standing ovations- Page 2

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 3/22/04 at 7:34pm

I was disappoitned when I went to see Cabaret in December...hardly anyone stood up...I was so excited that Adam did so well, I had to give him a standing ovation :) However, it's hard to stand up in that orchestra, since everyone's so squashed.

The only show I've ever been at that I didn't see a single standing ovation was Urban Cowboy.

Boy From Oz was the only time I've ever seen an entire audience on their feet in the middle of a show.

I was surprised at the end of Fiddler on the Roof how everyone sprang to their feet so quickly.

[lostwallflower]

Posted: 3/22/04 at 8:18pm

I refused to give an SO for Movin Out. The dancers were amazing, but the show was crap and I just couldn't bring myself to stand. However my fondest memory was The King and I, I was the only one to stand in my section. She saw me and waved. It was awesome. When she saw me at the stage door she thanked me and was very sweet. I give a standing O to who I think deserves it, be it a chorus or a lead. I do agree it should be saved for the exceptional, but face it, their are a LOT of talented performers on B'way!

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 3/22/04 at 10:41pm

I think I am generous with my standing ovations.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 3/22/04 at 10:52pm

me too. when i am in the theater watching a show, i am a fan. sure, i like to critique a show as well, but i really just want to be entertained, and broadway just does it for me
so i do give a lot of SO's, just never when i dont feel that the show deserves it.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 3/22/04 at 11:03pm

nystate I feel the same way

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/23/04 at 3:39am

While I'd like to be as brave as those who can resolutely remain seated during SO (esp you, whoever didn't stand up for Boy From Oz in the front row! lol), I'm a weenie and bend to the implied peer pressure to stand when everyone else is shooting glares at me for not thinking the Miss Saigon tour and Blast were worth SOing over. But if I was in plain view of the performers, I might stand, out of support for them. I worked for Cirque Du Soleil last year and I felt so badly for the performers who notice those few who don't stand and bitched about it backstage afterwards. But hey, it's nice to have a bit of humble pie.

On the flip side, how many people are comfortable being the first to initiate a SO? Because not too many people will notice you if you don't stand, but EVERYONE notices the one guy who stands and cheers amid a sea of bored faces that are all thinking the same thing: Gee, this guy is too easy to impress!

[Michelleruth]

Posted: 3/23/04 at 7:33am

So far, all the B'way shows I've attended have received S.O's...but not every Off B'way show.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 3/23/04 at 8:47am

I find in this neck of the woods, a musical will get a standing ovation every single time. Regardless of the performance quality. Straight plays have to be utterly fantastic to pull an SO out.

I'm an initiator though. I like to slip in and watch the end of particularly sudden finales and bask in the brief moment of silence while the audience sits in their seats not knowing exactly what to do. Then I'll start the applause from my perch in the back.

This was the case in a recent production of Ibsen's Ghosts... FANTASTIC, I can't say enough good things, but opening night was the only SO they got. I think half of it was the sudden nature of the ending. People were shell shocked. I stood for them every time.

Our current production of Death of a Salesman is getting people out of their seats really fast, but that show is a masterpiece...

[Lorelai]

Posted: 3/24/04 at 1:09am

SO's are definately more common these days.

But there are two SO's that stick out in my mind

1. Thoroughly Modern Millie - I think the audience roared when she came out for her curtain call. It was Sutton's last show and she gave a wonderful performance.

2. Chess benefit for the Actor's Fund - amazing cast, wonderful show. One of the best performances I have seen on stage.