Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/06
I know Seussical and City of Angels are two of them (they shout out something at the exit music), as well as Cry-Baby (they shout out audience instructions, to hilarious effect). Of course, there's Gypsy, where Rose asks the orchestra "You like it?" and they respond with an enthusiastic "YEAH!"
Got any other ideas?
I have to give a shout-out to the "YEAH!" in the Bernadette Gypsy--friggin' SCARY!
In the Exit music for Urinetown the Orchestra yells "We're Not Sorry" and in Clue the Musical the piano player actually has lines ;O)
How about Curtains where the conductor is practically a member of the cast.
And don't forget Larry in [title of show]
In DREAMGIRLS Jimmy Early talks to the drummer.
Jimmy: Brian?
Brian Brake, the show's drummer: Yeah baby?
Jimmy: Look...I'm gonna give you a count off and the rest of you fellas come on in when I tell ya.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/08
How about in Chicago how Roxie interacts with the conductor?
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
In La Cage (or at least the revival) Zza Zza brings the conductor a glass of champagne
I don't know if this counts or if this is even done in every production. But when I saw Cabaret years ago the onstage orchestra for "Willkommen" got up and got into the pit when the number was over.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/08
The Emcee is very interactive with the Orchestra in Wilkomen. He licks them, and he humps them. It's awesome :)
Chicago is a very good introduction. The conductor even has a few lines in Chicago.
In the West End the band for We Will Rock You talk to the lead and Killer Queen in 1 scene near the end
In WWRY London the band has lines:
Killer Queen:Who dares plays live music on planet mall
Band: We do Killer Queen
Killer Queen: Who?
Band: Shagileo Jiggolos Band
Killer Queen: NOOOOOOOO! (Or to that extent)
It's not in the context of a conventional musical, but The Band in Passing Strange. There's alot of call and response chants, Heidi sings alot and she and the rest of the band interject during the show.
I remeber the exit music of Drowsy Chaperone the orchestra would shout out "Toledo Suprise" on the breaks. Whether or not this is written in the script or they just did it for fun im not sure, it was cute though.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/23/08
During the playout for Young Frankenstein, the orchestra members shout out "The Transylvania Mania!"
In Drood, the orchestra doesn't exactly talk to the cast, but there are interactions - the Chairman, Philip Bax, the Princess Puffer, etc.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/18/06
"GIVE HIM YOUR COAT AS WELL!"
I Love My Wife
The Last 5 Years - I've seen the actress use the piano player during her audition song...
During the playout for West Side Story, the orchestra yells "Mambo!"
Speaking of "Mambo!" here's my absolute favorite video on YouTube. It never fails to give me chills and bring tears. Have you ever seen a more enthusiastic performance?? And these are just kids!
Venezuela Youth Orchestra - Bernstein - Mambo
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/06
Anyone remember the 2000 revival of THE MUSIC MAN? Susan Stroman used the band in quite an amusing context! The overture is basically a playing of "76 Trombones," and since Paul Woodiel, the violinist, is in a very small string section (just him, one cello, and one bass), he opts to play the melody in slower 3/4 time ("76 Trombones" and "Goodnight My Someone" share the same melody), while the rest of the band rudely interrupt him every four measures with the traditional 6/8 feel, much to his chagrin. His playing becomes more and more florid, but he still gets interrupted. He's had enough by the end, so he devises a more virtuosic cadenza, only to get brought down once again by the rest of the band, this time playing the jazzy countermelody. Woodiel leaves the stage in a huff and walks into the pit. The rest of the band follows him after the overture is over.
morosco, that video of Mambo was amazing!
In ANYTHING GOES, Mrs. Harcourt asks what the dog was doing in the pool, and the orchestra yells "THE DOG PADDLE!"
Videos