Sorry if this is a stupid question and I know they almost never do this on Broadway, but do they use pre-recorded tracks during You Will Be Found in DEH? When I saw it, only like four people were on stage at a time just walking and hugging Evan, but it sounded like there were 10 people singing at the same time. I know the solo parts are sang live for sure, but when everyone is singing together, it seems like they're using pre recorded tracks. Do they have people singing off stage too or what?
There are virtual community voices in the show. If you read the playbill they should be listed. I’m pretty sure they are used in several numbers.
Each of the times I've seen this performed in television appearances (including yesterday's), the understudies/standbys have been present for backup vocals. I've thus thought that they may be doing vocals backstage at the shows. Is that plausible?
Swing Joined: 4/21/17
I know in the cast recording, Jenn Colella is one of the voices in You Will Be Found. If you listen closely you can tell which lines are her's. She mentioned in an an interview that she did that voice work for DEH and that it was cool to be in two shows happening right across from each other. (To be in Come From Away while her voice work was happening in DEH)
Featured Actor Joined: 8/15/16
Yes, DEH uses canned vocals for all of the ensemble numbers. It's well-known by many in the industry.
It's not just the industry that knows. It's also not that uncommon to sweeten the sound.
Swing Joined: 12/20/17
I'm having trouble telling which line Jenn says. Which one is it?
whatdoesntkillme said: "Yes, DEH uses canned vocals for all of the ensemble numbers. It's well-known by many in the industry."
It's not quite using canned vocals, considering it's done for the effect of people on social media also becoming part of the story, no?
It's also not very hidden, or only known within the industry, seeing as they credit the people in the Playbill.
Many musicals have cast members providing back-up vocals backstage in a booth. This isn't uncommon.
In 1968, PROMISES, PROMISES was the very first musical to have 3 female back-up vocalists in the pit to give the songs the trademark Burt Bacharach/Hal David sound. Some musicals use 'live' vocals provided by cast members and some use pre-recorded tracks.
A glimpse of the backstage back-up vocalists booth at the Winter Garden Theatre during the run of MAMMA MIA!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3p5kMLSVus
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