Who Watched Broadway's Lost Treasures?- Page 2

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/11/03 at 7:39pm

As for the lip synching....Please remember that these numbers were taped about 30 years ago, when audio technology wasn't as sophisticated as it is today. Very possibly these numbers were performed to recordings for sound clarity. It's only a guess, but an educated one.

Updated On: 8/11/03 at 07:39 PM

[luluhed]

Posted: 8/11/03 at 7:44pm

All I can say is that when Betty Buckley sings, I get goosebumps. I got them from her short solo in Memory. Amazing.

Posted: 8/11/03 at 10:32pm

Dolly, I do believe you're correct that antiquated technology is the culprint. The lip sychning was prevalent throughtout. I first noticed it on "Worst Pies" and couldn't help catching it in almost every number. It was distracting.

As for the "Ephriam, let me go" speach...pure Thorton Wilder.

RobbieJ, not being a performer I can't speak intelligently on the current state of auditions, but I shudder to think the crap young performers are singing at auditions these days. There are no stage personalities today because no one is allowed to learn their craft performing live.

Television & media have conditioned the general audience to expect to see and hear in a theatre what see and hear at home or at the movies. Can't anyone sing without a mic? Gads!

As for the CATS number, after all these years I still don't understand the attraction except to cat owners. There was nothing magical about it, nor about Buckley's "Memories." ALW has done more damage to the musical theatre form than, well... he is high on the list, in my opinion. Well meaning, I'm sure, but low excellence after JCS & EVITA. I'm proud to say I never bought a recording of CATS.

Yours for a better Broadway!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/11/03 at 10:39pm

I love Betty. Hate CATS. What is that thing she does when she pats her paws on the floor? Was she directed to do that or was it the blow?

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 8/11/03 at 11:06pm

I saw this show!!! ah actualy I only saw the second half but it was still really good! I liked Cabaret & 42nd Street!!

Updated On: 8/11/03 at 11:06 PM

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 8/11/03 at 11:09pm

I watched it again tonight (we get it twice in NY on PBS and WLIW), and it didn't seem like Patti LuPone and Bob Gunton were lip synching--especially because you could see Patti's mouth helping her vibratto along (think Jennifer Holiday). I think the only performance where I truly noticed the lip synching was in Angela Lansbury's Worst Pies In London, but that was because she was out of synch with the track for a split second.

Posted: 8/11/03 at 11:10pm

Namo, I agree. I happen to like Buckley--doing other material. And, I thought the same thing--what in the hell is doing pawing at the floor? That is what passed for choreography in CATS, and standards have continue to fall

Yours for a better Broadway!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/11/03 at 11:19pm

The "Ephraim lemme go" speech is taken verbatim from THE MATCHMAKER. Indeed, it is vintage Wilder. Oddly enough, TGC has always "locked the door" BEFORE she puts out the cat. Well, maybe she slams the cat through a closed window. I dunno.

I must, however, disagree about today's talent in musical theater. Each year the Encores! series at City Center ptoves that the talent exists for first-rate musical comedy, but the material is lacking.

Judy Kaye, Kristen Chenowith, Judy Blazer, TSMrW, Davd Elder, Justin Bohon, Jarrod Emick, Peter Benson, Erin Dilly, Eric McCormack are all exceptionally talented musical comedy performers. Who is writing decent original musicals to showcase their talents? If you say "Frank Wildhorn" I'll barf!

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 8/12/03 at 9:17am

I enjoyed the show very much. My favorites were, of course, Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin in Evita, Angela Landsbury in Sweeney Todd, (A far cry from Mrs. Fletcher in Murder She Wrote),Robert Preston gave an outstanding performance in Music Man, Joe Grey, was also wonderful in Caberet. I remember seeing My One and Only with Tommy Tune and Twiggy and of course, Jerry Orbach in 42nd Street. He definitely should come back to Broadway. How can you not love Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon in Chicago. What a dynamic duo!!!! Can't forget the wonderful Carol Channing in Helly Dolly. Now, that is talent. Streisand eat dirt!!!!!!! ha ha

Zero Mostel was okay in Fiddler but honestly, I thought Topol did a much better job in the movie. I taped the show just to keep and watch once in a while.

Updated On: 8/12/03 at 09:17 AM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/12/03 at 9:23am

"Streisand eat dirt"!!!!!! I love you BroadwayLady!!!!!!!

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 8/12/03 at 10:03am

Zero Mostel did good barnyard sounds though.
When I saw the original Fiddler, I was supposed to see Zero Mostel but he wasn't there and Herschel Bernardi played Tevye (sp?). He was wonderful.

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/12/03 at 10:47am

Namo,

I bet Betty was looking for the bag of booger sugar that Terry Mann dropped during the opening.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 8/12/03 at 10:51am

flaemmchen, of course you are right...obviously, there is no way in the world Patti Lupone and Bob Gunton were lipsynching...simply watch the tape...it is very, very clear to see that they are singing live...

just as clear it is to be disappointed by seeing Lansbury and Preston lipsynchin...

I dunno, if Mr. Mostel and Ms. Channing could sing "live" I don't understand why Mr. Preston's Music Man number was dubbed.

As for "antiquated," Ms. Lansbury's performance of Worst Pies in London was not in the too far distant past. Many performers before her and after her gave wonderful "live" Tony performances.

Again, is there no one who worked on Sweeny at the time or whatever? No one knows definitively WHY Angela Lansbury and Robert Preston lipsynched on the Tonys?

Tis a puzzlement.

[luluhed]

Posted: 8/12/03 at 10:57am

I will never understand the popularity of CATS. I only saw it because it was on tv one night, and just to see what the big deal was, I started watching it. Couldn't watch for very long. As for Betty Buckley, I'm not one of these crazed fans, and I only saw her in Sunset Blvd. and saw her perform on various tv shows. I've hardly ever been so affected by someone's voice.