Where readers stand on ovation fatigue
Plus: The news of the week — Honeywell to split into 3 companies; Roy Cooper to teach at Harvard; Brooklyn Village developer reduces apartments; Lovin’ Life Music Fest lineup announced
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Tired of the ‘required’ rise? Charlotteans share frustrations over forced applause
TO STAND … OR NOT TO STAND? Standing ovations are an international sign of appreciation for a good performance — but do we give them out too liberally in Charlotte? (Photo by Vlah Dumitru/Unsplash)
Ledger arts critic Lawrence Toppman took Charlotte to task last week for its habit of giving standing ovations to every performance — and readers overwhelmingly agreed.
In our unscientific poll with 219 votes, 87% of respondents said audiences should stand sparingly, with just 13% agreeing with standing early and often.
We also asked readers to share their thoughts. Here’s a sampling of what they had to say, with responses lightly edited for brevity and clarity:
“I used to enjoy live performances in Charlotte, but over the years, I have tired of the meaningless audience standing ovations that deflate the experience. Glad to know I am not the only one! I have attended performances in Greenville, S.C., and they do the same, so I agree it does seem to be a southern practice.” — Maureen Gilewski
“Toppman has nailed it. Applause should always be in kind with the performance. Therefore, performers should truly earn the applause they get, whether small or great. So then, people need to grow up.” — Thomas Trotter
“I agree with Lawrence Toppman: standing ovations should be reserved for outstanding performances. However, after many performances in Charlotte, I stand because everyone else around me in the audience is standing, and I do not want to appear as if I don’t appreciate the performance. I think it is more appropriate to applaud until the curtain is down after a curtain call, or until the musicians in concert have gotten completely offstage, instead of leaving them ‘stranded.’” — Barbara Williamson
“I stand sparingly, when I’m moved by the performance to jump up and applaud. The exception is if it is a very intimate venue and others are standing; it is sometimes awkward to stay seated.” — Linda Ashendorf
“I totally agree, unless it was an outstanding performance. I WILL stand with my hat off, hand over my heart, and whisper the words to the National Anthem (I’m a terrible singer). Hopefully people will take the hint. I doubt it, though.” — Rick G.
“I, too, have grown so weary and wary of automatic standing ovations at literally EVERY Broadway Lights performance at Belk and other Charlotte venues, and Theatre Charlotte productions that I’ve attended. The number of times I’ve rolled my eyes and stood aghast, after an average ‘meh’ performance, commenting to my partner, ‘Oh Lord, here they go again,’ is now in the upper dozens, if not nearing 100. Now so painful that I no longer choose to attend road-show Broadway performances in our fair city. I simply cannot.” — John Lincoln
“I have been stunned and annoyed for years at the ‘required’ standing after every performance even in NYC (tourists). Standing at everything means an ovation is worth nothing. However this practice got started, it has to stop. I never stand —never. My silent and seated protest.” — Deborah Bosley
“It’s the same in Columbia, S.C.!” — Eddie Huss
“Persuading audiences to not stand for nearly every performance is like trying to get them to use pronouns properly — a losing battle (“Me and Larry,” not gender designations, although Trump may quash that). Language evolves despite all the rules proscripters put on it, and culture shifts by the masses, not any single individual. Perhaps folks will begin to sit through curtain calls, but I doubt it. It’s uncomfortable being ‘that guy’ who refuses to stand, so I usually, belatedly, and reluctantly do.” — George Bohmfalk
“Thank you for your insight. I’ve often wondered why Charlotte audiences give ovations to every live performance I’ve been to. Many times, I’m only standing at the end because I feel like I have to, not because I feel the performance deserved it.” — Sally Swanson
“I have often times not agreed with Lawrence Toppman over the decades, but he is dead on this time. Thanks for saying what we are all thinking.” — Chris Kearns
“‘The standing ovation has devolved to the equivalent of polite applause.’ That’s what my head wants to say. My heart, though, wonders if new audiences are so extraordinarily wowed by art they have little to no exposure of, that they can’t help but stand to their feet. That is the universal sign of a good show, and they have learned that by seeing it on a screen. But then you have the ‘me toos’ who decide to stand because others are. Maybe that’s how we end up with such large standing ovations.” — S. Monserrate
This week in Charlotte: Middle school parents rally around teacher; Walmart closing Charlotte office; New record for airport passengers; Could ‘Charlotte Sting’ WNBA team return?
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
Middle school parents rally around teacher: (Ledger) Parents at Carmel Middle School are calling for the return of former athletic director and PE teacher Linden Beasley, who was suspended and reassigned after what parents say was an altercation with a colleague.
CMS weighs in on immigration enforcement: (WFAE) The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education released a statement Monday on immigration enforcement, saying no enforcement actions have taken place on CMS campuses and that it will comply with state and federal laws. It said employees are obligated to safeguard student information and that immigration officials are not permitted at schools without a court order or warrant.
UNC Chapel Hill enrollment: (News & Observer) UNC Chapel Hill plans to increase its enrollment by 5,000 students over the next decade, with 500 additional first-year students joining this fall.
Politics
Professor Roy Cooper: (News & Observer) Former N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper will teach at Harvard University for eight weeks while considering a potential 2026 Senate run against Republican Thom Tillis.
Judge backs elections board in judicial race: (WRAL) A Wake County judge on Friday said state elections officials correctly threw out Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin’s challenges to tens of thousands of votes. State tallies show Democrat Allison Riggs won the contest by 734 votes, but Griffin alleged the elections board erred. An appeal is likely.
Local news
Brooklyn Village developer reduces apartments: (WFAE) The developer of the Brooklyn Village project in uptown is proposing to cut the number of apartments built in its first phase by half and have them all built as affordable housing. The new plan, contained in documents given to county commissioners, calls for 250 apartments, down from 522.
Music festival lineup announced: (Instagram) The Lovin’ Life Music Fest announced new additions to its lineup of artists this week, including rock band Weezer; Teddy Swims, known for his 2023 hit “Lose Control”; and rapper Ludacris. The music festival, to be held May 2-4, is in its second year.
New record for airport passengers: (Charlotte airport) The number of passengers traveling through Charlotte’s airport rose by 10% in 2024, to a record 58.8 million. About 70% are passengers who connected through Charlotte, though the number of local passengers also grew.
Business
Honeywell to split in 3: (Ledger 🔒) Honeywell will split into three companies, with its automation division staying in Charlotte, while the aerospace division moves to Phoenix and the future of the advanced materials headquarters remains undecided.
Walmart closing Charlotte office: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) Walmart is closing its corporate office in Charlotte, which has 267 employees at the Three Water Ridge building off Tyvola Road. The retail giant is asking its Charlotte employees to relocate to the company’s Arkansas headquarters or to an office in the San Francisco area.
Sports
Return of the Charlotte Sting? (The Athletic on X/Twitter) The WNBA has filed a trademark application for the name “Charlotte Sting” and four names connected to other defunct teams in Cleveland, Miami, Houston and Detroit. The women’s pro basketball league previously had a team in Charlotte under that name from 1997 to 2006.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
A bigger golf tournament at Quail Hollow: Charlotte is set to host the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club from May 12-18, bringing twice as many players and increased global attention compared to the annual Wells Fargo Championship. Tournament director Jason Soucy sat down on The Charlotte Ledger Podcast recently to discuss the event’s economic impact, unique fan experience and the significance of having all of the world’s top players competing.
Plus: Soldier aboard helicopter in fatal plane crash had NC ties; Why local towns are putting in fitness courts; Lovin' Life drops hints at its lineup; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police launches programs to boost video monitoring
Wednesday (🔒)
In one mountain community, a crisis comes into focus: Four months after Hurricane Helene devastated Swannanoa, displaced families are still struggling to find stable housing, but nonprofits and community efforts are helping rebuild homes and provide relief.
Friday (🔒)
Frustration over higher health costs: North Carolina teachers and state workers are facing rising health care costs, with higher copays and potential salary-based premiums, as the State Health Plan grapples with a massive budget shortfall.
Plus: Middle school parents rally around teacher; Honeywell's plan to split into 3 companies; Public records updates on city attorney salary and more; Ledger writer has a new book
Ways of Life (🔒)
Jo DeWitt Wilson, who passed away at 87, was a dynamic figure whose career spanned retail, real estate and NASCAR, where she became one of the sport’s first female track presidents.
New transit hurdle: A new federal transportation funding policy favoring high marriage and birth rates could jeopardize Charlotte’s transit expansion plans by limiting access to crucial grants.
She found refuge in a dump truck: Hurricane Helene left 78-year-old Carol McCollum and her son homeless after 28 years. Western North Carolina is in a housing crisis as thousands remain displaced.
Plus: 105th death confirmed; Trump visits Western N.C.; Former UNC coach Roy Williams pledges $10M; Buncombe County tourism hits Covid-era lows; FEMA extends deadline to apply for assistance
😁 Do something fun this weekend — send in a nomination for The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Awards!
What better way to celebrate the weekend than by nominating someone you admire for The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Awards, Presented by U.S. Bank!
Now in its sixth year, the 40 Over 40 Awards recognize difference-makers in our community who are in their 40s and beyond. You’re welcome to submit as many nominations as you’d like.
Time is ticking (nominations close later Feb. 17), so don’t miss out!
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A belated comment on our Standing O: I am convinced that Charlotte's standing ovations are a cover for leaving early. I get so frustrated by people dashing out as soon as the clapping starts. While I agree that we overuse standing ovations, our bigger sin is leaving en masse before the lights come up. Is being first in line out of the parking lot that important?