What determines a show's standing ovation? — Page 3

It really depends on the audience, I think... I saw Phantom once with Howard Mcgillin who did a brilliant job and it got no standing ovation... I went back to see Howard again and an understudy (who I did not like in the role at all) went on... needless to say that show did get an ovation even though the former clearly deserved it more....

You want a good answer? Check out what Stephen Sondheim has to say on "Broadway: The Golden Age." Near the end of the film, Mr.Sondheim says articulately and unfortunately truthfully (and I'm paraphrasing):

People are spending $100 for a ticket. Before the show, you've got to get a $20 meal. So a family who goes to see a musical... you end up laying down close to $500 for a night. Today, you get standing ovations because, whether or not the show is good and challenging and rewarding, they have to stand. They do not feel like their evening has been completed or that they have been rewarded for the ridiculous amount of money they've spent unless they're on their feet.

I personally only stand when (1) The people in front of me have stood and I can't see the stage during bows or (2) If I was extraordinarily moved by the ensemble or a particular actor's performance.

Updated On: 1/13/08 at 11:27 PM

Admittedly, I was only in London for a few months, but audiences there didn't seem to stand any more or less often than those on Broadway. Most shows I've seen haven't gotten standing ovations, and the O's I thought were undeserving usually happened in shows I liked less than everyone else- like Doubt, which I thought was overrated.

I don't see what the big deal is, anyway. So people stand automatically. Maybe they think it's polite, or the right thing to do. Maybe they liked the show more than you did. As long as they weren't a bunch of whispering, candy-crinkling cretins during the show, it doesn't bother me much. I suppose it's frustrating that expressing approval by standing and cheering is perfectly acceptable, while disapproval can only be expressed by sitting quietly (at least in U.S. theaters). But getting heavily invested in how everyone else perceives a show is just a quick path to a big headache.

Updated On: 1/13/08 at 12:06 AM

Double post

Updated On: 1/13/08 at 01:35 AM

The most recent show that the standing ovation question was relevant was "November". There were about 3 or four other people and myself standing in the orchestra section that evening. I am assuming that the other 4 were standing for the same reason I was, Nathan Lane, not the show itself. Gradually a few others stood, but not as many as I thought. I will always stand for an individual's outstanding performance even if the show itself was not great. However, Lane did not take an individual bow that night, it was an ensemble bow, which could have been another reason that more people did not stand.

I don't think a standing ovation has lessened over the years due to overuse. I almost believe that performers actually look for it more than they used to.

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I don't particularly enjoy standing ovations, though, in recent memory here are a few I've stood for -

The casts (collectively) of The Seafarer, August: Osage County, The 39 Steps

Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner in Cyrano
Nathan Lane in The Producers, November
Cherry Jones in Doubt
Norbert Leo Butz and John Lithgow in Dirty Rotten

Most Londoners only really get up if they are told to.. Eg dance along while we sing our best songs again to trick you into thinking you have enjoyed the whole evening.
Some shows Mamma Mia, Joesph, We will Rock You and most notably FAME do this incredibly well. Fame even saves the the one song people know from the show till the encore.

I hate it when shows like WWRY and Fame boast about standing ovations every night etc. Its not really a genuine ovation

If I moved by the show/a performance.

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"I almost believe that performers actually look for it more than they used to."

Of course. The rampant narcissism cuts both ways. Revolting.





Ashley Wilkes
12 Oaks

"Broadway audiences always give standing ovations "to justify the mountainous cost of the evening out."

That about sums it up. Quite similar to what Sondheim said.

Ovations are even more rampant in touring shows because of this. You've got families and old farts who only get out once a month or so getting all dolled up for an expensive dinner and show and they don't know what else to do when the show ends. They've seen ovations on TV before, so the jump to their feet.

Nothing really "wrong" with this, I suppose, as theater is supposed to bring joy to the masses, no matter how shallow that feeling is.

As long as they had a good time, they will come back and support the theater again...and THAT'S what is important.

Who am I to judge? One person's ovation is another person's blocked view.

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Updated On: 1/16/08 at 07:05 AM

As someone said earlier the only show that always gets a standing ovation (Or atleast usually) is Blood Brothers. The 5 times I have seen it - it has always gotton one, and rightfully so.