Best Overtures

#1

Best Overtures

Posted: 4/2/04 at 5:02pm

Which Overture do you think best sets you up for the tone of the show and the mood for the first scene?

Honestly, I am thinking it might be ANNIE, as tired as I am of the music.

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#2

re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/2/04 at 5:07pm

Chicago.

I haven't seen Gypsy yet (this weekend!!) but I adore the overture.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#3

re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/2/04 at 5:58pm

Gypsy has a fantastic overture- that trumpet solo got the entire audience cheering when I heard Chris Jaudes do it the current production.

#4

re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/2/04 at 6:02pm

I have to say Gypsy or Wonderful Town.

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#5

re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/2/04 at 6:12pm

Candide, hands down. Annie? Really?

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#6

re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/2/04 at 6:23pm

Hook, This subject comes up very frequently. Using the search feature of the board I found that "overture" as a subject comes up over 207 times as of a few minutes ago. In that list of hits are many variations of the same best overture question you posted. You're sure to find the same overtures listed there, too.

Cheers!

Jose'

Updated On: 4/2/04 at 06:23 PM

#7

re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/2/04 at 6:48pm

West Side Story definetly.

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You've gotta have heart AND music

#8

re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/2/04 at 7:03pm

Gypsy and NGD

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"Take a breath. Take a step. Take a chance. Take your time." -L5Y

#9

re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/2/04 at 7:10pm

Phantom - always gives me chills
Dance of the Vampires also had a good one

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"Life will be frozen peaches and cream. Baby, dream Your Dream" ~ SC

#10

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/3/04 at 7:34pm

Gypsy - I think it's one of the best overtures ever....and I have to agree with Plum, the trumpet solo is AMAZING.

Urinetown - No real reason, I just love it

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(formerly bronte604) "You really just love money and power and capitalism? You know they're never going to love you back." "Things happen for the best...I don't even believe that myself."

#11

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/3/04 at 9:56pm

Id have to agree with Candide
I'm also a fan of the Music Man ovt, eventhough the original is pretty lengthy
always,
~m~

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For heaven's sake, don't try to be cynical. It's perfectly easy to be cynical. ~The Importance of Being Earnest~

#12

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/3/04 at 10:02pm

In order:

1- Gypsy
2- Funny Girl
3- Candide
4- Chicago
5- Mame

#13

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/4/04 at 3:46am

Here's a few in no particular order...

Chicago- Easily one of the best ever. It helps set the mood for All that Jazz which goes on to set the mood for the entire musical. The original cast version sounds best, but that's just my opinion.

The Producers- Kind of biased here, because it's already my favourite musical, but even when listening to it objectivly (if that's possible) it's still awesome. A lot of that has to do with Glen Kelly though; all of the orchestrations for The Producers are very well done.

H2$- Just listen to the original cast recording. The part with Brotherhood of Man is just fantastic.

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I don't like ice cream

Updated On: 4/4/04 at 03:46 AM

#14

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/4/04 at 4:57am

Ragtime, South Pacific, POTO..

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"More than in any other performing arts the lack of respect for acting seems to spring from the fact that every layman considers himself a valid critic." --Uta Hagen

#15

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/4/04 at 8:11am

Carousel has the best overture overall, IMO.

You get on the ride, you get off the ride, but it's only a ride. Tells you the whole show theme in one long, beautiful piece of music.

And it doesn't use bits of songs in the show -- it's a stand alone piece. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

As to version .... I like the 60s revival better than the OBCR, but to each her own.

#16

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/4/04 at 8:30am

Every time I hear the Gypsy overture, my heart swells. It's just one of the most thrilling theatrical moments ever: to be sitting there, listening to that fabulous overture live. I can't help but dance in my seat as the orchestra builds to the fabulous trumpet solo. I don't think you truly know what a great overture is until you hear Gypsy's.

My other all time favorites are Nine and Tommy. Nine's is so beautiful and unique because it's sung--the vocal blend achieved by the women is always wonderful. Tommy's is just a great mix of sounds; the violins and electric guitars intermingled with the sound of foghorns and helicopters gives me chills.

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"Peace! The charm's wound up." --Macbeth

Updated On: 4/4/04 at 08:30 AM

#17

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/4/04 at 10:46am

Gypsy and Chicago! Gotta love that trumpet section leading right into All That Jazz

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#18

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/4/04 at 12:45pm

I have to agree that both POTO and DOTV have pretty powerful overtures.

D

#19

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/4/04 at 1:02pm

"Gypsy" - the trumpet in "Rose's Turn" gets me all the time
"Annie Get Your Gun" - the 66 revival
"Funny Girl"
"Candide"
"Jesus Christ Superstar"

#20

Best Overtures

Posted: 4/4/04 at 3:17pm

Candide is one the all time best! Love it....

I also think Seussical's overture is fun and charming

#21

re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/5/04 at 11:55pm

I do have to agree with Gypsy as well as Candide and Chicago.

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"More than in any other performing arts the lack of respect for acting seems to spring from the fact that every layman considers himself a valid critic." --Uta Hagen

#22

re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/6/04 at 5:49am

Phantom, CATS, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Chicago

Tendres Baisers,
Juliette Capulet

#23

re: re: re: Best Overtures

Posted: 4/6/04 at 7:26am

Gypsy
My Fair Lady
Cats

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BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"