Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
#1Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:17pm
Audra sings Lizzie in lower keys opposed to Inga and Karen. Does anybody know why? OBVIOUSLY she could sing the original keys perfectly.
The only reason I can think of is that they wanted her to sound grittier and more sultry. And in the higher keys it would've been too much Juilliard.
Any opinions?
#2re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:20pmWhich keys are different? I never noticed this.
Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.
#2re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:20pmI think you hit the nail on the head. It probaly made her Lizzie character voices easier to access.
I have NEVER met Cheyenne Jackson. I have never hung out with him in his dressing room, he did not tweet me, he never bought me a beverage, and he mostly certainly didn't tickle me. . .that is all.
#3re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:21pm
Someone posted on ATC once that RAUNCHY and OLD MAID are definitely different. Not sure about the others. Though I'd assume they are lower as well.
I checked OLD MAID on the piano and she is definitely in a different key from Swenson.
Updated On: 7/7/07 at 01:21 PM
#4re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:34pmInteresting. Ziemba's range is naturally lower than McDonald's, yet she had no trouble accessing character in her voice when necessary as Lizzie.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
Josh Freilich
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/06
#5re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:36pm
Maybe it is because her voice would be grittier and smoother in that vocal range. Maybe you're right.
And it sounds good like that, for some strange reason.
"How could she just suddenly, completely disappear into thin water?" - The Little Mermaid
#6re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:53pmIt's sounds good the way it is. As much as I love Audra (I HEART AUDRA TIMES INFINITY), I would get up and walk out if she sung the score like Sarah Brightman.
I have NEVER met Cheyenne Jackson. I have never hung out with him in his dressing room, he did not tweet me, he never bought me a beverage, and he mostly certainly didn't tickle me. . .that is all.
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#7re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:58pmI don't think Audra could ever sing like Sarah Brightman. And I mean that as a compliment.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
#8re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 2:01pmMiss Sarah was the first name that came to mind. I will replace it when someone more appropriate comes to mind.
I have NEVER met Cheyenne Jackson. I have never hung out with him in his dressing room, he did not tweet me, he never bought me a beverage, and he mostly certainly didn't tickle me. . .that is all.
misschung
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/18/07
#9re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 2:14pmLJ - that's what I've heard -- that it was to make her character seem more "plain" - not as pretty sounding.
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
Auggie27
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
#10re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 2:18pm
Interesting to read this. I listened to "Old Maid" several times back to back last week, because I could've sworn she was taking the ending down considerably. Which I didn't notice in the theater. The final "alone" seems to land in an entirely different way. Though I am an enormous fan of the entire performance, this final potent phrase at the end of act one doesn't punch my soul as it does when Swenson nails it. I'm not suggesting MacDonald doesn't nail it musically -- only that her choice somehow reads as less poignant, less wounded.
I dunno, perhaps because she's a stronger Lizzie, it keeps the score/text of a piece. The performance is such a triumph, I hate to nitpick. Still, the wrenching conclusion of "Old Maid" in my head remains Swenson's.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
LostLeander
Broadway Star Joined: 3/18/05
#11re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 2:21pm
She doesn't sing in her soprano voice at all in the score. She's mixing all those high notes, and I'm sure she could mix the notes in the original key too (see her Down With Love from the Leading Ladies concert - mixing and sustaining with vibrato a high G) - but I'm sure singing a Soprano role entirely in her mix would not be too healthy for Audra 8 times a week.
Old Maid is one full step down, and Raunchy is at least a full step, or two down. But it's still fantastically high to be mixing so much.
The woman is a goddess of the theatre.
Personally, I think I have too much bloom.
#12re: Why does Audra Sing Lizzie in Lower Keys??
Posted: 7/7/07 at 2:24pm
I guess that was a directoral choice. I don't know, Ziemba sang and characterized the score and still had a fierce grasp on the character.
I think I would have preferred if Audra had sung the whole thing in her head - it would be less distracting than the jumping back and forth that she's clearly not completely comfortable with.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
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