Talk Backs or Ego Strokes? A Little of Both?

I wonder what the hard working members of a theater company _ any company _ prefer to hear when they finish a performance...

Option A: I've seen this play seven times, and you captured that character better than anybody I've ever seen. You're even better than the guy in the movie.

or

Option B: Interesting how as Hamlet you tried to swallow Yorrick's skull. I've never see that done before. Was that your choice or the director's?

It seems to me that Option A has but one answer: "Thanks very much. I appreciate it" whereas B gives the performer the opportunity to actually talk a little bit. Since many of these questions/observations happen during post-show talk backs, I dunno which a thesp would find preferable. Everybody likes fans and praise. On the other hand...

The reason I wondered this is because I stayed behind for the talk-back following the Sunday matinee of A Noise Within's production of "The Rainmaker."

The crowd, which skewed older, showered the actors (all but one of whom came back onstage for the talkback, BTW) with praise. Over and over again. To the point where it got repetitive and a skosh monotonous. By the time some lady started telling actor Bo Foxworth (who plays Starbuck) that she follows him from performance to performance, I beat a path for the exit. I mean enough was kind of enough.

I enjoy talkbacks -- although I don't often get to attend them -- because you get a new window into the play. I guess as an alleged theater critic, I shouldn't be getting any new windows other than the ones I form myself while watching the damned thing. Considering I routinely swear to silence anybody who attends a play with me because I don't want to process THEIR opinion before I write my own, it seems sort of wrong to sit in a room with people positively loaded with thoughts.

Yeah, but sometimes I say tant pis and stay behind anyway.

I should say I usually enjoy talkbacks. Yesterday's "Rainmaker" love fest I coulda skipped. Not because the praise wasn't deserved (I'll review the play in the days ahead) or because the audience members didn't have the right to express their opinions. Of course they did, and when they're all sitting up there right after they've done their work, I guess there's no better time to shower them with roses. Or with tomatoes if you're brave.

I would have preferred a a few more play-related questions/observations and a bit less gushing. But I'm not an actor. Wonder what they think.

And, as always, I wonder what you think. Anybody go to these talk-backs? They're usually at the larger theaters like the Geffen or the Taper. A Noise Within schedules them regularly as well.