What determines a show's standing ovation? — Page 2

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

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As I had said before.

I do stand for the ensamble only because in most musicals they work the hardest and don't get a lot of credit for the work they are doing and that most people come to see or only care about the leads.

In every musical I have done I have been in the ensamble and I loath the fact that the leads get all the cheers and whatnot while we (the ensamble) didn't and we worked twice as hard as they did onstage.


I do think that more often then not tourists do it as a way to up and leave the theatre quickly. I find that to be rude and very disrespectufl.

I remember during Poppins my mom tried to use that as a way to get out and I had to stop her.

I do give standing ovations most of the time. When I saw yong Frank, despite the fact that I thought the material was weak, the cast did a wonderful job with it and I stood up. Due to the fact that I won lotto for that show the entier cast saw me and was greatful at the stage door because of it.

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Well, I started to stand up for Avenue Q (I had never seen the show and ADORED every single member of the cast) and my friend told me to "sit down" because it was embarassing. She thought it would be "distracting". Well, I should have stood up because in my opinion, that cast did a phenomenal job! Just curious, does Avenue Q get a standing ovation on Broadway (fyi-saw it in London) ?

I do stand for the ensamble only because in most musicals they work the hardest and don't get a lot of credit for the work they are doing and that most people come to see or only care about the leads.

When I'm at the stage door I always try and catch as many of the ensemble members as I can to sign my Playbill as well. I remember when I was at one show and has asked and his response was a little surprised I asked and responded with "but I'm only in the ensemble...". I found that quite upsetting, the fact that people don't realize how much work it is even though it's an ensemble role. I think they are some of the hardest working people on stage, IMHO.

Updated On: 1/12/08 at 03:37 PM

Some critic once said that Broadway audiences always give standing ovations "to justify the mountainous cost of the evening out."

In regional productions, the standing O usually depends on how many audience members are related to/friends with the cast members. I recently saw a regional FOOTLOOSE which was one of the worst theatrical experiences of my life; practically the whole audience jumped up immediately at curtain call, and several gave me furious stares as I sat impassively and defiantly.

My own rule? Stand if the show (or an actor, or whatever) has significantly changed the way you look at life, if only for that one night. Otherwise, don't stand, and don't let anyone else intimidate you into standing.

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I know it's not Broadway, but I attended Geva Theater's production of Cabaret this week and was astounded when the audience gave it an immediate standing ovation. The production was exceptional, but it didn't sound like anyone else was enjoying it. There was barely any applause after the numbers and only a few chuckles at jokes. I guess I was wrong. As soon as the stage went dark, the entire audience leapt to its feet

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"I once did a production of AIDA where the FIRST ACT got an ovation--right after the gospel number "The Gods Love Nubia." I'm not sure what to make of that..."

I've seen that happen several times, at all levels, from Broadway to community theater. I've never seen a production of this show (whether it was good or bad) that didn't get a standing ovation. If the leads are played by exceptional singers, the audience ignores the plot-holes and terrible book, and gives it a standing ovation.

I thought the same thing at Avenue Q - the cast was phenomenal and there were very few people standing; other shows it just seems automatic.

I stand out of respect. When an actor or an ensemble truly takes me somewhere in the show, I always feel like I somehow want them to know that I truly appreciate the time, energy and devotion it took for them to do that.

Although, I must say I generally find myself standing more often than not.

Funny story actually--I recently caught the Sweeney Tour in Miami Fl. I was sitting in the second row (Thank you student rush) and as the lights came up for the beginning of the bows I stood. ( along with many people sitting with me.) HOWEVER- the rest of the audience seemed much more concerned with getting out to their cars before the heat game (basketball) ended. At least 2/3 of the orchestra level was headed out the door DURING the curtain call!!!

They were gone before Judy Kaye even entered for her bow!

I was appalled... and apparently so was Lauren Molina. She literally laughed and her jaw dropped when she saw. She nudged Diana Dimarzio and threw her hands up in the air as if to say "Are you kidding me?"

They all kind of laughed in disbelief through the whole curtain call.

It truly made me ashamed to call myself floridian...

"Some critic once said that Broadway audiences always give standing ovations 'to justify the mountainous cost of the evening out.' "

This is it entirely. The standing o's happen more often at shows that are filled with the majority of tourists. And you have to consider that families are paying $100 a person or more EACH to watch a show... SO you trick yourself into thinking that it was the best thing you've seen and stand up for it, because what fool pays $100 for something they don't like?

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Whenever I see a show, I only stand up when I didn't like it (or am in the last row). I didnt stand for Tarzan, Chitty, or most recently Avenue Q. None were up to par. But, if standing ovations are ways to judge if the audience throughly enjoyed the show, then judge it on how fast they get up. For instance, one of the times I saw Rent (on just a regular day), the audience, shot up right after that last note in the show. But with other shows, it takes a few curtain calls with the whole cast to get people standing. I dunno. Just my take.

Whenever I see a show, I only stand up when I didn't like it (or am in the last row).

You only stand up for shows you don't like? I don't follow...

He stands to boo. Its hard to throw those tomatoes from a seat, they travel a lot further if you stand up.

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My school did Seussical-and if this is disrespectful, I'm sorry but I did NOT stand.

I was like "They spent three months on THIS?".

Everyone sounded bored or overacted, and a bunch of people's ideas of singing was SHOUTING.

Usually, professional shows I've gone to, there has ALWAYS been a standing ovation. Although, at Dirty Rotten Scoundrels some overly religious woman sat down saying that God would punish her for standing for such garbage.

Also, I've seen a show where there was Standing Room available and the people who didn't enjoy the show who were in Standing Room left as soon as the theatre blacked out.

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