THE BROADWAY OVERTURE- Page 3

[all that jazz]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 6:37pm

I think people went to the theatre more frequently 200 years ago, because there weren't many options for entertainment. The idea of it was more casual due also to the fact that there were theaters for different social classes, so it was more accessible to everyone. Today the elite theaters (Broadway, West End...) are accessible to everyone at least once in their lifetimes.

That being said, the theater as a whole is undeniably more casual, not only the audience perspective of it, but also the subject matters of the shows, at least in my opinion. Broadway used to be so glamorous, so elegant, now it's for the most part a tourist attraction. It boils my blood to see tourists who after spending all day walking around New York just casually decide to go see a a show, wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

Updated On: 3/31/13 at 06:37 PM

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 6:38pm

I still get goosebumps when today's modern productions use and overture, even if it's only 30 seconds. It's what transports me into the show. Nothing more thrilling than the house lights dimming and the wave of the conductors baton.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 6:45pm

all that jazz, it's not just theater. Society in general is much more casual.

200 years ago, the upper classes in box seats dressed formally because they knew all eyes would be upon them. But those in the stalls (what we call the orchestra) were more likely to dress in the one outfit they wore for work, church and even to bed.

I can remember when children wore jackets and ties to board an airplane. It wouldn't occur to me to do so today. And likewise, although I wear clean clothes, I have been known to wear jeans to a play.

Is it better or worse? I suspect we'd need a separate thread for that debate.

[PTOPhan]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 6:52pm

Frontrowcentre2 and All that Jazz, until you said so, I never caught on that the overture to “Phantom” is not a true overture. The fact that it follows the auction scene, which I think of as a prologue, doesn’t remove it from the “overture” category, in my view, because the music precedes the flashback action. However, I just listened to it again, and darned if you’re not right – the only song in it is the title number. The, entr’acte, on the other hand, does consist of a medley, and would make a perfectly good overture.

I don’t know how I previously missed that POTO’s overture only consists of POTO, in the zillions of times I’ve listened to the music and watched the movie and the London 25th anniversary DVD and the eight times I’ve seen the show live in various places. I guess I’ve been too busy getting goosebumps when the bang and flash take place, and the chandelier starts to rise. How they’ll achieve that reaction from the audience in the new tour without the rising chandelier … well, that’s off-topic.

The first time I noticed the absence of an overture was at a production of “Les Mis,” about ten years ago at Wolf Trap. I had never seen the show before, and I was startled when the curtain opened and “Look Down” started.

Perhaps because of my classical music roots, I’m with those of you who lament the passing of the overture.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 7:16pm

Gaveston, I guess the question: for better or for worst, is a matter of personal taste. Some people favor comfort over luxury and vice versa. I personally prefer luxury, I like getting dressed up for the theatre or even to go to a restaurant. And I believe shows should have a certain air of sophistication and elegance.

And you're definitely right, our society is much more casual in general, and for the most part I find it horrifying.

PTOPhan, that moment gives me goosebumps too, even just listening to the recording.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 7:48pm

Since this thread was bumped recently, it deserves to be updated in terms of the OP's question about shows that use an overture. CINDERELLA right now has a traditional, dim-the-lights, cue-the-orchestra, old-fashioned overture and, if my memory serves, it's glorious. I can't wait to hear that on CD.

FINIAN'S RAINBOW a few years ago had a glorious overture, though coming from Encores! that's not a big surprise. As someone pointed out, PROMISES, PROMISES has a tremendous overture, and the recent revival made great use of it (even interpolating "I Say a Little Prayer" in a much better fashion than the revival itself did.) THE ADDAMS FAMILY had an overture on CD, though I never saw it so I can't speak to its presence in the production. Also, for everything (terrible) that follows, MAMMA MIA! does have an overture, and it's pretty great. By far the highlight of that (terrible) show, to me.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 9:50pm

I know I'll be having the Cinderella Overture on repeat, when the cast recording is released. From what I've heard, it's gorgeous!

Updated On: 3/31/13 at 09:50 PM

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 4/1/13 at 12:11am

Just about any Richard Rodgers Overture bears repeated listens...the early ones like ON YOUR TOES and BABES IN ARMS are filled with familiar tunes. The overtures to OKLAHOMA!, SOUTH PACIFIC, THE KING AND I, PIPE DREAM and especially FLOWER DRUM SONG are delightful potpourris.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 4/1/13 at 12:19am

The overtures to shows from long ago get a deservedly tumultuous reception at Encores!, most recently at IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S SUPERMAN--and that's not even a classic one in the GYPSY mold, splendid as it is. True musical theater enthusiasts appreciate the artfulness that goes into the creation of the overture. It's unfortunate that many people no longer consider them essential. (I hope Encores! does SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING; I've always liked that overture.)

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/1/13 at 12:21am

Someone suggested on a thread here (or possibly ATC I can't remember) that Encores! do a gala concert celebrating great Broadway overtures. I for one am in favor of this.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/1/13 at 7:43am

Overtures make great gym music.

At least they do for some people.

[mikeyb16]

Posted: 4/1/13 at 9:04am

Beauty & The Beast's Overture is my favourite

[broadwaytbay]

Posted: 4/1/13 at 9:08am

I suppose I have divergent taste when it comes to overtures... probably derived from the first OCRs I owned...

Showboat with its lush melodies and Jesus Christ Superstar with its stacatto rock... I had forgotten how powerful and haunting it was until I did my yearly rewatch for easter... and it still gives me chills...

[newintown]

Posted: 4/1/13 at 12:35pm

The Drowsy Chaperone (relatively recently) has a terrific overture, but you only get to hear roughly the last 60 bars live, the rest is recorded. And the evening' action has already started by the time you hear it.

In the same theatre a few years prior (and same time period for the setting), Thoroughly Modern Millie had a full, old-fashioned overture. Curtains had one. The previously mentioned Urinetown has a cute Threepenny Opera pastiche overture-ette.

They're sadly rare, but when you consider the relatively tiny size of current theatre orchestras, you realize that you're not missing much.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/1/13 at 2:29pm

If there is a revival of On the Twentieth Century, I wonder how they will treat the overture. One of the greatest I've ever heard. So well-constructed, it could serve as the backdrop for a mini-ballet.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/1/13 at 4:02pm

And while we're praising overtures, let's also hear it for lighting designers who design curtain warmers.

Especially when they change colors during the overture as the melodies in the overture change.

Updated On: 4/1/13 at 04:02 PM

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/1/13 at 5:20pm

The second show I saw on Broadway was the 94 revival of Damn Yankees (Beauty and the Beast was the first the night before). It had quite the rousing overture, beginning with the final strains of the "Star Spangled Banner," which, as I recall, did quite a good job at getting people to shut up and sit down. Kind of amazing how Pavlovian the audience response to the national anthem can be.

It also had the color shifting curtain warmers that you just advocated for, PalJoey.