Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC- Page 2

[mee.who]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 6:09pm

Are we sure the orchestra is covered at the Palace when the show starts? I was in the 5th row Sunday night and I didn't walk all the way up, but the pit, at least how they have the conductor situated, looked the same as it has for shows I've seen there in the past..Nothing noticeable changed at the overture.

[frapperia]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 6:47pm

I don't know if you're taking the piss or are actually serious... you are being ridiculous. Whatever you think of the show, it's played completely live by an orchestra in the pit (perfectly visible in London), bar the opera aria, which brings in the three divas live halfway through anyway to back up the soloist. And Felicia's not meant to be lip-synching in rhythm with the lyrics, she's meant to be being silly with it as the shoe extends.

Secondly, the lip-synching is DONE TO LIVE TRACKS SUNG BY THE DIVAS, apart from the opera aria and the brilliant (imho) casino sequence near the end. I honestly don't know how it's possible to make it more clear to you, or whether you are just being a wind-up merchant.

Honestly, I do wonder how many people who've seen this and slagged know the film at all - it just follows the story, pretty much. If you're upset and feel the story is flimsy, well, therefore so is the film. It's three drag queens travelling across the Outback. That's the story. That's the set. That's the show.

"When I saw this in London there was definitely no orchestra. The 'conducter' was pressing play on a CD. This was glaringly obvious due to the arrangements being identical (not similar, not close, but identical) to the 70's and 80's tunes on my ipod. This along with the miming was one of my own major disappointments with the production. Oh, and the lazy book. It went beyond jukebox musical to karaoke musical. A new genre perhaps??"

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 11:21pm

Conductors routinely press buttons... it's - essentially - a metronome, a click trick.. literally a series of clicks that maintain temp to keep everything - musicals, automation, any digitaly effects, etc - perfectly in sync.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/8/11 at 1:01am

I've been to the Palace twice for two different shows (and I will again for Priscilla) and the stage quite effectively covers the orchestra. They're there, The Broadway League and Theatre owners wouldn't allow them not to be.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 5:11am

"
"When I saw this in London there was definitely no orchestra. The 'conducter' was pressing play on a CD. This was glaringly obvious due to the arrangements being identical (not similar, not close, but identical) to the 70's and 80's tunes on my ipod. This along with the miming was one of my own major disappointments with the production. Oh, and the lazy book. It went beyond jukebox musical to karaoke musical. A new genre perhaps??"


They don't sound the same arrangements as the original recordings *I* know... Most are good, but I wish Mac Park were as lush as Moroder's original production (granted which used a massive orchestra, synths and band).

[RuprechtJr.]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 7:39am

There's actually a fuss over this going on at 802. There is a small pit, yes, but they're using pre-recorded instruments on a click track as well to enhance the sound. I believe it's strings and extra woodwinds. Since the Palace's pit minimum is 18, they have to have an artistic reason to have a smaller pit. And since the pre-recorded backings are essentially just a money saving device rather than an artistic device, the union isn't approving.

[alterego]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 7:47am

Gizmo2, you don't know what you are talking about. Incredible.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 10:05am

Like this is the first musical on B'way that has done this. Remember that little show called "RENT" ? I remember the band sitting there with their arms folded ON STAGE as the piped in music played and Angel sang "Today 4 U" Did anyone really care? Nope. It works! Orchestra...No Orchestra...patato...patato.

[RuprechtJr.]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 11:10am

"Orchestra...No Orchestra...patato...patato."

First of all it potato Dan Quayle. Secondly, tell that to theatre musicians looking for work. Tell that to the string section replaced by a keyboard in "West Side Story." Tell that to the strings and woodwinds that could have played in "Priscilla" but don't get the chance to because of the producer's cheap decision to record them once rather than use them "full time."

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 11:30am

My brother builds typewriters. He's out of work too.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 11:55am

RuprechtJr....I'm glad you got the joke.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 12:48pm

Let 802 fuss all they want. Priscilla isn't coming in fresh. It's how the show was created and has been since day one and it is appropriate to the style.

I am all for the protections provided by the theatrical unions, but at the same time, there are certain things that have just gotten out of hand.. they should spend their time providing protections that serve their members and not coddling them into laziness and the idea that to fully do their job requires extra compensation (I'm looking at you, Local 1!).

[RuprechtJr.]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 3:14pm

Broadwayboobs, i had a feeling And I don't necessarily agree with 802, even though I'm a member. Theoretically they should use live musicians, but it's up to the producers in this case. They have a pit, it's not like it's entirely tracked (save for one song).

[Jon]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 1:52pm

CONTACT was not a musical until the NYC critics called it one. The original posters and ads called it "A Dance Play". Then the reviews came out. "The best new musical in years", "...completely revitalizes the tired old genre of musical theatre", et cetera.

Most dance concerts, other than classical ballet, are done to recorded music, aren't they? Am I right in assuming that Twyla Tharp's latest Broadway show used recordings of Sinatra?

[DooWahDiddy]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 5:31pm

They used a recording of Frank's voice, but it was synced to a live full orchestra.

[once a month]

Posted: 3/14/11 at 10:53am

This musical was the most fun I've had in the theatre in a long, long time. There was much laughter- at the jokes, at the costumes, the sight gags and the characterizations. I'd see it again in a heartbeat, and can recommend this big, splashy, joyful musical. See it before the discounts ends!!
I had a 1000% better time with Priscilla than I did with Spiderman.

[marky2]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 6:02am

Dear Gizmo2

How we laughed! "Ho ho ho" I said when I read your notice. So did most of my colleagues, "Ha ha ha, ho ho ho". Oh how we laughed. Most amusing. Thankyou.

Next time you see the show or even if you're passing by, you might introduce yourself to the band - we are a very nice bunch of blokes - and a round at the Spice of Life won't cost you too much.

To the NYC orchestra - good luck from the West End orchestra. We hope you have a great run and enjoy it as much as we do.

Updated On: 3/19/11 at 06:02 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 9:57am

It went beyond jukebox musical to karaoke musical

They should use DEFINITELY that as a quote! There are a lot of karaoke fans out there who would LOVE that idea!

Gizmo--will you give your permission to change your quote slightly and credit you thus:

"Goes beyond jukebox musical to karaoke musical!"

--Some Idiot on BroadwayWorld

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 10:44am

This Today show clip makes me giddy.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/42149551#42148850

Updated On: 3/19/11 at 10:44 AM