Entrances That Give You Chills

There's no question HELLO, DOLLY! gets a lot right. Dolly's first entrance is designed so perfectly... built for huge entrance applause yet still a perfect marriage between song, lyrics and storyline at that early moment of the show.

The only entrance that tops it, of course, is her grand entrance in Act 2. Each of the four times I had the fortune of seeing this production with Bette, my palms literally started to sweat and my heart began beating faster with anticipation of seeing her at the top of those stairs. Just thinking of Bernadette gives me the same butterflies.

This all brings me to my point. Dolly's entrance in Act 2 is, IMO, the greatest, grandest entrance for a character Broadway has ever and will ever see. From the subtle orchestrations that begin to play during the commotion among the waiters, to the RUDYYYY!!! to the SHE'S HERE!! to the opening notes of the title song, followed by our first look at the reborn Dolly to her accenting down that staircase... I mean it is all just.. perfection. I get chills thinking of those discussions in development more than 50 years ago when it all fell into place.

Can you think of another entrance that even comes close to having a similar effect?




 

Updated On: 2/24/18 at 04:08 PM

Eartha kitt in Timbuktu 

Some of my favorites that come to mind (though I admit that few - if any - match Dolly): 

-Laura coming out of the couch in the John Tiffany revival of Glass Menagerie

-Finch's entrance from the orchestra pit in the harness in the recent H2S revival. 

-Sweeney's entrance in the opening number of Sweeney Todd - not the staging of any production in particular - mainly just the way the music builds up to it. 

-I found the The Phantom's entrance through the mirror absolutely thrilling when I saw the show at age 12. I can't say whether it would have the same effect on me now, but it holds a special place in my heart. 

-Not sure if this counts, but the "entrance" of adult Joey in War Horse 

HamilHansen said: "Nothing tops DOLLY, but Anatole's entrance in the great comet is thrilling to see."

Anatole's entrance is my favorite moment, musically, of the whole show. Definitely a 'chills' moment.

Nothing else comes to mind except, of course, Dolly in the title song.

In “The Lion King”, beginning with the giraffe as they march across the stage against the rising sun, and then the rest of the cast coming down the aisles and across the stage, which culminates in what has to be the greatest beginnings of any Broadway show ever. All of this against “Circle of Life”. Then the final, enormous beat of the drum as the house lights go completely dark. The most amazing feeling and experience. And the best kind of chills!

Glen Close in Sunset Boulevard

"You there....why are you so late..." Norma at the top of the stairs. Chills. 

Leading player shadow/walking through curtain in the recent pippin revival. 

the adult woman (camryn manheim's role) walking down the stairs as "Mamma Who Bore Me" begins in the Spring Awakening revival

Anatol in Great Comet