Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade? — Page 3

The Macy's Parade is actually pretty interesting to watch down by Macy's. We went there a few years ago and were surprised to see people coming out of their trailers to perform then dissapearing when they were done. I always had the impression that they marched in the parade then stopped and sang in front of Macy's. While they wait downtown for the parade to reach them (parade starts at 77th and ends at 34th) they just keep shuffling performs in front of the cameras to do their bits. Uptown (38th st. and up) it flows like a real parade with all of the stars (minus Broadway) just riding and waving. When they get to Macy's it's just like a big TV studio. That's why the parade starts to slow down about half way through if you're watching it uptown because the whole thing is being timed out for the TV cameras. Santa has to arrive exactly on time in Herald Square for the TV viewing audience.

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Mary Poppins uses tracks throughout a lot of their dance numbers. Especially Step In Time.

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neddyfrank2,

Do you know what a click track is??? There are no vocals in a click track. It's a timing/synchronizing method in music. If you ever see a conductor in a show wearing headphones, chances are, he/she is listening to a click track, which is basically an electronic/synthesized metronome.


"I can list several Broadway performers and shows that have used click tracks."

It is a "not so secret" Broadway Secret that when you see Phantom that the entire "PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" song is tracked. This is in no way a disrespect to the peformers but as someone else pointed out done due to the numerous pairs of Phantom and Christine doubles who are used to create the visual effects in that scene.

Also if you notice.. The recording is always of the Main Phantom and Christine. When the Alternate Christine goes on they still use the same track. When the tour came to my city I saw both Christines and thought it was a little jarring that when the Alternate Christine opened her mouth to sing it was clearly the 6 show Christine's voice track. That is also part of the reason why that song is orchestrated so loudly to help disguise what is really going on.

I don't get upset by it though or look at it as being cheated because it is just a neccessary evil to help create the magic of that scene.

That's more to not wear out the voice I think, rather than her "inability" to hit the "poor-written" song.