Best Act 1 finales — Page 2

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.)

Les Mis, West Side Story and Urinetown

---

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.

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

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.

---

Little Shop of Horrors!

---

Wicked
Little Shop of Horrors
Urinetown
Aida
Les Miserables
Rent

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)

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!

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.

---