LBB. So Much Better, ending note problem has been solved- Page 3

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 2:14am

If we're actually going to start talking vocal technique, Bundy consistently blows WAY too much air with WAY too much air pressure and often sings straight tone.


A voice can't handle that over and over again.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 5:49am

Anything "and change" means the unit and a small part of it again, as in "a buck and change" means a dollar something.

Totally legitimate lyrics.

[Grand Motel]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 9:33am

You know what's really funny about this "know it all" thread, that this key change happened well over a month ago yet, the "know it all's" about all things Blonde, didn't happen to catch it before now and pretty much ignored random mentions of it on other threads. And no, I don't remember which one's and can't find them. The note was lowered, Becky sings it in the original key when she goes on and it doesn't warrant this long deconstruction of musical theater songs with comparisons to Evita/Lupone, et al. It's So Much Better, in Legally Blonde for crissake.

[FosterChild]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 9:38am

It had been posted about before and thank you Grand Motel for putting some much needed perspective on this thread.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 10:57am

I have to agree that LBB's less-than-stellar technique certainly doesn't help.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:03am

I dont think that there is anything wrong with Bundy's technique at all.

She has been in this show for over a year now and the show is demanding, is it any wonder they have altered the note for her, its no big deal

[Anakela]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:15am

You know what's really funny about this "know it all" thread, that this key change happened well over a month ago yet, the "know it all's" about all things Blonde, didn't happen to catch it before now and pretty much ignored random mentions of it on other threads.

Lol seriously, I talked about it myself in the infamous Understudies thread back in the end of April. I'm not a Legally Blonde know it all, though...

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:45am

And to the poster who asked about Orfeh, I believe she had a scheduled personal day and while I don't remember the date of it, I feel like it was the day you said she was out as her attendance is normally stellar.

[winston89]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 12:14pm

I don't know if I am thinking too far out of the box here. But, I feel that if an actress who is playing elle ( I am not talking about Bundy I am talking about the way the role is written not the person playing her) could do it 8 times a week so long as they took care of themselves. I've seen actresses in Wicked go on as Elphaba 8 times a week and still manage to hit the ball out of the bark in terms of singing songs like The Wizard and I or Defying Gravity. And they don't sound horse during the talking or singing.

What I am asking is is that is it that it is possible for the role do be done 8 times a week without any problems so long as you do a good job in taking care of your voice?

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 12:28pm

Elle sings 13 songs in the show and dances vigorously in half of them and is offstage for about 1/8th of the show, the rest of the time carrying just about every scene. That's a huge role for anyone.

[winston89]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 2:01pm

I am not saying that it isn't a huge role. I am just wondering if it is possible that Bundy could do a better job in taking care of herself/her voice during the day off she has that can make it a better performance for her during the time she is doing the show.

I guess what I am saying is that I have heard stories of Bundy sort of having a party attitude and maybe she isn't doing the best she can to take care of herself and her voice given the show she is doing and it is starting to show in her performance.

[bwayfan45]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 12:26pm

Audio of So Much Better lowerd at 5/24 matinee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy-pm-1XR64&feature=related

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 1:32pm

Jeez, it's like the song lost all of its energy.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 2:15pm

can we let this go?

[achangeinme]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 2:30pm

I don't really understand quite why this thread needs to be "let go". I don't really think LBB's integrity as a performer is being questioned here. No one has said, "she sucks at playing Elle Woods". What is in question is if the role is too much for any performer to take on eight nights a week! I find this discussion completely fascinating, and think it should continue on!

The question seems to be: is lowering So Much Better really going to solve the problem or is eight nights a week too much for the role? Should the 8 performances be turned into 6, etc?

Personally, if LBB, who was the understudy for Glinda and is a seasoned performer (this is true, whether you care for her or not) can't consistantly play the role without getting hoarse how is some fresh, new talent from reality television going to be able to?

Also, while LBB may have started out as a party-hardy, stay up all hours girl (I don't know much about her), I think that is no longer the case anymore. I read an article where she talked about how she prepares vocally for the role. She said she didn't talk until noon, left the theatre right after the show to get rest, and got massages once a week to get rid of any tightness in her vocal chords. This is seems to be dedication to a great performance, to me!

I agree that her vocal technique could be a factor, especially the comment that she blows too much air while she sings.

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 2:43pm

Althought I am dissapointed that it was lowered, I would just care about LBB, and her health, because that role is tough, and after a year and some, it's probably just wearing on her.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 2:47pm

NEWS FLASH! Laura Bell USED to hit that note -- you guys make it sound like she never did.

LBB was having trouble with that note back when they filmed it for MTV, if not before. Eight times a week for nine months was far too long for her to be missing the right note. It should have been changed last fall; if she already couldn't hit that note after only five months, it was obviously only going to get worse.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 4:11pm

It's so easy for all of us to sit here and pontificate (and I somehow figure many from their parent's basement) but until we've been the key cog in a multi-million dollar Broadway show employing hundreds of people, let's back off the lofty "how dare she not hit one frigging note" crap, shall we? That theater is filled (well, 65-70% full and it's a barn) every night with people who want to see Laura Bell Bundy live (yes and Orfeh and Kate) and let's face it, nobody but our relatives would come to see most of us perform anything.

It's one note vs. what I consider to be a great performance.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 5:59pm

You think all of those people are going to see her? (No offense to her, I think she's great in the role, and it's evident when you watch other people in the role) But I think most people come to see Legally Blonde: the musical. Just a thought. She is great in the role, as stated, but it's a difficult show to do so many times a week. Its not the kind of roll that you can coast in.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 6:49pm

The song sound horrible the new way--and she still blew the last note.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 7:28pm

but until we've been the key cog in a multi-million dollar Broadway show employing hundreds of people, let's back off the lofty "how dare she not hit one frigging note" crap, shall we?

You don't have to be able to sing a high C yourself to recognize the sour note. Yes, it's one note versus what you consider to be a great performance, but this thread is specifically about the "one frigging note". Of course that's what is being focused on. If you can't handle the critique, there are countless other threads to discuss her entire performance.


and let's face it, nobody but our relatives would come to see most of us perform anything.

Ah, yes. The "you're just jealous!" defense, since everyone aspires to be an actor.

Updated On: 6/2/08 at 07:28 PM

[allofmylife]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 9:04pm

I've said it before and I'll say it again: this constant banter about one note (and all of my friends say a very difficult note to hit consistently the way it's written) is getting so tired.

Gertrude Lawrence originated the role of "Anna" in the King and I. She couldn't sing!!!! I've heard recordings of her that make cats ****ing sound like Verdi.

And personally, I think many people DO come to see LBB, even if the title is very familiar. She's the one with the 60 foot banner over the theater and unless they find some amazing talent, the show will not last long without her.

Oh, an d before someone says "other people can hit that note perfectly and have" I remind you, being the understudy means coming on and giving between one and sixteen performances. LBB has done the show several hundred times and from what I can see, it's a marathon.

[caitlinette]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 9:22pm

I'm embarrassed to say that I listened to the audio of the changed note and didn't hear any difference -- it must have been lowered ever so slightly.

Does Laura usually break up the final note with a breath like that?

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 9:41pm

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 9:56pm

That audio has to be her on a bad day - she doesn't sound healthy throughout any of that song. Give the girl a break!