Here is a question I have been pondering for a while now. Is the Standing Ovation being over-used? The past several days I have had the opportunity to attend multiple concerts and at the end of each concert the performers received a standing ovation from the audience members.
Now, please don't think I am complaining, because I did in fact enjoy all of these concerts. But it has me wondering if sometimes we are giving a standing ovation for performances that are not deserved. A few years ago I attended a musical performance that as I watched was marginal at best. The dancing was off-step, the singing was flat, and the performers projection was bad enough that key dialogue was missed. At the end of the performance, I was clapping as I felt adequate. Soon, members of the audience began standing and I felt forced to stand and clap for what I deemed as an undeserved ovation. Please I am not complaining, I know the performers put many hours into practice and rehearsal and they did work hard. But does that warrant the standing ovation?
I have always been under the impression that a standing ovation was to be reserved for an outstanding performance or for a performance that genuinely moved you. But I feel that as of late, standing ovations are the norm and not reserved for the extraordinary. I wonder is this happening everywhere, or is it just in the circles I run in.
So, I would love to hear your opinions? Have you attended a performance where an undeserved standing-O was given? Is this a Utah thing or does this happen more around the country? I really am curious to know what it is like where you live and what your opinion/experiences might be.
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