Laura Bell Bundy and the Note- Page 2

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 11:08am

I agree that LBB isn't very good, vocally. She also has problems with the belting during the title song. The Evita comparison is a good one. If she can't hit that note, find someone who can.

[morosco]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 11:28am

I'm completely against the if she can't hit the note find someone who can mentality.
I think a better soulition would be if she can't hit the note find a way that she can hit the note (be it lowering the note or throwing it on a click track or employing a real time pitch correction device). Forcing LBB to sing that note night after night is unfair to her.

[Tchi4Lif188]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 11:29am

I saw this twice over the weekend (not by choice) and she did not hit the note either time. I thought she might be doing better with some vocal rest but apparently not.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 1:39pm

Musical Theatre isn't always about hitting the notes perfectly. On the cast recording, sure, but every night in a show that rests on your shoulders? Character should come first. She's not off-key, she just can't always get there. Big deal. I think she's doing great. Has she even missed a performance yet?

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 1:56pm

Yes, she has missed performances. Both Becky Gulsvig and Annaleigh Ashford have gone on in the role.

[gobybubble]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 1:57pm

BobbyBubbly- she has missed many performances.

And I love Laura Bell Bundy. I think she brings so much to the role. However she can't hit the note on many occasions. I think its because she has been straining her voice to hit that note for so long. I don't see why they don't just lower the note.

[TabooPhan1]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 2:00pm

"Musical Theatre isn't always about hitting the notes perfectly. On the cast recording, sure, but every night in a show that rests on your shoulders? Character should come first. She's not off-key, she just can't always get there. Big deal. I think she's doing great. Has she even missed a performance yet?"

I could not disagree with you more. Characterization is a vital part of theatre, obviously... but they don't call it MUSICAL theatre for nothing. This is professional theatre, not some community theatre production. When people are paying 100+ dollars to see you do a show, you better give them their money's worth... and from what I hear, that is not happening. People keep talking about theatre before mics and Ethel Merman. Well Ethel also played Rose, who carries just as much of Gypsy as LBB does of Legally Blonde, and she was never out, and she hit her notes... without a mic. There is no reason for a real-time pitch changer, I could see maybe a click track. But I think it's a little immature to be saying "give her a break, it's not her fault". The reality is that this is a business, and if you only hit the note for half the audiences that come to see the show, that means half the audience didn't get what they paid for. So get a click track, or get someone who can sing it 8 times a week.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 2:05pm

How many performaces? Is she the next Laura Benanti/Emily Skinner?

I would have loved to see Ashford's Elle.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 2:13pm

I couldn't give you a number, but I know it's quite a few. I believe Annaleigh only went on once.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 2:18pm

TabooPhan...I couldn't agree with you more! Saying that it "isn't her fault" and to "cut her some slack" would just be saying, "who cares if actors starring on Broadway can't do their job to their full potential."

I have seen LBB in Hairspray and now in Legally Blonde and while she plays her roles to the best of her adorable capability, she falls short vocally.

When I saw Legally Blonde on Sunday she actually hit the note at first and then fell way flat...breathed...and came in on the same flat pitch to finish it out. Her voice is obviously sounding very tired. I, too, figured that the three week vocal rest would have caused for some improvement, but I guess it's just something that can't be fixed on its own.

I would have been interested to have seen Ashford's Elle. Does anyone know how she was with "the note?"

[allofmylife]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 2:23pm

Yes, Ethel Merman did carry Gypsy, but I don't seem to remember the names of her exhaustive dance numbers in that show. Help me out here folks... she danced in what, three numbers? Did she do "You Gotta Have A Gimmick?" "All I need is the Girl?" Maybe NONE!!

We all seem to love Sutton Foster. I don't seem to see any mention here of the massive cheat the producers allowed her to take in "Modern Millie" when she DROPS AND OCTAVE on the final note of the title song which we all know that freak of nature Julie Andrews belted out of the park, er, once in the recording booth.

Give the girl the note. Give the girl her props and give the girl a break.

Oh, and Becky Gulsvig didn't get the part for numerous reasons I'm sure. The producers chose LBB for what they considered sound reasons. They surrounded her with wonderful performing talent and chose a great director (style of clothing on the first day of rehearsals aside) and slick costumes and sets.

So they made one mistake. They should just fix it and move on.

[John Murdock]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 2:36pm

from a source close to ms bundy -

right before the Tony's she discovered she has a very serious vocal problem and to lessen the strain on the problem she has been advised to take it easy..

that is the honest reason

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 2:39pm

I think what people are saying is they need to fix the problem, and come up with an alternative. She can't keep singing it the way she does.

I can do it. So I know she can do it too. But she needs to have a back-up.

[FinallyAmember]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 3:03pm

All the naysayers in this thread are being a bit too harsh Laura.

It's very important for this role to be played by a "triple-threat.' Laura Bell Bundy is definitely a triple threat. Most of you will probably say that singing is her weakest of the three, but be that as it may, she is in no way a bad singer, or mediocre, or even just good. I guess I'm sliding slightly into opinion territory... anyways, even though she cannot hit that note most of the time, there are things about her vocal performance that I find more than satisfying. Certain nuances that she does I really love.

For those of you saying they should find someone to replace her who can hit the note...that person will be able to hit the note, but they won't be able to embody Elle as well as she does. Laura has Elle down pretty well. Also, she is a great dancer. She is truly a triple threat and there is no reason to replaced her for a single note.

It isn't the most important thing to get every note right even though this is a musical. As long as you connect with the audience and they connect with you, why should you be replace?
Most people seeing this show will not notice that she messes up that note. That is what I think. Give LBB a break.



Updated On: 12/5/07 at 03:03 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 3:04pm

Do you do it 8 shows a week? I'm sure 3/4 of the audience doesn't even notice. It is a thrilling song, with or without this money note.

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 3:12pm

"Do you do it 8 shows a week? I'm sure 3/4 of the audience doesn't even notice. It is a thrilling song, with or without this money note."

No I do not. However, lets take into consideration:
1) I'm a teenage boy
2) When I played Joseph, it was 6 times a week for a month and a half, belting an F# every night.

I'm not saying we should rip her to shreads and boot her out of there. But something does need to be done.

[bonjourdevoe]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 3:13pm

Well...I forgot about how Laura was actually a robot who is programmed to hit every note as perfectly as she does on the recording....

oh wait...

she's HUMAN?

damn those humans for not being perfect...maybe someone on the message boards who OBVIOUSLY KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT THEATER should do the role instead...







........seriously people?

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 3:15pm

Its not that she's having a bad night. I'm sure people understand that performers have bad nights. But she is CONSISTANTLY missing that note. And if she's being paid to sing it, she either needs to fix it or find an alternative.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 3:18pm

I thought this thread was titled "Laura Bell Bundy and the Nose" which would be just as appropriate.

I never heard Idina Menzel hit the last note of Defying Gravity either...not live twice, or on television.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 3:57pm

So does the show suck if she misses the note? Do all of the audience members run to the box office at intermission and demand their money back?

That song is more about joy and finally feeling useful for Elle. I think it is pointless to argue whether she's hitting a note or not. She's easily giving one of the best overall performances in a tough role.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 4:28pm

mywonderwa11-If you're interested in hearing Annaleigh's version, search around on "the site". There's an audio of her.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 5:04pm

Bobby, with all the bickering we've been doing lately about other topics, I'm literally shaking my head at your posts on this thread, especially the last one. I'm not going to threadjack so I'll pm you later. On topic, I'm not going to get in to Bundy's skill set but I will fault the writers. It would only benefit them if their song sounded great with or without their originally intended note. This one issue is not Bundy's fault and she should insists upon having it changed.

[Allshowsrock]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 5:10pm

Just wanna add that I saw the show recently and she hit the note PERFECTLY AND she was great through out the whole show. My friend got back from his trip to NYC today and idk if he saw it on tues or whatever but apperently he said she hit if fine also. I think we are being a bit to hard.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 5:33pm

Laura Bell Bundy got the part because she's a star. Becky and Annaleigh may someday be stars as well, maybe eclipse her, but I can guarantee you the producers and director were totally confident in their choice. I just feel it's unfair that she isn't being given the free pass that Sutton Foster got.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 5:38pm

Sondheim has been quoted as saying her prefers acting first, singing second.

Just saying...