Pre-recording Vocals to be Played Back During Performance- Page 4

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/8/11 at 11:02am

Donthatecongratulate,
The Heights ensemble would still be singing live, regardless of any prerecorded vocals. Also, I must take offense to your comment the actual work of the actors onstage". Pit / offstage singers are just as much a part of the work on stage as anyone else, just as a good group of swings is essential to any show and just as the work of the crew is essential to a performance. Not to mention that said pit singers usually cover other roles within the show..

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/8/11 at 3:29pm

broadwayguy2, there's no singing from the ensemble immediately following the Jellicle Ball. It just goes straight into the act one finale which only Grizabella and two other ensemble members have brief solos.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/8/11 at 5:40pm

Cats, it was just a bit of a hyperbole on my part to illustrate the point. :-P

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/9/11 at 1:29am

All the singing in Spring Awakening is done onstage. It may be in odd places on the stage, but no one sings offstage.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/9/11 at 10:34am

Yes.. I think they are confusing the moment in the show - if I recall correctly - where the ensemble is standing behind the stage left audience members, singing through that ladder-rung wall...

[Donthatecongratulate]

Posted: 10/10/11 at 9:37am

broadwayguy2-

Sooooooooooo, you're saying ITH DID use pre-recorded vocals? That's what I thought.

Aaaaaaaaaand, as far as Spring Awakening goes, actors singing in dim blue lights at music stands BEHIND audience members waaaaaay stage left counts as ON stage singing? Yeah, ok.

It is what it is, I'm not taking away the value, artistic merit, or onstage talent of these particular shows, I just think that ALL of these elements should be taken into account come awards season and critical praise.

Like the difference between a Beyonce who does EVERYTHING FULL OUT on stage & Britney who lip syncs her ass off and thrusts her arms around forcefully to LOOK like she's working onstage. Yes, a fluff pop analogy. You're welcome.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/10/11 at 1:27pm

I have no idea if Heights did use prerecorded vocals or not, but IF they did then the cast was still singing live as well. That is what sweetening is. It is not a replacement. It is not used to hide actors who can not sing.

You are completely mischaracterizing the staging of Spring Awakening.

1. The "dim blue lights" were used extensively throughout the show, not just there, and they aren't used to 'hide' anyone.

2. The whole purpose of on stage audience members in Spring wakening was that they were a part of the community, watching and seeing everything and were totally visible. The actors standing behind them at that moment were still very visible to audience members sitting in the house unless you were on the side in a partial view seat.

3. By your logic, anything that happens at the sides of stages is 'off stage' and that is absolute nonsense.

Now, what do you mean this stuff should be "considered" when discussing critical praise and awards? That really makes no sense.. what does it affect anything?

Some people just want to complain about something...

[Donthatecongratulate]

Posted: 10/10/11 at 1:35pm

#2-

"Now, what do you mean this stuff should be "considered" when discussing critical praise and awards? That really makes no sense.. what does it affect anything?

I don't know how much clearer I can make my statement. So anyway, that's that.

"Some people just want to complain about something..."
No one is complaining. We're having a discussion and I stated my opinion and some things that I know to be facts. That is what is done here right? Discussion?

Thanks.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/10/11 at 5:07pm

Whenever someone is singing in Spring Awakening, they have an action. They aren't gathered around a microphone offstage and singing. Ilse and the Boys sing behind the ladder (stage left onstage audience) at certain points, yes, but they are peeking or spying in at the action in the playing space. It is technically part of the choreography and staging of those numbers. Those parts that are sung there, anyway, are part of an underscoring section of a group number ("Touch Me"). Anything that happens within the brick walls of the set is part of the show, including the band, audience, etc., so I would not consider any singing that takes place within that space "offstage singing."

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/10/11 at 8:54pm

Thanks, MrMusic. :)