Favorite First Word in First Song
Favorite First Word in First Song
#1Favorite First Word in First Song
Posted: 4/10/11 at 6:40pm
In "Finishing the Hat," Sondheim writes in his section on 'Sweeney Todd' that the first word of the first song is arguably the most important word in the entire show. It got me thinking what other first words are as effective as 'Attend' is for 'Sweeney.'
My favorites are 'Again!' (yes, spoken not sung, but it's still the start of the song to me) in 'A Chorus Line,' really hammering down the demanding nature the show follows, and most recently 'Hello' in 'The Book of Mormon.' Adorable, funny and followed through with nicely at the show's conclusion.
Another favorite, 'Nothing' in 'Caroline, or Change.' It's sort of a show about stasis, so to start the whole thing off, where there's usually action and pull, with a word like 'Nothing,' is really telling about Caroline and where the show is going, or not going!
#2Favorite First Word in First Song
Posted: 4/10/11 at 7:00pm
Another in Sweeney Todd, the word "wait" is perfectly placed in The Worst Pies in London.
"Look" is very effective as the first word in Les Misérables, although "Look" and "Down" together are even more so because "Look" is on the anacrusis.
And it's not a single word, but the first line in Jesus Christ Superstar is pure genius.
#2Favorite First Word in First Song
Posted: 4/10/11 at 7:03pmKaturian - that song is great, one of the best parts of Sweeney and it was CUT from the movie. I was looking forward to the interpretation of that song in the movie!
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