Hey Guys, I just stumbled across this thread.
As some of you realized, yes, ideally you send everyone back to their seats leaving you alone on stage to keep the focus on you while you wrap things up and bring it all to a successful conclusion. But there are no concrete rules; if my buddy David Thiel says a different approach works for him, I believe him!

Ken

I always make sure people are off the stage before finishing. Or I did when I was performing, to be clear. The idea of people making their way off stage while other people are standing, clapping, and/or exiting never struck me personally as professional. 100% my opinion and I’ll admit that I tried to convince myself otherwise to open up some really interesting closing effects. But I always make/made sure that they are not only off stage but back to where their seats were.

I actually decided to try to get a slot at the SF Fringe Festival this year and was wrestling with this exact conundrum. I didn’t get my name drawn though so I don’t have to worry now lol

No it's not a good point?

It is a good point that it's not really a standing O if you have to trick them into it.

Not so sure it's a trick as much as a plan.

I would imagine most TRULY sincere standing ovations are flukes.

I would imagine most standing ovations are planned and choreographed to HOPE it happens.

Would that be considered a trick?

Possibly

After having the participants return to their seats, you may finish off with a some closing remarks telling the audience you appreciate their time while speaking genuinely from the heart, as it is well received and allows you to speak to them showing your off stage persona. I've seen singers do this, and it's only logical as leaving the stage after the last song (or last effect) might be a bit weird.

What do you think?

Bendeck

Try both, then do what works best for you.

Well I think there is no right or wrong way, just make whatever way you go, your way.

But I do agree that a big finish routine with lots of people is great and then followed by just you. If your show is themed, then you use you last words to sum up and bring a conclusion to what have gone before. It can be comical, touching and personal or mystical depending on what has gone before and your style of show.

You start the show that way just you presenting yourself so it logically follows to end it that way. A nice conclusion.