There are so many really fine Act 1 finales it's difficult to choose. However, the ones that come immediately to mind, for me, are Into the Woods, La Cage Aux Folles, and 1776. They are all powerful, and all for completely different reasons. Dramatically, they life you into a different place. They make you see the world just a little bit differently than you did before. I think that's what makes them successful.
"And the postman sighed as he scratched his head, you really rather thought she ought to be dead..."
First of all, NOTHING beats out dreamgirls. but after seeing Wicked with Ana Gasteyer and being reminded of Idina i would have to say Wicked has a powerful Act1 finale. Pretty brilliant. Mouths were gaping open. Rent is amazing as well. Sunday in the park with george is incredible but you feel more like the show is over and there is no second act. DREAMGIRLS IS THE BEST!
well I have to say that for me right now it's Chitty! Seeing that car fly always brings tears to my eyes!
What is your dream role?
My dream role would be to be myself. To be performing at the Hollywood Bowl and to have an audience there just to see me, as Stephanie. They are there because they like what I do as a singer, an artist and a person (the last being the most important). I enjoy escaping and portraying other characters, but to be accepted and wanted as yourself... that's amazing! --Stephanie J. Block
Just one of the many reasons I admire and respect Stephanie!!
Allen I totally agree, Dreamgirls. Wicked, eh... really has lost its effect but the first time I saw it I was stunned, but seeing it last night w/ Ana Gasteyer was sooooo disapointing. Les Mis gets me everytime tho, that show can do no wrong in my book.
I'll have to throw another in for TPOTO... slow chandelier and all.
For me it's really all about All I Ask of You Reprise. Such emotion in that and it makes the finale even more beautiful.
And then the chandelier comes down. Honestly, the last time I saw it, it moved so slow that I thought the actors were going to move in slow motion to compensate. But with a slight imagination and forgiveness, it really is a spectacular moment in theater.
But I will be going to Las Vegas to see the show when it opens, just because they are designing the theater especially for the show and evidently are sprucing up the crash into the spectacle it was designed to be. I'll have to push aside my anger that they're chopping the show down to 90 minutes to see what they come up with...
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
Ragtime and Into the Woods have the best Act 1 finale. "Defying Gravity" from wicked gets me every time to. I have always thought that the end of Act 1 should be the strongest part of a piece.
"The only way we live beyond our lives is to connect and carve ourselves into the souls of those we love." -Little Fish
Les Mis. It's so powerful to see the whole cast on stage singing together, and yet all are concerned with different and equally powerful problems. It's like: Ok, we know that you've been sitting here for a while and you're all ready to rush to the bathroom and the bar, but before you go we're going to perform a number that will force those annoying theatre-goers who usually rush out of the theatre before Act I finishes to stay seated to see this Act to its conclusion. It's just our way of saying "thank you" to our more dedicated fans. =)