Best Act 1 finales- Page 2

[on1ystarinthesky]

Posted: 1/28/04 at 9:54pm

My favorite is definitely from RENT. La Vie Boheme is one of the best songs out there, and I Should Tell You is really sweet.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 1/28/04 at 10:32pm

There is no Act One Finale I have seen that comes even close to "Defying Gavity."

One Day More always has me in tears.

Urinetown's act one finale is probably one of the funniest this I have ever seen.

Now I KNOW no one will agree with me here, but I think the whole "Jimmy" scene is an amazing way to end the first act in Thoroughly Modern Millie. My mind was fully occupied with that one moment the entire 15 minutes of the intermission. I also think it's the most beautiful song in the show and the way it is staged with the rotating stage is beautiful....But that's just me.

[StrictlyShowtunes]

Posted: 1/28/04 at 10:48pm

Company's Act 1 Finale is technically a "Bobby Baby" reprise, but "Marry Me A Little" comes just before it. A Little Night Music is "Weekend in the Country"--one of my favorites. "La Vie Boheme" is classic, and Nine: "Bells of St. Sebastian"--amazing, haunting song. "Sunday" is so beautiful, both musicaly and visually--what could be beter than seeing a painting created before your eyes onstage?

Sweeney is hilarious--wickedfan, have you heard the Patti LuPone/George Hearn recording? I loved Angela until I heard Patti--she is so sinister, and she has such great comic timing. She and Hearn play off each other so well.

And I know "Blood Brothers" is kind of a silly musical, but "Bright New Day" always makes me want to get up and dance.

[CJR]

Posted: 1/28/04 at 10:49pm

Chicago
WSS
Hollywood Arms
Rent

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 1/28/04 at 11:00pm

Definitely Into the Woods. Everyone is so happy (well, except the witch and 2 step sisters), and then there's that loud rumble and a bean stalk, and the narrator saying, "To be continued" so you know there is so much more coming.

[magruder]

Posted: 1/28/04 at 11:11pm

I'd vote for "Turkey Lurkey Time" from Promises, Promises.

[BroadwayBaby3]

Posted: 1/28/04 at 11:35pm

Sunday in the Park With George's Act 1 finale completely took me by surprise. It sent chills down my spine. It's almost like it should have been obvious, but to actually see it and then see the painting...

Gypsy's "Everything's Coming Up Roses" is absolutely frightening and a wonderful place to put intermission. Nobody's going to leave during intermission with that as a cliff hanger. (Unless of course, the production is awful.)

[crp2000]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 8:57am

AIDA - 'The Gods Love Nubia' - I LOVE THAT D@MN SONG!!!!
Wicked - 'Defying Gravity' - IDINA SANG HER AZZ OFF!!!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 9:04am

Les Mis, West Side Story and Urinetown

[wickedfan]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 9:13am

StrictleyShowtunes,
Unfortunately I have not seen the concert version with Ms. Lupone. However, my school is honoring her for our annual benefit. So I think that might make up for me not seeing her in the concert for I will bein the same room with her. YAY!
-hope that isn't bragging.

Updated On: 1/29/04 at 09:13 AM

Posted: 1/29/04 at 9:39am

I think A Little Night Music is Sondheim's best Act I finale.

I'm also a fan of Cabaret's. Nothing like Nazi propaganda and Alan Cumming's arse.

[mebice]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 9:40am

Yes....I have to agree wicked is awesome!

[JLagow]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 9:51am

Wicked
Side Show
Gypsy
Sweeney Todd
Avenue Q
Sunday in the Park With George

[DefyingGravity2]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 10:13am

I have to agree w/ everyone who said WEST SIDE STORY...it is AMAZINNNNGGGGGG

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 10:15am

I cannot BELIEVE it took to page two of this thread for someone to mention 'A WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY'!!!!

Shame on the children.

Shaaaaaaaammmmmme.

[LouW95]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 3:34pm

Merman in Gypsy, Streisand in Funny Girl, Channing in Dolly-- those were first act cutain numbers!!!

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 3:49pm

Little Shop of Horrors!

[TTL]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 4:05pm

AIDA ~ GODS LOVE NUBIA

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 4:50pm

Wicked
Little Shop of Horrors
Urinetown
Aida
Les Miserables
Rent

[wickedfan]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 5:03pm

robbiej, i have never HEARD the song "weekend in the country". just act 2 of night music.

[redmustang]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 5:05pm

I agree with Gypsy (absolutely terrifying) and Sunday in the Park with George (absolutely stunning). Please add Mame to the long list. It's not on the CD, and it should be. When the song "Mame" ends at the end of Act I, and the audience expects the curtain to fall, but instead young Patrick is stage right and cries out "...and if some day another beau comes along determined to take my place." (Absolutely heartbreaking)

[wickedfan]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 5:06pm

Awww. Does he run into her arms like they did in the movie?

[redmustang]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 5:24pm

No, wickedfan. Mame runs to him and wraps her arms around him, then turns back to look at Beau as the curtain comes down to the last refrain of the song. If you ever get a chance to see this great show done live, see it. AND, don't ever confuse the movie with the stage musical. Entirely two different shows!

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 5:27pm

wickedfan,

I absolutely order you to go out and get the original cast ablum of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Both London versions are good...especially the one with Judy Dench...BEST CONDUCTED VERSION EVER...but nothing compares to the original cast.

Some people say Glynis Johns can't sing...but no one else, not even the great Dench, can touch her.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 5:28pm

True, but sometimes the movie is faithful (yes, there have been some, give me a year to find one though). They actually performed Mame at my camp. I was unfortunate to only see up to the end of the salon scene. For I was an extra inMeet Me in st. Louis at the theatre across camp and my ORIGINAL show (me and my girl) was schedueled to see Mame. Very confusing but after awhile it will make sense.