Favorite Opening Numbers
Favorite Opening Numbers
FranziaRebel
Chorus Member Joined: 4/26/05
#0Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:01am
Hello all!
I'm putting together a little musical review and need your help.
What are your favorite Broadway Musical Opening numbers contemporary or classic?
While were at it what about favorite Act One Finales and Act Two opening numbers?
#1re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:03amListen to track number 2 on the "FROGS" cast recording.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#2re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:08amSunday in the Park With George- the opener becomes over-the-top wonderful when you actually see it staged, but the Act One closer, "Sunday," is an absolute stunner even if you're just listening. "A Little Priest" is a great Act One closer, as well.
BNIN2MUR
Chorus Member Joined: 4/5/05
#3re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:13am"there you are" from the mystery of Edwin drood is a wondeful opening number, but i agree with the Capn' trk 2 of the frogs is fantastic and really cute for a show like that... so cute infact that it was used as the opening number for Putting it Together.
#4re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:14am
The opening number in Into the Woods is right up there for me.
Gotta put in a vote for "Four Jews in a Room Bitching" from Falsettos also.
#5re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:15amAnother Into the Woods vote!
Everything in this room is *eat*able. Even I'm *eat*able. But that is called cannibalism, my dear children, and is in fact frowned upon in most societies. ~Willy Wonka
It's TRUE! GET A FREE IPOD!!! It's really easy http://premiumipods.freepay.com/?r=15232098 Ask me any questions about it.
I love Ana Gasteyer and Chicago Theater!!!
It's TRUE! GET A FREE IPOD!!! It's really easy http://premiumipods.freepay.com/?r=15232098 Ask me any questions about it.
I love Ana Gasteyer and Chicago Theater!!!
FranziaRebel
Chorus Member Joined: 4/26/05
#6re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:21amSee I knew I could count on y'all. Keep 'em coming.
#7re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:22amI know i may get flamed for this, but i though RENT was fun, opening and Act 1 finale
#8re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:25amYou shouldn't get flamed, Kushnier. Your opinion is just a valid as anyone elses.
AngusN
Broadway Star Joined: 3/23/05
#9re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:26amAnother 'Into the Woods' vote. I just love it went you hear those first few chords and the words 'I wish' - WOW! I may be biased because I played the Baker for a production in Liverpool, England. Everytime I hear the chords it takes me back.
touchmeinthemorning
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/3/04
#10re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:27am
The Ragtime opening is amazing, as is Sweeney Todd.
I'd also say Side Show starts in a similarly strong fashion (Come Look at the Freaks)...which could work really well for a cabaret show. =)
"Fundamentalism means never having to say 'I'm wrong.'"
-- unknown
colleen_lee
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/05
#11re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:29am
I also vote "Into the Woods"
If you're thinking more of an old school Broadway type opening number, "Another Openin', Another Show" from "Kiss Me, Kate" is fun.
"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. "
--Sueleen Gay
SorryGrateful
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
#12re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:32amI too vote for Into the Woods. I also think Cabaret's opening is brilliant. It sets the mood for the entire show so perfectly.
You promised me poems. ~Tricky
#13re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:39am
I think there was a thread a couple of weeks ago of people talking about act one closers -- I remember One Day More and Little Priest more or less split the vote with Defying Gravity and La Vie Boheme making strong showings.
For Act One openers -- "OH What a Beautiful Morning," "The Carousel Waltz," "Aquarius," the original opening of Nine with the Lalas....
Act Two openers -- "God That's Good" from Sweeney is the only one that really comes to mind. I think a lot of shows try not to do huge opening numbers for the second act to give the audience a chance to sit back down and get into the show again.
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#14re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:40amIn Tommy Tune's staging, the opening of "Grand Hotel" was about as flawless an opening number as you can get. Was also a big fan of the opening of "Titanic" although I pretty much hated everything that followed... I second the opening of "Ragtime" as well.
"When you're a gay man, you have to feel good about yourself when a urologist says, "Yeah. I pick you". - Happy Endings
#15re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:42am
I love the opening scene for Light In The Piazza (both 'Overture' & 'Statues and Stories') - When Clara first appears on stage amidst the bustling leaves against the backdrop of sky, singing her stunning, wordless melody... It's magical...
And then 'Statues and Stories' is a lovely, charming song that builds in intensity and sets the tone for the show beautifully.
X
I got you. Yeah, I got you on camera - you on candid camera now... An' you ain't know that...
#16re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:43am
Thoroughly Modern Millie has a fun opening number.
A Chorus Line is good if you want to throw in a dance opening number.
"It's the little things; the details, that distinguish the Barbra Streisands from the Rosalyn Kinds."~Gilmore Girls~
#17re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:15am
Thank you Patronus for being so understanding.
Light in Piazza definatly!...can i vote twice?
worrell4077
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
#18re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:36am
Opening Numbers:
"Finland/Fisch Slapping Song"-SpamAlot(It's just so funny because they think that the Historian said Finland).
"Love Me Tender"-All Shook Up
"Little Shop of Horrors"-Little Shop of Horrors
"Give Them What They Want"-dirty Rotten Scoundrels
"Opening Night"-The Producers
"Inovaction and Instructions to the Audience"-The Frogs
"We Are What We Are"-La Cage Aux Folles
"It Sucks to be Me"-Avenue Q
"The Lives of Me"-The Boy From Oz
"Urinetown"-Urinetown
Act One Finales:
"Run Away"-SpamAlot
"The Miracle"- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
"Can't Help Falling in Love"-All Shook Up
"Act One Finale"-LSOH/Urinetwon
"There's A Fine, Fine, Line"-Avenue Q
"I Am What I Am"-La Cage Aux Folles
"Along Came Bially"-The Producers
"Not the Boy Next Door"-The Boy From Oz
"The Frogs"-The Frogs
"Astonishing"-Little Women
Act Two Openers:
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"-SpamAlot
"Ruffhousin mit Shuffhausen"-Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
"All Shook Up"-All Shook Up
"Call Back in the Morning'-LSOH
"What is Urinetown?"-Urinetown
"Bi-Costal"-The Boy From Oz
"That Face"-The Producers
"There is Life Outside your apartment"-Avenue Q
________________________________________________________________
"Somebody blows their nose and you wanna keep it"
-Ghostbusters
Sant
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/12/04
#19re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:41am
All That Jazz - CHICAGO
Ragtime - RAGTIME
Belle - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats - CATS
Little Shop Of Horrors - LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
#20re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:41am
Incredible how mired we are in modern musicals!
The act one opening of My Fair Lady -- "Why Can't The English," Camelot -- "I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight," The Sound of Music...ummmm....
The West Side Story opening through the Jet Song if you're really ambitious.
If you're looking for overtures, there are two that stand head and shoulders over everything else: Gypsy and Candide.
I have to say I agree with the poster who mentioned the opening of Grand Hotel...
I can't believe no one (including me) has mentioned Tradition from Fiddler yet either...
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#21re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:44am
I can't believe more people haven't mentioned..
CHICAGO - ALL THAT JAZZ.
Is there really any contest? ATJ is usually considered by the critics and fans one of the best opening numbers EVER.
hypertruffle
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/22/05
#22re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:47amummm...'Comedy Tonight' from '...Forum' anyone?
"The cynicism you refer to, I acquired the day I discovered I was different from little boys!~All About Eve
musicaldude57
Understudy Joined: 12/23/04
#23re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 12:20pmI put in my vote for "Wilkommen" from Cabaret (as a matter of fact, that's the opening number to my musical revue show). It's fun cuz when you're introducing the "Cabaret girls" and "Cabaret boys" you can say whatever you want about them (cuz the original lyrics are not exactly family friendly).
"And I feel it move me
Like a fire deep inside
Something bursting me wide open
Impossible to hide
And suddenly I'm flying
Flying like a bird
Like electricity
Electricity" - Electricity from Billy Elliot The Musical
deck925
Featured Actor Joined: 5/21/05
#24re: Favorite Opening Numbers
Posted: 8/17/05 at 12:38pmi second RENT the opening number gets you pumped up for the rest of the show. As for Act I Finale i think "Astonishing" was pretty incredible. I also have to say I think "Seasons of Love" is a pretty powerful Act II opening number. thats my two cents :)
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