Legit singing on Broadway

I am keeping my fingers crossed that trend shifts to include more opportunities for legit singing. I'm not asking for Showboat or the like, just some more variety. As an audience member, I am a huge fan of all musical theater and its many styles. I would be hard pressed to find a show that I just plain didn't like. There are great performances and spectacular moments in even the worst shows. As a singer, I just long for more opportunites that showcase my voice type instead of trying to only sing higher and higher (since when does a baritone need B-flats? What's next, a tenor singing high Ds? Unless this is the MET, I don't want to have to hear that!)
Who am I to complain, though. At least, as a man, I have my one voice that I can belt with, or warm up, etc. Women have to have a belt (through the roof), a mix, a "legit" soprano, and sometimes even coloratura. (Not to mention 3 outfits and 3 pairs of shoes for every audition!)
Sorry to complain, but I just discovered BWW and I'm anxious to participate in some dialogue with all of you! Thanks.

Well, now, dicussion of the ranges being written for theatre today is a completely separate discussion.
However, regarding legit singing on Broadway, I do believe it shows up quite regularly, interspersed with periods where you see one style of singing have greater representation (like now, with the more poppish sound). There will always be a mixture, though, because a lot of revivals crop up with, if not an operatic sound, a musical theatre legit voice.

davalmar - I just want to go onboard with this topic. I agree with you about the need for more legit singing on Broadway. And it's there, in some shows, but seems like a more pop sound has taken over. I think the best way to deal with it is to have a broader range in your voice - stretch your range. The most amazing thing I have seen is when women can sing legit and also belt. However, it's rare in men to sing legit and sing pop. It's usually one or the other. I've heard men try to cross over and it's just not that great either way - but maybe there is someone out there.

Also, most of the higher 'pop' singing is mostly done in a falsetto that most baritones can do - even better than a lot of tenors.

And the reason songs ranges for men have been getting higher and higher is because singers nowadays have improved their techniques than in years before. I think we need to go forward with that instead of just being complacent with "I'm a baritone, and I'm not supposed to hit higher than this note."

Also, tenors ARE hitting D's on Broadway. I played the Fakir in 'The Secret Garden' almost 10 years ago, and there is a high D written at the end of "Come Spirit, Come Charm". There's also high D's in 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Urinetown' and probably lots of other current musicals.

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HOUFlip04, thanks for your great response and insightful thoughts. I actually am a baritone that can sing very high, and don't mind doing it. I work very hard to stretch myself, it's just that what I hear on Broadway now is not a whole lot of good singing, high or low. I guess what I am hoping for most is a return to a singer's broadway (that also demands acting chops, of course). Vocal technique in ways has evolved, but in other ways has drastically changed with people relying on the amplification to create nuance rather than having the technique to express the voice in brilliant ways.

I am also aware that tenors are hitting high Ds, but I still think that is pretty silly. It's just my personal opinion of course, but men singing that high (unless you are Peter Cetera or Pavarotti) is often a bit extreme and unnecessary, especially in a choral setting (as is often the case).

thanks, davalmar, for making some brilliant points!

davalmar - I agree with you completely about how the quality of voices on Broadway has lessened recently. I'm sure there will be a time when there will be more of a "singer's Broadway", because those will probably be the only voices left that won't be damaged!

I also get frustrated at auditions when they want to hear a 'pop' voice and when you can't do it to the auditioner satisfaction - then you feel like a 'dinosaur'.

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I am a Vocal Performace major, so I CERTAINLY hope the trend shifts to a more legit, and all around healthier, style of singing.

This obsession with belting has gone too far. There is no need for a woman to be belting High G's show after show. I feel that this musicalization is why performers cannot keep up with the grueling 8 show a week schedule.

And it isnt just golden age musicals that were legit. Look at The Secret Garden, The Phantom of the Opera, Into the Woods...

Most of the singing in those shows is totally legit.

It makes me sad that nowadays, talent is based on your last few notes of defying gravity, and not on a well supported, non shout.

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I totally agree. Him and Audra McDonald.

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im also a baritone/bass and i wish there were more songs for my range
but oh well, i will survive

OMG! How could I leave out Audra!

How about for a really young, really short, few-pounds-overweight bass-baritone?

Floyd Collins? Is that part not a Baritone? I don't think he hits anything above a G. I may be wrong.

Range expands with age as well. Your voice just doesnt get deeper.

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