Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
fbueller
Leading Actor Joined: 9/30/07
#1Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:27pmIsn't lip-syncing breaking a cardinal rule? I would rather here a live, if flawed, performance, than an 'Ashlee Simpson' performance!!
#2re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:29pmbecause the sound would be really bad if they didn't
roadmixer
Leading Actor Joined: 7/28/07
#2re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:31pmThe use of 'lip sync' technology for the parade is a necessary evil in order to overcome some logistical issues such as the distribution of the audio as the parade moves, monitoring and yes... as maya says - it would not sound very good live
#3re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:32pm
Almost anything televised live is "synched" just to make sure he vocals are correct and there are no sound issues. Also to set the timing.
You can't take your chances with "live" TV...
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#4re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:33pmDo they make a new recording for the parade or do they just use the previously recorded cast album? I always assumed that they make a new recording for the parade, but I really have no clue.
"I'd rater be nine peoples favorite thing, than a hundred peoples ninth favorite thing"
#5re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:35pm
No they don't.
The Xanadu and Young Frankenstein songs were previews of their upcoming Cast Recordings.
Legally Blonde was from the leaked tony voter's Cast Recording. Same deal with Mary Poppins.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
#6re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:36pmAnd the parade is, what, three hours? Imagine singing the same song over and over for three hours. I bet it would get tiring. Yes, the Broadway performers have strong vocal skills but why risk straining their voices for a parade?
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
fbueller
Leading Actor Joined: 9/30/07
#7re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:38pm
What track was used for the Xanadu performance? There is no OBCR for this show.
Do any stars/shows use these tracks during actual performances?
#8re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:40pm
Yes there is, it is being released in January.
And no, they do not use the tracks during a live show.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
#9re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:41pm
"Do any stars/shows use these tracks during actual performances?"
Sometimes. I once heard a rumor (and maybe someone here can shed light on this) that Sarah Brightman could not always hit that high note at the end of the "Phantom of the Opera" so it was recorded and when she got to that part of the song she'd just open her mouth and someone would push a button. But for the most part Broadway shows are sung live.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#10re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:42pm
Are you sure, IdinaBellFoster?
I've witnessed the Macy's recording sessions at Clinton Studios before. You might be right about Broadway companies, but other perfomers in the parade are all recorded in marathon sessions weeks before the parade.
This was awhile back, so I'm sure things have changed!
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#11re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:44pm
Well I could be wrong, but I have the Legally Blonde and Mary Poppins leaked Cast Recordings, and they sound exactly the same.
I can't speak for Xanadu or Young Frankenstein, but I can only assume.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
#12re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:46pmEris, that final note in Phantom has been prerecorded many times for many other Christine's over the years.
#13re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:47pm
"Eris, that final note in Phantom has been prerecorded many times for many other Christine's over the years."
See, I knew someone would have the answer *s*
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#14re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:48pm
Eris--the Broadway performers don't really march the parade route. They only perform for the TV cameras the segments before the actual parade reaches Herald Square.
And you are correct about Phantom. Some still have the high notes "plugged" in. The score is so badly written that it is virtually impossible for anyone to sing certain high notes on certain vowels. Sir Webber does NOT know how to write for the human voice...maybe for cats or trains or dead divas...
EDIT: Becoz beat me to it! Thanks! 
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
Updated On: 11/25/07 at 08:48 PM
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#15re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:51pm
"Xanadu" did a medley for the parade. It was pre-recorded that morning (or the day before.) It was a totally different arrangement than the show so it was no way from the as yet to be released CD.
< Patty Duke (the original Neely O'Hara) & me (March 8, 2010)
Updated On: 11/25/07 at 08:51 PM
DrTheatre
Broadway Star Joined: 9/23/05
#16re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:52pm
"And no, they do not use the tracks during a live show."
I beg to differ about that. I started a thread a while back about how I heard some vocals of a song playing in the background of Xanadu during a Kerry Butler interview. That lead the impression that not all of the songs that you see or hear are song live. I saw Mamma Mia here in SF and a lot of it was on track and the actors were lip syncing to it.
All-in-all most of, if not all shows do live shows. But once in a while a song or two is used to a track, just depends. As using that track you heard at the Parade, who knows, could be, could not be, but mostly likely it is used only for the Parade.
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#17re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:53pm
"Eris--the Broadway performers don't really march the parade route. They only perform for the TV cameras the segments before the actual parade reaches Herald Square."
And what about Sarah Brightman or the Spring Awakening gang this year? They were in the parade. I understand that the actual shows perform once in Herald Square. But there are actual Broadway performers in the parade. I was referring to them.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#18re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:55pm
Jeffrey you beat me to it!
Also, Mary Poppins never made a Broadway cast recording. They could have used a track from some promos, but I still think all performers in the parade are recorded specifically for the telecast. And I assume its on Macy's and NBC's dime.
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#19re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:55pmACK. Double post.
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
Updated On: 11/25/07 at 08:55 PM
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#20re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 8:58pm
Well somehow they recorded some tracks from the Broadway productions.
I have a few of them: Practically Perfect, Supercal., Being Mrs. Banks, Anything Can Happen etc.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
#21re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 9:02pm
I would assume they were for marketing purposes.
I wish they would release a Broadway version, but the Disney machine is not known for spending un-necessary money!
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
fbueller
Leading Actor Joined: 9/30/07
#22re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 9:03pmIs lip-syncing done for inside shows such as NBC's Today and ABC's Good Morning America?
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#23re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 9:06pm
In terms of using pre-recorded vocal tracks for Broadway (not the parade) it's a VERY VERY rare thing for a performer to lip-synch. I can only think of maybe a half dozen occasions it's happened in the last several decades, at least for vocal solos (I've heard that very occasionally shows have "sweetened" the sound of ensemble numbers with a few extra pre-recorded voices, though most times sweetening is done using live performers -- typically standbys, swings or understudies -- singing from the pit or backstage, such as in A CHORUS LINE where the dancers cut from the opening number then go backstage and help fill out the sound during the ensemble numbers by singing into mics).
One example of a solo I know of is Liza pre-recorded part of "City Lights" when she did THE ACT because the dancing in that number was so strenuous.
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"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
#24re: Why Do Broadway Stars Lip-Sync in Macy's Parade?
Posted: 11/25/07 at 9:15pmSorry Eris, I misunderstood!
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
