Seussical in the pit (a day in the life of a musical theater percussionist)

A day in the life of a musical theater percussionist. I decided to GoPro this show. I edited it so the most exciting stuff was shown. There was tons of playing on this show. This one was quite a challenge. This musical covered so many styles including gospel, funk, cartoon music, mambo, swing, etc. It was a ton of fun to play. The band was incredible!

[@thomasmurphy6189]

Excellent Job! I'm starting a 6 week run Seussical at Phoenix Theater this month. Your video really helps plan setup.

[@adamschweyer4227]

This musical is a nightmare but so much fun

[@jacobpegher1744]

Yes it is

[@nat5464]

I did flute and picc for this show in middle school (it was my first show ever) and it was so fun!! Kinda wish I could go back now because I feel like I missed all these amazing percussion things!!

[@hannabennett819]

loving the hand drum grooves

[@AndrewRodden]

honestly, very impressive

[@rhysparker393]

This is awesome! Would love to see more of these!

[@gamingwithbeppa5556]

I love this! I'm reed 1 for the show right now! Great job! Make more of these videos.

[@turtlemcpurtle9665]

I've always wondered what it looks in the pit the show needs a revival

[@Everlongfive]

Fantastic playing!

[@TheEverlong12]

Awesome job man! I'm very impressed with the multiple actions (going to xylo, glock, timp., etc.) It's challenging!

[@theblackcircle6648]

Wish I can have such beautiful orchestration at the shows I do. We using backing tracks but you guys live is SO MUCH BETTER. once again great job

[@verlex3603]

Last year I did this as our musical and I did the same parts as him! It was the best musical I have ever done! So much fun especially in the percussion section

[@jimhamilton2836]

Please continue these go pro shots. AWESOME!

[@bluejay9638]

12:02 I never knew suessical used the same part as hairspray. Woah that's cool lol

[@sekanuel]

Great job man, congratulations

[@oscarmyers1000]

Awesome work

[@theblackcircle6648]

Amazing!!!

[@michaelgatien4277]

HOLY uh....CAT, you must be a master sheet music reader; my god, you played every note/Sound effect bam.........right on cue; I can't do that, the conductor would make me nervous; he has to read the music, keep time and ensure everyone comes in at the right time..........whooo, not me; great job man :D

[@TeamSapphireEGGaming]

Pit percussionist or drummer is very fun and looks like it would be very fun

[@michazielinski685]

Wow! You played this yourself. I played this with my friend

[@ZimowHD]

This is want I wanna work with in the future, any tips?

[@5mrband]

Good evening, I am currently a senior music major and after I graduate I will be pursuing a masters in performance. I would really like to become a pit percussionist like yourself. May I please keep in contact with you so we may talk further?

[@dellconagher4104]

1:14 what is that whistle?

[@jakekelly7634]

Dell Conagher I believe it is a siren whistle.

[@larryfried7742]

Really great job, Steve. How did you manage to get all the percussion parts? Careful the M. D. Might notice that you still have a spare appendage..like your head to hit the gong with :-). Incredibly busy score and i can see, quite challenging. And here I thought West Side Story was difficult. Intergalactic!

[@AJtheRatty]

Noticed the timpani had little gauges for the pitch. Never knew those existed! What are those called, by chance?

[@PlushChronicles]

gauges lol. most modern timpani have them

[@walshvideos6784]

What version of the show is this? It has some of the broadway cuts....

[@jacobpegher1744]

It almost sounds like the Rosie O’Donnell run

[@unsubscribefromthischannel6191]

I think I remember there bring marimba at some point in that play, did you just happen to not play it in the video, is there no part, or did you play it on a different instrument?

[@TheZwesleyb]

DaxMan S. If I'm not mistaken, there's a part for marimba that says "or vibes"

[@Chihiro-Percussion]

Great video! I love GoPro percussion cam style videos because you really get to see how the percussionist runs around to get all the entrances. I have a similar video on Miss Saigon on my channel, I hope you check it out!

[@ThomasNeal]

is this under the stage?

[@dearheatherchandler45]

Thomas Neal yes!!!

[@JohnsonDrums]

How much gear did you provide and how much did the theater? Amazing playing!

[@saml4332]

Johnson Drums this is on broadway, so the theatre had nothing. It is all owned by the show and brought in.

[@FLX_AU]

I'm glad Mike Myers wasn't in this show.

[@dashcole131]

5:10 wtf

[@Gomey.Michael]

Which musical is this?

[@condoesguitarstuff]

Michael Gomez It's Seussical

[@asnodgrass]

Give me a quick rundown of why everything is mic'd, yet this is still played live regardless (rather than recorded playback). Thanks.

[@TheMasterOfDesigns]

Andrew Snodgrass because with playback you can't alter the music. Like if there needs to be a sudden change in tempo / Dynamics etc.

[@praestant8]

Sound doesn't carry out of the pit of most broadway stages very well at all. On some stages there's barely an opening for the conductor to see above, let alone having sound get out so that the cast and audience can hear. Having everything mic'd and mixed FOH and routed where needed keeps the balance. Jan below answered the question about play back pretty well. Prerecorded simply cannot follow the needs of the cast, they aren't machines either!