Why do kicklines provoke a Pavlovian applause response in audiences...?- Page 3

[DylanMark33]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 3:48pm

I always reference this video when it comes to entrance applause.

I understand this is the top of act 2, but I just am still puzzled by it. The audience in whole are completely way over the top. Entrance applause, fine, standing ovation, come on. Let the woman sing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhshJfGBJ2s
Updated On: 12/1/11 at 03:48 PM

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 5:01pm

I agree it's over the top, Dylan, but I think they are applauding the successful transformation into "Little Eadie" (whom many of the audience know from the documentary), not just hat Ebersole appears on stage.

It's related to "entrance applause" but isn't quite the same thing.

[DylanMark33]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 5:34pm

I suppose you're right. AND if I were a performer I'd be eating that up. I would have been annoyed if I were in that audience. That's why I will never go see a closing night performance. It's not about the show or story anymore

[twinbelters]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 7:01pm

So, the broad answer is audiences give into herd mentality easily and do not hold critical convictions to discern the roses from the rot.... is that it?

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 7:31pm

It doesn't really bother me--it rarely happens in a moment where the applause takes you as a viewer out of the action or anything, but I get why some people find it annoying.

I did a lot of dance till I was in my early twenties and someone mentioned the times step in tap dance getting applause, which as a tapper always seemed odd to me as it's truly one of the most basic combinations, one anyone just starting in tap learns. But I guess it looks neat if lots of people do it or something--similar to a kickline.

Someone also mentioned the Favorite Son number in Will Rogers Follies which I've done with the Tune choreography. Yes it's simple stuff, but the point is everyone doing it in unison (by everyone I mean a large group)--I kinda doubt any third grade class could do that--they could probablye asily learn the movements but not the whole number, but yes it is basic, but it's effective.

But I do agree that some of it is what audiences THINK they should applaud for. It's kinda engrained that you applaud for a kickline--the same way every novie ballet goer knows that you applaude the 32 fouettes in Swan Lake's Black Swan Pse de Deux, nevermind that if they counted they'd often notice many dancers don't even do all 32...

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 9:07pm

With entire audiences busy texting, eating and drinking, I think we should celebrate any time you can get them to pay attention long enough to applaud.