Standing Ovations - your opinion?

What do you think of being one of only a handful of people giving a standing ovation? I've been at several shows where I've wanted to stand, but there were only a few reluctant "standers" who almost imperceptably half-stood during applause. I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb, and have even had people behind me tell me to "sit the f%^& down" because they couldn't see the curtain call. Now, don't get me wrong - I'm not a "jumper" who leaps up after every show to justify my ticket purchase. I do wish to express my admiration and thanks for a performance I consider ... outstanding (no pun intended!). Ever feel like this? Should I sit the heck down? (LOL!)

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Updated On: 7/2/04 at 09:17 AM

agreed, When my friends and I saw wicked when it was in previews we were in the last row up top, and nobody up there was standing, and frankly we didn't care. We stood and cheered because that is how we flt about the show. At Avenue Q the same kind of thing happened and at thestage door the cast recognized us as the kids standing in the back, lol....good times.

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I was just having this exact conversation with a friend of mine recently. It's sad to say that there are a lot of people who don't even know what a standing ovation really means. These days, audience pressure has a lot to do with it and some people are just plain scared to stand even if they loved the actor and/or show as a whole. This can be seen when in some sections of the theatre everyone is standing and in other sections no one is standing. Does that make sense? I think sometimes people feel that they are blocking other peoples view and the people who wouldn't normally get up stand anyway so they can see. The whole concept of the standing ovation is lost. How can we fix this?

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Updated On: 7/2/04 at 10:53 AM

It really says something for our society, doesn't it, that so many people feel awkward about something like this? You can express yourself...to a certain extent, apparently. Once during "The Producers", I witnessed an audience member yelling at someone in back of them for laughing too much! The person wasn't disturbing anyone in terms of hearing the play, etc. - they were just having a great time. Sad.

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Fixing an ovation? Too late my friend. Just watch any TV show with an audience and EVERYONE gets a standing ovation. Witness the Springer show..they stand up for him when he comes out, when they go to a break, after they come back from a break, etc...

The "ovation" as a real sign of appreciation is gone for the most part. Sometimes I feel people actually do stand up for a performance is their butts are tired. I have been to many a show that didn't deserve an ovation, and the monkeys just stood anyway.

To fix maybe? If you feel a performer was outstanding, the second they come out...jump to your feet...be the first..be emphatic...chances are there will be an obligatory one, but you will be the first and your statement will be made ahead of the crowd (especially if it's for one of the supporting players or the ensemble that were exceptional.)

Standing ovations aren't ALWAYS the entire audience. Sometimes lots of people hated it and stay seated. Others stand because they are moved, which sets other people to stand for the same reason or because people are standing and they can't see the people on stage.

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I feel of you are moved to stand do so! I myself like to wait for the performer who deserves it to stand.
B

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If I feel moved to stand by teh show or a cast member, I will. At one show, I stood for a few supporting actors who took their curtain calls and sat right back down for the leads when they came out... and I waited to sit until I was visible to them.

exactly correct.

I usually dont' like giving standing ovations but if they're worthy I do.

If I remember correctly, there was a poll on this awhile back- I just checked and it was in December... anyway:

I think that standing ovations should only be given if you really mean it. I know in a lot of shows, there were just people who gave a standing O because they wanted to leave. If the show was great, or the performer was great, then definitely stand up! I agree that sometimes it feels weird if you're the only one standing, but if you think the show/performer deserved it, then do it!

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Stand if the spirit moves you.

And if it moves you to clap between movements of a symphony, I say screw convention and applaud.

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