an audience-ism that annoys me.

Came back from "Rated P.....for Parenthood" tonight. I enjoyed it for what it was, some good ol' cotton candy fluff, some parts much funnier than others. Wasn't expected Sondheim, and I didn't get it, though I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did, which is testament to the four great actors they have on that stage.

Anyway- There was a woman sitting next to me who did not applause at all during the show, except for after one rousing number where the crowd went wild, she clapped softly twice, and at the curtain call, she applauded for about five seconds. I found myself getting more and more annoyed with her as the show went on. I didn't know what her problem was, if she wasn't enjoying it, or what. She was stone-faced pretty much throughout.

If you're not there to enjoy yourself, what is the point of going to a musical comedy? much less one with this title, where you know pretty much exactly what you're in for. I just think it is disrespectful to the actors who are there to entertain you. For God sakes, throw them a bone, and show them you are particapating in this event by audibly clapping for them. You don't have to go wild, or make a fool of yourself, but to completely disregard the actors and everyone else in the room by acting like you are too good, or whatever to clap along with everyone else is very disconcerting. Be a human being. It's called audience protocal. You are not home alone watching The Bachelor. The actors sing for us, and we thank them. I just don't get it, because clapping is the easiest thing ever invented.

This is also not the first time I sat next to one of these people. It happened to me during the La Cage Revival as well. Not one clap. Not one.


I'm sorry. It's rude.

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But it isn't rude. Have you considered that to her the show was a nightmare? You want to base her response on your experience and that's unfair. I think applause should be spontaneous and never expected.

I respect the performers by giving my full attention, but respect should not have to translate into the reaction they'd like to see.

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Updated On: 3/1/12 at 09:52 PM

Yes, I'm sure she didn't like it, but I have seen plenty of things I didn't enjoy at all, and I still would applaud, even if I didn't think it was really deserved. Maybe it's just a senseless Pavlovian response, but I think it's the proper thing to do as an audience member.

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it's the proper thing to do as an audience member.

Maybe you should try less proper and more honest.

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I'm not saying she's wrong, if she thought the show was bad, she thought it was bad. I'm coming at it from the actor's standpoint. If they are in a bad show, then it's painful enough for them, but to hear no applause or appreciation after singing or acting your heart out is extremely discouraging. I just like to support the actors, even if I think the piece sucks. That's all I'm trying to get across.

I understand (now) that apparently everyone feels differently here.

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"Maybe she just had arthritis in her fingers."

I was about to ask her if she was a hand model.

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Personally the fact that every single show now gets a standing ovation would bug me far more than a single person not clapping through at a show I enjoyed.

I see where you're coming from. I saw a show in London that I gave an immediate standing ovation to (guess which one, ha!).

I was the only one.

I ranted about it afterwards as I felt that was rude. I was wrong. Just because they didn't stand and just because I felt moved enough to doesn't mean they're rude, even if I completely understand how someone could feel offended at being the only one.

Who knows? Maybe some person out there is posting angrily about some dude being the only one who immediately stood at the conclusion of a show they saw, blocking their view of the curtain call. What a nut! And how rude!

They'd be wrong, too.

Well, except the nut part.

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She supported the actors by purchasing her ticket which goes towards paying their salaries. After that, she can do whatever she likes (as long as it in no way impedes the performance or her fellow audience members' ability to experience the performance without distraction) without being rude.

I went to a very good production of Carmen last month where I ended up sitting, somewhat awkwardly beside a guy who had been flirting with me in line to the bathroom before the show (trust the opera to have a longer line for the men's bathroom than the women's). I did notice that he didn't applaud much at all during the first two acts (Carmen, having so much spoken dialogue for an opera, has a lot of places where people applaud), and sorta did half think that he must not be enjoying it.

At intermission he started talking to me--very excited, about how BRILLIANT he found it (it was good--it wasn't brilliant), and going on about details. So he obviously was enjoying it--and he applauded for maybe 10 seconds at the end--I guess some people just don't feel like applauding the way many do. (I few people did stand up at the end but thankfully not the full theatre--something I, like many on here, find annoying unless the show is a revelation). I guess I would have an issue if people stopped applauding decent-to-very-good productions whatsoever, but I don't think one person barely applauding is really an issue worth worrying about.

A good friend of mine got us front row tickets Next To Normal towards the end of Alice's run- the show was good, Alice's voice was not in top form that day, and her performance was a bit of a mess that day. We were both clapping all throughout the show, but did not give the show the "standing obligation" at the end- she actually gave us a dirty look from the stage which made me laugh... to each their own...

There are many shows I did not clap at. It wasn't rude IMHO, I felt the either the show itself or the performances given didn't warrant it.
If a performer's ego is that fragile that an audience member not applauding would hurt them , then perhaps they need another profession.

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Yes, I'm sure she didn't like it, but I have seen plenty of things I didn't enjoy at all, and I still would applaud, even if I didn't think it was really deserved. Maybe it's just a senseless Pavlovian response, but I think it's the proper thing to do as an audience member.

I'm sorry, but I don't think your personal choices as an actor being a member of the audience dictate protocol. Applauding out of politeness or obligation is patronizing and insincere, two qualities I generally find offensive and rude. The more "protocol" we have regarding applause and ovations, the less actors, directors and producers will have to gauge their productions. This is why so many smaller local companies end up turning out so many train wrecks. They invite all their friends to final dress and previews and receive wildly enthusiastic responses, then get blasted by the critics, bad word of mouth, and can't sell tickets. Don't applaud if you don't feel inclined to do so. Applause out of pity or duty is about as helpful as letting a friend walk around with a booger hanging out their nose, or their fly unzipped, or stuff stuck in their teeth. NOT applauding allows the cast and creative team know something is not working.

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