Do swings sing in the wings?

"You Can't Stop the Beat" is a recorded vocal track--or as they'll say, "sweetened" to help the dancers.

Just because swings are not performing that night does not mean that they are "off"--they spend much of the time watching the show and running their tracks. It is a heavy responsibility to maintain several people's roles and be able to perform them at the drop of the hat--especially for some shows!! Often the most talented performers in an ensemble are depended upon to swing. Not an easy task.

When I saw the Mamma Mia! tour years and years ago in LA, I went backstage and noticed singing booths, and was told that those who aren't on during that show go back there to sing with the ensemble from offstage. I can't speak for how accurate this is for all shows, or even for that show (if I wasn't being given a dumbed-down version of how things work).

Do you know which tracks are pre-recorded? And to what extent? (They can't have *all* of YCSTB pre-recorded I would think.)

When I was sitting on stage at Xanadu in July I was sitting on the end by the orchestra in the second row next to the usher. I happened to glance over my shoulder during "All Over the World" and saw Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman standing offstage singing. So not only do swings and ensemble members do it at some shows but at others even the principals do it.

ETA...I think BWW.com should write a musical called "Swinging in the Wings" or something.

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Updated On: 9/5/08 at 12:42 PM

Dunno about swings, but when I was in 'Pirates of Penzance' in spring, there was a LOT of offstage singing going on. I, as a soprano, liked to dig down into my boots and sing second tenor with 'Sighing Softly to the River', whereas our Frederick was more than capable and willing to frighten us all by joining in with various soprano parts. (And I may have snuck some inappropriate onstage singing during rehearsals too; in my defence, the basses around me were quite grateful to have help remembering their parts. XD)

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So when we're hearing "You Can't Stop the Beat," we're actually hearing a recorded track? All the Council Kids are just half singing? How the heck do that time that all out? That would be pretty disastrous if it suddenly cut out or something. Yikes.

I don't know about singing, but I do know that sometimes swings swing with other swings in the wings.

If I were there I would feel terrible for everyone involved...but the sad truth is, that I would probably go on my blackberry and post it as I left the theater.

Ensemble members usually sing when offstage, usually in booths, however swings cannot according to Equity.

Also, zamedy, understudies are just chorus members who cover a track, so they're never not in the show unless they're taking a day off. You're thinking about standby's.

Updated On: 12/23/08 at 03:42 PM

The video I posted actually has Carolee describing the booths & why there are so many of them.

http://www.broadway.com/Secrets-of-Mamma-Mia-Hosted-by-Carolee-Carmello-Part-Three-Backstage-Secrets/broadway_video/555125

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"I feel like I remember reading somewhere that swings/understudies/ensemble/whomever sing along with whoever is playing Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. This is to creative that "layered" sound that the Four Seasons songs had. It's a line in the show too - something about doubling up Frankie's voice on the recordings"

^ I feel like I've heard this somewhere too, and a few times when I've seen the show in Chicago the understudy has come out of the stage door without having been in the show that night. My friend and I think he sings along from backstage with some of the parts, but as far as official reliable information about who actually sings what and when or if vocals are doubled I don't actually know lol it's just a guess.

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Mamma Mia has both - back-up singers in booth AND extensive use of click track.