By: Bob Ashby

Bob Ashby — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:56:05 +0000

There can indeed be times when miking actors makes sense. If one is doing a musical with a rock-based score (e.g.,Rent, Spring Awakening, Next to Normal), then doing so is essential. If one is mounting a revival of one of the large-scale musicals of the 1940s-60s "golden age," all of which were designed, in that acoustic era, to be presented without microphone enhancement, in a 1500-3000 seat house (much larger than most Broadway houses of that era), then audio reinforcement is also necessary, though venues of this size often have sophisticated audio systems that avoid many of the problems frequently encountered in community theater settings. If one is running assistive listening devices for patrons with hearing impairments, one can mic actors solely for that purpose, without inflicting sound issues on the rest of the audience. (The notion that it is sensible to mic actors simply to raise the volume level for hearing-impaired audience members misunderstands hearing impairments no less than theater.) As to balance, Tomfoolery is a show with four singers and a piano player. The four strong, experienced singers in this production are more than capable of projecting the 20 for so feet to the back of the house and of knowing how to balance one another. The pianist, Tom Fuller, is one of the best and most theater experienced accompanists in the area, and one need have no fear of his being out of balance with the singers. In short, none of the reasons for miking a show apply in the case of the ESP Tomfoolery, and the choice have done so remains a mistake. It's all too true, as the commenter says, that it is commonplace to mic shows nowadays. That is attributable primarily to the force of current habit, and perhaps to the reflexive notion that if mics are available, one must necessarily use them. Far better to engage in a reasoned consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of miking for a particular production.

By: Kat Brais

Kat Brais — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:51:34 +0000

Bob, since you have performed so many times at the IST, then you would also realize the mics are also used for balance. I have done many musicals there myself and there was only one or two instances when we DIDN’T use mics. As you know, the space is not accoustically friendly. Any boost a vocalist can get is helpful, but is especially helpful to those audience members whose hearing might be impared.

Comments on: Elden Street Players Tomfoolery

By: Bob Ashby

By: Kat Brais