Before I proceed with this post, there are four points I need to address regarding the term ‘legit’ in the context of musical theatre singing:
- ‘Legit’ refers to a genre of musical theatre singing that is heavily influenced by traditional, classical voice training and vocal styles.
- The term ‘legit’ is short for ‘legitimate’, but that does NOT mean other musical theatre vocal genres and styles are ‘illegitimate’ or inferior in any way. The word is simply an industry term that has persisted over the years.
- As evidenced by cast recordings, ‘legit’ singing on Broadway today is not always the same as it was fifty-plus years ago. This may affect the training of singer-actors with Broadway ambitions.
- The legit vocal genre is one of MANY vocal genres and musical styles that singer-actors need to be comfortable with in order to be successful on Broadway today.
To reinforce my fourth point above, I will present several video examples of contemporary Broadway singer-actors who have demonstrated the ability to sing in multiple vocal genres over the years. When I say ‘vocal genres’, I’m not just talking about differences in vocal styling (i.e. a riff here and there or a simple ‘resonance’ adjustment). I’m saying there are often functional/technical differences which occur at the level of the larynx and vocal folds as well. Every genre of singing has its own unique functional and stylistic requirements, and I believe voice training should be catered to the individual and his/her goals. If nothing else, the performances below show that there is always more than one way to utilize the vocal mechanism. All one needs is an open mind and the desire to learn (plus a great teacher!).
P.S. Need help finding musical theatre repertoire to sing? Check out my professional repertoire guides here.
1. Audra McDonald
Legit Example: “Summertime” from Porgy & Bess
Contrasting Example: “Crazy He Calls Me” from Lady Day
2. Drew Sarich
Legit Example: “Till I Hear You Sing” from Love Never Dies
Contrasting Example: “Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)” from Jesus Christ Superstar
3. Kelli O’Hara
Legit Example: “Almost Real” from The Bridges of Madison County
Contrasting Example: “They Don’t Let You in the Opera if You’re a Country Star”
4. Brian Stokes Mitchell
Legit Example: “Impossible Dream” from The Man of La Mancha
Contrasting Example: “Life is Sweet”
5. Marin Mazzie
Legit Example: “When There’s No One” from Carrie
Contrasting Example: “Ring them Bells” from Liza with a Z
6. Aaron Lazar
Legit Example: “Il Mondo Era Vuoto” from The Light in the Piazza
Contrasting Example: “You Love Her But She Loves Someone Else” from The Last Ship
Those of use who caught the blink-and-you-missed-it musical MAIL, know that Stokes can rap too.
Good to know, Wayne! Thanks!
Here’s a heads up. “Legit” in the music context is not short for “legitimate” (making other sorts of music, such as jazz, somehow “illegitimate”). “Legit” is Latin for “he reads”, so a legit musician is one who reads and legit music is music to be read. That’s why it has the famously deprecatory implication. The readers are reading the music, not feeling the music as the “luggers” do.
Hi Barkl, ‘legit’ can certainly mean multiple things in different situations. In the world of musical theatre (and musical theatre singing specifically), it is shorthand for ‘legitimate’. More info here if interested:
https://books.google.com/books?id=xku6JwG48jkC&pg=PA186&lpg=PA186&dq=legit+short+for+legitimate+vs+belt&source=bl&ots=wTvVl5ncB5&sig=ACfU3U0JzWQGjJOTgQgWshM6EZ3NcQe8PA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwioiLT48_7iAhWOVc0KHa1TCLA4ChDoATABegQIBxAB#v=onepage&q=legit%20short%20for%20legitimate%20vs%20belt&f=false