Sound Effects Question

Posted: 7/5/12 at 3:10pm

Hello all. I have a question for all you theatre experts. It's a little strange and specific but would help me greatly with a project I'm working on.

Could you help me think of shows over the years that have used cartoon- or slapstick-style or otherwise wildly unrealistic sound effects? Modern examples would be The Lion King, eg bird sounds when the Zazu puppeteer runs into the wall, or the recent How to Succeed revival, where they used the same sound when Finch takes a hit during Grand Old Ivy. I believe some other Disney shows have used them but cannot recall exactly. I'm especially curious whether any otherwise serious shows have used these as a tension-breaking moment, much like they did in the film Natural Born Killers. I'm more interested in musicals but any play examples would be fine, too.

As this isn't something I could really find by going through scripts, I really need the help of those of you who see tons of shows and have great memories, so thank you in advance! I've read this board off and on for years, but this is my first post, so be kind. :)

[cdgunzz97]

Posted: 7/5/12 at 7:08pm

I remember that The Little Mermaid had underwater bubble sound effects throughout the show, they were really annoying and sounded really cartoonish..

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 7/5/12 at 9:26pm

"The Producers" used various gunshot, explosion and whip sound effects in "Springtime For Hitler".

"Hairspray" had a series of cartoonish effects that played when Wilbur closed down the Hardy-Har hut.

There was a bit in "High Society" where you could hear a tennis game that ended with a howling cat.

"Miss Saigon" used a goofy helicopter sound effect in its opening.

Posted: 7/6/12 at 10:35am

Thank you both! Any others?

[Calvin]

Posted: 7/6/12 at 9:33pm

Hot Shoe Shuffle, when the youngest brother (I forget his name) gets hit by the door.