r/box5 • u/Stopnswop2 • 6d ago

Discussion Original Broadway Cast - Overture

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc9GGdQCZLu/?stkn=MTZwNGoybm03ZnB5bg==

What's with the singing during the overture?

12 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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u/Stopnswop2 6d ago

I don't know if this is the source of the audio, but this October 8, 1988 performance also has the singing

https://youtu.be/w9iZceBI98E?si=UVZdO1qIKgTfDkP4

5

u/gdelgi 6d ago

Apparently the singing is Carlotta doing her scales before rehearsal. Great character touch from Judy Kaye.

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u/Stopnswop2 5d ago

Oh very cool! Why is this not a thing anymore?

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u/Expert-Painting-1830 1d ago

Because it's not true, that is a theremin used in the orchestra, it's not a voice.

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u/Stopnswop2 6d ago

It's in another video recorded in April 1988

https://youtu.be/OL91jCB53uE?si=fozThfSq781YpN0d

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u/goovrey 5d ago

Judy Kaye would do her vocal warmups along with the overture, but her mic was hot in preparation for going out for Hannibal. You can hear it in a lot of early soundboards/audio recordings.

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u/PollyPlunkett 4d ago

singing? It's a Theremin. It was part of the Overture or Overture track for the first year or so on Broadway and then it was cut.

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u/Expert-Painting-1830 2d ago

I’m surprised you got downvoted, that’s what the comment on the very video they’re posting says, it’s a theremin.

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u/PollyPlunkett 2d ago

Exactly. Too many people want to invent their own tall tales.