Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical- Page 7
Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
gypsy4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/07
#150re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/4/09 at 3:39pmBelle from Beauty and the beast.
#151re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/4/09 at 3:44pm
I'm with ALWrules about "Heaven on Their Minds" from Jesus Christ Superstar. You can't ask for a better opening number in a rock musical--it's a real masterpiece of economical, character-driven exposition. It accomplishes in roughly three minutes what it would take two or three scenes in a "book" musical to establish.
Right from the top, here's Judas, he's the central dramatic character, this is his relationship with Jesus, these are the doubts he has about Jesus' approach and they sound like he's an intelligent man with legitimate concerns, and some background on Jesus' growing ministry is thrown in for good measure.
It's not a classic piece of theater by any means, nor does JCS strive to be as a whole, but it's pretty damn good.
"There is no problem so big that it cannot be run away from."
~ Charles M. Schulz
goodmanK
Chorus Member Joined: 3/24/08
#152re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/4/09 at 3:52pm
First that come to mind:
The Secret Garden, Clusters of Crocus/Opening Dream
Phantom of the Opera, Auction
They should revive The Secret Garden, and not include the changes that they did to the show in London - ruined it!
cremi
Swing Joined: 5/29/06
#153re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/4/09 at 4:01pm
Everystory is a love story - Aida
I loved the opening of Mary Poppins!
And Ich hab getraumd von Manderlay - Rebecca, gives me chills
#154re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/4/09 at 4:41pm
MAGIC TO DO (Pippin)
FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD (Oliver!)
THIS TIME OF THE YEAR (Finian's Rainbow)
MONTMART (Can-Can)
BOTTLENECK (Destry Rides Again)
"I long-ago realized that this country is a nation of
morons, when it comes to knowledge of anything outside, or beyond, pop culture." Steve Slezak
#155re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/4/09 at 6:19pmI Hope I Get It - it just grabs your attention from the "5-6-7-8"
#156re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/4/09 at 6:47pm
I Hope I Get It- ACL
Omigod you Guys is a really EXCITING opening, in my opinion.
I also really love in Chicago when the conductor goes...5678! And all the dancers come on with the jazz music...it was really exciting.
I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&.
"Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."
#157re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/4/09 at 7:44pm"It's a Nice Cold Mornin'" from MAGGIE FLYNN. What a fantastic song!
#158re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/4/09 at 8:26pmSpamalot! Fisch Schlapping Song! Love it.
"These rabid fans...possess the acting talent to portray the hooker...Linda Eder..." -The New York Times
AndAllThatJazz22
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/08
#159re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:01amI do quite like ACL's opening number
"There's nothing good on. The media hates Christmas. The media loves vampires, though. Maybe they will show a Twilight Christmas."
-Danmeg's 10 year old son.
-Danmeg's 10 year old son.
rich.hanson59
Stand-by Joined: 8/7/07
#160re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:09am"Audition" from 42nd Street is my favorite opening number.
philly03
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/07
#161re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:23am"The Way It Ought to Be" from A Tale of Two Cities is another one of my favourites!
cserannie
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/1/05
#162re: Best Opening (Not Overture) Number in a Musical
Posted: 4/5/09 at 4:44pm
no one mourns the wicked - wicked
give them what they want - Dirty rotten scoundrels
Norbert Leo Butz quotes about John Lithgow: "He's really clumsy. One of the joys in life is to watch a great big huge man totally wipe out backstage. It takes John about three minutes to hit the floor. It's like watching a Great Sequoia falling gracelessly."
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