Was (or Is) Broadway show or show on tour using half-playback music recording??

[Anddou]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 7:55pm

Shows in Prague often use a half-playback music recording (without live orchestra) except Les Miserables and shows in Karlin Music Theatre, and I HATE half-playbacks. Please feel free to ask my question and you can tell me, how do you like this idea for Broadway.

BTW: In Brno City Theatre they are using a live orchestra for every show except Sny svatojanskych noci, but it is recording almost completely on synths I think, so I don't mind .
Updated On: 1/5/08 at 07:55 PM

[TomMonster]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:04pm

Union rules won't allow half-playback shows on Broadway. They can use synths, but theatres are required to hire a specific number of musicians.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:07pm

Some vocals are pre-recorded in Phantom and if I remember correctly, Mamma Mia as well.

[Anddou]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:08pm

TomMonster: You have a luck on Broadway.

[Anddou]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:12pm

COOOOLkid: Yes, I know, but these are tiny parts, but we have a whole show on half-playback (music and some backvocals). Main vocals are live.

[winston89]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:37pm

The only bit in Phantom that is pre recorded is the title song. They go back to actually singing when the phantom starts his line " I have brought you..."


I took a tour backstage of Phantom. There is a little montor on a shelf that is literally in the corner of the backstage area. There is a headset peace and little mics that are used for the actress and actor playing Raoul and Christine. That is where they sing there bit in the end of the show off stage and there bit in the reprsie of all I ask of you. It sounds as if it is pre recorded but it isn't.

I think that the bits in Mamma Mia that are off stage singing are actually being done off stage with mics set up.

[Baiseur82]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:45pm

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I think I remember a video somewhere where they showed the cast of M M signing live backstage.

[henrybutler]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 8:52pm

yeah, there was a video a couple months ago on broadway.com where carolee carmello gave a backstage tour at Mamma mia and showed the booths (one for each voice part) where the background singing happens offstage by the cast, live.