 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-03-02 22:54
(I know this is not directly a clarinet-related topic, but am curious to responses. It is quite music-related. Especially in regards to musicals.)
If you have not seen/heard this, GO SEE/HEAR IT ASAP!
I recently have become exposed to Stephen Schwartz's new musical "Wicked," which premiered in 2003. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the musical, it is based on the novel "Wicked," which is the untold story of the witches of Oz. So, in a sense, this musical is a prequel to the Wizard of Oz (though it runs through it) and focuses on everything from the point of view of the witches. No, it may not sound that interesting yet but if you listen to the soundtrack, read about it, and more importantly, see the musical, I guarantee you will change your mind! It has been an extremely successful musical, still running great even with replacements, and has been one of the most exciting musicals to date! Nominated for 10 Tony Awards!
I have not had the chance to see it, as it has been sold out for a good long time and tickets are backed up months in advance, but I must say that I was absolutely blown away by the soundtrack--the original Broadway cast recording. It features the two original stars in the musical--Kristin Chenowith as Glinda (the Good Witch), and Idina Menzel as Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West). These two display immeasurable talent and really make this musical top-notch. This soundtrack is definitely the most addicting of any musical I have ever listened to. The best song from it is called "Defying Gravity" (the finale to Act I), if you judge things by first listen and there are MANY more great musical numbers.
The orchestra includes all the convential instruments but does not have that conventional musical sound. It is a little more electronic-sounding based. Lots of piano parts especially. In my opinion, it works wonderfully especially in this context.
I am very curious as to what others think about this musical. Any thoughts? Reviews? Opinions?
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Author: Bnatural
Date: 2005-03-03 01:38
Have seen it, love it... great clarinet playing ;-) (you out their watching this JJM?)...
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Author: sanya
Date: 2005-03-03 01:46
i haven't seen it, but we're performing it next year, i believe. i'm in the pit band, of course
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-03-03 03:57
You're performing it?! That's tough! And awesome! I hope you have some amazing actors/singers and some really ambitious set designers! Good luck with it!
I really think this has become my favorite musical, even more so than 42nd Street and The Music Man. The music really gets to you, especially "For Good" with some great lyrics: "Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun. Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood. Who can say if I've been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been change for good."
^^And some really nice, lush clarinet playing adds so much to that.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2005-03-03 04:32
Hi Bigno16 & Bnatural:
I'm glad you enjoyed our CD, and enjoyed seeing and hearing us on Broadway. It is a terrific show for kids, students of all ages, and adults who love to laugh & cry. The score is by Stephen Schwartz, and the orchestrations were "tailor made" for us by the wonderful Billy Brohn.
We've been at The Gershwin Theater on 51st Street for a year and a half, and it's been a thrilling ride! I've done this a few times before, but this trip is especially fun because the Band is so good, and the vibe in the pit is so up.
Buy the book "Wicked," and come see the show WICKED when you're in NYC. Be sure to stop down to the pit to say hi!
BTW: I play pretty "convential instruments" at WICKED.
Bb Clarinet,
Eb Clarinet,
Bass Clarinet,
Soprano Saxophone.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2005-03-03 10:12
I saw it in December - loved it!
JJM, the orchestra sounded fantastic - very impressive that you're part of it!
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-03-03 21:06
JJM,
That's incredible that you're a part of it. You're like my idol now. lol
Perhaps I'm not listening closely enough to the orchestra, but I don't hear all that much clarinet or anything on the recordings. What are the parts like? And what is the general orchestration like, if you could describe it?
What do you think about this musical in comparison to others? Do you enjoy it as much as others? More? Less?
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2005-03-03 23:39
Thanks for your kind words, Bigno16, but "clarinet friend" fits better than "idol" for me.
We have 23 men and women in our pit at WICKED, they are;
Conductor: Alex Lacamoire
Violin 1: Christian Hebel
Violin 2: Victor Schultz
Viola: Kevin Roy
Cello: Dan Miller
Flute/Piccolo/Alto Flute/Recorder/Whistle: Helen Campo
Oboe/English Horn/Bass Oboe: Tuck Lee
Clarinet/Eb Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Soprano Sax: John Moses
Bassoon/Baritone Sax/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Flute: John Campo
Lead Trumpet/Flugel Horn: Jon Owens
Trumpet/Flugel Horn: Tom Hoyt
French Horns: Theo Primis, Chad Yarbrough
Trombone: Dale Kirkland
Bass Trombone: Douglas Purviance
Drums: Gary Seligson
Bass: Konrad Adderley
Piano/Synthesizer/AC: T.O. Sterrett
Keyboards: Paul Loesel, David Evans/AC
Harp: Laura Sherman
Guitars: Ric Molina, Greg Skaff
Percussion: Andrew Jones
And they are some of the nicest and most talented people on Broadway.
Our conductors have been:
Stephen Oremus (the original WICKED conductor)
Bob Billig (the current WICKED tour conductor)
Alex Lacamoire (our current conductor)
They are all talented players, orchestrators, and conductors.
Billy Brohn wrote the orchestrations for WICKED. He had many of us in mind when he chose the instruments for each book. We spoke often about our books as the show was in the early developmental stages, and Billy even took some of our suggested and rewrote our books to improve the final musical product.
The show is a fabulous success, by any standards;
We gross $1.2+ Million a week!
15,000+ people see and hear us each week.
We paid our investors back in 10 months ($14+ Million).
We have made $80+ Million since opening in 2003.
We are the first Theater in the world that is equipped to perform for audience members who are deaf, blind, or understand languages other than English.
We have a cast and backstage crew of over 100 gifted and talented people.
The Gershwin Theater is one of Broadway's largest at almost 2,000 seats, which we fill every night.
We have hopefully made thousands of children and adults very happy having experienced WICKED "live on Broadway!"
WICKED has been, to date, the most successful show at The Gershwin, with great National and International appeal. We hope to encourage veteran theatergoers, and younger audience members, to attend the theater in NYC and anywhere in the world where live music is played.
After having premiered over 25 Broadway shows, I am once again thrilled to be a part of WICKED. Never give up your dreams!
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
Post Edited (2005-03-03 23:40)
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Author: Bnatural
Date: 2005-03-04 00:04
Bigno... since you seem to be unaware of JJM here's a link that was posted to his resume awhile back... I don't have adobe installed on this computer so we'll just assume it works unless someone tells me different http://www.littleorchestra.org/pdf/mosesres.pdf
Sorry John don't mean to belabour a point, just find it interesting to see
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2005-03-04 13:44
Wow, that's some resume! I guess mine has a little ways to go before it catches up to JJM's. So far it reads: second chair (out of 7) in my community wind ensemble. But if resumes had a heading for enjoyment derived from playing the clarinet, I'm certain mine would be right up there with JJM's!
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Author: Bradley Wong
Date: 2005-03-04 16:48
Just got my ticket for the evening of May 4 (I am doing a concert at The Knitting Factory on May 3) - I'm looking forward to the show, and hope to get down to the pit to say hello to John.
Brad Wong
Western Michigan University
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-03-04 19:42
Bradley Wong, I hope you enjoy "Wicked". As all my friends who have seen it say, and especially as JJM says, it is quite a spectacular show.
JJM, how long will you be a part of Wicked? Til it closes? I hope to find a chance to come see the show in NY during the spring and meeting you and saying 'hi' would be great.
I had no idea you were a part of The Muppet Christmas Carol!! I really love the music from it, especially the opening overture and also "It Feels Like Christmas," which seems to serve as the theme to the entire movie. Every Christmas I make sure to watch that movie and I always find myself repeating the parts with the songs. I wish I could find a score to it somewhere, but am at a loss. Aladdin is also a favorite of mine. Not to mention "Candide" for musicals. Oh how lucky you are! But I know that luck has nothing to do with it.
Post Edited (2005-03-04 19:45)
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2005-03-05 03:47
Brad, stop down to the pit to say hi. I hope I'm in that night, so I can show you around the Theater.
Hi Bigno16:
Your post asks:
"JJM, how long will you be a part of Wicked? I hope for a long time, but I may get offered "Mary Poppins", so it'll be a hard choice. Til it closes? I hope to find a chance to come see the show in NY during the spring and meeting you and saying 'hi' would be great. Please do come down to say hi.
Oh how lucky you are! But I know that luck has nothing to do with it."
Actually luck does play a big part for all of us. Just make sure you are well prepared when luck strikes you!
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Merlin
Date: 2005-03-06 15:17
I was hoping to get to play the bassoon/bari/clarinets book for the Toronto stop of the touring production, but the producers have cut back to 3 reed books. Too bad, it sounds from the recording like a fun show to play.
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-03-06 17:13
Is that what they do on tour? They "recruit" people to play the orchestral parts? Or do they have a "set" orchestra for touring?
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2005-03-07 00:23
With the bigger musicals, like WICKED, they tour with a small "core group" and then hire local Union musicians to fill out the band in each city.
In the case of WICKED, Bob Billig is the tour conductor, and he is traveling with a drummer, lead guitar, synth, and maybe a lead violinist.
On Broadway we have 23 musicians in the pit. On the WICKED tour, it's only a trimmed down band of 15 musicians.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: clarinets1
Date: 2005-03-07 18:45
my dream is to one day play on Broadway. I love playing in musical orchestra pits. i've been playing in several to develop my chops and have learned several instruments to get the gigs. any advice JJM? how do I break into this much-dreamt-of musical position?
~~JK
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2005-03-07 21:09
"any advice JJM? how do I break into this much-dreamt-of musical position?"
!. You must be expert on your doubles.
2. You must be friendly and encouraging to your colleagues.
3. You must live and work in or near a big city where live musicals are being performed.
4. You must study or coach with one of the working musicians in that area.
5. You must be available to sub at a moments notice.
6. It helps to be a great sight-reader.
7. A good attitude is as important as being a good player.
8. The contacts you make a music school often help in the future.
9. Get involved in new musical projects.
10. Luck, as I mentioned earlier, plays a part in getting work.
11. Make every performance your best performance; never let down.
12. If you really want to work on Broadway in NYC...join the Union.
There are at least a dozen or so more suggestions that I could make to help you with a musical career, but I'm sure others here on the BBoard will add their suggestions to help you also:
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
Post Edited (2005-03-07 21:13)
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