Is it rude to give a standing ovation when no one else is?

[Mike Barrett]

Ive always thought about this topic. If you're in one of the first few rows, do you consider it rude for people to give a sntading o when others clearly arent? I personally don't think so nor do I think anyone here would, since they are applauding the performance they were just given. However I was at Miss Saigon last week in Boston and when the leads stood came out everybody stood up, but until then the lady next to me was NOT pleased with the woman giving a standing ovation to the entire cast. She was "Blocking her view of the show". Just curious as to others thoughts on this topic. I found the woman who was sitting to be ridiculous honestly. And to clarify, we aren't talking mid show standing ovations. We're talking curtain call.

[mailhandler777]

I don't think it's rude at all. I give standing ovations from the second the curtain rises because to me the ensemble deserves one as much as the leads.

[Lot666]

If the person "blocking her view of the show" was just standing there talking to their companion, then I'd say that person was very inconsiderate. However, a standing ovation is a gesture of appreciation for the performers and is no more "rude" than applause. Whether anyone else was also giving a standing ovation is irrelevant, because someone is always going to be the first to do it.

[kp]

I don’t think it is rude at all. Just as it isn’t rude not to stand if you don’t want to. I do think that the automatic standing ovation which seems to be the norm on Broadway and has sadly infected the West End, is rather sad. It’s like the word legend. Overused!  It has devalued the practice.  I do stand for something special if I am moved to do so. Nowadays people seem to stand for mediocre shows and so-so performances. What a shame.

[After Eight]

I agree with the woman who complained.

The solution is to stop giving standing ovations entirely. In the old days, applause alone sufficed. It would suffice equally today.

[BroadwayMarley]

Standing ovations are like a bell that cannot be unrung.  I don't see them stopping.  Also, I think they are nice for the performers who seem to enjoy them.  

[TheQuibbler]

After Eight said: "In the old days, applause alone sufficed. It would suffice equally today."

Yes, because the first documented standing ovation wasn’t until 2013. Such a new phenomena! 

[Pose2]

Not rude at all, the cast sees you, and they appreciate it. 

[BroadwayMarley]

I agree with Pose2.  Standing ovations are a good thing and the performers appreciate them.

[qolbinau]

I find it awkward when you don't feel it deserves a standing ovation - what do you do? You can sit down and look like an ungrateful sod who didn't enjoy it (even if I did), or stand with the crowd like everyone else does and as Sondheim (I think - or someone else) said "justify the cost of your ticket". I know this topic is done to death but standing ovations sadly seem meaningless in New York now :-/.

[dramamama611]

What do I do? I dont stand. I dont care what the strangers around me think.

[Mike Barrett]

Ink didn’t receive a full standing ovation when I saw it Tony week, so it happens. Neither did Hillary And Clinton from what I could see. As others have said I’m usually happy to stand even if I’m the only one, and I’m a tall guy. Always happy to applaud the performers and I agree I go right as the curtain is up if I love a show.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

TheQuibbler said: "After Eight said: "In the old days, applause alone sufficed. It would suffice equally today."

Yes, because the first documented standing ovation wasn’t until 2013. Such a new phenomena!"

It's hard to tell whether the above was sarcastic, but standing ovations have been around since the time of Ancient Rome, and they became associated with the theater in the 17th century. <<edited by BWW staff>>

http://mentalfloss.com/article/89214/how-did-standing-ovation-originate

[SweetLips22]

If you sit and everyone else is standing, you can't see a bloody thing.

Apart from throwing myself on stage at the feet of Megan Hilty last week, then best I could do without internally combusting, was to give her a standing ovation, and yell a lot!

I would never stand alone, just make a loud noise because clapping in not enough--loved the wooden floors when the stamping created such a racket of appreciation.

Stand sit blow raspberries leave---do what you want, you bought the ticket.

PS----My pet hate is the audience clapping in time to the music as the ensemble and minor cast members take their bow. It robs them of their individual 'thanks yous' as it's just a musical clapp-a-long.

[dramamama611]

So be it.   I'm not going to stand during CCs if I don't feel its warranted.

[Mister Matt]

No.

[Impossible2]

I can't even remember the last time I gave a S.O.

The last few things I've seen there was no way I was standing up x

[TheQuibbler]

RaisedOnMusicals said: "It's hard to tell whether the above was sarcastic, but standing ovations have been around since the time of Ancient Rome, and they became associated with the theater in the 17th century. <>

http://mentalfloss.com/article/89214/how-did-standing-ovation-originate"

I was being sarcastic but I love Mental Floss so appreciate the link anyway. 

[Broadway Joe]

I usually stand simply for the fact that by the time most shows end and with mostly miserable leg room in most theatres that I'm ready to stand up at the end.

Whether I give applause or not depends if I liked the show or not.

[After Eight]

Whether a production, from an artistic point of view, merits a standing ovation or does not change the fact that if you stand, then the person behind you must also stand in order to see the curtain calls. What if that person doesn't wish to stand? That person misses the curtain calls. 

Consideration for others, in the theatre, as in all aspects of life, is definitely worth considering.

[A0326T]

I stand up because if I don't I see behinds ... wide receivers ...

[magictodo123]

mailhandler777 said: "I don't think it's rude at all. I give standing ovations from the second the curtain rises because to me the ensemble deserves one as much as the leads."

^^ I’m with you. Within the last few months whenever I see a show I stand from the end of the finale because of everyone on that stage. 

[GavestonPS]

After Eight said: "I agree with the woman who complained.

The solution is to stop giving standing ovations entirely. In the old days, applause alone sufficed. It would suffice equally today."

I know you were on the Ark with Noah, but standing ovations have been around for centuries. Do I think they are overdone nowadays? Yes. But times change and a standing ovation hurts whom exactly?

[GavestonPS]

dramamama611 said: "What do I do? I dont stand. I dont care what the strangers around me think."

I don't care what strangers think of me either, but at some point remaining seated seems to become a potentially unintended comment on the performance. I'd rather stand at that point than give the impression I am making a negative comment on a show I enjoyed. (Of course, I'm talking about when my friend gives me her fifth row center seat, where I am visible to the performers. When I'm in the seats I can afford in the mezzanine, I do as I please.)

[EthelMae]

Mixd bag for me. I don’t really like everyone standing the second an Ensemble member starts the bows. I guess it could be a real feeling of thankfulness for what they just saw but it feels phony to me.

When I saw Bill Irwin/Kathleen Turner in Albee’s Virginia Woolf I was in the first row center. I didn’t stand at the end. I really liked it but it was a pleasure just to be in the first row and not have to stand to see the bows. I remember Ms. Turner looked down at me and smiled. I hope she was really pleased! 

And now I eat crow on bows. I saw the OBC of Pacific Overtures 17 times. I would be there on a Tuesday night when the house was 1/4 full and stand the second the bows started. I remember a cast member nudging a fellow actor and pointing towards me. I don’t know if he was pleased or thought I was a nut.