Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC- Page 2
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#25
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.
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#26
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??"
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#27
Posted: 3/7/11 at 11:21pmConductors 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.
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#28
Posted: 3/8/11 at 1:01amI'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.
Joined: 12/31/69
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#29
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).
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#30
Posted: 3/11/11 at 7:39amThere'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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#31
Posted: 3/11/11 at 7:47amGizmo2, you don't know what you are talking about. Incredible.
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#32
Posted: 3/11/11 at 10:05amLike 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.
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#33
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."
Joined: 12/31/69
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#34
Posted: 3/11/11 at 11:30amMy brother builds typewriters. He's out of work too.
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#35
Posted: 3/11/11 at 11:55am
RuprechtJr....I'm glad you got the joke. 
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#36
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!).
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#37
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).
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#38
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?
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#39
Posted: 3/12/11 at 5:31pmThey used a recording of Frank's voice, but it was synced to a live full orchestra.
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#40
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.
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#41
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
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#42
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
Is there an orchestra for PRISCILLA in NYC#43
Posted: 3/19/11 at 10:44am
This Today show clip makes me giddy.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/42149551#42148850
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