HenryTDobson said: "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
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Ah yes, you're correct! I believe it was Baby it's You or Priscilla. But it was definitely prerecorded tracks, not vocals.
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Different unions, different circumstances. In the cases of Priscilla and Baby, It's You, live musicians playing along with prerecorded instrumental tracks meant taking jobs away from live musicians. Local 802 AFM requires a minimum number of musicians in each Broadway house, and I know Priscilla did not meet this requirement, but somehow the producers got away with it.
In the case of prerecorded vocals, shows use sweetener vocal tracks all the time to enhance the sound of the ensemble, usually during big ensemble or dance numbers, or because the elevator took a long time in the title number of the original production of Company. Usually, the prerecorded vocals are done by the cast, so they're already credited in the Playbill. The extra singers for Dear Evan Hansen are listed in the Playbill as well. I'm not sure if the understudies always sing backstage, but it's possible.
