robertwhite

Hi Wilmer,

I was wondering if you could tell me what's going on with some of the new shows in which the actors are playing instruments on stage (like "Sweeney Todd" last year and "Company" this year)? Reviews I've read imply that they are covering all the music, but that can't be possible, can it? There must still be a pit orchestra, right? Isn't there a still a union requirement for orchestra size?

Just curious. Thanks!
Bob

wiseone2

The minimum number of musicians in the theaters on Broadway is a hot issue with the League of Broadway Producers. The League, let's call them Management, has wanted to cut the numbers of musicians employed for musicals drastically for years. They're in it for the money.

When Sweeney Todd opened, it played at the largest theater on Broadway. There was a full orchestra. We had a brass section of two trumpets, we played C trumpets, three trombones and a french horn.
The newest edition of Sweeney played at a much smaller house. The show was re-orchestrated and had no pit. The actors doubled as musicians.......I thought it sounded pathetic.

There is an on-going battle going on. Management is trying to cut their musical cost by re-orchestration, or bringing in that abomination known as "Virtual Orchestra." Local 802 is putting up a good fight to keep jobs.

"Les Miserables"and "Company," have returned to Broadway in scaled down and re-orchestrated forms. Is this the wave of the future? I don't know. The answer sits with the theater-going public. Will they accept, for the same price as the originals, watered-down versions of those blockbusters? I hope not!
Wilmer

kadleck

Wilmer is absolutely correct. This is the latest "loophole" found by management (who is, by the way, sustaining record profits). They are passing this practice off as "hip", and using Sondheim because they probably feel that the subject matter is controversial enough to warrant an "unorthodox" approach to an "orchestra". These actors are nice-enough folks who want a gig and possibly played "some flute" in high school. The producers hire an orchestrator who basically writes "to the ability" of said players, and there you have it - instant broadway show. No need to pay an orchestra either. Brilliant.

I would encourage every theater patron to steer clear of these "productions".

Tony

robertwhite

Thanks Wilmer and Tony! I had thought something sounded fishy about these shows. Am I wrong, or has there been basically no press about this? (I mean press about the lack of professional musicians on these shows).

Aren't all of these folks in Equity? How do they do this in good conscience?

chrisvenditti

I just went to see Company tonight was very disapointed. The level of the acting, singing, and playing of instruments was about the High School level.

When I first heard that actors would be playing the instruments I was really impressed and was looking forward to the show. The level of playing was very simple....just a few notes here or there, no skill needed. Anyone could learn to play any instrument on that level.

Very sad....

Chris

kadleck

Yes, these actors are in Equity. And I know that work is scarce & they are just making a buck.

As for the producers, when the first one came around (Sweeney Todd) I said, OK, that's a cute idea - I get it. Now that a second one is here (and I've heard that a few more are in workshops), I'm getting the feeling that this is less about being quaint, and more about saving money. Maybe if they said, "Gee, we're combining the cast & orchestra, so those $110 seats are now going to be $70", then maybe I'd buy it.

TK

Billy B

A few years ago they tried the virtual orchestra thing here in Des Moines. There was a nice picket line including construction workers complete with hard hats marching beside the musicians. The Governor boycotted the show. Of course the stage hands crossed the line with the lame excuse that this is a right to work state. If they had any balls they would have caught the flu that week. The pubiicity followed the show and they were out of business within weeks. Giving up your principles for $$ leads to more problems than you can imagine. Hang in there Tony. See you next week in DSM.

B15M

I always thought it should be "What ever the market will bear"

If the people that own the theater and the producers want to put on a crappy show, I don't see why the union has a right to stop them.

I do agree that replacing the musicians with electronics is something to fight against but if the show is scored for piano bass and drums and they can fill the theater that is their deal. People can not buy a ticket if the show is crappy. I really don't understand the idea that they have to hire musicians based on the size of the theater. What if there is a show that only needs 4 musicians? Should the rest of the orchestra just sit there or gat paid not to show up?

Why don't musician get mad at movies?

I hope you guys don't get too mad at me for my thoughts.

kadleck

The union doesn't have the right to tell them anything. Although theaters have "minimums", in 1993 a clause was adopted called, "Special Situations" This says that if a producer wants to bring in a show based on say, "The Doors", he/she shouldn't be forced to hire a full orchestra. I don't think anyone would complain about that.

However, when Elton John brought in "Aida", I was one of close to 90 musicians that played on the cast recording. When the actual show came in, he complained that he only wanted one violin - that the "sound" he heard in his head was one violin doubled by synth strings. If that was the case, why did he have about 30 violins on the album. He won his 'special situation" at arbitration. The show ran almost 5 years - with one violin & no trumpets (3 were on the recording session).

Unions are here for a reason. NOT to abuse power, but to protect jobs. In 2003, musicians lost 30% of jobs on broadway.

Let's face it, the american public is not the most arts-savvy. I've seen people go to a NY City Ballet performance of "Nutcracker" and not care at all that it was on tape. Same with the Radio City Xmas Show". THAT (unfortunately) is "what the market will bear". Should we just give up?

TK

Richard Oliver

I wish public aesthetics warrants a bright outlook.

Regards,

Richard Iliver