really not my responsibility to coddle their egos if they are that delicate.)