Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical- Page 5
Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
#100re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 3:21pm
I love the opening to "42nd Street," "Side Show," and "A Chorus Line."
I find the "Ragtime" opening to be long winded and boring and too expository, but I recently saw a bad production of it, so maybe I shouldn't say anything because I've found it incredible other times. All depends on my mood, I guess.
I think the opening to "Music Man" is fabulous. I love the whole opening sequence of "Dreamgirls" up to the end of "Move."
And, I'm shocked that I either missed it or no one said it, but "Magic to Do." And, I love the opening of "Working."
Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.
Updated On: 11/25/06 at 03:21 PM
#101re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 3:25pm"Prologue: Into the Woods" is a bitch to perform but really sets up the rest of the show... god, it's good.
BNN
Broadway Star Joined: 12/12/05
#102re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 3:27pm
An English Teacher - Bye Bye Birdie
Opening/I Hope I Get It - A Chorus Line
All That Jazz - Chicago
All The Livelong Day - Working (I did the show and it gives me goosebumps just to hear the opening)
Plus, to me Big Spender is the REAL opening number for Sweet Charity.
Tick Tock
#103re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 3:28pm
CIRCLE OF LIFE -LION KING
FACADE- J & H
EVERY STORY/FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE- AIDA
I HOPE I GET IT- A CHORUS LINE
ALL THAT JAZZ- CHICAGO
GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT- DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
THE HEAT IS ON IN SAIGON- MISS SAIGON
NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED- WICKED
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
balletandbroadway
Featured Actor Joined: 8/3/06
#105re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 4:43pm
My favorites are:
A Chorus Line
Parade
Sweeney Todd
The Light in the Piazza
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."-- Ferris Bueller's Day Off
#106re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 5:49pm
I Hope I Get It - A Chorus Line
Circle of Life - The Lion King
The opening numbers to the following shows: Ragtime, 42nd Street & Little Shop of Horrors.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#107re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 6:13pm
my top 3 are:
"It's Your Wedding Day" -The Wedding Singer
"Prologue" -Into The Woods
"Rent" -Rent
but i also love "All That Jazz" from Chicago
"Wishes come true, not free..."
#108re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 6:45pm
Sweeny Todd
Chicago
Aida
Beauty and the Beast
Wicked
A Little Night Music
"Passion can drive you crazy but is there any other way to live"
#109re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 7:26pm
Every Story is a Love Story- Aida
It's Your Wedding Day- The Wedding Singer
Freak/Ode To Attention Seekers- Taboo (on Broadway)
#110re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 7:41pm
"It's Today" from "Mame." It sets the style and flair for the entire show.
Probably, one of the best musical numbers in the history of musical theatres.
#111re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 8:02pmCOMPANY
...What happened next, was stranger still, a woman breathless and afraid, appeared out of the night, completely dressed in white. She had a secret she would tell, of one who had mistreated her. Her face and frightened gaze, my mind cannot erase...But then she ran from view. She looked so much like you...
#112re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 10:05pm
A Chorus Line
Wicked
Once on this Island
Seussical (although not the way it was done on Broadway)
The Color Purple
"In theater, the process of it is the experience. Everyone goes through the process, and everyone has the experience together. It doesn't last - only in people's memories and in their hearts. That's the beauty and sadness of it. But that's life - beauty and the sadness. And that is why theater is life." - Sherie Rene Scott
#113re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 10:51pm
Only one person mentioned "We are what we are" from La Cage (it was Maime). That number (in both the original and the revival) really sets up the show to say this is going to be a fun, colorful production, so sit back, put a smile on your face, and prepare to be entertained. The saw is reprised to such a wonderfully strong ballad, "I am what I am" in one of the most poignant numbers ever produced.
My honorable mentions go to Evita, A Chorus Line and Titanic. Evita takes you down to the core of her following and strength amongst the people. Chorus Line so effectively relays the optimistic hope of the dance gypsies.In Titanic, you feel so fatalistic. Awesome!
#114re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 10:54pm
I think that The Light in the Piazzas' opening is brilliant. So subtly it takes you into their world. You are there, without absurd amounts of glamour and glitz. I actually like it better on tour, because the building pannels come together, creating a more caved-in feeling. It's interesting, and really works.
Not to mention Guettel's music...
But that's a more modern one. Gypsy's opening will always have a special place in my heart...
SondheimGeek: Is it slightly pathetic that you guys get to be Jedi bitches, and I'm Bitchy the Hutt?
LizzieCurry: No, you're more memorable
LizzieCurry: No, you're more memorable
#115re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 11:15pmI don't know if I'd call it the best ever, but I always liked the opening number for Putnam County. I just think it sets everything up so wonderfully.
#116re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/25/06 at 11:22pmI love "4 Jews In A Room Bitching"
-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
COOOOLkid
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/15/05
#117re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/26/06 at 1:17am
Oh gosh...
Seussical - it's just so fun!
Ragtime - amazing
Sweeney Todd - No explanation needed
Into the Woods - Same as above
Sunday in the Park with George - I don't know why I like it so much...
Jekyll and Hyde - It gives me chills
The Lion King - Downfall from there...
The Beauty and the Beast - Such a fun number!
A Chorus Line - Only if it's done right
Annie, Get Your Gun (Recent Revival) - Wow. I just love it!
CATS - Don't ask me why. Probably the only part I like in the show
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Cute 
I love the harmony
Chicago - It's just brilliant
Cabaret - Fun amazing opening!
Hairspray - Only if the cast is energetic
La Cage Aux Folles - The tune's so catchy!
Oliver! - Same as above, and only if the cast is full of energy
Songs for a New World - Gosh, I can't explain the amazing-ness of this number!
Billy Elliot - Gives me chills just by thinking about it!
Evita - A very powerful number
Urinetown - I don't know why I like it... I just do
Gosh, I didn't know I loved so many opening numbers!
"Hey, you! You're the worst thing to happen to musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber!"
-Family Guy
#118re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/26/06 at 1:33am
I didn't want to read 5 pages, so this may have been said but
I'm partial to "Queenie was a Blonde"....that number rocks...
and all that I could do because of you was talk of love...
#119re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/26/06 at 2:55am
Comedy Tonight.
Imagine that show without it. The show was a flop until they added it. Then it soars.
Then West Side Story.
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=972787#3631451
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=963561#3533883
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955158#3440952
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954269#3427915
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955012#3441622
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954344#3428699
Updated On: 4/8/09 at 02:55 AM
One Song Glory
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/12/05
#120re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/26/06 at 7:44am
A Chorus Line
Sweeney Todd
RENT
I'm not a gay stereotype. I'm a coincidence.
Trekkie2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/7/06
#121re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/26/06 at 8:13am
Avenue Q
Spelling Bee
The Lion King
"I think of avant-garde as downtown shows where you rub waffles and chocolate on yourself."- Hunter Bell
rockfenris2005
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#122re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:54am
Gotham City / The Graveyard Shift - BATMAN: THE MUSICAL
Who can explain it, who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons, wise men never try
-South Pacific
jimnysf
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/10/05
#123re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/26/06 at 12:34pm
Hairspray---Good Morning Baltimore
Saturday Night Fever---Stayin' Alive
Hair---Aquarius
Fiddler---Tradition
"I've lost everything! Luis, Marty, my baby with Chris, Chris himself, James. All I ever wanted was love." --Sheridan Crane "Passions"
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"Housework is like bad sex. Every time I do it, I swear I'll never do it again til the next time company comes."--"Lulu"
from "Can't Stop The Music"
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"When the right doors didn't open for him, he went through the wrong ones" - "Sweet Bird of Youth"
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"Passions" is uncancelled! See NBC.com for more info.
actor
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/06
#124re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/26/06 at 12:37pm
Fiddler on the Roof
Wicked
#125re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 11/26/06 at 1:20pm"Can't Wait" from "BIG"
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