Call It

Let's talk about something important--curtain calls.  I've never quite understood the need for them.

You've just put on a show.  Given the audience a story, taken them on a journey.  Why should you step out of character at the end just so they can express their approval?

Years ago there were more curtain calls, actually.  There would be one at the end of each act (and there were more acts then).  So I suppose just keeping it down to one big one at the end is an improvement.

Maybe the best argument is the audience has got pent up happiness, so the big bow allows them to let it out (and also let the actors know which ones they liked best).

But if there's to be a curtain call, I suggest a few rules.  First, have the director choreograph it, so it looks professional, like the show we've just seen.  And, if possible, add a little kick.  For instance, a special goodbye song was written for the curtain in The Producers. Or, at the end of Arsenic And Old Lace, all the dead men referred to in the show but never seen actually came out.

But, above all, do it and get out.  Don't ring up the curtain over and over--unless the audience literally won't leave, which I doubt will happen.  In fact, if the curtain call goes on too long, I suggest we train audiences to walk out and teach the cast a lesson.