I have a not-so-original objection to musicals, which is that it’s hard to buy the idea of ordinary people bursting into spontaneous song. Or, spontaneous with the help of an awkward segue. It’s always something like, “Hmm…how shall I put this? Let me try to explain…” (CUE MUSIC).
What makes this song-bursting especially dubious is the notion that any given person –and everyone around him or her, because they all join in — has musical ability. And, often, dancing skills.
Being a lousy singer, I’m always thankful that musicals are unrealistic.
What if I were in an argument with someone and, out of frustration, they began singing their convictions? I’d have to answer in song, and my point would be lost under my off-key droning.
If the whole town, from the mayor to the shopkeeper, suddenly burst into song around me (god forbid), I’d have to pack my bags and get on the next Greyhound bus. I can’t so much as mouth along convincingly.
I even get uncomfortable when a song comes on the stereo or radio that everyone knows and they all start singing along to it. I don’t know the lyrics to anything but “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “The Humpty Dance.” So you can forget me joining in for “Bye Bye Miss American Pie.”
All that said, I can’t help but love this video, from the wedding featured in this week’s Vows in the NYT. It starts as a toast, but turns into a surprise group rendition of the great Fiddler on the Roof song, “L’Chaim.” Behind the spectacle of it all is the fact that a) there’s professional talent involved — the groom is the writer of the Broadway musical In The Heights — and b) they rehearsed for a month.
Now that’s some serious follow-through.
People come up with these schemes all the time, but at least in my experience, they rarely pan out:
ME: “Hey Sis, for Father’s Day, why don’t we write a rap about Dad and perform it with our husbands?”
SIS: “Yeah! Great idea, I don’t have time this week but maybe next.”
ME: “That’s cutting it close, why don’t we get him those Tote’s over-the-shoe boots he wanted instead?”
I’ve got to give it to this wedding party and their organized teamwork. I’m waiting for the musical where a character says, “Hey guys, we should sing about our feelings. But first, let’s look at the calendar, see when we can all meet, and then book a rehearsal space for the next four weeks.”
If they did that, I’d be a huge fan.
Lol…. i agree with @Naomi Dunford.
Happy Anniversary. Mind if I burst into song?
Thanks, Mom! Yes, I’ll give you a pass to song-burst.
Sure, why not? You’ve got the band, professional lighting, a musically inclined fiance and a wedding party of 30+ talented people, under those circumstances always go for the big musical number.
Laura, I want to find my picture. I don’t wanna be a shrimp or a talking one at that, cuz that’s creepy LOL.
“If the whole town, from the mayor to the shopkeeper, suddenly burst into song around me (god forbid),”
My fear is VERY similar — if they all started doing some sort of dance and I had to participate. that would suck. (mostly for them I think).
Thanks for sharing this video — and I'm in for the rap – maybe if families started swapping out siblings we'd get more done? you know, you take mine, I'll take yours?
I wouldn't trade my sister for anyone, but she and I would both benefit if we had a fascistic third sibling who would keep things moving and never let us drop the ball. If you have one of those, maybe we can borrow?
Oh crap. now everyone thinks I want to trade my sister. hmmm. well my family doesn't blog. or know what a blog is. or who comments on blogs, so I'm safe. Don't tell her. I just meant YOU may be able to light that rapping fire under her — lol!
Well, I don't think there's anything wrong with trading a family member. There's that show Wife Swap so why not Sibling Swap? I just don't like change, even temporary. If you were up for trading your sister, I'd just think you were adventurous.
Funnily enough there's a lot to be said for spontaneously bursting into song. 😉 It's only ever an uncomfortable segue because the minute you start to sing anything, immediately you are expressing yourself on a higher, more intense level. It's like emotional amplification. A great perfomer has to match that intensity in the speaking bits before they sing. Rehearsing helps – but really it's about commitment, focus and energy.
Think about how happy you have to feel before you start singing about how happy you feel. That's pretty damn happy!
Great vid.
Only because your email address hints that you are a professional musician do I believe that you would, say, ask for seconds of porridge, or wonder aloud what to do about a problem nun, with a song.
Our first dance at our wedding started traditionally and ended up with me dancing with ribbons on sticks like a gymnast and S scattering glitter from his sporan.
To Time After Time (a la Romy and Michelle, of course).
If that counts.
Please, please please tell me there's video of you ribbon dancing. Now I'm going to google “sporan.”
I think it's double r. Sporran.
Yes, we wore kilts.
No, no videos. “Un” fortunately.
Got it. Sporran is a fancy term for “Scottish fanny pack.”
In the absence of video, that visual aid will have to suffice.
Yes, I definitely want to see that video! This one is just wonderful. They better not break up after that!
If they do break up, what would be the appropriate musical number?
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off.
~LaVonne
This is the best thing ever.
This is brilliant, though I have to say, I'm already a fan of musical theater – The nonrealism doesn't bother me. To me theater is intended to be a heightened version of a story anyway – true naturalism has never doen much for me….
Now that said – a musical that's really successful artistically has it's own set of internal conventions about when people burst into song and why, and it does generally need to be congruent within its own world. But so long as it is, I think it's fine.
For me, what makes any art work is an emotional genuineness that comes through so powerfully for me in the best of musical theater.
Music is an incredibly powerful tool for communicating emotion beyond what is held in words alone.
I think the wedding toast worked so well because it was both so genuine, and so well rehearsed. If either of those elements wasn't there it would have fallen totally flat.
Yes, I think the best performances and most organic segues win over even me. But some are just plain awkward or painfully corny.
I agree with you on why this one works. Also, because you're not expecting it.
yes – I think the surprise is a big thing here.
I've always said life would be more interesting if there was more choreography and everyone knew the steps. Ever see this? http://improveverywhere.com/2008/03/09/food-court-musical/
Yes. I love Improv Everywhere! Though it would be more accurate if it were called Seemingly Improvised Things That Were Actually Rehearsed Everywhere.
That's the key to good improv, interestingly.
Also, LAAAAAAAAAAAA
I have to disagree with you – I've directed improv groups that were great, and everything was truly improvised. The games were rehearsed, so everyone gets good at playing by the rules, but all the content was completely improvised…
Still lots of rehearsal, though. All of those games and such. Right?
Also, LAAAAAAAAAA again! 🙂
Sort of, but also not – at least the way I do it, the rehearsals are more about the group getting good a playing together – then I can through something at them in performance that they've never done before and it's still cool. But it's probably never as “unprepared” as the audience often thinks it is…
and good idea: LAAAAAAAAAAAAA
😉
This is the most raging debate ever to take place in my comments. Thanks for the volley.
I repeat, in song:
THANKS FOR THE VOLLLLEEEEEEY! LAAAAA!
I've been part of those groups. they are fun for us and the audience I think.
It's another one of those things that when it's really good, is a total blast – and if it sucks, it really sucks… 😉
To me the key for the audience is having someone running the show who has a good sense of pacing and when it's time to move on (BEFORE the audience has gotten tired of something…)
Jinx!
LOL
Happy Anniversary. Mind if I burst into song?
Thanks, Mom! Yes, I'll give you a pass to song-burst.
I have, too, and they're fun when it's good but unspeakably uncomfortable when bad.
Sure, why not? You've got the band, professional lighting, a musically inclined fiance and a wedding party of 30+ talented people, under those circumstances always go for the big musical number.
Laura, I want to find my picture. I don't wanna be a shrimp or a talking one at that, cuz that's creepy LOL.
“If the whole town, from the mayor to the shopkeeper, suddenly burst into song around me (god forbid),”
My fear is VERY similar — if they all started doing some sort of dance and I had to participate. that would suck. (mostly for them I think).
Thanks for sharing this video — and I’m in for the rap – maybe if families started swapping out siblings we’d get more done? you know, you take mine, I’ll take yours?
I wouldn’t trade my sister for anyone, but she and I would both benefit if we had a fascistic third sibling who would keep things moving and never let us drop the ball. If you have one of those, maybe we can borrow?
Oh crap. now everyone thinks I want to trade my sister. hmmm. well my family doesn’t blog. or know what a blog is. or who comments on blogs, so I’m safe. Don’t tell her. I just meant YOU may be able to light that rapping fire under her — lol!
Well, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with trading a family member. There’s that show Wife Swap so why not Sibling Swap? I just don’t like change, even temporary. If you were up for trading your sister, I’d just think you were adventurous.
I am not getting married until someone convinces me that this or something very much like it will happen.
That is the end of that. I am ruined for all future weddings.
Funnily enough there’s a lot to be said for spontaneously bursting into song. 😉 It’s only ever an uncomfortable segue because the minute you start to sing anything, immediately you are expressing yourself on a higher, more intense level. It’s like emotional amplification. A great perfomer has to match that intensity in the speaking bits before they sing. Rehearsing helps – but really it’s about commitment, focus and energy.
Think about how happy you have to feel before you start singing about how happy you feel. That’s pretty damn happy!
Great vid.
Only because your email address hints that you are a professional musician do I believe that you would, say, ask for seconds of porridge, or wonder aloud what to do about a problem nun, with a song.
Our first dance at our wedding started traditionally and ended up with me dancing with ribbons on sticks like a gymnast and S scattering glitter from his sporan.
To Time After Time (a la Romy and Michelle, of course).
If that counts.
Please, please please tell me there’s video of you ribbon dancing. Now I’m going to google “sporan.”
I think it’s double r. Sporran.
Yes, we wore kilts.
No, no videos. “Un” fortunately.
Got it. Sporran is a fancy term for “Scottish fanny pack.”
In the absence of video, that visual aid will have to suffice.
Yes, I definitely want to see that video! This one is just wonderful. They better not break up after that!
If they do break up, what would be the appropriate musical number?
Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.
~LaVonne
This is the best thing ever.
This is brilliant, though I have to say, I’m already a fan of musical theater – The nonrealism doesn’t bother me. To me theater is intended to be a heightened version of a story anyway – true naturalism has never doen much for me….
Now that said – a musical that’s really successful artistically has it’s own set of internal conventions about when people burst into song and why, and it does generally need to be congruent within its own world. But so long as it is, I think it’s fine.
For me, what makes any art work is an emotional genuineness that comes through so powerfully for me in the best of musical theater.
Music is an incredibly powerful tool for communicating emotion beyond what is held in words alone.
I think the wedding toast worked so well because it was both so genuine, and so well rehearsed. If either of those elements wasn’t there it would have fallen totally flat.
Yes, I think the best performances and most organic segues win over even me. But some are just plain awkward or painfully corny.
I agree with you on why this one works. Also, because you’re not expecting it.
yes – I think the surprise is a big thing here.
I’ve always said life would be more interesting if there was more choreography and everyone knew the steps. Ever see this? http://improveverywhere.com/2008/03/09/food-court-musical/
Yes. I love Improv Everywhere! Though it would be more accurate if it were called Seemingly Improvised Things That Were Actually Rehearsed Everywhere.
That’s the key to good improv, interestingly.
Also, LAAAAAAAAAAAA
I have to disagree with you – I’ve directed improv groups that were great, and everything was truly improvised. The games were rehearsed, so everyone gets good at playing by the rules, but all the content was completely improvised…
Still lots of rehearsal, though. All of those games and such. Right?
Also, LAAAAAAAAAA again! 🙂
Sort of, but also not – at least the way I do it, the rehearsals are more about the group getting good a playing together – then I can through something at them in performance that they’ve never done before and it’s still cool. But it’s probably never as “unprepared” as the audience often thinks it is…
and good idea: LAAAAAAAAAAAAA
😉
This is the most raging debate ever to take place in my comments. Thanks for the volley.
I repeat, in song:
THANKS FOR THE VOLLLLEEEEEEY! LAAAAA!
I’ve been part of those groups. they are fun for us and the audience I think.
It’s another one of those things that when it’s really good, is a total blast – and if it sucks, it really sucks… 😉
To me the key for the audience is having someone running the show who has a good sense of pacing and when it’s time to move on (BEFORE the audience has gotten tired of something…)
Jinx!
LOL
I have, too, and they’re fun when it’s good but unspeakably uncomfortable when bad.
I am not getting married until someone convinces me that this or something very much like it will happen.
That is the end of that. I am ruined for all future weddings.
My husband should be thankful that we’re already married. Otherwise, I’d send this video to him and nudge him to start practicing my big surprise.