What's your take on having the 'band' on stage . . .

[bwaybri2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 1:46pm

The growing trend of having the pit on stage is perplexing to me. Hair, SA, Catch Me if . . , Next to Normal -

Certain shows like Hair and SA work better than others - what is the motivating factor for having them on stage-

And what do you prefer?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 1:57pm

First of all, I haven't heard the music to Catch Me if You Can and am not familiar with how it is staged.

The onstage band is the choice of the director. I think it works in a way because the music is almost a "character" in the show if that makes any sense. For example, in Spring Awakening, the music revealed the characters' inner thoughts and having the band onstage really connected them to the music moreso than if the band was offstage.

Also, for a show like Hair, I think having the band onstage adds more to the "fun" element of the show.

Of course, I could be totally wrong, but that is my interpretation.

ETA: Also, I don't care if the band is onstage if it works for the show. It would be weird to have an onstage band for a show like Shrek, but it definitely works with Hair and Spring Awakening.

Updated On: 8/5/09 at 01:57 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 2:02pm

No problem with it whatsoever.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 2:02pm

It's also nothing new.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 2:05pm

The nice thing about having the band onstage, is there isn't the added distance of a pit, the actors can connect easier to an audience, which is pretty key in shows like Hair or Rent.

In some shows, like Chorus Line, it's to maintain an illusion (the orchestra is either in a pit that is covered or elsewhere in the theatre)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 2:26pm

It really depends on the show. It didn't bother me at all for next to normal, Spring Awakening, or Hair. I didn't like it onstage at Gypsy or Wonderful Town. I know they were transfers of Encores productions, but when they moved to Broadway, they should have moved the orchestra back to the pit.

As someone else said, it definitely works better in some shows than others.

[once a month]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 2:28pm

It was integral to the staging of
I Love My Wife. The band was like the 5th character, and it worked quite well.

Urinetowns band was onstage, and the conductors entrance as a plot contrivence began the show.

It's never bothered me, but then I adored South Pacific when that orchestra below was spotlighted!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 2:32pm

^That WAS a beautiful moment!

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 2:45pm

Where is the band located in Next to Normal?

[bwaybri2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 2:46pm

In N2N - the band is 'upstairs' on the 2nd and 3rd floors - stage right and left -

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 2:48pm

Gotcha!

[dramatothemax]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 2:56pm

It works for Rock of Ages incredibly well!

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 3:06pm

I think it depends on the show and where it is located. Obviously for a show like "Chicago", it is needed on stage because it is essential in some parts. I think it would not work as well if you have a huge cast and heavy dancing though, like with "Hairspray."

[timote316]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 3:34pm

The orchestra being on stage in Gypsy was spectacular.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 3:43pm

The orchestra being on stage in Gypsy was spectacular.

Yes, during the overture. During the rest of the show, it was completely inappropriate since Gypsy is about show folk.. the audience in the seats, the performers on stage, and the orchestra IN THE PIT... and awful when June would say "Mister Conductor, if you please" while pointing to a 21 year old gay boy front row center and the conductor raises his arms 15 feet upstage.

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 5:27pm

For me, when it works, it works, and when it doesn't, it's insanely distracting. But again, that's just me.
Updated On: 8/5/09 at 05:27 PM

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 5:29pm

Did the band onstage work for the recent Grease revival? I never saw it.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 5:31pm

Love, NOTHING worked for the recent Grease revival.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 5:47pm

blaxx,
The closing notice worked wonderfully.
Updated On: 8/5/09 at 05:47 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 5:49pm

Touche.

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 6:17pm

Yes, during the overture. During the rest of the show, it was completely inappropriate since Gypsy is about show folk.. the audience in the seats, the performers on stage, and the orchestra IN THE PIT... and awful when June would say "Mister Conductor, if you please" while pointing to a 21 year old gay boy front row center and the conductor raises his arms 15 feet upstage.

I thought it was only seen during the Overture, 'All I Need Is the Girl,' and 'Roses Turn'? Maybe I was distracted at other times, but those are the only times I can remember seeing the orchestra (and I was sitting in the 7th row, I couldn't have been THAT distracted).

[Radioactiveduck]

Posted: 8/11/09 at 6:25am

The first time I ever saw an onstage orchestra was in CHICAGO and I loved it.

I think it just depends on the show and the production.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 8/11/09 at 6:59am

I thought it was only seen during the Overture, 'All I Need Is the Girl,' and 'Roses Turn'? Maybe I was distracted at other times, but those are the only times I can remember seeing the orchestra (and I was sitting in the 7th row, I couldn't have been THAT distracted).

You're absolutely correct, those were the only times the orchestra was revealed.
broadwayguy, how could you see the real conductor if he was behind the screen during the "Mister Conductor, if you please" moments?

I too think it depends on the show and production. For Hair, Spring Awakening, etc. - I think it's awesome seeing the band onstage. For certain shows, such as classics like South Pacific, I prefer to have a traditional pit. For Lupone!Gypsy, I didn't mind them being onstage. The actors only needed half the stage anyway and I thought those moments when the orchestra is revealed during "All I Need is the Girl" and "Rose's Turn" were wonderful and worked incredibly well.

My only complaint about Spring Awakening's band was that when I sat in the on stage seats, we couldn't hear the singing that well at all. That's not so much a criticism about the band being on stage, I loved that, moreso about their sound system. Oh well.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/11/09 at 7:14am

the only thing I didn't like about the band being onstage for Next to Normal was that I was terrified the bass was going to fall on me. My friend and I were sitting in the two front row side rush seats directly underneath the band. I knew it wasn't going to happen, but it made me nervous.

[binau]

Posted: 8/11/09 at 7:28am

"broadwayguy, how could you see the real conductor if he was behind the screen during the "Mister Conductor, if you please" moments"

I thought he was joking, the 21 year old gay guy would be a GYPSY fan, as they are.