On the cover of the April 2006 issue of International Musician (Official Journal of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada) is a big colorful picture of the Vegas HAIRSPRAY musicians decked out in campy '60s tuxedos, with the headline "HAIRSPRAY -- Vegas Goes Broadway".

The article, "The Strip Meets The Great White Way", talks about the potential for more live music in Vegas due to the influx of Broadway shows.

The article traces the battle between live and taped music back to 1989 when the Tropicana Hotel used taped music during their production of FOLLIES BERGERE. About 1,500 members of Local 369 went on strike. Despite a settlement, this is considered the moment canned music got a foothold in Vegas, and over the next several years The Strip became a less desirable place for working musicians.

Many lounge acts were eliminated and live music was replaced by tapes and disc jockeys. Apparently things began to change when MAMMA MIA! Came to town and did so well that the hotel owners started thinking about bringing New York musicals to the desert.

A high profile example is HAIRSPRAY, which has begun an open ended run at The Luxor. HAIRSPRAY has been re-tooled and cut down to 90 minutes.

The article goes on to say:

From a musician's point of view, this show represents more than just a steady gig working in a pit. In fact, HAIRSPRAY is proof of the value of live music to Broadway musicals. Because the band is so essential to the plot, it climbs out of the pit and takes the stage for the show's grand finale.

Say what? Climbs out of the pit?

With five minutes remaining in the production, a wall of lights at the back of the stage parts, revealing an opulent grandstand filled with musicians, set to deliver a rousing, no-holes barred conclusion.

Michael Gill, the show's producer and general manager, is quoted as saying "The challenge we gave to the creative team was to create a wild finish. And they delivered. We have an unbelievable finale. It's a lot of fun to see the musicians come out."

The article goes on to say:

Some people seeing the show won't know we're there until the end, says HAIRSPRAY's trumpet player Daniel Falcone of Local 369. But they'll know then that they weren't hearing taped music.

And further:

Not even the New York City musicians get to take the spotlight in this way. In order to make this surprise ending work, the musicians have to race from the basement, up the stairs, and hop onto the set piece for an onstage moment that can only be seen in Las Vegas. The musicians' loud introduction to the Broadway stage is an appropriate metaphor for their shifting role in Vegas. After a drought of several years, live music is making a comeback and union musicians are finding more gigs.

So that's why the trombone player crossed the road...to get to The Strip!

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