do matinees have less energy?

Well, as JLY doesn't go on for the matinees, I would say he is saving energy.

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I don't find that to be true on either side. As an audience member, I don't notice it. As a performer, I try to give my best energy to ALL of my performances.

Also, I don't think JLY does matinees anymore.

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From my experience, it's harder for me to be energetic at a matinee right away, but once it starts, I've been fine.

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I haven't seen much noticeable lack of energy from the actorss between matinee and evening shows. I have, however, found that matinee audiences aren't always as energetic as evening audiences (I originally thought that's what this topic was about). Something about being during the day I guess...more likely to have people just wandering in for a spur-of-the-moment show who might not be 100% into it...who knows.

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When I've done two-show days, I usually find that the matinee is less energetic -- but that's because for me doing the show the first time and not messing up boosts my enthusiasm, so the second time it's a lot more bright and enthusiastic. And I find that it's easier for me to sing later in the day when I've been active doing things, an advantage not given at a matinee. As much as I try to give the best performance possible every time, I think the odds are stacked more in favor of an evening than a matinee performance.

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I was at the matinee of GREY GARDENS Wednesday and could tell a noticable difference in Ebersole's performance. She really looked like she would rather be any place else but up on that stage that afternoon. Funny thing is though, she was still better than anyone else on Broadway right now. She truly is amazing.

As a theater performer for the last 30 years I can tell you it can go either way. Sometimes you can be tired from the show the night before and not completely awake for the matinee and you have warm ups every day or evening to wake up your voice but if you have 2 shows in one day you have to try to conserve a little so both audiences get the same quality performance especially if you are ill. Also, I have found in my experience that if the crowd is minimal and doesn't seem into it that brings your energy down as well and just like the rest of us they probably don't always want to go to work either but they do because they love being onstage and they need the money. I have for the most part over the years experienced that the cast knows it doesn't matter what time the show is. Both audiences are paying often times overpriced fees for these tickets and they deserve a high energy good performance whether it is a matinee or evening and try to do thier best. I know I do. Nurse Janet McGregor South Pacific North Providence RI

I really think it depends on the material and the performer(s) I still remember a friend telling me about seeing Shirley Valentine in a matinee and Pauline Collins was performing and he could literally "see" her holding back- saving herself for the evening.
As a performer he understood the rigours of a one person show but as an audience he was furiou$.

Dead audiences suck. Clapping helps boost energy. Who wants to see a performance when everyone is on autopilot.

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yeah he did matinees but he will again after the summer season is over. I have been to matinees like spamalot,wicked, aida...they had so much energy. but i have been to tarzan for an evening show n a matinee.....i enjoyed 100x so much better. Wedding singer laked energy for the matinee....but i loved matt salivadar, and rihard h blake though..they gave so much energy. I agree evening shows are better.

I was recently at a matinee performance of Mrs. Packard at the Kennedy Center. The actors were giving 110% and the play was brilliant (despite reviews, although it does need some more work) but the majority of the audience was literally sleeping through the whole performance. I could hear snoring and I was in the front row. It was awful. I felt bad for the actors who were giving a truly emotional, full out performance.

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The Color Purple cast never, ever has a low energy show. Someone back there, whether it be the stage manager, or who ever keeps the gears turning, keeps that show running in tip top condition at every single show.

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