Vocal Coach Reacts | Wiggle - Black Friday (A Starkid Musical)

[@Lady_Ginnie]

Jon Matteson did a watch party for this, and he made a joke about how the yoga at the start was nice, because they'd all been a little tense from performing for 2 hours at that point, lol.

[@singwithAshley]

That's hilarious! I couldn't stop thinking about them showing their bottoms to the audience!

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

@@singwithAshley I interpreted it as they are choreographically portraying Wiggly's tentacles (as well as mooning the audience LOL)

[@singwithAshley]

@@seanmcmurphy4744 hillarious!

[@JRDickens20]

It’s also taking place the day after Thanksgiving which for a lot of people is the start of the Christmas holiday season and stores often play Christmas music, so I think that might also have been an influence in using Christmas music motifs throughout. But there is also a bit of an evil Mother Mary suggestion for Linda.

[@singwithAshley]

So I thought I had a whole bit, where I paused and mentioned that Black Friday was the start of holidays.. day after thanksgiving… you know it may be in my next video….😅😅 Thanks for being here and singing with me!

[@JRDickens20]

I have really been enjoying your content! I am always excited to see your next video :)

[@masterswordwielder]

The cast recording, makes this song (just like many other) even better. In a reaction Video to Black Friday by Jon Matteson, Jeff Blim was very clear that he didn't like the mixing in the TH-cam Version and reccomended the cast recording for many songs
Also, one song in The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals has the same kind of changing between character voices, and while I have the feeling Lauren did it intentionally here, I KNOW that it's done purposefully in TGWDLM

[@singwithAshley]

Thanks for the insight! And thanks for singing with me!

[@scifigeek14]

my personal opinion: best vocals for Lauren are Firebringer. best vocals for Jeff are trail to Oregon and twisted. best vocals for joey is spies are forever and nerdy prudes. best vocals for jon is nerdy prudes. best vocals for curt is spies are forever. best vocals for Jamie is trail to Oregon and guy who didn't like musicals. best vocals for Dylan are (this one), twisted, and VHS christmas Carol. best for Corey are trail or Oregon and VHS christmas Carol. best vocals for Robert are guy who didnt like musicals (and this one), though he is in twisted. for Kim this is her best but also nerdy prudes. James has a whole song in VHS christmas Carol. Angela also has a big role in nerdy prudes and has some great vocal moments! the actress who plays tim/Hannah hasn't done a ton more with the company since, yet. obviously the people who have been around the longest have a larger back catalogue to pick from. but these are my personal faves for vocal moments.

[@singwithAshley]

Love this list! Thanks for singing with me! 😳

[@kayaprettycure5]

i hope you will do NPMD, i really hope so see how you will reacts to it

[@MrsProudlyCanadian]

Lauren is incredible for the crazy character voices she does and the way she manages to sing well in them. Though I am sad that we don't get to hear her actual singing voice often

[@singwithAshley]

I honestly feel like she may be a tad shy about her voice. I feel like she hides her greatness behind her comedic voice because she thinks her “singing” voice isn’t good. But I think we can all agree that we would love it!

[@arnaugarcesbaldo4350]

12:48 maybe it was the inspiration, and it would make so much sense (I'm going to keep watching because they're going to add a little carol of the bells and I want to see your reaction 😂)
Nevertheless, Wiggly has this Christmas aura... It's Black Friday, weeks away from the 25th and Wiggly himself wants to be born on Christmas day and have a lot of presents. The intermission is a Saturday afternoon bad movie about elves and Santa... It has a lot of Christmas references and it won't be a surprise if the song was inspired by "merry gentlemen"

[@alexisbidule5555]

Impatient to see you react to the last song. I don't think it's only guys in the ensemble, Jaime Lyn Beatty is here, reprising one of her role of The Guy who didn't like musicals. She is the one who put the magic hat on her head when Linda toss it away..

[@singwithAshley]

Stay tuned! 👀

[@ZuriElysium27]

If you wanna hear more of Lauren singing out of character voice, I would recommend Firebringer. I think also Starry but I haven't listened to that one yet

[@scifigeek14]

oh she kills in it firebringer!

[@ZuriElysium27]

@@scifigeek14 zazzalil my beloved lol. I adore firebringer and sometimes I think I'm the only one, it seems to be mostly forgotten outside of the meme

[@user-bz6mn3tu8k]

2:49 it’s also something they did in TGWDLM
8:11 yes. Pitch issues. Fans don’t want to admit it, but yes. That was a big part of the reason this was my least favorite Hatchetfield musical initially. But my appreciation of the show as a whole has grown. IMO, it is the heaviest, darkest, most dramatic show SK has ever done. Props to SK for challenging themselves to get out of their comfort (parody) zone.
Besides, the second of a trilogy is typically the weakest - first sets the universe, third is the big climax, second is, umm, expanding the universe and setting up the ultimate conflict.
Another ensemble number yet to come…

[@singwithAshley]

Love all of this! Thanks for singing with me!

[@mattmclaren3067]

Oh I'm very much a fan and I can readily admit it. This is probably Lauren's most uneven vocal. And yes, her being sick goes a long way to explain why but it's still true.
In a way, there's an interesting symmetry with the show. While I appreciate Black Friday for its scope and ambition, I would say it is one of the Starkid where the whole isn't necessarily greater then the sum of its parts (mostly because there are so many parts).
But I will still watch my favourite parts, of which there are a few. So the point is...soft critiques all around I guess.

[@singwithAshley]

@@mattmclaren3067 I greatly concur… I So appreciate the show as a whole!

[@mattmclaren3067]

@singwithAshley oh I'm sorry, that was a typo. I meant to say I don't feel the whole is greater then the sum of its parts. Personally, I can only watch chunks because I find the whole uneven.
I apologise for the confusion.

[@liquid_pig]

I think the typical reasons for why the second of a trilogy is the weakest don't apply to Hatchetfield, since it's an anthology series instead of one continuous narrative built over three shows. I think the reason TGWDLM and NPMD feel stronger is because for the first show they played it fairly safe and went for a more comedic tone similar to their previous shows, and by the third one they'd explored the Hatchetfield universe through Nightmare Time and found the tone they wanted it to have.
With Black Friday they experimented with a different tone and structure and it didn't work for everyone. I personally like the darker tone of Black Friday and think its main weakness is that it's got too many characters for a two hour musical. But that's kinda part of what makes it interesting as well. Feels very reminiscent of Stephen King and his sprawling ensembles.

[@robwilliamson5082]

I hope you react to NPMD. It is, in my opinion the best of hatchetfield trilogy. The songs are great and are integrated more smoothly into the scenes than Black Friday. The audio mix is also probably the best of the three shows’ TH-cam releases.

[@singwithAshley]

Can’t wait! Stay tuned! 👀 thanks for singing with me!

[@krissmith800]

Love this and sad it is coming to an end. However, it would be awesome to continue down the StarKid path with you as you watch, react, and analyze other shows (if you want). When you mentioned the Christmas influence, I thought yes, you have it on the nose. This being set on Black Friday and when the holiday rush is at its peak, it makes sense to have that holiday inspiration. Good catch. 🙂

[@oliveparmesan3725]

I saw someone mention that Tom taking the gun from lex is a big moment for him because in the beginning Tim mentions that Tom isn’t supposed to hold a gun because it gives him flashbacks. It might’ve been implied that he overcame the flashbacks during If I Fail You, but idk, just a cool thing to note

[@oliveparmesan3725]

Also, you can see Charlotte in this song!! She puts Hannah’s hat on :)

[@singwithAshley]

@@oliveparmesan3725 so cute! Love it!

[@TiaMat99]

I love Black Friday's story most but yeah, they had a rough time singing. You will love the end song, it's definitely my favorite of this musical!
And since you keep bringing up the 80s and Christmas, you KNOW I'm going to recommend Starkid's VHS Chrismas Carols. It's the original Dickens story, but in 80s vibes and completely sung through. 45 minutes of pure, pure musical joy whole year round th-cam.com/video/ieC-QuFKFVc/w-d-xo.html

[@georges1991]

*Carol 😉
But yes VHSCC would be great to react to, and VHSCCs when it eventually comes to TH-cam too. Clark spun magic with those.

[@singwithAshley]

can't wait!! Thanks for singing with me!

[@jessk1683]

i've never noticed the christmas song element to this, somehow!! it's so cool though, really clear now that you've pointed it out

[@ForeverDegenerate]

@Ashley Kennedy
The whiny voice that Lauren does is kinda her thing. She goes into it for comedic effect. I don't think it's in preparation for anything. I think it's just Lauren being a goofball and trying to make the audience (and cast) laugh. She does the same thing in "Firebringer," if you ever get around to watching that. In fact, the song she employs that voice in is one you are familiar with: "I Don't Wanna Do The Work Today." She also uses a variation of that voice for her character in "Nerdy Prudes Must Die." She plays one of the "Nerdy Prudes" so her whiny comedic voice is kinda perfect for the character. This voice is also her go-to complaint voice (as in when one of her characters complains about something, she'll go into the whine). She does this with her character "Emma" in "The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals." She also does this with Draco Malfoy in "A Very Potter Sequel." But because she's emulating Tom Felton's Voice, she's pitched her voice down and maintains that pitch for the entire performance so when he does the "complaint whine," it sounds like, well, a young boy complaining and whining since she keeps her pitch lowered as opposed every other time she employs the whine where it's, basically, her whining since every other character that does it is a female and the voice is, basically, hers so she doesn't have to do crazy pitching for them. Oh she also employs the whine in "A Very Potter Senior Year." Yes she's still Draco in that one. However, it's not Draco delivering the line. The character is female, but it's Lauren delivering the line so to differentiate between Draco and this character, she pitches the female's voice back up to her natural timbre, then employs the whine for comedic effect. I can't tell you more than that because that would spoil the scene. So since the whine is her go-to comedic voice, it makes sense that, over the years, she's become comfortable singing in that voice. Lauren Lopez is such a versatile actor, it's insane.

[@dragonbowrghr5937]

Welcome to the channel, New Michael!

[@singwithAshley]

😂 He says thank you!

[@dragonbowrghr5937]

​@@singwithAshley​ It's hard to verbalize since I'm not a sound person, but this set up sounds like it's picking up a bit too much of the low sounds right now if that makes sense. Or maybe it's a slight echo? I'm not really sure

[@kilianalexander2736]

commenting for algorithmic purposes

[@singwithAshley]

You’ve caught on😂😂😂 I appreciate you so much! I see every one!

[@robwilliamson5082]

I hope you react to NPMD. It is, in my opinion the best of hatchetfield trilogy. The songs are great and are integrated more smoothly into the scenes than Black Friday. The audio mix is also probably the best of the three shows’ TH-cam releases. Also Angela’s performance is so incredibly good and let’s her flex her comedy chops more than she was able to with Lex.

[@singwithAshley]

Can’t wait! Stay tuned 👀 sing with you soon!

[@sstxrkid]

BACK TO LINDA MONROE WOOOOO
i love her

[@grassiehalls3922]

I do think that Black Friday is one of their weaker shows from a vocal perspective. Cant wait to see you watch Firebringer to see a different side of Lauren's voice (and i also really love her song in NPMD and am really excited to see you break that one do2n someday!)

[@onceinalifetime300]

I love these videos so much!! I can’t wait for the reaction to the last song in Black Friday😁 All of Starkids Musicals are so amazing! I love every single one. But in a vocal perspective, I think you should react to Firebringer or NPMD. (In my opinion) They have the best songs I’ve heard from Starkid. If you want to see more Lauren, and some new people you haven’t seen because they aren’t in Black Friday, you should do Firebringer next! If you would want to see a lot of the same people in Black Friday, you should do NPMD. Either way, any Starkid show you react to I would watch😋
Keep up these amazing videos!! I can’t wait!

[@singwithAshley]

You are so sweet. I love this comment so much that I will tell you. I’m littering finishing the final edits of my video right this second. It’ll be up late tonight: I can’t wait for you to see it! Make sure you comment!

[@onceinalifetime300]

@@singwithAshley Yay! I’ll make sure I comment😄 can’t wait!

[@singwithAshley]

@@onceinalifetime300 Honestly, Im getting tired so your encouragement is keeping me going! Thank you!!

[@theatricallyill]

the best starkid musical musically is definitely firebringer which lauren stars in! for your next musical, im hoping you’ll react to the guy who didn’t like musicals though just to get some context as well as it’s also starkid’s magnum opus as it’s such a GOOD musical as well. thanks for the reaction! will look forward for the finale!!!

[@ediblemongoose]

I would disagree about Starkid’s magnum opus, personally my vote would go to Twisted or NPMD for those, and they’re not even my favorites, lol

[@theatricallyill]

@@ediblemongoose twisted is my favourite starkid musical! i guess i just assumed since tgwdlm felt like it met a much broader audience i said it as such but it still is a great musical, i also mostly just based that statement off a video essay stating that fact but i totally get where you’re coming from :)

[@singwithAshley]

Which IS your favorite? I can't help but be curious now!

[@theatricallyill]

@@singwithAshley unsure who you’re referring to but mine is twisted! dylan saunder’s voice in it is so AHH and the story has my heart on a leash. it’s just so silly, fun and heart wrenching at the same time. i do have a soft spot for Guy because it’s the first starkid show i saw and it’s still just a freaking awesome musical too! Guy is so funny and complex and compelling, still recommend that for your next one!

[@ediblemongoose]

@@singwithAshley Probably Holy Musical B@man, just because I’m a massive nerd, and Joe Walker (who you have not met yet, he’s an OG Starkid) in a skin tight Adam West-esque Batman costume, lol
And the music is genuinely 100% bops.
It’s very hard for me to pick an overall favorite though, because all of them are for different reasons.
Firebringer has some of the most delicious harmonies ever, Twisted is a beautiful masterpiece that gave us one of the best running gags in all of Starkid and is prime Dylan Saunders, the Very Potter Trilogy holds ALL the nostalgia (also shirtless Joe Walker and my Starkid OTP), MAMD is surprisingly wholesome and sweet considering the premise, VHS Christmas Carol is the best Dickens adaptation I have ever seen and makes me cry every time, Trail To Oregon has the best villain song ever written and has an audience participation aspect that really sets it apart, TGWDLM is the start of the amazing journey that is the Hatchetfield Saga, and NPMD has so much lore payoff and really perfects that signature Starkid blend of genuine emotion and absurd comedy. Honestly, my two least favorite are probably Ani (though if you’re a big Star Wars fan, the nerd fan service is *chef’s kiss*), and Black Friday, but I still adore them. I don’t think there’s a single Starkid show that isn’t amazing in some aspect!
Sorry for the rant, lol!
Been loving this reaction series, and really hope you continue with Starkid! ❤️

[@SandwichDemon66]

I agree about the vocals being rough for this. Also it's not super relevant, but I also watched the digital ticket for this song, and I've never gotten over how much better the static wide camera angle was than this closer more cinematic one. In both this and adore me I think so much of the adorable choreo got cut off by the camera. And I'm going to stop rambling now. Lol. Read vid! I hope you do NPMD next/soon

[@singwithAshley]

Lucky! Digital ticket… did you see it live? I didn’t know that was an option. Wonder if I can do that for cinderellas castle…
I love the rambles!! And love that you’re here singing with me! Stay tuned!

[@SandwichDemon66]

@@singwithAshley I didn't see it live but for each of their shows they release the digital ticket which is just a lower quality recording of the live shows. Keep and eye on their KICKSTARTER for the Cinderella show, even if you don't back it they'll release the ticket for like $10 shortly after the live shows close out. Usually a year or so before the official recording drops. It's definitely worth it every time.

[@singwithAshley]

@@SandwichDemon66 I will definitely be taking advantage of this! Thanks 🙏!

[@shesalilsapphicokay]

5:00 HAHA, your ''songtime face'' -- so fun 😂 thanks for the reaction. Also, I'm sure other people will agree when I say that Lauren's best vocal work is probably in Firebringer. It's a comedic role but from what I remember she sings in more of her pure voice, which you'll probably appreciate. She gets more technically difficult (I think) stuff to sing in Firebringer too.

[@singwithAshley]

That’s what I keep hearing! I’ll have to not miss it!

[@kiraalldredge48]

I love Lauren, but even in the cast album, I just don't think this is a very good song for her voice. I think Lauren shines most in the singing in Firebringer.

[@singwithAshley]

Excited to hear that! Thanks for singing with me!