Best Openings of Musicals- Page 2

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:45pm

I like most of those posted above, but Company? Don't think so!

I have a thing for Overtures, I have a whole playlist on my iPod called 'Overtures and Openings'. And I love it. Overturesa re just so wonderful sometimes, but I hate when an overture lets me down. It's just so... ugh!

So, I definitely agree with Carousel, Chicago, as I said, Millie, Wicked, Lion King.

Also, here's a thought; Oklahoma? I know, it's a bit tacky and it's somehow revered as 'the first quiet opening', but I like it. Mood setting? Definitely.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 4:48pm

From THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN and following a great overture the song "I AIN'T DOWN YET" as sung by Tammy Grimes and her brothers. Fabulous! It's the best part of the show. The second act is a big disappointment as though creator Meredith Willson just ran out of steam.

Updated On: 4/12/07 at 04:48 PM

[Mood_Indigo]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 6:19pm

Sweeney Todd. It sets the mood for the show perfectly and makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

[BDavis0092]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 6:23pm

I love the opening for Les Mis. And Drowsy is fun because while Man in Chair talks about "getting in the mood for a Broadway show," you actually DO get in the mood for a broadway show. It's just a personal favorite really.

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 6:26pm

Easy question!

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[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 6:27pm

Cabaret - I like the "no overture" vibe. The drumroll builds up the excitement and energy of the show.

West Side Story - I'm just partial to this one because I was in the show... but I absolutely love the whole prologue - choreographed fighting never looked so good!

There's probably more, but those two are the ones that come to my mind at the moment.

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 6:39pm

A Chorus Line
Ragtime
West Side Story

Three openings that perfectly set the tone and the plot of the show, in my opinion.

[FutureAladdinOnB'Way]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 7:02pm

A Chorus Line's opening hands down!

[actor]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 7:04pm

1. Mary Poppins
2. Legally Blonde
3. Wicked

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 7:07pm

is this thread about best opening numbers or best opening visual?

[hiltyfied]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 7:20pm

Either, but I'm more interested in musical numbers.

[FutureAladdinOnB'Way]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 7:45pm

Aida has a good opening number..it takes you from present day in a dull museum and sends you way back to ancient Egypt that's full of life...and when Sherie starts singing " This is the story of a love that florished in a time of hate..." that's all it takes to pull me in

[breebranker]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 7:52pm

will rogers follies... maybe that's staging trickery since the opening is like a show itself.

west side story

ragtime

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:07pm

In addition to Will Rogers, another Tommy Tune offering:The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public

[misschung]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:50pm

I liked how they did that in Aida too - I find the opening of that show so beautiful before Sherie busts into the "this is the story, of a loooooove" line.
Also, The Full Monty, Cabaret, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, Once Upon A Mattress, and the lack thereof in Rent :)

[bandit964]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 11:59pm

Will Rogers definitly

umm, i have to ditto...
42nd street
Into the woods
lion king
chicago

but i need to add phantom of the opera

[gypsiedtokill]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 12:23am

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum is my favorite right now.

Also: Assassins, A Chorus Line and Into the Woods.

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 12:45am

Yeah, I have to agree with SIDE SHOW. Its brilliant. It freaks me out and I love it. And Alice and Emily wailing away, always good.

And I'll throw in PIAZZA's. I love the illumintaed hat and the city slowly awakening through the overture into "Statues and Stories", and Kelli and Victoria sounded just wonderful as usual.

[JulianHookbucks]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 3:48am

ACL-nothing but dancing, and orchestra... the energy hits you from the stage and like... blows the top off of the theatre...
WSS.-really sets the conflict from the beginning. Gorgeous.
Ragtime-the conflict between the three groups, and also a commentary on the whole country is beautifully put right out there in the beginning... and the 4th wall neglect is a brilliant personable way to let you into the story... and the swelling vocals, and tempo changes make me cry everytime.
Cabaret-shocks you into the rawness of the story, and really makes you go... "this isn't going to be pretty..." but in a way, it has it's own beauty... but also shows you "you're going to see the real terrors, and horrors of the world. get ready."
Piazza-need I say ANYTHING?
42nd Street-breathtaking... all those feet tapping in perfect unison... just... gorgeous.
Fiddler on the Roof-gorgeous. Ethnic, gorgeous, tradidional, and beautiful.
Beauty and the Beast-classic. and Belle is just... I've always been in love with the story... and it sets the tone for a cartoony, but soon to be deeply romantic love story.