Best Act I Finales — Page 2

I guess you never saw the original DREAMGIRLS
Jennifer Holiday's (I know she is crazy now)
AND I AM TELLING YOU was heart stopping and then what Bennet did, bringing the new Dreams on all glam and forcing Effie to the back of the stage, That was It.
I remember I went to stand up for intermission and my knees actually buckled.
I agree with a lot of the choices posted so far, and have seen
most of them, but nothing hit me the same as DREAMGIRLS.

Sunday in the Park with George - Sunday

Woman in White's Act 1 Finale - Always had me on the edge of my seat!

The Scarlet Pimpernel - The Riddle

Les Miserables - One Day More

Phantom of the Opera - All I Ask of You (Reprise) + Chandelier!

DRACULA, the musical - Life After Life (the Austrian production!)

Jekyll & Hyde on Broadway! Even if you didn't like the show itself the act one finale with Hyde beating the Bishop to a pulp and setting his body on fire was pretty impressive.

Bright New Day - Blood Brothers
Have always loves this one. Very uplifting and a really good act ender.

Flashdance -
The big moment that everyone waits for with the water gushing down. Iconic Moment

So Much Better - Legally Blonde
Great song to finish act 1 with

I Will Survive - Priscilla
Loves it

Shrek - Who I'd Be

I think that this is a beautiful Act 1 closing number. I think everybody can or has been able to relate to it at sometime in their life, and the tension in the music that goes throughout is amazing. Say what you will about the show, but I think it is a very powerful number to end the first act.

Les Mis is my personal fav, but there is a long list of good ones.

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On Broadway, Mendes added Sally, Cliff, Fraulein Schneider, and Heirr Schultz walking up the stairs on the side of the stage as it was happening. Very effective.

Some more recent productions that I don't think were mentioned yet:
In the Heights-Blackout. Say what you will about the show, I don't love it myself, but that finale was pretty great)
Grey Gardens- Will You? Absolutely haunting
Urinetown- Act 1 Finale. Hysterical and a cliff hanger.
Caroline, or Change-Roosevelt Petrucious Coleslaw. Saw it live with Anika Noni Rose. Pure magic.
Tommy-Pinball Wizard. Classic song spun on its head.
Smile-Until Tomorrow Night. Howard Ashman knew how to make a number build.
Nine-The Bells of St. Sebastian. Once again, absolutely haunting.
Kiss of the Spiderwoman-Gimme Love. Fun, catchy song that gets turned on its head, as well.

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"So Much Better" is good, but nothing compares to "Defying Gravity".

Totally, like, nothing compares.

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"Wicked" : "Defying Gravity"

There is just nothing quite like it in theatre. A lot of people don't like "Wicked" but no matter how much you dislike it everyone should be unbiased enough to admit that it's got to be one of the best if not THE best.

"Dreamgirls" : "And I am telling you"

The Vocal chops that Jennifer Holiday had are almost incomparable to most actresses. And the emotion behind the song moved the audience with very little scenery. It was impactful just from talent.

Ariel's transformation in "The Little Mermaid" after "Poor Unfortunate Souls" and "So Much Better" from "Legally Blonde" are very nice too, but definately no match for the ones above.

How on earth is "Defying Gravity" one of the best, if not the best? It's just this upbeat pop song that ends with the actress rising in the air. Meh. I will admit I think "Defying Gravity" is a decent song, but compared with other shows, that Act I finale just falls short.

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Ugh. It's because of those posters that make me resent myself four years ago for choosing this name. Defying Gravity is a GOOD Act 1 finale, but it isn't the best. It's not one of the best. I wouldn't even put it in the top 30. Especially with the way it's staged. She lifts up, you get excited. And then she just stays there......Great.

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Philistine.

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