I thought Hairspray had a really neat Act 1 Finale! It went out on a really high note, and left you wanting more!
Wicked (Defying Gravity, of course)
Rent (I just love LaVie Boheme)
Gypsy (...Comin Up Roses)
Hello, Dolly! (Before the Parade Passes By)
Les Miz (Hated the show but One Day More was phenomenal to say the least!)
Phantom (after youve seen it more than once, though, the chandelier loses its cliche and youre not very excited...the first time I saw it, though, I was shocked)
i say wicked. it was so powerful
DREAMGIRLS
c'mon folks, you got "It's All Over", the single best Act 1 solo since gypsy in "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going", and then, just when you've jumped out of your seats in a standing ovation, you get "Love Love Me Baby" and "Showbiz"
It's literally a roller coaster ride
there is nothing like it
1. Wicked
2. Beauty and the Beast
3. Hello Dolly
Broadway Star Joined: 11/2/04
I don't remember many act one finale's. But from my memory, Wonderful Town - CONGA!!!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
A Tie for Me:
A Little Night Music - A Weekend in the Country WOWOWOWOWWOWOW
and
Effie's Turn ( Starting with the It's all Over leading into And I'm Telling You) Knocks me out everytime.
Many people said Wicked. Not that I'm surprised, but I'm still in disbelief that people think it's well done. Personally, I was laughing at how bad it was. It's like they're making fun of musical theatre, but that's just my opinion.
So, my favorite act 1 closers:
Rent
Into the Woods
42nd Street
Evita
Gypsy
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/12/04
Yeah, 42nd is pretty hot.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
I saw CRAZY FOR YOU four times - twice on tour, twice on Broadway, and every time, the finish of I GOT RHYTHM had the audience CHEERING, WHOOPING, WHISTLING, and yelling BRAVO! I've never seen a reaction like that.
The reaction to the end of the first act of RENT was good, but the opening of Act 2 was even better. I saw the show just a few weeks afterit opened on Broadway - before it won all those Tony Awards, and before the original cast stareted losing their voices. When the cast walked out on stage at the start of Act 2 to sing "Seasons of Love", the audience gave them a STANDING OVATION. They weren't going to wait until the end of the show to let the cast know how much they were apprecicated.
RENT.
Every time I sit there, and I just have to take it all in. I don't think I've ever actually left my seat during intermission, because I'm always in shock.
And Wicked. Because I have to.
I would have to go with Les Miz as my first choice and Rent as a close second!!
Chorus Member Joined: 5/10/04
I love Into the Woods because you think it's over. That tricky Sondhiem!
Don't forget James Lapine.
Ragtime(you had to know I was gonna say it)
Dreamgirls
A Little Night Music ( I love, love, love, A Weekend In the Country
For sheer spectacle: the Witches of Eastwick - not a huge shock that I'd say that, I know, but what other show has three ladies flying over your head? (providing the effect works of course). Don't even get me started on that pathetic excuse for flying in Wicked . . .
A Weekend in the Country and One Day More - I love full company numbers
Elisabeth - the trio singing Ich Gehor Nur Mir (sp?)
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
ONE DAY MORE -
Nothing can beat this first act finale from Les Miserables for sheer drama, stirring music, and emotional fervor!
Jo
Sweeney Todd -A little Priest
as much as i hate to say it One Day More
i second Anyone Can Whistle - Simple is just one of the most incredible Act One Finales ever.
Sunday in the Park with George absolutely! The way the characters make the painting while singing beautiful harmonies is just so moving. heck...i just love this show
In the many times this thread has surface --
I still stick to The Secret Garden -- when Mary opens the door, the sliver of light comes through -- the orchetra reaches it's closing crescendo and the curtain falls....perfect theatrical moment! (ok, I'm a big mush)
ooooooo.....I forgot about Sunday. Absolutley brilliant!
That's definitely be RENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can anything compare to all that goes on in that scene? I'm thinking EFF NO!!!!
Or Les Mis... I cried through the whole show. The songs are so moving and powerful. I never left my seat.
VIVA LA VIE BOHEME!
Thank you Marin! Yes A Little Night Music has the best act one finale in history. When done correctly A Weekend In The Country can be thrilling and send a chill down your spine.
It's also the most thrilling of any Act One finale I have ever done, although feeding Orin to Audrey II was alot of fun too.
Well... any Sondheim show song is amazing, but his Act 1 Finales always have a kick.
Sondheim aside, I would have to go with One Day More from Les Mis
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/10/04
i find it hard to believe that no one else likes miss saigon's act one finale? i think it's so incredibly emotional... kim and tam are leaving their home, their world with the engineer in order to find a better life for tam and hopefully find chris... the underlying themes are so heart-wrenching, not to mention the glorious solo (i'd give my life for you) followed by the whole company fleeing vietnam... ahhhhhhhhhhhh...
and then just for fun, the book report in yagmcb! this was my favorite number to perform... and every night it brought down the house... both the performers and the audience really love it so much and it's such a well constructed song... oh how i love this show! yay!
Videos