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
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."
"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.
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."