Actors and actresses who CANNOT sing- Page 3

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 4:24pm

Re: Ethel Merman

AS others have noted, she was a star in an era before microphones were used the theatre which necessarily required a completely different kind of singing than in the past 30+ years when body mics became commonplace (99% of today's singers could have NEVER been stars 50 years ago -- their voices can't carry into the mezzanine and they don't have the stamina to sing with such force 8 times a week). That kind of singing was not designed to make pretty sounds cooing into a microphone like today's singers do (which is why Merman and others of the era sound so unsubtle on record) -- it was designed to be heard over 28 piece orchestras in 1400 seat houses without amplification. No one who didn't see her live in a theatre has any idea how apparently exhilarating and overwhelming Merman's voice was to experience and has any business criticizing her -- her formidable gifts could not be captured on record.

Also, if she was such a limited talent and just a "belter" then why did Cole Porter write 5 shows for her, composing songs specifically with her voice in mind (and not just belting numbers, but some of his most beautiful ballads)? Why did Irving Berlin write two of his greatest scores specifically for her? Why did Gershwin choose her to debut one of his biggest hits "I Got Rhythm" (and after she stopped the show opening night tell her to never sing it any other way)? These were the most powerful men on Broadway who could have chosen any singer on the planet to sing their music -- and any singer would have killed to be in their shows -- yet they chose Merman above all others. It's more than a simple case of her being loud -- there were lots of loud singers in those days.

Beyond her flawless diction, her perfect dead center pitch, her phrasing, her stamina and consistency, she was the most exciting and electrifying singer of her era. No other singer could whip an audience into a complete frenzy like she could and having her sing your songs meant she was guaranteed to literally stop the show a couple of times throughout the evening. Who of today's "pretty" singers (or even the belters) has ever even stopped a show once in his/her entire career? And I mean stopping the show with the real meaning of the term where the show cannot continue from the audience's insistent applause until the singer does an encore and/or steps out of character and takes a bow. Merman did that in nearly every one of her shows. Keep that in mind before you trash this legendary woman's talents in the future. No she doesn't sound beautiful on record, but this woman made her name in front of live audiences and if you never got a chance to experience that, then it's unfair to dismiss her and her obvious gifts.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 4:28pm

I have only seen one performer ever sing handedly stop a show for about 5 minutes of applause.

And I don't question Merman at all.

And I even hate mentioning this show at all - especially compared to the shows that Merman has been in.

But Sharon Wilkins, when I saw ASU at least, received a 5 minute SO mid-song.

::returns to hole::


P.S. Margo - you would do well to write a book. I love your info....even though that has become so cliche around here. Updated On: 3/22/06 at 04:28 PM

[stanton]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 4:32pm

Bravo Margo!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 6:33pm

Dee Hoty!!!
I saw her in MAMMA-MIA! and that was probably one of the worst performances I have ever seen on Broadway. Her so-called singing was unbearable, and considering she had like 3 or 4 songs in a row during Act 2...i just wanted to walk out

yeah, shes about the only one i can think of

Posted: 3/22/06 at 11:35pm

"Thank you, Blanche.

It kills me that people these days (mainly kids/teens I am guessing) think Merman couldn't sing.

Just.. wow."

I think it's a little presumptuous to assume that because people are younger, they have no taste. I'm seventeen, and I've been in love with Ethel Merman for a very long time. There's a pattern of people naysaying the opinion of kids and teenagers, and it's rather unfair to lump us all into one conglomeration. Sure, more fourteen-year-olds may like "Wicked" better than they like "Carousel" or "Company," but not all of them.

As for performers who cannot sing, let's just say that if anyone ever lets David Hasselhoff near a Broadway musical ever again, whoever's responsible should receive a good swift kick. Also, Michelle Malardi (a Belle u/s) was very bad the night that I saw her. I wasn't aware that Belle and Marlon Brando were related until then.

[fachedaluna]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 6:07pm

Stephanie J. Block stopped the show on closing night. During her scene of Liza with a Z...the applause just kept going & going. Finally Hugh Jackman had to come out, before his que, so that they could continue on!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 6:28pm

i also agree with the ethel merman comment- im even younger than 17, and love her voice! such a big, brassy voice i wish more performers could possess. definitely a legend to me...