What if there were no Microphones?
What if there were no Microphones?
#0What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 1:26am
Just how many actors and actresses would be fired from their current musical jobs if there were no microphones in Broadway musicals?
There was a time when a performer had to SING so that they were heard at the rear of the Balcony. Now, with the great sound systems, very little is required of a lot of "stars" on Broadway.
Who do you think would keep their job and who would get fired, if for some reason there were no more microphones on Broadway?
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#1re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 1:29am
Most people would not be able to do it without serious and probably long-term retraining.
What if there were no electricity?
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Updated On: 8/7/04 at 01:29 AM
NLiotta
Swing Joined: 7/28/04
#2re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 1:32am
Well i know Kristin Chenoweth would definatly be a keeper, rumer has it she dosent even like mic's.
But if there were really no mics on broadway then the theaters would be redesigned like they used to be, and no one would have to loose their job.
But lets hope this weird no mic thing dosent happens otherwise what would we do for the Tonys
Me - Hey your show is talked about the most on broadwayworld.com
Damon - wow
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#3re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 1:32am
Well, let's start off with who wouldn't get fired: Sutton Foster, Idina Menzel, any of those big belters
Who would get fired? Anyone who has a character with a softer voice: Jessica Westfeldt (as Eileen Sherwood), Angela Christian (as Miss Dorothy), Kate Levering (as Peggy Sawyer), Tammy Blanchard (as Louise at the beginning of Gypsy when she is softer), Kate Reinders (as June).
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
Updated On: 8/7/04 at 01:32 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#4re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 2:15amIf there were no microphones Lea Salonga would be just fine. ;=)
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#5re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 2:18amWhat if there were no curtains?
Twitter @NamoInExile
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#6re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 2:19am
Or trapdoors?
BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"
#7re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 2:19amIf there were no microphones Mama Mia would close.
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#8re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 2:21amOr orchestras?
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
Updated On: 8/7/04 at 02:21 AM
#9re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 2:55amTheatres in my city never use microphones, even though the theatres are HUGE. We had to learn how to sing without the help of mics, so its an advantage. We're not dependant on them like a lot of theatres are.
You've gotta have heart AND music
wickedkiwi
Stand-by Joined: 8/5/04
#10re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 4:23am
glinda (i cant spell the actress's name, sorry) would SO survive, because she's had opera training...except maybe not in those poppy songs like popular (which i LOVE)
the girls from little shop would survive
i have a feeling idina would not survive, i think she is an AMAZING singer but her voice is one of those that gets stuck real close...i dunno how to explain it, mebbe im wrong, its a hunch
adam pascal would survive. heather headley would become the new...celine dion or something (she'd survive too, if she were on bway)
hmmm...have u guys seen frenchie davis in rent? she's the only one that would survive ultimately.
the rest can pack their bags.
bernadette peters would survive as an actress but not as a singer. and i LOVE her so thats saying something. then again mebbe she would.
i dunno, its not about how good of a singer u are, its how much volume you have. heck, i'd survive on broadway. you'd hear me! but i wouldn't be coherent or in tune or anyhting like that.
the worst would be the lines, in the end, not the singing. peters would be at the top of that heap, and alfred molina. and other seriously trained actors.
...i just criticized my idols, but whatevz...just hope it never really happens, for all our sakes.
o and microphones also exist in order to be overheard by the band...so, goodbye band too i guess.
Tenme por lo que soy, por lo que puedo ser, y si te importo hoy, tenme nena, o vete!
musicaltheatreman
Broadway Star Joined: 5/22/03
#11re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 4:37ampatti lupone would be the queen of broadway because she can belt anything to the rafters!!!! :)
#12re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 4:39amHelen of TROY would be inaudible.
#13re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 9:22amKaren Ziemba would be working non-stop.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#14re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 9:32amBoth Kristin and Idina were using mics I know this because they went out in a performance last November. Both were heard fine. Last January I had a seat on stage left and could hear the ladies warming up, so yep they are miced (sp?)
"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."
Conan O'Brien
judy_in_disguise
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/31/04
#15re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 9:48am
Christy Carlson Romano would be gone.
Then again, with any luck they'll can her before the death of microphones!
insomniak
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/7/04
#17re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 10:56amWell, judging by the folks who are staying... DOWN WITH MICROPHONES!
#18re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 11:05am
Agreed! Keep the microphones though. Just kick out the people who need them.
Um. Yeah. That made sense. NOT!
#19re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 1:05pmGood one zoran. You witty thing you.
BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"
BWayBoy88
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/23/04
#20re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 1:26pm
"But if there were really no mics on broadway then the theaters would be redesigned like they used to be, and no one would have to loose their job."
Maybe I'm wrong but most of the theaters on Broadway were built in the early 1900's when there were no mics. I dont think the design of the theaters have changed much since mics have been used.
#21re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 1:27pmHe means back to the time of the Ancient Athenians.
BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"
LadyGuenevere
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/28/03
#22re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 1:34pm
This eliminating microphones thing looks good. 
I think that Idina would be the first big actress to go, she's gonna ruin her pipes if she screams any more.
Karen will still definitely be in business. Lea Salonga is pretty loud...another woman I saw is Laura Marie Duncan- she put shivers up my spine, I think that she would survive pretty well.
Other actors that MAY be fired- I'm thinking some of the main cast of Avenue Q, the ones trained to be puppeteers in front of a camera. For one example, Stephanie D'Abruzzo has a very nice singing voice, but I can't imagine her being able to project as well to a whole house without a mic. I think that the only true exception in the group would be Ann Harada.
#23re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 1:54pm
It really is technology affecting style. They say that the lightbulb was more responsible for bringing about the age of realism in theatre than Ibsen.
Microphones have allowed for more naturalism on the stage--performers can literally whisper. A performer doesn't have to worry about projecting, they can merely live through the character with all of the vocal mannerisms of real life.
Consequently, the writing has changed to reflect this.
Therefore, it isn't merely Ethel Merman was better than Idina because Merman could do 8 shows a week without microphones. It's a completely different style.
AND, no microphones means no microphones on the orchestra--everything would sound smaller (such as POTO, which needs that huge sound). How would electronic instruments be blended with non-amplified instruments? Remember, microphones first landed on the scene with JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR--a rock musical.
I am sure that certain musicals would sound awesome with no microphones--to hear voices and instruments with just the ear is a glorious thing. But, we come in such a direction that I do not think we can go back.
BWayBoy88
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/23/04
#24re: What if there were no Microphones?
Posted: 8/7/04 at 1:58pmI dont see the point of eliminating mics. If it helps an actor be heard and sound better, than I dont see the problem in using them. Personally I dont like Ethel Merman's style of singing because to me it is just yelling in order to be heard in the back of the house.
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