Chicago Sun-Times: If Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman are hitting all the right notes in the hit film “Les Miserables,” they have one talented Chicago area resident to thank for their vocal prowess.
That would be Roberta Duchak, the Jeff Award-winning musical director (“Miss Saigon,” “Ragtime,” among many others, and the upcoming “Sunset Boulevard”) at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. Duchak, who owns a voice studio in Chicago and also teaches fundamentals of musical theater singing at Columbia College, put the two megastars through their vocal paces, working with Crowe from the audition through the actual filming — which in an unprecedented movie musical move featured the cast singing live as the cameras rolled.
7 comments:
This is funny, in my opinion. I used to sit through tech in high school and, although usually the leads could sing, the chorus couldn't very well. A voice couch like this would have made MY ears feel better, if not all the observers as a whole. And, of course, one of the very few positive things about Les Mis the movie was the excellent singing.
"if russel crowe is hitting all the right notes..." well theres the first problem with this article. Im going to avoid ranting on about the mistake of that first statement. it is nice though to see the voice coach getting recognition for Hugh Jackman's performance. Its worth mentioning though that Hugh Jackman does have years of theatrical experience to aid him in his vocal performance.
I love the fact that Les Mis the movie was shot wit hlive sound. I think it really made the whole musical-to-movie fad acceptable and somewhat more enjoyable. I wasnt the biggest fan of hugh jackmen and russel crowe i persoanlly think that they shouldve used way less famous up and coming actors and singers. but i also beloeve that this will be a new movement in the film world
Eddie and Dr. Scott in "Rocky Horror"? Huh, I guess you learn something new every day. Both men definitely brought their stage singing skills to the table, though you could tell that Crowe was a bit rusty. This article just goes to show that you can have the same teacher working with two different people and get two completely different sound qualities, as well as two completely different reactions from the audience. I applaud Crowe for beginning his training early.
Crowe was awful. I think a large part of that was the live recording. You could tell from his body language, how stiff he was when he sang, that he was nervous. Could live recording put too much pressure on the actors. Some might say, no because there are performers that perform live every day. And thats true, but in a movie those takes of the singing, their performance is on tape for life. Its a little different. Russell Crowe wont get to perform again tomorrow night. It is what it is. That would make me nervous. That being said, the live recording sounded awesome.
Ummmm, Russell Crowe was awful in this movie. His voice paired with his underwhelming acting was enough to make me enjoy other parts of the movie less. It was distracting. I never wanted him to come into the picture. So, I'm glad this vocal coach is being commended for Hugh Jackman's performance, because Hugh Jackman was great. And, you know what? Russell Crowe was probably even worse before this guy gave him some training, so kudos there, too. You may have made the really really really terrible into something just bordering on barely tolerable.
I understand their thinking behind Russel Crowe. Obviously an incredible actor, intensely intimidating and simultantiously sensitive in Gladiator. But Gladiator singing badly is more humorous than terrifying. Other actors seemed to overcome their vocal setbacks, whereas Russel seemed to focus all his energy on the vocals entirely. Since Russell was so comical, we never really feared for Jean Val Jean. There were no real stakes to the movie. With a weak antagonist, the whole movie crumbled. A lot of the reason it felt so long and disconnected, was probably due to miscasting which lead to a long series of unfortunate events. Brian Stokes Mitchell would have been my choice in the role. (He sings stars on his new cd).
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