Broadway week on the today show — Page 2
#27
Posted: 4/26/17 at 1:03pm
"That is incorrect. They provided pre-recorded background vocals on several songs, as well."
I'm surprised there hasn't been any backlash against this. Weren't people angry when Priscilla and Baby it's You used prerecorded tracks?
#29
Posted: 4/26/17 at 3:30pm
No clue, Henry. I frankly don't recall that "backlash" but don't have any reason to doubt you, either. Wasn't there more of a backlash related to pre-recorded accompaniment tracks rather than vocals?
#30
Posted: 4/27/17 at 9:06am
I'm assuming the Groundhog Day number plays better in the context of the show than what was seen on the Today show.
#31
Posted: 4/27/17 at 9:13am
Which song from Groundhog did they do, Smidge? (Today hasn't aired here on the West Coast yet).
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#32
Posted: 4/27/17 at 9:29am
They've already gone? What song did they do?
#33
Posted: 4/27/17 at 9:40am
Honestly couldn't tell you if it had a name. Karl and the townspeople were running around and dancing. And then someone sang Punxsutawney and Groundhog Day. I will say I'm so impressed with and scared for what Karl is doing on a torn ACL
Updated On: 4/27/17 at 09:40 AM
#34
Posted: 4/27/17 at 9:56am
That could be..... pretty much anything from the first 45 minutes of the show, honestly.
#36
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:02am
It was "Philanthropy" which is the big Act 2 tap number. And yes, it plays much better in context. A strange choice for a TV show performance.
#37
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:03am
It was a strange choice. I had an idea of what was happening, but I was so confused overall.
#38
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:10am
Ohhhhhh, okay. That is potentially the worst possible choice for something like a Today Show performance, it's a lot of fun to watch but it makes no sense out of context.
That's also the number where Karl tore his ACL, isn't it?
#39
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:12am
BWW linked to the wrong thing in their post, so here's the direct link to the Today Show.
http://www.today.com/video/watch-the-cast-of-broadway-musical-groundhog-day-perform-live-on-today-930959939988
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#40
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:24am
That GROUNDHOG DAY number was jaw-droppingly bad... Yikes...WTF?????
"See that poster on the wall? Rocky Marciano." - Andy Karl as Rocky in 'ROCKY'
#41
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:30am
I haven't seen the show yet, but it seems like this number is either weird or kind of spoilery if you don't know the film. Also, wouldn't it be better to do a number where Andy Karl sings, rather than one where he runs around a torn ACL?
#42
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:31am
Shimbleshanks, you have seen the show a few times. Was this number better in the context of the show? I know sometimes certain songs may not translate well....is that just what happened here?
#43
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:35am
canadian fan said: "Shimbleshanks, you have seen the show a few times. Was this number better in the context of the show? I know sometimes certain songs may not translate well....is that just what happened here?
"
The number is great fun onstage and makes so much more sense in context. It was just a bad choice for this venue, is all.
I'm just... baffled as to why, of all the songs in the show, you would choose Philanthropy. Not to mention that it's spoilery if you're not familiar with the show or movie, it's the most physically demanding number (and the reason your lead actor is in a knee brace right now) and while it gets to show off the ensemble, it's mostly a dance number.
Honestly, even something like Hope that has little-to-none of its impact without the full staging and is ALSO spoilery would make more sense because you'd be showing off your only guaranteed Tony nomination in AK's performance.
Updated On: 4/27/17 at 10:35 AM
#44
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:39am
Liza's Headband said: "No clue, Henry. I frankly don't recall that "backlash" but don't have any reason to doubt you, either. Wasn't there more of a backlash related to pre-recorded accompaniment tracks rather than vocals
"
Ah yes, you're correct! I believe it was Baby it's You or Priscilla. But it was definitely prerecorded tracks, not vocals.
#45
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:41am
I completely agree. Philanthropy makes no sense in isolation. I've already seen the show and fell in love with it, but nothing from that performance would make me want to see it again.
#46
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:44am
canadian fan said: "Shimbleshanks, you have seen the show a few times. Was this number better in the context of the show? I know sometimes certain songs may not translate well....is that just what happened here?
"
The song works amazingly well with the intricate staging on BROADWAY, but here... yikes...It looks like a trainwreck!
Honestly if I was just an average fan and not a diehard ANDY KARL lover I'd be like... "NEXT!" It made the show look terrible!!!
"See that poster on the wall? Rocky Marciano." - Andy Karl as Rocky in 'ROCKY'
#47
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:46am
Agreed - totally bad choice, and an uncomfortable few minutes (the snowballs didn't read, the choking didn't read, and while the ensemble was giving it everything, no one will know what any of it meant).
Why not If I Had My Time Again?
The Al Roker immersion was kinda cute though.
#48
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:49am
What the eff was that? That performance made me question if I actually want to see the show. I'm hoping it was just a poor song selection.
Also, the sheer thought of those people dancing in snowsuits in 70-degree weather is making MY balls sweat...
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#49
Posted: 4/27/17 at 10:50am
BroadwayKiwi said: "Why not If I Had My Time Again?
"
Because you'd have to cut most of Phil's lines because it's a morning network show. 
Honestly, though, I've been thinking the entire time that they should just do the beginning of Day One (the Small Town USA bit.) It's the beginning of the show, no threat of spoilers, is a good introduction to everyone, and you get to show off the ensemble.
Also, to anyone who watched that and wondered WTF, let me assure you that it was just a poor song selection, the show as a whole is excellent, definitely worth seeing.
Updated On: 4/27/17 at 10:50 AM
#50
Posted: 4/27/17 at 11:01am
thealtoslament said: "BroadwayKiwi said: "Why not If I Had My Time Again?
"
Because you'd have to cut most of Phil's lines because it's a morning network show
"
Okay so cut the screwing line and cut the masturbation line, she's still singing the lead line over the top anyway, and it would sound great.
Change "suicide" to something else, and keep the donuts line, because it's funny and cute.
With hardly any work, you'd have a terrific song where both leads sound great and the premise of the show is presented strongly for anyone who doesn't know the movie. Rather than Philanthropy which didn't do anyone any favors.
