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Apples2for10
Broadway Legend
Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:05 pm
Posts: 1337
Location: Eastern U.S.
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 "Accustomed": Spoke-sung or not? Would "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" (or all of Higgins' songs, really) necessarily have to be spoke-sung? My guess would be "no", seeing as Higgins' songs were written for Rex Harrison, who was not a trained singer. My question is, could Higgins' songs be rearranged to suit a trained singer?
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Brian aka Apples2for10
"...Apples is probably the one who's posted the most relevant musical stuff long term in the past few months."- UniquePerspective
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| Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:11 pm |
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JIJane
Broadway Legend
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 4:23 am
Posts: 1755
Location: London (UK)
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Yes they can be sung, they were sung in the most recent West End production of My Fair Lady. I don't think it matters whether they are sung or spoke sung, what matters is that you get the character right and give it your own personal interpretation paying careful attention to the lyrics and the intentions at every single moment of your performance. What matters most is - making it real.
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Author of ''So you want to tread the boards''....or everything you need to know about a career in the performing arts (with looooong song lists  ) - foreword by Leslie Bricusse
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| Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:35 am |
 
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Salome
Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2003 11:07 pm
Posts: 11144
Main Role: Performer
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it should NOT be sung! ever.
the rythyms and tempois of the song are such that the spoke-sung approach is the only legit way to do any of higgins songs.
Jane, I tihnk you mean in the recent london production the actors (i.e. pryce and andrews) sung more notes on purpose than harrison or ricxhardson did..but it was still spoke-sung.
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| Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:46 am |
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JIJane
Broadway Legend
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 4:23 am
Posts: 1755
Location: London (UK)
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Yes I didn't mean singing in the style of Brent Barrett.  Just a tad more...legit than just spoken.
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Author of ''So you want to tread the boards''....or everything you need to know about a career in the performing arts (with looooong song lists ) - foreword by Leslie Bricusse
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| Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:24 pm |
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actor
Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2003 7:58 am
Posts: 2944
Location: England
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Frederick Loewe wrote Higgens' songs to be spoke-sung with natural dips in the voice at the end of phrases.
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| Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:12 am |
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Salome
Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2003 11:07 pm
Posts: 11144
Main Role: Performer
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at lerner's request you mean.[/b]
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| Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:49 am |
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Monsieur D'Arque
Broadway Legend
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 3:42 pm
Posts: 1816
Location: Maison des Lunes
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I insist again, upon hearing this, that the only good Higgins left who hasn't played Higgins would be John Lithgow, as his work as Lawrence in DRS is incredibly Higgins-esque, and he makes the transitions between speak-singing and just singing effortlessly in his songs.
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| Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:44 am |
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Salome
Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2003 11:07 pm
Posts: 11144
Main Role: Performer
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Lithgow played Higgins a few seasons ago in los Angeles. Melissa Errico was his Liza.
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| Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:15 pm |
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RTTugger31
Fresh Face
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:46 pm
Posts: 9
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It might be a bit of a stretch, but I could see John Cleese as Higgins, especially now. He wasn't the best singer in Monty Python, so the Higgins songs might be his speed.
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| Sun Aug 03, 2008 12:59 am |
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Salome
Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2003 11:07 pm
Posts: 11144
Main Role: Performer
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except he's a good 20-25 years too old to play the role.
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| Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:46 am |
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iangraves
Fresh Face
Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:16 pm
Posts: 7
Location: Tecumseh, MI
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I was just in a production of My Fair Lady and played Alfred Doolittle. I think that all of the songs should be sung properly. The only person in my opinion who could get away with speaking most of it is Rex Harrison =P other than that it should be sung. imo.
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| Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:27 pm |
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Salome
Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2003 11:07 pm
Posts: 11144
Main Role: Performer
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sorry you are wrong. Jermey Irons, Ian Richardson,John lithgow..etc. .all spoke sung the role..and did it well. becasuse thats how it should be done!
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| Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:11 am |
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