Broadway Singers who strain too much or force too much — Page 2

Yes I would like to second the previous comment above about stereotyping "tweens". And this is not the first time I have read this comment. I have read it somewhere else too. I am in my early twenties and a guy, but I don't go gagga over Jane Krakowski cause I think she is hot, or a Sutton Foster because I saw her in Millie, and therefore think she is the best thing since sliced bread. Neither do I always worship Bernadette Peters just because I think she should be praised all the time because she is considered a diva. I like performances of individual actors/actresses based on my judgements and beliefs on how well they performed, and how excellently they display their talents and techniques. Not because an individual performer is the latest craze. Just wanted to get that straight.

(End of rant)

Now.....I really think Bernadette is an excellent Rose in this revival of Gypsy....there were times during a performance where I saw her straining. Particularly in "Everything's Coming Up Roses". Then there were other nights that this wasn't an issue. Being an actor myself, I know that there are just going to be nights/performances where you are not going to be able to give a 100%...and I am not saying that all performers/actors don't...but you have to take into consideration things such as fatigue, illness, environment....and it is really hard sometimes. But I feel all *professional* actors and actresses try their damnest every night to give a consistant and excellent performance, but sometimes other factors might affect that. I say all this to say that, sometimes there are reasons why a singer might "strain" and although you might feel it's poor technique, doesn't mean that it is non-existant...it just means that it's being tweaked to fit the cirumstances, what ever it/they might be.

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Updated On: 8/7/03 at 12:04 AM

Thanks for re-posting my thread in its entirety bwaystar2b. I feel it was good enough to post 2ce. And thanks for proving my point.

Scooter, I am not trying to single out anyone. I just used Sutton as an example in my previous post, and then decided to expand on my example. There are plenty of performers that could be referenced....I just used her as an example because she is the first that came to my mind at the time. And, I DO know what it takes to perform eight times a week, and I DO know that it is difficult. Especially in a show that involves heavy dancing and singing. And I am NOT trying to discredit anyone. Maybe you should re-read my original post. And I happen to be one of the people who DON'T easily put people on pedistals for minimal work. Sutton is great yes, but I am not going to worship her and make it seem as if she is some phenomenial talent that can't be touched. Sorry. Yes, I will admit that she is on Broadway, and deserves to be, and is incredibly talented - but there ARE people out there who can do the same thing she does. And probably better. As for your assessment on what knowledge I have, or who or what I know, that's your opinion. As long as I know what I know, I could really care less of what you think. Take care, and have a nice day.


Cheers,
The Balladeer

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Wow. I'm not even sure how to react to the concept that Bernadette Peters' voice is "little". I'm constantly in awe as to how a voice so big can come out of a body so tiny.

Are you people serious? If you had a mic attached to your body, you'd sound like Godzilla too!! How can you say she has a big voice? Until you hear a voice without a mic, dont tell me BIG.

If that's the case, than I literally shudder at the thought of listening to Kristin Chenoweth or Sutton Foster or Audra McDonald without a mic. What a horror! They sound thin and strained as it is. You're way off.

Nevermind - I guess you're not singers with trained voices. If you were, you'd know the difference between shouting, straining, forcing, over-reaching............and not projecting without some serious amplification. Case closed.

Case ain't closed, Seabyrd.

You can say A LOT about BP's voice. She pushes, she strains, her throat looks like a road map when she sings. You can say every last one of those things and I would not in any way disagree with you But to call her voice 'small' just seems strange. You can't really use the amplification argument because, since, the mid to late 60's performers have been amplified. No one on Broadway today is trained to perform without amplification. Her voice fills the house. Part of that is amplification and part of that is the sound she produces, just like everyone else on Broadway.

I know people who hate BP. They can't stand the sound of her voice. Fine. I won't argue. There are performers that love other performers that I can't stand. Big deal. You can even think BP has a small voice. But to use the amplification argument weakens your point because amping a performer is standard.

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I worked briefly with a voice teach who once took me out onto the stage of a 1,500 seat theatre and had me sing a song so that she could hear me from the very last row of the theatre. She, and I, am a firm believer that having the technique to do that is very important. relying on a microphone is not a good thing. What happens if your mic goes out while onstage?? In the middle of a song??

whatever, i thought we were among friends talkin bout theatre, but i guess spelling and grammar is more important. it's all good. i see where most people's passion lies, and it's not with theatre...

Updated On: 8/7/03 at 03:58 PM

Well seabyrd, you must not be *that* in demand as a "singer" if you're able to sit on this board all day cranking out insults and nonsense about singers' whos' *shoes* you're most likely not even good enough to shine. And forgive my ignorance(blatant sarcasm intended) but are you people INSANE saying that crap about mic's versus no mic's? I've never heard such a load of crap in my life and no, I'm not a pro singer BUT I DO have a brain inside the confines of my skull, even though at present time, it is BAFFLED at the stupidity of some posters on this thread.

Al D

Are you turning on me? Clefting my heart in twain because of my mic argument????

I man never recover

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Al!

DON'T BLOW MY COVER!!!

Suzanne Sommers is out there. And she's mad. Very, very mad.

If I wake up dead tomorrow, with a thigh master wrapped around my throat, you'll feel terrible, won't you?

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