standing ovations - overdone?

9 years ago

We attended a dinner theater performance (a musical) with professional (unknown) actors. It was nicely done. Seven piece band, nine performers. Music, costumes, voices, choreography, staging... all well done. It was an enjoyable experience. Oh, and the audience makeup was older, mostly certainly past retirement age... lots of silver hair!

At the close of the final song, some people in the front immediately rose for a standing ovation. I observed others close by hesitating, then rising as well. Slowly, more of the audience followed suit, until more than half were on their feet.

Now, this was a good show... good, not great, not superlative, not 'blow-you-away' stupendous. However, I see this occur regularly, anymore. It's like people think this is proper conduct following ANY performance, and sound applause is not enough. Also, if there is an encore of some sort, these standing people totally block the view of those remaining seated.

I can readily understand this behavior when attending children's performances, preschool through high school. Whether you are parent, another relative or close friend, there is an attachment, and a greater demonstration of appreciation is warranted.

But this every-time standing O, for any sort of performance, has me wondering. Are people overjoyed that easily, or do they simply not know better?????

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Comments (8)

Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
" Are people overjoyed that easily, or do they simply not know better?????"

I think it's yes and yes. And maybe they don't get out much or have much experience with the situation. Here are some more....

You're at a movie theater and some number of people constantly laugh, chuckle or exclaim at things that aren't close to deserving their reaction.

You're at a bar or sports bar watching a game of some kind, and some number of people scream, shout, or exclaim at things that are not anywhere close to deserving their reaction.

You're at, say, a rock music performance and some person (always female) decides she needs to perform what she thinks is the most exotic and sexual dance anyone ever saw. Standing up while everyone is seated and peaking out of her eye for people staring at her. PS - the person usually doing so and the dance being done are almost always not worth looking at and they are almost always ignored. But they'll block your view and ignore requests to be seated.

It takes away from my enjoyment too, but it happens.
sheilajoyce_gw
9 years ago
I remember a standing ovation at a high school graduation here. It was for the one or few (can't remember) boys accepting commission to the military. I was so proud of that audience. That was more than deserved.
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marie_ndcal
9 years ago
Sometimes as we sit a bit too long, we feel we need to stand and maybe this an excuse. But I agree, as some people do jump up and applaud just to be seen by others in the audience. I have even seen it done in churches and do not always agree.
rob333 (zone 7b)
9 years ago
Or maybe it's well deserved, depending on the judgement of those who stood?, since we can't read minds! I was at performance with 10 or so ensembles. Every one of the groups got a standing ovation. Weird! They didn't rank that highly to me, so I only stood for those I liked that well. Peer pressure probably applies to some people.
ellendi
9 years ago
Interesting that is most mostly a silver haired group? Maybe there is a point in your life that you just like to show gratitude?
peoniesandposies
9 years ago
Yes, yes, yes!!!!!! Way overdone, especially at school events. I always wonder how will these kids know when they've really done something great when the response level is always the same.
User
9 years ago
Quite a few years ago I realized that there are a great number of folks who are unaware of the real meaning to standing ovations. They seem to think that it is just the normal way to end a performance.

So many of the older protocols are forgotten.

Alas!!
sylviatexas1
9 years ago
That old custom of a standing ovation only for an extraordinary performance originated when almost nobody got to go to the symphony or ballet.

Performances were always made before a very well-heeled, usually aristocratic, audience.

Most people's experience with the performing arts was limited to Christmas pageants at their churches.

Today, we can hear wonderful music on the radio, we can see beautiful ballet on tv, & most of us can enjoy live performances at very reasonable prices.

Performers today aren't the performers your great-great-great-grandfather the duke knew;
they're not dependent on the approval of an aristocratic audience or patron, but on the attendance of a lot of more everyday people.

When they had to please the aristocracy, a standing ovation was a very *judged* response, much as a rave review from a movie critic is a judged response.

Today, audience response has a lot more to do with the appreciation the audience feels for the performance;
audiences are no longer composed of critics, self-appointed or paid.

People who perform bring joy & light & happiness to their audiences;
the least I can do in return is show appreciation.

I'm in favor of applauding/cheering/standing up for any performer-
singer, dancer, comedian, trapeze artist, church choir (yes, I have gone to a church in which the congregation applauded the choir; it was refreshing & I loved it), musician, baton twirler, guy who spins plates on the Ed Sullivan Show-
who's put himself/herself "out there" to perform for other people.

Too much tastefulness, especially self-conscious tastefulness, isn't good for anybody;
just ask Hyacinth Bucket's husband, relatives, & neighbors.

standing ovations - overdone?

Comments (8)

Elmer J Fudd

sheilajoyce_gw

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