Transposing Songs in Theatre
#2
Posted: 6/7/13 at 4:00pm
It is common even in professional theatre and Broadway, especially for revivals or replacements. Patina Miller does not sing any song from Pippin in the original key. Anytime Toni Braxton did a Broadway show, the score was transposed for her range. Matthew Morrison sang "Younger Than Springtime" in a lower key. They eventually transposed "So Much Better" for Laura Bell Bundy because she couldn't sing it eight times a week in the original key. It may be a pain for the musical directors and musicians, but it's done every so often.
#3
Posted: 6/7/13 at 4:04pm
Fairly often I think--Music Theatre International even has some scores available for various transpositions at a certain cost per song. However, most good musical theatre songs were written to be performed in their respective keys for various reasons. When sung in a different key, they can be less effective both musically and dramatically.
#4
Posted: 6/7/13 at 4:27pm
More and more places give you access to have different keys prepared -- but it ain't cheap. (although getting better)
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#5
Posted: 6/7/13 at 4:33pm
Some licensed shows come with big numbers in two different keys. I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables and Epiphany from Sweeney Todd are two examples.
#6
Posted: 6/7/13 at 4:42pm
Many years ago a friend was set to play Mama Rose in Gypsy. She didn't want to sing it in the key that came with the materials so she was calling around trying to locate the music transposed for Angela Lansbury. Someone gave her a number in Los Angeles to call. She did and it turns out that it was Jule Styne on the other end of the phone. He flipped out saying what do you mean that you are doing Gypsy. We have pulled the rights because the Bette Midler TV version is coming out. Where are you doing this show, I have to get the rights pulled? She said sorry to bother you and hung up.
#7
Posted: 6/7/13 at 4:55pm
If you change the keys of Eva Person in EVITA then the show gets rather boring. Shame on you Madonna!
#8
Posted: 6/7/13 at 6:43pm
I think there are some instances in which changing the key actually makes the song more effective. It probably happens less frequently, but it does happen. For example, I found Lonette McKee's versions of "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" & "Bill" from the 1994 Revival of Show Boat more poignant & musically satisfying than versions in the original key.
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