Best act 1 finale- Page 3

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 11:33pm

I think A Little Priest is a pretty amazing Act I finally.

[TheDeac]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 11:53pm

Fireworks(as i saw it in the playbill) from ITH.

Sunday from SITPWG.

There's a fine, fine line from Avenue Q isn't bad either.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 11:54pm

Actually someone did, Patash.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 2:06am

Not the best but a personal favorite is ONE from BARE

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 2:07am

not the best but a personal favorite is One from Bare

[bordeaux]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 10:28am

And I'm Telling You" is about as good as it gets, but best Act 1 dance finales is one that no one will ever guess because the show lasted only about 10 minutes on Bway and I'm probably the only one who saw it -- twice. It was Bob Fosse's last show, "Big Deal", and the fact 1 finale was "Beat Me Daddy 8 to the Bar." Awesome. Those kids should have gotten hazard pay.

[bwaymizfit2]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 10:36am

gah...I was sad when no one had yet mentioned the Act 1 Finale from Urinetown but, appropriately, little_sally beat me to it. That song is just awesome on so many levels--from the counterpoint, to the intentionally inane lyrics, to the slo-mo at the end...love love LOVE it.

I definitely agree with the other ones that have been said, though.

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 12:05pm

First, the two obvious ones:
One Day More
Little Priest

The not as obvious (or not mentioned):
You're Nothing Without Me (City of Angels)
The end of Act 1 of How to Succeed is very well structured
Isn't "If Ever I Would Leave You" the end of Act 1 of Camelot? Talk about a great song...

[LuvUrBatBoy]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 1:38pm

I have to add "Til We Reach that Day" from Ragtime. Seeing the OBC singing to the rafters as Audra was carried off in a coffin was an image I'll never forget.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 1:45pm

Everything's Coming Up Roses is plenty "climactic." It's the start of Louise becoming a star.

Not really. I mean, it's just Rose's inspiration to focus her obsession on Louise. The start of Louise becoming a star is her first strip well into Act II.

My second choice would have to be the Act I Finale from Urinetown.

[turquoisefish]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 6:12pm

Not sure how it worked on stage but the London concert of Chess is the only time I have seen a standing ovation at the end of Act 1 (for Josh Groban's performance of Anthem).

I have to agree with Defying Gravity though.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 6:28pm

I love "I'm Flying" from Peter Pan.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 6:31pm

Whoever doesn't find EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES climatic, is well kind of stupid.

Rose's baby, her star, her everything just walked out on her. And in a frenzy of desperation she decides to turn the unlikely untalented daughter into a star. Not to mention the curtain comes down on her final note. Brilliant and climatic.

[Hest882]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 10:55pm

Sunday in the Park with George - just transcendent
Les Miserables

[sondheimfan2]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 11:13pm

Although I love Sondheim's Act One endings, especially Night Music's "A Weekend in the Country," I have to agree that "I Got Rhythm" form CRAZY FOR YOU deserves the standing ovation it often receives.

[philly03]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 11:33pm

Act 1 Finale - Woman in White (for the sole purpose that it kept you guessing the entire time the plot during intermission!)

Also:
Sunday in the Park with George
Les Miserables
The Riddle for The Scarlet Pimpernel
Alive Reprise for Jekyll & HYDE

And how has no one including Phantom of the Opera's falling chandelier? Do you all hate Phantom that much? Well atleast I like it for ending Act 1!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 1:27am

I'm adding my vote to "Blackout".

also, the cakewalk in Parade is CRAZY. absolutely chilling.

[Weez]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 5:53am

Isn't "If Ever I Would Leave You" the end of Act 1 of Camelot? Talk about a great song...

I'm pretty sure that 'Resolution' is the act 1 closer for 'Camelot'. (The last song of the act is 'Before I Gaze On You Again'.) 'If Ever I Would Leave You' comes near the top of act 2.

Updated On: 8/1/08 at 05:53 AM

[usmma2010]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 8:40am

one day more - les mis
sunday - SINTPWG

[Out In The Sticks]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 9:42am

I know that they are not neccesarily classy but my faves:

Lambeth Walk - Me and My Girl
Jimmy - Thoroughly Modern Millie
Pinball Wizard - Tommy
The Raid - Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 9:49am

"Sunday" - Sunday in the Park With George
"And I Am Telling You..." - Dreamgirls

easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

I'm surprised someone said [tos]. It didnt have an intermission when I saw it in previews.

[Weez]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 9:54am

I'm surprised someone said [tos]. It didnt have an intermission when I saw it in previews.

As far as I'm aware, it still doesn't. I believe that is what is known as a "joke".

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 10:04am

"As far as I'm aware, it still doesn't. I believe that is what is known as a "joke"."

Really? Because it was simply listed with other shows that do have good first act closers...I guess I missed the joke.

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 7:22pm

Standard Broadway World joke answer: A Chorus Line.

Otherwise:
Fiddler (from tears to fears to OMG, what's going to happen next?)
Dreamgirls
Les Miz
Secret Garden
Ragtime

Updated On: 8/1/08 at 07:22 PM

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 8:01pm

I love Defying Gravity especially with a perfect face flash at the end. I just sit there mezmorized then realize that I better get a move on if I want to go to the bathroom before act 2 starts. I mean who in there right mind designs the biggest theatre on Broadway with only 12 stalls in orch seating and 6 in mezz seating? I don't know how the mens room is(Well I ain't a man) but there mustn't be many in there either since that line is usually long also.

I also love So Much Better from Legally Blonde.