Is it true Broadway singers lip-synch for some shows?

[phantomcrazy14]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 3:57pm

I don't know if this is how you start a thread on this site but I heard that lots of shows do this but I can't believe it????

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 3:58pm

In some ensemble dance numbers, yes the vocals are prerecorded. It depends on the show.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 3:59pm

OK, c'mon, who is this? Namo -- is that you? papalovesmambo? TheatreDiva???

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 4:00pm

Phantom of the Opera has a lot of pre-recorded parts for the two leads.

[phantomcrazy14]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 4:07pm

Wow that's so dumb! That's my favorite show! The entire point of being in/seeing a Broadway show is the concept of it being live.

[phantomcrazy14]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 4:08pm

Wow that's so dumb! That's my favorite show! The entire point of being in/seeing a Broadway show is the concept of it being live.

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 4:12pm

There you go, love. Now you can have a new favorite show.

[DrewBill]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 4:15pm

Yes, a number of Broadway shows use, or are rumored to use, pre-recorded vocals during certain musical numbers. It's obviously not a subject that many in the industry like to talk about, as it directly contradicts the idea of "live" theater.

[once a month]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 4:22pm

Liza Minelli supposed lipped some songs in The Act and still won the Tony Award. Extra singers are also added backstage, like in A Chorus Line.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 4:24pm

Even with some prerecorded tracks, it's still live theater because it's not like everything is lipsynched. Even if some of it is lipsynched, 95% or more isn't.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 4:34pm

http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/modules/article/view.article.php/17

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 4:50pm

Mamma Mia

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 5:51pm

I know Phantom has some pre-recording. I also know that it was used in Wedding Singer and Fame Becomes Me.

Wedding Singer - during the "Flashdance" sequence. But that's obvious, due to the large amount of water coming down on Amy Spanger's character.

Fame Becomes Me - The last note in "All I Ask", because it's part of the joke that the note's pre-recorded, when he closes his mouth thinking it's over.

[singtopher]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 9:22pm

I was once in a show (not on Broadway) that had recorded sick tracks for all the major characters. That way even if your voice was not up to snuff due to illness, laryngitis, or heavy drinking the night before you could still perform. It was one of those arena touring children's shows, so it's not like anyone in the audience was upset over artistic integrity.

[NeoNormal]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 9:25pm

They tracked the rain scene in 110 in the Shade

[winston89]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 9:29pm

Actually, Mamma Mia uses a lot of off stage singing. There is a difference between being in a booth off stage and singing rather then being totally pre recorded.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 10:01pm

"They tracked the rain scene in 110 in the Shade"

You have no idea how long I've been meaning to ask that.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 10:07pm

They use both Winston.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 10:18pm

Certain shows are tracked for certain numbers. Generally, big ensemble dance numbers where it's difficult to breathe and get support for long lines. I'm sure you can figure out which are/have been and which aren't/have not been.

and just because they're tracked does not mean the whole cast is just dropping out. Everyone, I assume, unless they're really messed up, always sings, just when they're gasping for air in a big number, the track fills in the "holes".

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 10:25pm

Bobby Steggert talks a bit about the tracking in the rain scene in "110..." on the latest Chatterbox Video.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 10:26pm

Speaking of this, during In The Heights - at the beginning of "Paciencia y Fe" and "Carnival del Barrio" - there's some noticeable volume changes when Abuela Claudia and Daniela begin these songs. Is the volume on the mics just cranked up or are there some prerecorded backing vocals that assist them?

[defygravity24]

Posted: 2/5/10 at 11:45pm

I don't see why people have a problem with people singing off stage to reinforce big ensemble numbers. That's still live theater and is sometimes needed.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/6/10 at 12:16am

I've heard/read that there were some years where performances on the Tonys were lip synched. Is that true?

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/6/10 at 12:24am

^ Angela Lansbury badly lipsynched "The Worst Pies In London" on the Tonys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gF51IQiLbQ

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/6/10 at 12:27am

I thought that was the case, and I seem to remember hearing that. So thanks!

Updated On: 2/6/10 at 12:27 AM