Standing ovation etiquette?

[Dave13]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 2:05am

Is there an unwritten rule on giving a standing ovation at the end of the show?

I always try to remain in my seat until the lead actors come out to take a bow. I always thought it was a way to give appreciation to the leading cast, by reserving the standing ovation until they came out. Always love to see the audience stand at once when the leading actors come out at the end. Other times I will stand if I thought the supporting cast had an outstanding performance.

I have notice audiences are all over the place. Sometimes everyone is standing at the end, while other times very few stand.

Does anyone else try to do something different, or just stand whenever you like?

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 2:18am

Once, a very VERY long time ago, people only gave a standing ovation if the show was the bet thing they had ever seen, changed their life, or moved them deeply. Now, it seems people just want to feel compensated for paying $100+ for a ticket and they'd probably give MOOSE MURDERS a standing ovation.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 2:24am

I know the overuse of standing ovations drives many on here crazy. While it is a bit frustrating, it's not as if anyone in the theatre, actors included, looks at a standing ovation as being anything more than applause used to be.

I like seeing all of the curtain call, and unless I'm particularly moved, I won't stand up until I have to by necessity because others in front of me are standing, so I don't miss anything. The only times I've leapt to my feet this season have been for Vanya and for Pippin as soon as the curtain call began. I've never heard of or felt compelled to wait to give an obligatory standing ovation to the leading actors, though I've found that tends to be when audiences seem to stand nowadays no matter what.

While the overuse of standing ovations is a bit irksome, I can deal with it, so long as the audience is quiet during the show.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 2:36am

When I worked on The Emperor Jones at the Irish Rep it was refreshing to see appreciative audiences remain seated but applaud enthusiastically and shout "Bravo!". Yes there were many standing O's but they seemed somewhat less classy.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 9:12am

IF I choose to give a standing O, it could be at any time. If I was utterly moved by the enitre production, I will stand right at the begining of the CC.

If I loved the show, but thought that a specific actor is what amazed me the most or really stood out amongst the others, I'll stand when that person takes their bow.

I will not stand "just" because someone in front of me blocks my way, even though its annoying that I can't see. If I don't feel that the show was outstanding, I will politely applaud (at whatever level I feel appropriate) from my seat.

There is no right or wrong or protocol.

[suestorm]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 9:24am

i think its personal preference. I almost always give O's to the main performers and i know thats not always popular. i just feel they work so hard and put their love and sweat into it that its a small way for me to show i appreciate all the hard work and tears they put into it. I feel embarrassed or sad when a performer is bowing and no one is standing. On the other hand, my sisters who i go to most of the shows with often try and pull me down.

Updated On: 8/16/13 at 09:24 AM

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 10:52am

I am sure there would be a standing O when you leave for good.

[suestorm]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 10:58am

SNAFU, school starts soon but ^^ Becca ^^ has a message for you:

Updated On: 8/16/13 at 10:58 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 10:59am

I believe, based on my experiences, that standing ovations are required anytime one of two things occur:

1)The entrance of a star
2)A curtain call

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 11:02am

Do what you feel like doing when you feel like doing it. I gave Katie Finneran a standing ovation when she first came out for her Promises, Promises call because I thought watching her performance was like seeing God.

Meanwhile, I find myself standing up constantly for no other reason other than that at curtain call I'd rather see the cast than the behinds of the people in front of me.

Updated On: 8/16/13 at 11:02 AM

[OperaBwayLover]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 11:18am

Y'know, now that I think about it, the worst kind of standing ovation is the five second standing ovation. It happens in New Orleans all the time, at least when Broadway tours come to town. As a volunteer usher, I cannot tell you how many times I've seen people jump to their feet, clap for a few seconds, then make a beeline for the exit. Sometimes this happens before the entire cast is onstage for the full company bow. It's so rude.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 11:32am

Like others have mentioned, I give standing ovation if the show was fantastic or maybe it is just a individual performer being amazing. I find myself very rarely giving a show a standing ovation as soon as the CC begins, "Newsies" was one of the few recent exceptions. Most of my standing ovations have been for the "stars" of the show if warranted.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 11:34am

I stand when I felt I saw something exemplary. These days, I am often sitting behind rows of standing patrons, but then again I don't think I've ever seen a show where literally *no one* stood. It has become a watered-down honor.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 11:41am

When I saw Jersey Boys in Providence, Chris Messina received a standing o after Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You. It gave me goose bumps. That crowd was really into it. I think he somewhat deserved it. But for the end of the show I will stand mostly when everyone else does just because I'm usually in the back and it doesn't really make a difference if I stand. I think it's a nice gesture to thank the performers for their work that evening.

[gchris11]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 11:43am

I am with DramaMama. She has said it best.