Musical Directors conducting from the Piano

Regional theatre is still professional.

But to answer your question, the conuctor plays the piano if it's in front of him/her. You'll probably be paying attention to the show at this point. Even if it's just once or twice, the conductor still plays it, and it is therefore necessary. I don't think a conductor would sit behind a piano for no reason.

Typically for a show with a decent-sized orchestra, the conductor would play the least prominent piano/keyboard part (ie - in the "Young Frankenstein" Broadway pit, the conductor also played Keyboard 3). Key 3 is used fairly infrequently throughout the show, so for the most part the conductor was conducting and not playing.

It can also be for "filler" - I saw an equity production of Camelot about 15 yrs ago with a 30 piece orchestra but the conductor played a synth with harp for only 1 number because it was the only number that "required" a harp (solo) so they did not feel the need to hire a real harp player.

In community/educational/regional theatre it is often because they want to get the most out of their budget so they conduct and play -- they may only have enough of a budget for 5 or 6 players in addition to themself.

Also in opera, sometimes the conductor will play the harpsichord recitative ---- but that is opera, not theatre !!

Updated On: 11/15/11 at 07:13 PM

I haven't seen the new RENT but in the original run/tours, the conductor played the keyboard. Boko Suzuki was especially fun to watch when he was conductor. If I remember correctly he rarely, if ever, looked at the score while he was playing.

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Thanks - will do :)

The MD in Priscilla does