sound failure at threepenny opera!- Page 3

[leefowler]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 8:47am

nobodyhome:

Thanks for an interesting post. I hadn't realized that the original production of "Dubarry Was A Lady" used amplification, although I know that Broadway shows used amplification for much longer than they think. And when you hear recordings of people with smallish voices like Marilyn Miller, you wonder if ANYONE heard her!

Another factor is the fact that vocal styles have changed. The invention of the microphone meant that people with small intimate voices could become singing stars, and nowadays, that big "belting, sing to the back of the house" Broadway sound is corny and old-fashioned to a lot of people. And big singers like Merman never really became stars in movies and recording for that reason.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 11:13am

"Another factor is the fact that vocal styles have changed. The invention of the microphone meant that people with small intimate voices could become singing stars, and nowadays, that big "belting, sing to the back of the house" Broadway sound is corny and old-fashioned to a lot of people. And big singers like Merman never really became stars in movies and recording for that reason."

Totally! Hit the nail right on the head. People would be weirded out if performers sang like Ethel Merman today... it's just not how it's done anymore.


kmc

[theatahguy]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:13pm

I would have sold my mother to have seen this performance!!! GAH!

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:15pm

theatahguy - i totally agree lol

[theatahguy]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:18pm

I read the article about it on Playbill and just got chills all over. Sounds incredible! Damn me not living in NYC.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:22pm

the sound sucks in the balcony with mics.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:25pm

I think it is an amazing feat, I wish I could have been in the orchestra for that, I have always wondered the effect mics have on voices. They said that it went terrificly and I am proud of the cast for going ahead under the conditions that they were presented with.
If I were in the balcony I would have been fearful, cause I have trouble catching the lyrics clearly over the orchestra at Studio 54 so thats just me.

Updated On: 6/21/06 at 04:25 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:35pm

double

Updated On: 6/21/06 at 04:35 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:36pm

The sound went out during a performance of NEVER GONNA DANCE one night, but because it was during a Karen Ziemba number, nothing was affected.

Properly trained singers still can and do project to the back of a theater. It's ridiculous to make excuses for those who cannot.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:39pm

With a cast featuring recording artists, no wonder they need mics

[jochang621]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 5:05pm

tom, i totally agree~ a lot of broadway trained singers can project well to the back of the theater, but not everyone on broadway's been trained specifically for broadway, like cyndi lauper, especially since it's her first time on broadway with this show.

it sounds like it may have been interesting! wish i was also living in NY too... i'd be visiting broadway every night!
Updated On: 6/21/06 at 05:05 PM