Does Xanadu have an Overture (and other questions)

[bundy5000]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 9:40pm

I was listening to a few broadway cast recordings. Many of them do not have the overture included (if there is one in the show). Hairspray starts of with Good morning Baltimore, Aida, Spring Awakening, and Ave. Q have good opening numbers but Overtures are so carefully perfected to start off a show.

Why is that?

also I am going to see Xanadu which i embrace the cast recording, but i bet the Overture is very Pulse pounding, if there is an overture?

[BenKaye]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 9:43pm

Xanadu does not have an overture.

[defyinggravity42694]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 9:43pm

Xanadu doesn't have a overture, it sort of starts like Rent, but Roger doesn't come out, Sonny does and I don't feel like giving any spoilers if you are seeing it.

[BenKaye]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 9:49pm

To answer your other question, in my opinion, some shows don't have overtures because they might want to set a certain mood or atmosphere for the piece. For example, I'm a writer/composer, and a musical I'm writing is very dark and ominous. While this isn't true in ALL cases, I believe that with this sort of tone, one would want to get straight into the action, and not get the audience "riled up," in a sense, with a sample of tunes from the upcoming show. Just my opinion on absence of overtures.

[Kad]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 9:51pm

Thanks for clearing up the confusion there, defyingravity. I don't think anyone would've got it.


Xanadu starts with a short monologue delivered by Sonny.

Updated On: 9/22/08 at 09:51 PM

[defyinggravity42694]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 9:59pm

In Rent, Roger just walks on.
In Xanadu, Sonny just walks on.


I wrote that, but in one sentence.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 10:16pm

And HAIRSPRAY does have a short/mini Overture that precedes "Good Morning, Baltimore" (it plays before the curtain comes up to reveal Tracy in her bed). The Overture is basically elements of "I Can Hear the Bells".

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 10:37pm

Well I think for the most part overtures are a thing of the past. They served a function rather than something that they composer created to "set a mood." That purpose isn't really needed anymore - although late seating is an issue and whatnot. My favorite most recent overture is Mamma Mia. Hate all you want, but when that big bang sounds, I get so excited. It's electric, then it sort of starts with this slow, ballad of an opening number, but whatever.

[defyinggravity42694]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 10:41pm

I love the Legally Blonde overture, unfortunately it isn't on the CD.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 10:46pm

Is the entire cast back now? Or is Whoopi still in it? I'd rather see it with the entire cast in tact, or at least, who has left?

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/22/08 at 10:49pm

Curtis left last week or something like that, but that's because he's doing West Side Story. As far as I know, Jackie is back now, and everyone else is the same.

[fanadu1996]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 10:21am

i think Overtures are kind of "old fashion" now, so you dont see many these days....
(personally, i dont like overtures, ok, maybe a short, to the point one, but R&H overtures are ridiculous, come on, really SP overture?)

[Justin D]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 4:07pm

Aida had a mini overture also, so did Beauty & the Beast, but neither of them made it to the CD

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 5:07pm

Well jeez, now that the closing was moved up, I'm not sure when I'm going to go see it. I was hoping Sunday, but I would imagine it's going to be sold-out.

And why would Curtis leave for WSS? Are they already in rehearsals? That's bogus, considering there hasn't even been a cast list.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/24/08 at 10:38am

BUMP

has anyone tried to rush it lately? Is it more crowded?