| re: Do they ever change the key for replacement actors? | |
| Last Edit: AlanScott 08:31 am EST 11/13/22 | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 08:26 am EST 11/13/22 | |
| In reply to: Do they ever change the key for replacement actors? - bobby2 05:25 am EST 11/13/22 | |
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| Yes, they have changed keys for replacement actors. For example, I think none of the Dolly replacements during the original run sang in Channing's keys. There are other examples. And in both Gypsy and Hello, Dolly!, keys changed for Merman during her run. If memory serves, parts of "Worst Pies" were lowered for Loudon. And I think "Molasses to Rum" was raised after Clifford David left 1776 shortly into the original run. Some The King and I keys heard on the cast recording are not the same as in the published score, suggesting that keys changed during the run. In Kiss Me, Kate, several score changes were made during the run, including raising the key of "Another Op'nin, Another Show" as Annabelle Hill was a female baritone, but her replacement, Helen Dowdy, sang in a standard female belt range. In fact, Hill had two understudies: a woman for her scenes, and Lorenzo Fuller, who played Paul, took the song if she was out, presumably singing it in the same key and range. As a child, when I heard the recording on the radio, I thought a man was singing it. Neither of the KMK more-or-less complete recordings gives us the original key (or the opening night version of the score). I'm sure there are plenty of examples. And it's been rather common for keys to change for tours. If memory serves, "Another Op'nin', Another Show" was in yet another key on the tour. I'm feeling too lazy at the moment to check on what's been written about that. Of course, keys have quite often been changed in revivals, even when the original orchestrations have been used. Another just came to mind: I think Vivian Blaine sang "The Ladies Who Lunch" in a higher key than Stritch did. Not sure about Jane Russell. Speaking of Blaine, I remember that her replacement as Adelaide, Iva Withers, said she sang "Adelaide's Lament" in a lower key because she (Withers) was a soprano (one who could also belt), and she would have to go into head voice on the top notes if she sang it in Blaine's key. But she had low notes that allowed her to sing it in a lower key. And I think some keys may have been lowered for Mimi Hines in Funny Girl. |
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