Music – Isn’t That Why They Call It “Live” Theatre?

Broadway is having a debate about musicians. Can they be replaced with a “virtual” orchestra? “I believe 90% of the producers want live theatre. “I don’t worry about them. I worry about the 10% that say, ‘I look at the bottom line. Look at how much I can save.’ I understand the bottom line. It’s a commercial venture. But theatre is based on certain compacts with the audience. But what happens if you change that contract with the audience? I think if you ask anybody that comes to the theatre, ‘Would you like to see a show with music on tape or supplied by a virtual orchestra, and pay the same price’- I guarantee that producers won’t lower the musical’s price – most people would say, ‘I’d rather have a live orchestra.’ “