| This is not that new imo.
Synths have been taking over pit bands for years. It's cheaper to have one synth player cover a few different string players (usually the strings are the first to go) than to pay those players to play a few lines in a few songs. Most pits that I see now are 3 synth players, bass, guitar, and possibly some horns. I can see the whole computer controlled synth thing being somewhat of a new development, but that's the next logical step--if the actors and actresses perform their parts consistently, you can program the vamps in and whatnot so the human factor isn't all that necessary. I wouldn't be surprised when broadway shows are sung along to somewhat of a souped-up midi track in the near future lol | 
