What determines a show's standing ovation?

[biggest CHENO fan]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:24pm

I just got back from London and was thinking...How can some AWFUL shows like We Will Rock You get a standing ovation, while brilliant ones (Avenue Q, Billy Elliot) don't get one? WHY is it like this? It really frustrates me! I wanted to jump up after I saw Avenue Q, but felt weird because no one else did. Opinions, anyone?

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:27pm

I stand for actors, not shows. A lousy show can have an incredible performance that want to recognize by standing. A wonderful show can have a great ensemble, but not one standout actor.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:28pm

Maybe WE WILL ROCK YOU gets one out of respect for its music and Freddy Mercury?

[myManCape]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:29pm

How much you pay, AND How famous is the title?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:31pm

$120-plus per ticket.

[winston89]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:32pm

In England they are very hard on giving standing Oveations.

But, on Broadway they give them out left and right.

For me, I have never seen a show that doesn't have at least an actor or two who desrves one.

And I always give one for the ensamble. Only because many of the people in the audience overlook the hard work they do and only focus on the leads.

[biggest CHENO fan]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:33pm

In Billy Elliot, the boy who played Billy (an understudy, can't recall his name) was OUTSTANDING. There were several curtain calls, and still barely anyone standing. That's disappointing in my opinion.

[biggest CHENO fan]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:37pm

I figured people in London didn't give standing ovations that often. That makes me atad better. I also think it has something to do with how many curtain calls. Like in Mamma Mia they do 3 songs after the Finale and I think that really gets the crowd into in and standing. Yeah?

[Glitter and be Gay]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:40pm

A high percentage of tourists in the audience practically guarantees a standing ovation.

[myManCape]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:41pm

They use understudies for Billy? I had just assumed that one of the alternate Billys would go on if the scheduled one couldn't.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:45pm

I'm sure that you were not the only one who felt like giving a standing ovation at Avenue Q and Billy Elliot that night. Next time, take a deep breath and just stand and start screaming. Chances are, people follow you! This gives the actors encouragement and I think that is very important.

When I saw ACL last night, I wanted to stand, but the show doesn't really give a chance for people to stand, because they do a little number as the bring back the actors..so it's kind of awkward if people were to stand through that.

[nmartin]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:48pm

Standing ovations, at least in the U.S., have become meaningless.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:59pm

That non-existing curtain call for A CHORUS LINE is intended and was the intentions of the show's creator Michael Bennett. By doing this it made the point clear that chorus dancers are nameless/faceless entities. We want to acknowledge them, but we aren't permitted.

[Jade]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:06pm

The main reason why We Will Rock You gets a "standing ovation" is because the male lead shouts "I want to see everyone on their feet!" (or something like that) during the final number. IMO, that's not a real standing ovation.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:09pm

Or, you'll be the only one standing, and look like a total fool.



6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

[myManCape]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:12pm

Or, you'll be the only one standing, and look like a total fool.


You'll look like Joe Brooks at the closing performance of In My Life.

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:14pm

There are no rules, Dear.

Just relax and enjoy the shows you enjoy.

[bundy5000]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:24pm

When an actor hits a high note in a song. A very high note. OR Belts sooo high God's glasses shatter

[Salene]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:36pm

In Billy Elliot, the boy who played Billy (an understudy, can't recall his name)

There are no understudies for that role. Several boys share the part and there are always two at the theatre (as well as a backup Michael and Debbie) in case the scheduled Billy is unable to go on. There have been a few instances of the kids changing during the show due to injuries, etc.

[biggest CHENO fan]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:39pm

Sorry, my mistake. The guy at the box office said it was his "understudy", but I guess he was misinformed.

[myManCape]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:40pm

As I assumed, since that is the case with most if not all children's parts. It would be a waste of money to hire an understudy for a role that already has 2 or 3 people covering it as alternates. You might not have seen the scheduled Billy, but Im sure it was one of the other kids who regularly performs the role.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:44pm

I thought standing ovations were the norm over here, since people give them no matter what. However, when I saw Young Frankenstein, I was very pleasantly surprised to see that there was no standing ovation. In fact, the entire response to the curtain calls was fairly muted.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:51pm

I will stand for an actor if not for the show. Some shows I will stand for. I was on my feet immediately after August: Osage County was over. 1st I have done that in a long time. I have gotten into the habit of not standing if I feel I shouldn't while others are. At times I will stand just because my view of the stage is blocked during a curtain call. However, I will not clap I will just stand there. A lot of people will make their way to the door. I tend to stay through a curtain call. I don't know, I just feel that if it were me onstage and I was taking my bows, I would like to at least see most people still in their seats and not running for the door. JMO

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:58pm

I have seen about a total of 10 Broadway shows and every show I have ever seen, there has always been a standing ovation. Not necessarily when the ensemble starts to bow, but definitely at least when the leads or the whole cast bows together.

One instance though, I went and saw Grease last month in New York and absolutely no one got a standing ovation. Not even Max and Laura. It was just unusual for me to see that because I had never seen it before with the other shows I had seen on Broadway.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 3:01pm

Nowadays, if the show isn't interrupted by a blackout, expect a standing ovation.