The other day I got into a curious debate about this issue and I was wondering where others stood on the matter. With the announcement of a Frank Sinatra Biopic and the death of Michael Jackson, which will probably also lead to a biopic, and my own personal dream of play Mario Lanza in a biopic of his life, does it make sense to rerecord the music that made the performer stand out or is it better to have the actor Lip-sync to the original recordings?

Personally I think it can work either way depending on the caliber of the actor. I enjoy watching actor’s fully embody the singers and deliver their own interpretation of the music, but it only works if the actor has the capacity to sing that way. You could easily cast Leo DiCaprio as Sinatra and let him lip-sync to old blue eyes’ recordings or you could hire someone like Harry Connick, Jr, who is both a well accomplished singer and actor and watch him embody the man that was Frank Sinatra.

When Lip-syncing works:
One of the best examples of when lip-syncing worked was in “Ray” in Jamie Fox’s award winning performance. Another good example is “Elvis: the Miniseries,” ABC’s min series where the original reels were taken and remastered for the film.

When singing works:
In “Walk the Line” all of the actors performed all the music and it was done so well that many people had to take a moment to realize it was Phoenix’s voice not Cash’s. The weakest performance on the sound track is the actor portraying Elvis, who is a complete miscast from the start, but since the focus is not Elvis, we can let it go. Another example is “Beyond the Sea,” a biopic about the life of Bobby Darin staring Kevin Spacey. Spacey delivers each song with a brilliant delivery. He really seems to get Darin’s style and although being 20 years older then Darin survived to be the movie works wonderfully.

Critics:
One of the biggest things people who attempt to rerecord the songs face is the analysis of professional critics and crazy fans. Mario Lanza was destroyed by critics when he portrayed Caruso despite how good he actually was on the recordings. I’ve heard friends of mine criticize Phoenix’ performance as Cash because they couldn’t let go of the fact that it wasn’t Cash. I’ve also been in contact with a couple of different people looking to do a Lanza biopic who were almost shocked at my audacity to say that I would love to be apart but would want to use my own vocals. They are of the opinion that Mario’s voice should be used, and for good reason. People like Lanza or Sinatra or Michael Jackson or John Lennon are the pinnacles of there Genre’s. There voices are distinct and well know. Many people feel that providing your own voice for a project like this is arrogance on the actor’s part.

So what do you think?

Current Location: Em's
Current Mood: artistic

Here is a video of a performance of Mario Lanza's "Be My Love." Please forgive the sound quality. The camera we were supposed to use fell through.

David Schaefer is accompanying me.

Current Mood: creative

Wednesday I was invited to see the latest incarnation of Hell’s Kitchen by Jon Montgomery and Toby Kasavan. It’s currently running at the Hudson Guild Theater at 441 West 26th Street. This latest incarnation features an entirely new cast with only a couple of people remaining from the workshop a few years prior. It also features the show in its entirety with a full set and costumes.

Technically the show looks very nice. The costumes are wonderfully period, the show takes place in 1963-1965, and the set is perfect for the space. A mock NYC block with alleyways presents itself to the audience with a working street lamp to add to the ambiance. The caricatured nature lends itself to the comedy of the second act. The lighting was also good. The warm oranges and blues added to the caricatured nature, but needs to be cleaned up a bit. Sometimes the choreography pulled the characters out of their light and the lighting design should have been fixed to compensate for it. Also some of the staging put characters against the proscenium where there was no light. Note to all actors in any production: FIND YOUR LIGHT. We the audience want to see you.

Much of the book remains the same and new scenes were inserted to fill out the gaps that were evident in the workshop. The story, in which a kid from the streets of Hell’s Kitchen rises up from singing doo wop on the corner to being a pop sensation, while contending with the neighborhood Mob and gang wars, works in this incarnation. What had seemed a bit campy in previous productions worked very well under the new direction Joann Oakes. The characters seem to have an added dimension and understand their relationship to both the neighborhood and each other. In fact the acting from the supporting characters was especially good. However the first act and second act take on very different forms. The first act which has a number of dramatic sequences stuck in between fun songs to set the tone does a complete 180 in the second act which seems to bring a more slapstick nature to the show and ultimately works better than the previously dramatic act one. The show is at its best when it’s being light-hearted and fun.

The cast as a whole was fun, but many of them need a little seasoning and most were much stronger actors than singers which worked well for this show. New to the cast this time around is Andrew Drost on of New York City Opera’s Tenors. His approach to Angelo’s song is a bit on the classical side, but his ringing top range provides a gorgeous color to the song. I do wish he had crooned a little bit more though. I’ve always felt the song calls for that. Another addition to the cast is the brilliant and entirely underused Tap dancer Omar Edwards. His addition to the big tap number is a great idea, however no one could keep up with him despite how hard they tried. He sort of slams you in the face when he comes in tapping and the dance sequence in the song is awesome, despite everyone’s struggling to dance with a master tap dancer, but then he goes off never to be seen again. It’s such a waste to have a dancer of his quality there for only a few minutes. Another new addition is Heidi Beckmann as the stripper/seductress Honey. She has a sultry voice nicely suited for the role and seemed to be having a ton of fun being everyone’s object of affection.

One of the draw backs to the show was Jared Trolio’s portrayal of Danny, the main character of the story. Jared is a very good actor and brings a naivety to the character that I have not seen before, but he has absolutely no moxie. His voice has a very sweet legit sound that doesn’t lend itself to the doo-wop and pop music which is the basis of the story. Essentially we are given the sweet kid next door, an actor who would play Doody in “Grease,” but we need an actor who would play Danny Zuko in “Grease.” Someone who has a good mix of naivety and moxie and a voice with a pop sensibility. What was also lacking from the leads Jared and Aimee L. Corley (Rosalita) was an underlining sexual tension. There are moments of it, but it does not exist throughout and doesn’t translate well during the few moments it appears. Aimee has a sweet voice and handles the music well, but there seems to only be one gear. Luckily her commitment to the role shines through. I only wish the director had allowed the character to grow a bit more. Despite where you came from a writer for the NY Times would have lessened, if not gotten completely rid of her heavy NY accent.

All and all the show is still a work in progress, but this production makes the best of what the show could offer on a larger scale. I do wonder though, being set in the years of 1963-1965 why no mention of Vietnam is made, but that’s just me.

Current Location: home
Current Mood: artistic

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Current Mood: content

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Current Mood: happy

Yesterday I went to see an ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor who has experience handling Singers. He was recommended to me by a vocal coach and my friend David Schaefer (BTW David, he says hello). So I hauled myself into NYC yesterday morning looking for an answer to the throat pain I have had since early June. I walked into Dr. Freemans office at 9AM, just making my appointment after some subway bumbling on my part (on the E train the station is 53rd/Lex on the 6 train it’s 51st and that’s what I was looking for. Ended up in Queens. Lol).

After our initial discussion he knew exactly what the issue was, but proceeded to do a full work up on me to rule out everything else. Also pointing out that I have a slight cold. Apparently the cartilage in my neck that connects to my hyoid bone is clipping the bone causing inflammation. It’s quite common. He gave me a list of ways to keep my voice healthy and really a program that I need to stay on for the rest of my life as a singer:

-Sing when rehearsing/practicing/working, then let the voice rest.
-Speak with a wide vocal range, NO MONOTONE. Sing-songy. It’s Healthier.

For the time being however:

-Heating pad/Hot-water bottle to the affected area
-Ibuprofen
-Stay Aligned
- (15) Glasses of Fluid a day, hot or cold. Up to a Gallon wouldn’t hurt
-Hot Gargle with Water with 1 tsp of Sugar every 2 hours.
-Vocal rest until we reassess.
-No Speaking/Singing
-No Telephone.
-If I have to speak, pause before each word and enunciate each word to prevent vocal strain. No Monotone

It is what it is I guess. My boss took the news well and the office is helping me to not speak, although they love busting my chops about it. Yelling from across the room, “God Vincent, shut up. You’re being so loud!” LOL.

His big this was, only sing when you’re getting paid. If this is your living sing to rehearse, train or perform, but otherwise rest it. This is contrary to my entire life as a singer. I sing when walking, sitting, hanging with friends, by myself, up in a tree, basically every where. It’s time to curb that a bit.

I am comforted by the knowledge that when he was 26 years old, Luciano Pavarotti had to go on vocal rest for a few months because he had given himself nodes. That’s right, even the master himself had gone through his share of vocal hiccups before becoming the iconic figure he is now.

Current Location: home
Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Mario Lanza - Be My Love

After 2 months of rehearsal and a 3 Week run, I can say only one thing; I love Penzance! One of the best known Comedic Operettas, it is a staple among Theater companies and Opera companies alike.

The Heights Players is basically a Community Theater with an Off-Off Broadway Venue. Due to it’s location a lot of young up and coming performers take advantage and do shows they’ve always wanted to do, while looking for paying jobs in NYC. I had wanted to play Frederick for a long time. Not necessarily because it is a hard role from and acting perspective, but because of all the Gilbert and Sullivan pieces it is one of the more challenging Tenor roles musically.

The show brought out a new level of talent to the company, in particularly, the young performers, many of whom ranged from 16 – 26 years old. We also had a number of more seasoned performers who where a lot fun and talented in their own right., some of whom much could be learned from. Our music director was amazingly talented and fun and our director and staging choreographer where wonderful. There were no Divas.

From the very first performance the show was well received, but I know for me I didn’t really feel the rhythm of the show until the second weekend. At that point we just ran the show through like a train every night and audiences loved it. We got one review in a local Brooklyn paper that raved about the show as a whole and gave credit to several of the leading actors.

This was a sad show to see end. Good people, good music, always fun and love. If it had paid I would have been in heaven. I hope to work with many people from this production again and want to keep in touch with all of them.

Current Location: home
Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Lifehouse - Everything

Back on Sept 18th we screened “Enjoy Yourself for a crowd of close to 300 people, including cast, staff, and their friends and family. It was the first time many of us had seen each other since we wrapped production and it was a nice reunion. There were a few people missing, off doing other projects, but most of us were there and ready to see the movie we had all worked so hard to make.

I’ve often compared the script to a Kevin Smith Movie and I still think the comparison is valid. Somewhere between “Chasing Amy” and “Mall Rats” is a good way to describe the atmosphere of the piece. The movie revolves around Tony, a few years after college and preparing to propose to his long time girl friend, he starts longing for his college days and dealing with the fact that he’s not really a kid anymore. It deals with the relationships with his girl friend, brother, family, work, best friend, and the attractive, free-spirited cousin of his best friend.

The movie starts off a bit slow, introducing the characters and setting up for the situations that will transpire. That’s the real hurdle. If you can make it past the first 15 min, you’ll be hooked. As Tony submits to his inner “teenager” we get to watch as his life falls apart around him and he struggles to hold up his current life while acting like a teenager again.

The ending leaves us wondering “what the hell is going to happen next?” It never provides a clear answer, but leaves it open for you to decide.

As a whole the movie is very well made, especially when you consider that we had no budget. What little money was spent was spent on food, hotels and necessary materials and came out of the film maker’s pockets. I’m personally really proud of the movie. I’m very happy with my own performance too. It was great to hear the audience laughing at the ridiculous character I portrayed and routing for him through the movie. All of the leading character turned out wonderful. The editing was crisp and on top of itself and although you can tell it is a first attempt, it just works.

I wish everyone involved the best of luck in the future and hope to work with many of them again. I’ll be using footage of this soon to make a Reel for myself.

Current Location: home
Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Lifehouse - Broken

As some of you may know I've been working on the recording of a new musical by Annie Pasqua, based on Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented." As this musical developed it slowly became a Rock Opera and thus the character of Alec, who originally had been written as a Legit Broadway Baritone, was now being developed into a Rock Tenor.

I was invited by Annie to come in and lay some vocals after touching base with her at an audition for another music which she is working on. Annie and I go back about 10 years and I went to school with her younger sister Jenna, who is also extremely talented and can be heard on the recording as Tess.

The new website is up and a number of tracks from the concept recording are there as well. Being a Rock Opera, this is a different sound then most people are used to hearing me sing. Please swing by the website. I think you'll really enjoy it. I hope we get to do a run of this somewhere.

http://www.tessthenewmusical.com/

Current Location: Brooklyn
Current Mood: mellow

I'm currently in rehearsals for the opera "The Pirates of Penzance." I'm really excited. I'm playing Frederick.

Current Location: home
Current Mood: busy

Upper Room ministries will be airing me singing "You Raise Me Up" on Sunday. If you’re in the area and don’t mind watching a Church service, tune in.

Current Mood: cheerful

Grammy-winning comedian George Carlin has died: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080623/us_nm/carlin_dc

Current Mood: melancholy

IRON MAN WAS WICKED GOOD!

Current Mood: amused

Current Location: home
Current Mood: cheerful

Your Score: Dictator- ENTJ

53% Extraversion, 73% Intuition, 53% Thinking, 80% Judging

Have you no soul? It's clear you have no heart and that your blood runs cold, but really, do you have even one redeeming factor?

Sure. You're a natural born leader. So was Hitler. You just don't like people, do you?

You don't play games. You take charge. And there's very little room for mistakes in your world. You're forceful, intimidating and overbearing.

Heard of the word "patience?" Trust me, it's a word and it's something you're sorely lacking. Believe it or not, you're not always right. Learn to have some patience for those who think differently from you, knobflap.

From the way people's knees knock when they see you, you should have realised by now that you're not exactly a "people-person." You're more of a "people-eater." You just ain't tuned into people's feelings and probably couldn't care less whether you were anyway. Maybe you're not from this planet but the rest of us are.

Sure, you're intelligent. So what? You have some semblance of power. Big deal.

At least people LIKE the rest of us.

*****************

If you want to learn more about your personality type in a slightly less negative way, check out this.

*****************

The other personality types are as follows...

Loner - Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving

Pushover - Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging

Criminal - Introverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving

Borefest - Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging

Almost Perfect - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving

Freak - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging

Loser - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving

Crackpot - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging


Clown - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving

Sap - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging

Commander - Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving

Do Gooder - Extraverted Sensing Thinking Judging

Scumbag - Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving

Busybody - Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging

Prick - Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving

Current Mood: blah

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Current Mood: awake

I just posted two new mixes. A new mix of "Lost in Your Eyes" and "On My Own." I really like this mix downs. I hope everyone enjoys them.

http://www.myspace.com/vincentricciardi

Current Location: bedroom
Current Mood: artistic
Current Music: Spanish Eyes by Vincent Ricciardi

This amused the hell out of me. You Need divx to watch it.

http://stage6.divx.com/user/Kiha/video/1146766/booya-safe-sex

Current Location: home
Current Mood: calm

This is amusing:

http://poststuff5.entensity.net/091007/media.php?media=internet.wmv

Current Location: Bedroom
Current Mood: awake

http://movies.go.com/fanpoll/pollwidget

Current Location: home
Current Mood: blah
Current Music: Watching Superman Returns