Okay, does this make any sense to you guys?

[jam_man]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:36pm

So we're currently in the middle of doing a production of Les Miz: School Edition, and so far, everything's great. But there is one thing that one of the asst. directors is trying to do. She's trying to get our Fantine (who's very, very good) to sing without ANY vibratto. She's trying to say that vibratto is a characteristic of wealth, that Fantine wouldn't have any because she's poor. Now, I'm all for characterization in singing, of course - it's acting! But none of us in the cast can make any sense of this thought. Anyone on our side?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:40pm

She's trying to say that vibratto is a characteristic of wealth, that Fantine wouldn't have any because she's poor.

Wait, what?!

That means most of the characters in Act 1 would be vibrato-less. Is she making Gavroche, Eponine, Valjean (pre-1823), the Thénardiers, Young Cosette, and the "Turning" women sing without a vibrato, too?

WTF.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:46pm

I agree- WTF. This has NO logic whatsoever to it. Let the actors do their usual voice style. This is just a stupid idea.

[LaVieHilary]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:50pm

I agree Katurian2. The real joy of seeing different versions of these shows is to see the actors different styles of portraying these characters and how each make it their own.

A very stupid idea indeed

[jam_man]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:02pm

I don't think they're asking our Valjean (pre 1823) to sing his Soliloquy without vibratto, though he would fall into that category as well. Besides, his voice is amazing, with occasionally too much vibratto (though that's in choir). If any of you were at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival last year, he was Younger Brother in the All-State Ragtime.

Thanks for the support - she's a great lady, just not the brightest bulb in the knife draw. She IS from Tennessee (no offense, should it apply).

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:09pm

I've never heard of this for Les Mis, at least.

[Magical_Ms._Mistoffeles_72]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:17pm

NO! Tell her shes being stupid, challenge it! This is a great show with or without vibratto. Good luck with it, Im sure you guys will do great. I wish I went to your school

[Overthemoon6]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:25pm

I know that I personally can't really sing without a vibratto unless I'm really trying. That is sooo weird! So, that means that almost all of the characters in shows like RENT aren't supposed to sing with a vibratto because they are poor?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:29pm

Who knew that only rich people had vibrato. Go figure.

(All joking aside. That has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard.)
Updated On: 2/2/06 at 08:29 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:29pm

THERE IS ONE "T" IN VIBRATO.

Someone had to say it...

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:29pm

They aren't given any direction at all on vibratto. I also have diffuculty singing without it. It sounds so unnatural to me.

[Sporti2005]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:34pm

no, that makes no sense. here's my reason why:

vibrato warms tone. during fantine's death (one of my favorite points in the show, actually) -- don't you WANT fantine to sound warm and full of passion?

your assistant director is a weirdo. vibrato is characteristic of the human voice....not wealth.

[??]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 10:36am

"just not the brightest bulb in the knife draw"

...please tell me that was a pun.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 12:45pm

Uh, NO. First off, singing straight tone is ugly and makes it sound like you don't know what you're doing. Second off, singing forcefully straight-tone can be VERY bad for your voice, as it is done by producing tension. That is a big no-no. Third off, pretty much everyone in Les Mis is poor. Does that mean Valjean should sing without vibrato in the beginning, then add it later on? Ridiculous.

[TargemQ8]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 2:34pm

Yep, this is retarded. No other acceptable term for it; one of those things so stupid it can't even be argued with. But then, it's a suggestion from a pretentious AD, so what do you expect?

[jam_man]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 1:50am

Actually, that line is quoted from Comedy Central. When they had the roast of Jeff Foxworthy, they had a guy come on as George W. Bush (and he was really good - if I didn't know any better, I'd swear it was him), and he said that about himself. Very funny.