South Pacific Mics?

[UniversalTheatreLove2]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 1:50pm

Hi everyone. I saw South Pacific last night, and I couldn't help but wonder if some of the actors were wearing mics. Particularly Kelli O'Hara when she sang "Gonna wash that man", I did not notice any microphone. Its hard to believe that someone nowadays can be heard over a 30 member orchestra without amplification.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 1:57pm

Well Ethel could sing above the orchestra, but if the adtors don't wear wigs micsdon't go through the hair, it can on their ears or hidden on their costumes.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 2:00pm

They are wearing mics. Everyone in the cast is.
It's just incredible sound design.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 2:00pm

Double post Updated On: 4/16/08 at 02:00 PM

[Weez]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 3:00pm

I believe I read somewhere that there's mics properly built into the set, at least for 'Gonna Wash...', due to the fact Kelli obviously wouldn't be able to have the usual head-mounted affair.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 3:06pm

they were wearing mics. Kelli just can't belt.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 3:11pm

The OP was stating that you could hear her over the 30-piece orchestra, Folksy, not that she wasn't able to be heard...were you agreeing and saying that belting doesn't cut through orchestras or saying that she's not good because she can't belt? Not being snotty, just didn't understand.

In any event, belting doesn't cut nearly as well as well-formed, supported, resonant singing. Gotta love the physics of sound.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 3:26pm

i'm saying that Kelli O'Hara could not hold the notes in "A Wonderful Guy" loud enough that the old people sitting next to me didn't have to lean in to appreciate it.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 3:45pm

Gotcha.

[p.s.]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 3:48pm

They are wearing mics. Everyone in the cast is.

Paulo Szot was not miked.


p.s. At least, not through previews.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 3:53pm

Okay...then they are all wearing mics except for Paulo.
The fact of the matter remains - Kelli wears one. Thus answering the point of this post.

Seems odd that Paulo wouldn't be wearing a mic for his speaking lines, at least. But I don't remember whether or not he was given one. No big deal, in any event.

[morosco]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 4:06pm

Scott Lehrer's sound design for this production is stupendous
and deserves this season's inaugural Tony Award for Best Sound Design.

Also keep in mind that this show was orchestrated very differently from the way shows are orchestrated today.