THE STANDING OVATION — Page 2

Somebody only needs to fart these days and they get a standing ovation, if that was me on stage i think i would be offended.

There was once a time when getting a standing o was held for those rare magic moments, Think Dreamgirls, Angels in America and many others.

Most of them these days seem to be done only cause thats what people think they should do.

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"It may be trivial to you but I feel it devalues the recognition of truly great performances..."

To the people here who believe that standing ovations should be reserved for outstanding performances...isn't this subjective? It's a matter of one's own opinion if a performance was great. A lot of the audiences are made up of tourists, and if it's something they don't get to do a lot, I wouldn't be surprised if they were thrilled with the show so much that they gave a standing ovation.

Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is. Whether the show is good or bad, the performers work their butts onstage for the audience about 8 times a week - it's not an easy job, and I think most casts deserve a standing ovation. It adds a boost of energy to the end. If you don't want to stand, that's your own right, but I think it's unfair to criticize the audience members who choose to stand.

"If you stay in your seat, you can't see a thing, so you are forced to stand."

Well, I don't even see why this is an issue. If you don't think they deserve a standing ovation, then must you actually need to "see" them while sitting in your seat to praise them for their work? You saw the show, you clap, and if other's want to stand, I say, so what?

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In musicals that I have seen in the past 10 years, the standing ovation has been the obligatory response at the curtain call. But, interestingly, in recent years the same thing has been true at Carnegie Hall, following a classical music concert. This just was not true in the past. The standing ovation used to be reserved for truly outstanding performances, not as a measure of general courtesy for the hard work done by a performer. It is not true that every performance deserves a standing ovation. Sustained applause and the shouting of "Bravo" could be more meaningful to the performer and would also allow everyone to see what is happening on stage during the curtain call with the occasional reprise of a musical number from the show.

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"Whether the show is good or bad, the performers work their butts onstage for the audience about 8 times a week - it's not an easy job, and I think most casts deserve a standing ovation."

Not always--I have seen some slacker casts in my day.

I reserve the standing ovation for those extraordinary shows or performers; this is of course, different for everyone.

But when every show gets a standing ovation, it ceases to have an impact.

I personally don't want one unless what I've done is somehow spectacular and I don't think I've done anything worthy myself, though the shows I've been in have received MANY, all undeserved.

Really glad to see that I wasn't alone in thinking that the STANDING OVATION has changed meaning. I'm sure it always has conveyed a sense of appreciation but whereas in the past this was of GREATNESS now maybe it means EFFORT or in the worst scenarios "YOU TURNED UP!". I come from a background when it signified a singular performance or combinded performance " OUT OF THE ORDINARY" and this is the only reason I would stand up.

RE""If you stay in your seat, you can't see a thing, so you are forced to stand."
Well, I don't even see why this is an issue. If you don't think they deserve a standing ovation, then must you actually need to "see" them while sitting in your seat to praise them for their work?" MILLIE DILLMONT

When I saw CHORUS LINE some people were forced to stand up to see the FINALE "ONE" as audience members stood as soon as the number started. If you chose to sit you don't see the FINALE!!

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PB ENT.... I agree everyone deserves applause.

By the way, a beautiful AVATAR!

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I agree, since the invention of Viagra the standing ovation has devalued. I feel it's the same with tip money in many countries. It has become a stated percentage sum that you are supposed to give regardless of how you have been served.