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#1

Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/27/04 at 10:53pm

I'm just wondering what everyone thinks is the best opening (or some of the best openingS) on Broadway Past/Present.
EXAMPLE:
Evita, in the movie theater straight in to the "requiem evita" of "oh, what a circus" and i can think of lots more that i'll post after you all do!!!
Il n' y a pas d'amour heureux.
#2

re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/27/04 at 10:57pm

Thoroughly Modern Millie and Avenue Q :)
"It's the little things; the details, that distinguish the Barbra Streisands from the Rosalyn Kinds."~Gilmore Girls~
#4

re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 12:14am

I must admit....if you miss 5 mins of cabaret...you miss the best part of the show. The opening number is the best. Well, of the ones I have seen. I like Millie a lot too. I know I am forgeting some.
"Hold up your head. Never be afraid to shine. Viva la difference in my body and my mind. All out with loneliness Such a waste of time. Come in from the outside" ~ Taboo
#5

re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 12:15am

Cabaret and Chicago have always stood out in my mind. I guess Kander and Ebb really know how to start a show. I'm also fond of the beginning of Sweeney Todd. The greek chorus thing just works so well for that show.
#6

re: re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 12:24am

"Four Jews in a Room B*tching" from Falsetttos
"Summer You'll Always Remember" from SUmmer of ''42
"Company" from Company
"Scrap" from Full Monty
"We Dance" from Once of this Island
"A Man of No Importance" from A Man of No Importance"
The Heat is on in Saigon from Miss Saigon
#8

re: re: re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 12:32am

I also LOVE Millie's opening- that opening with Millie full back to the audience staring at the wonder of New York City, can't, in my opinion be compared to many other things on Broadway.

I also like Hairspray's- "Good Morning, Baltimore" with her in her bed waking up.


Fiddler and Into The Woods have introductions that REALLY set up the story, and let you know everything in the first scene. I love those two openings, as well as Nine's "Overture dell donne".
#9

re: re: re: re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 12:38am

'Rent' from RENT. I love how the stage just sort of explodes with movement and excitement.
"I really liked the show--Wish I saw Boy's Night...Am I allowed as I am not a boy anymore:)"-duffyny1
#10

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 5:49am

Definetely " All That Jazz" from Chicago! I also like RENT and "Good Morning Baltimore" and of course "The Circle of Life" from Lion King. I know i like more, but I just can't remember them right now.

Take care
#11

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 6:03am

A really well written or well staged opening number can jolt a show to life... A few that come to mind...

"Cotton Blossom" from SHOW BOAT
"He Had Twins" from THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE
"This Time of the Year" from FINIAN'S RAINBOW
"Runyonland/Fugue for Tinhorns" from GUYS AND DOLLS
"A Typical Day" from LI'L ABNER
"Little Old New York" from TENDERLOIN
"Comedy Tonight" from A FUNNY THING ... FORUM
"How to" from HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING
"Wilkommen" from CABARET
"Company" from COMPANY
"I Hope I Get It" from A CHORUS LINE
"All That Jazz" from CHICAGO
"20 Million People" from MY FAVORITE YEAR
"Circle of Life" from THE LION KING
"Good Morning Baltimore" from HAIRSPRAY
"Gif me the cobra jool!"
#15

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 9:19am

"Side Show" has a pretty great opening number. Also "Hedwig," LaChuisa's "Wild Party" and my favorite overture of all time, "Nine."
There are glasses to raise in the praise of survivin' the day
#16

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 9:20am

I agree with lots of these, but here are some others.

Damn Yankees- "Six Months out of Every Year"

Annie Get Your Gun- "There's No Business Like Show Business"

Footloose- "Footloose"- I loved how the ripped down the banner- that was awesome, even though I cant take this show anymore...
I also saw Footloose at a young adult community theatre group and I thought there opening was cute- they had the curtain lift up in certain parts displaying peoples' feet- they had point shoes, high heels, sandels dancing just like in the movie- It was cute

Swing!- "It Don't Mean a Thing"

"They hear drums. We hear music."
#19

Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 11:32am

I would like to add: "Will-a-mania" from the Will Rodgers Follies. I didn't like the show (what was the purpose of Act II), but I loved the opening number. The exciting dancing on the steps, and the sprited music itself. I was humming that song for a few days.
myspace.com/robinsparkles
#20

re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 12:03pm

MenkenFan,

That TITANIC opening was astonishing. I was in tears by the end of it! Too bad the show proceeded to sink like the ship it's named after.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
#21

re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 12:11pm

Hands down, "Good Morning Baltimore". All hell breaks loose!
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer

"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
#23

re: re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 12:16pm

Cabaret-Definatley!
Into the Woods
Grand Hotel
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
#24

re: re: re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 12:43pm

without a doubt, Willkommen. Mebice, I couldn't have said it better myself. It was easily one of the best numbers in Cabaret. From the second I saw Emcee's eyes, I was hooked. Lion King and Rent too. I love how Roger just comes out, and it takes a while for people to realize the show is starting. and I remember seeing the Lion King and my jaw just dropping when it started. oh, and I can't forget Millie!
A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 1/28/04 at 12:43 PM

#25

re: re: re: re: re: re: Best opening numbers!

Posted: 1/28/04 at 1:09pm

Both have identical openings -

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and WITCHES OF EASTWICK

It starts off with an innocent looking girl singing a solo and then the ensemble bursting onto the stage. Both send shivers down my spine.

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