Getting Rid of Intermission and a Few Other Things...

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/12/21 at 9:48pm

On a different platform I read an article about how shows should be getting rid of intermissions. 

Now there would be a few problems. First: how about the crew members working the show? They'd be stuck in a booth for however long the show is without a bathroom break or anything? That's not healthy. Second, the ACTORS can't sing and dance for an hour and a half, two hours, without a break and I think it is EXTREMELY unrealistic to think that they could. And don't say "then they shouldn't be an actor". No one can do that. Elle Woods is non stop through Legally Blonde but even an actor in that role deserves a break (just an example). 

 

Second, I read something about how people think theater has too many rules. That theater should be more relaxed, have people coming and going, be able to have late entrances, get up to use the bathroom whenever they want, etc. First, late entrances...isn't that just a TAD inconvenient to house managers, ACTORS if they have house entrances in the audience, if they exit through the audience...could you imagine Eliza in My Fair Lady leaving at the end of the show, RIGHT when an audience member thinks, "Gee, now is a great time for me to get up and stretch my legs" before she even exits, before the show is even over? Is it more about what the audience wants now? Is there no respect for actors???

EDIT: Sorry! Here's the article in question...https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/cut-the-intermission-please-why-i-hope-the-pandemic-ends-a-theatrical-tradition/ar-BB1gCu35?ocid=uxbndlbing

Updated On: 5/13/21 at 09:48 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/12/21 at 9:51pm

If it's a show over 2 hours it's never going to get it's intermission cut. Those are liquor and merch sales they're leaving on the floor. I'd assume it's also in violation of many unions.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/12/21 at 10:04pm

TheatreFan4 said: "If it's a show over 2 hours it's never going to get it's intermission cut. Those are liquor and merch sales they're leaving on the floor. I'd assume it's also in violation of many unions."

SUCH A GREAT POINT!!!! Thank you!! I didn't even factor in the unions!!! That'd be a whole other discussion they'd have to have and who would agree to that? How exactly would you go from Defying Gravity to Thank Goodness without an intermission? 

[UrNotAMachine]

Posted: 5/12/21 at 10:04pm

I personally love shows that are one act, especially when they clock in around 90 minutes or so. But I also think that if a show is over 2 hours there needs to be an intermission of some sort. I totally understand the appeal of every scene having the momentum of the previous scene, and not unnecessarily breaking up the action with an act break.  But at a certain point, I'd much rather be able to give my full attention to the final ten minutes of a show, rather than be forced to focus on not pissing myself. To me, it's a worthy trade-off to allow a short break at the story's natural midpoint than have the entire audience antsy and otherwise occupied at the show's climax.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 5/12/21 at 10:22pm

Like UrNotAMachine, I love a good one act show (generally tidier than a two act show and you get out earlier), and I think there might be more impetus for the 90-100 minute shows in the near future. Everything I've heard about getting rid of intermission seemed to have been in regards to covid and preventing people from moving around/clustering in a way that could increase spread, though if your article makes a different point I'd love to see it. I highly doubt anyone is out there saying Les Mis shouldn't have an intermission. (Also, think of the poor musicians in the pit too)

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/12/21 at 10:40pm

hearthemsing22 said: "They'd be stuck in a booth for however long the show is without a bathroom break or anything? That's not healthy. Second, the ACTORS can't sing and dance for an hour and a half, two hours, without a break and I think it is EXTREMELY unrealistic to think that they could. And don't say "then they shouldn't be an actor". No one can do that." 

 

I genuinely admire your desire to prioritize worker safety and comfort, but these are simply not true statements, or at least not universally true. 2h+ shows with no intermission are uncommon on Broadway, but they're not that uncommon in the theatre world at large. The longest production I've seen with no intermission was 2h45m. Granted, that's an outlier, but I've seen tons of shows that were about 2h to 2h15 with no intermission. Not to mention there are plenty of other jobs in the world that might require someone to go 2h30m without a bathroom break. So to say that "no one can do it" is simply not true. 

Does that mean there should be no regard for circumstances, and the difficulty of the show, and the demands on workers? No, of course not. It should be case-by-case, as it already is. No show is required to have an intermission or not. So yes, I agree that intermissions shouldn't be eliminated willy-nilly, especially if the decision is based solely on audience experience, without regard for the demands of the show - both in terms of the storytelling, and the workers. 

But I do think sometimes the intermission on Broadway is given too much power. Merch/drink sales shouldn't dictate whether a show has an intermission. And likewise, neither should general expectation or custom. For example, you see shows like Frozen, which bend over backward to have the Act 1 Finale that the audience expects, that they sacrifice the logic of the story. So I am in favor of getting rid of unnecessary intermissions, if they are in fact unnecessary. And if that's the case, we can't dismiss that possibility offhand just by saying "cast and crew are incapable of doing that" because in many cases, they probably are capable. And they'd be able to get home 20 minutes earlier every night. 
 

Updated On: 5/12/21 at 10:40 PM

[Tag]

Posted: 5/12/21 at 10:41pm

I'm pretty sure there aren't any guidelines in the AEA production contract regarding intermissions.

[rkade21]

Posted: 5/12/21 at 11:03pm

If people want all that, go to a movie theater.

I just finished reading Jack Viertel’s chapter on the act one curtain so I’m feeling especially salty while reading these ideas!

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 12:25am

When I read the original article I was shocked by how ill-informed and naive it was. To the extent that it is related to covid, it misapprehends where we will be before theatres open. It absurdly assumes that audiences will sit still without intermission for more than 2 hours max, even if the cast and crew would. The effect on sales, at a time that the theatre is gasping for air no less, is horrifying to think about. But most astonishing to me is that he presumes that writers want to be told how to structure their plays. I think he was drunk when he wrote this.   

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 1:50am

HogansHero said: "It absurdly assumes that audiences will sit still without intermission for more than 2 hours max, even if the cast and crew would."

Please! They can't even sit still for a 90-minute show!

[sparksatmidnight]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 2:12am

I feel sorry to whoever wrote that... so many missed opportunities, so many act 1 closers unappreciated because they were probably thinking "oh no not an intermission". About too many rules... I think we should be enforcing them more instead of getting rid of them

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 2:40am

Silly. Just look at the new Justice League movie that is almost 4 hours and, I'd assume, most people would have sat through at the theater. Sure, some people would get up and go to the bathroom, but for the most part, people would have sat through no problem. 

But live theater is different. I mean, even in a live concert the start leaves the stage for a good bit to change costumes, regroup, drink some water, etc. You need a break. The audience needs a break. It's just a different beast. 

And musicals, for the most part, are structured this way. and I think it's wonderful. You get to turn to your date/friend/guest and talk about what you saw, you get to stretch your legs because those theaters are so damn small, you get to go refresh your beverage or check your phone. 

I just don't think people get that these are living breathing people who are WORKING literally 5 feet from you and to respect their space and what they are doing. 

[JayElle]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 9:01am

rkade21 said: "If people want all that, go to a movie theater.

I just finished reading Jack Viertel’s chapter on the act one curtain so I’m feeling especially salty while reading these ideas!"

So what did it say? Not all of us know story.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 10:43am

Many shows with an intermission have a major set change during intermission and I can't see many of them altering their show just to eliminate it. It's also a good 15 minute break for the actors to sit, hydrate and actually use the bathroom.

[unclevictor]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 11:24am

ACL2006 said: "Many shows with an intermission have a major set change during intermission and I can't see many of them altering their show just to eliminate it. It's also a good 15 minute break for the actors to sit, hydrate and actually use the bathroom."

Yes, but only the actors. No one else.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 11:45am

"So what did it say? Not all of us know the story."

I think this is the article in question, JayElle.

"Many shows with an intermission have a major set change during intermission and I can't see many of them altering their show just to eliminate it."

Exactly. This is just one of the many flaws of the article.

[NameGreg]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 11:56am

There’s also shows where getting rid of the intermission just doesn’t work creatively, like Into the Woods’ wildly different acts not being separated by that barrier.

Updated On: 5/13/21 at 11:56 AM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 12:22pm

A CHORUS LINE runs about 2 hours and never had an intermission. Only non-Broadway productions add an intermission smack in the middle of the “Hello, 12” number.

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 8:05pm

hearthemsing22 said: "On a different platform I read an article about how showsshould be getting rid of intermissions.

Now there would be a few problems. First: how about the crew members working the show? They'd be stuck in a booth for however long the show is without a bathroom break or anything? That's not healthy. Second, the ACTORS can't sing and dance for an hour and a half, two hours, without a break and I think it is EXTREMELY unrealistic to think that they could. And don't say "then they shouldn't be an actor". No one can do that. Elle Woods is non stop through Legally Blonde but even an actor in that role deserves a break (just an example).



Second, I read something about how people think theater has too many rules. That theater should be more relaxed, have people coming and going, be able to have late entrances, get up to use the bathroom whenever they want, etc. First, late entrances...isn't that just a TAD inconvenient to house managers, ACTORS if they have house entrances in the audience, if they exit through the audience...could you imagine Eliza in My Fair Lady leaving at the end of the show, RIGHT when an audience member thinks, "Gee, now is a great time for me to get up and stretch my legs" before she even exits, before the show is even over? Is it more about what the audience wants now? Is there no respect for actors???"

Isn't Bobby/Bobbie onstage throughout most (if not all) of Company? That's also a role with a lot of singing,solos and numbers.

 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 8:29pm

fosterfan2 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "On a different platform I read an article about how showsshould be getting rid of intermissions.

Now there would be a few problems. First: how about the crew members working the show? They'd be stuck in a booth for however long the show is without a bathroom break or anything? That's not healthy. Second, the ACTORS can't sing and dance for an hour and a half, two hours, without a break and I think it is EXTREMELY unrealistic to think that they could. And don't say "then they shouldn't be an actor". No one can do that. Elle Woods is non stop through Legally Blonde but even an actor in that role deserves a break (just an example).



Second, I read something about how people think theater has too many rules. That theater should be more relaxed, have people coming and going, be able to have late entrances, get up to use the bathroom whenever they want, etc. First, late entrances...isn't that just a TAD inconvenient to house managers, ACTORS if they have house entrances in the audience, if they exit through the audience...could you imagine Eliza in My Fair Lady leaving at the end of the show, RIGHT when an audience member thinks, "Gee, now is a great time for me to get up and stretch my legs" before she even exits, before the show is even over? Is it more about what the audience wants now? Is there no respect for actors???"

Isn't Bobby/Bobbie onstage throughout most (if not all) of Company? That's also a role with a lot of singing,solos and numbers.

"

Bobby/Bobbie might be onstage a lot, not all throughout the show. I did see the first preview of the revival. Bu this show also has an intermission. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 8:39am

Those of us at a "certain age" could never make it through a 2 1/2 hour show without a visit to the toilet. As it is, I check the running times of movies and if they're longish, I make sure I sit in an aisle seat close to the exit because I know I'll be darting out to the men's room for a quick visit.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 10:11am

This is something that's been in discussion in the opera world as well, as we prepare to go forward to with post-pandemic programming. Obviously the needs of the story come first - if a stage production is best suited to being a four-hour, two-intermission monster (e.g., Osage County), then that's necessary. On the other hand, it's been pretty broadly demonstrated that an 80-120 minute no-intermission piece can be extremely successful on its own (e.g., Fun Home), and in some cases can snag a different audience than a more classic full-evening piece.

The point about the differing architecture of stage and movie theaters affecting audience behavior is also valid, though there's also a discussion to be had about the construction of a stage piece itself and the different demands it makes on an audience's attention as opposed to a movie. I think it was Jack Viertel who talked about the main benefit of standing at the back of the auditorium during a performance as being able to see the audience lean forwards in their seats, which is an indication of group enrapture. Perhaps that's a payoff of restricting the audience's mobility.

[Joshua Rosenthal]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 10:14am

I believe, if whst someone who I know who used to be on Broadway told me is correct, every hour of rehearsals or performance, the performers and I believe crew as well are obligated by union rules to a 15 minute break. Even for shows that are in between 1 to 2 hours, their break I believe is then technically before the show starts since there won’t be intermission there. In terms of most musicals however, there would then have to be a break by union rules unless they plan on changing that which I highly doubt considering many people on both sides of the curtain really need a break during the show at some point.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 11:36am

That “article”- really, it’s an opinion piece airing the writer’s kvetching- is inane and barely can support its own assertions. In fact, it often seems to undercut them.

Intermissions aren’t going anywhere.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 11:48am

Joshua Rosenthal said: "I believe, if whst someone who I know who used to be on Broadway told me is correct, every hour of rehearsals or performance, the performers and I believe crew as well are obligated by union rules to a 15 minute break. Even for shows that are in between 1 to 2 hours, their break I believe is then technically before the show starts since there won’t be intermission there. In terms of most musicals however, there would then have to be a break by union rules unless they plan on changing that which I highly doubt considering many people on both sides of the curtain really need a break during the show at some point."

 

I'm not in the union, so I can't claim to know the rules for sure, but what you're saying doesn't sound totally correct to me. Don't most actors have a half hour call before curtain? In theory, I guess that could count as a "break" since they aren't performing, but aren't they spending a big chunk of that time getting in costume and makeup? It seems to me that Equity wouldn't let that fly as a "break." Unless the call-time is earlier for shows that have no intermission, but that doesn't seem right either. Is it possible that the rule you're thinking of only applies to rehearsal, not performance?