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."
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.
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
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.
...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...
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
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!
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
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
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.