Favorite Opening Numbers

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Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:01am

Hello all!

I'm putting together a little musical review and need your help.

What are your favorite Broadway Musical Opening numbers contemporary or classic?

While were at it what about favorite Act One Finales and Act Two opening numbers?

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:03am

Listen to track number 2 on the "FROGS" cast recording.

"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

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:08am

Sunday in the Park With George- the opener becomes over-the-top wonderful when you actually see it staged, but the Act One closer, "Sunday," is an absolute stunner even if you're just listening. "A Little Priest" is a great Act One closer, as well.

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:13am

"there you are" from the mystery of Edwin drood is a wondeful opening number, but i agree with the Capn' trk 2 of the frogs is fantastic and really cute for a show like that... so cute infact that it was used as the opening number for Putting it Together.

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:14am

The opening number in Into the Woods is right up there for me.

Gotta put in a vote for "Four Jews in a Room Bitching" from Falsettos also.

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:15am

Another Into the Woods vote!

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re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:21am

See I knew I could count on y'all. Keep 'em coming.

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:22am

I know i may get flamed for this, but i though RENT was fun, opening and Act 1 finale

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:25am

You shouldn't get flamed, Kushnier. Your opinion is just a valid as anyone elses.

#10

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:26am

Another 'Into the Woods' vote. I just love it went you hear those first few chords and the words 'I wish' - WOW! I may be biased because I played the Baker for a production in Liverpool, England. Everytime I hear the chords it takes me back.

#11

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:27am

The Ragtime opening is amazing, as is Sweeney Todd.

I'd also say Side Show starts in a similarly strong fashion (Come Look at the Freaks)...which could work really well for a cabaret show. =)

"Fundamentalism means never having to say 'I'm wrong.'" -- unknown

#12

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:29am

I also vote "Into the Woods"

If you're thinking more of an old school Broadway type opening number, "Another Openin', Another Show" from "Kiss Me, Kate" is fun.

"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. " --Sueleen Gay

#13

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:32am

I too vote for Into the Woods. I also think Cabaret's opening is brilliant. It sets the mood for the entire show so perfectly.

You promised me poems. ~Tricky

#14

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:39am

I think there was a thread a couple of weeks ago of people talking about act one closers -- I remember One Day More and Little Priest more or less split the vote with Defying Gravity and La Vie Boheme making strong showings.

For Act One openers -- "OH What a Beautiful Morning," "The Carousel Waltz," "Aquarius," the original opening of Nine with the Lalas....

Act Two openers -- "God That's Good" from Sweeney is the only one that really comes to mind. I think a lot of shows try not to do huge opening numbers for the second act to give the audience a chance to sit back down and get into the show again.

Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.

#15

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:40am

In Tommy Tune's staging, the opening of "Grand Hotel" was about as flawless an opening number as you can get. Was also a big fan of the opening of "Titanic" although I pretty much hated everything that followed... I second the opening of "Ragtime" as well.

"When you're a gay man, you have to feel good about yourself when a urologist says, "Yeah. I pick you". - Happy Endings

#16

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:42am

I love the opening scene for Light In The Piazza (both 'Overture' & 'Statues and Stories') - When Clara first appears on stage amidst the bustling leaves against the backdrop of sky, singing her stunning, wordless melody... It's magical...
And then 'Statues and Stories' is a lovely, charming song that builds in intensity and sets the tone for the show beautifully.
X

I got you. Yeah, I got you on camera - you on candid camera now... An' you ain't know that...

#17

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:43am

Thoroughly Modern Millie has a fun opening number.

A Chorus Line is good if you want to throw in a dance opening number.

"It's the little things; the details, that distinguish the Barbra Streisands from the Rosalyn Kinds."~Gilmore Girls~

#18

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:15am

Thank you Patronus for being so understanding.

Light in Piazza definatly!...can i vote twice?

#19

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:36am

Opening Numbers:
"Finland/Fisch Slapping Song"-SpamAlot(It's just so funny because they think that the Historian said Finland).
"Love Me Tender"-All Shook Up
"Little Shop of Horrors"-Little Shop of Horrors
"Give Them What They Want"-dirty Rotten Scoundrels
"Opening Night"-The Producers
"Inovaction and Instructions to the Audience"-The Frogs
"We Are What We Are"-La Cage Aux Folles
"It Sucks to be Me"-Avenue Q
"The Lives of Me"-The Boy From Oz
"Urinetown"-Urinetown

Act One Finales:
"Run Away"-SpamAlot
"The Miracle"- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
"Can't Help Falling in Love"-All Shook Up
"Act One Finale"-LSOH/Urinetwon
"There's A Fine, Fine, Line"-Avenue Q
"I Am What I Am"-La Cage Aux Folles
"Along Came Bially"-The Producers
"Not the Boy Next Door"-The Boy From Oz
"The Frogs"-The Frogs
"Astonishing"-Little Women

Act Two Openers:
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"-SpamAlot
"Ruffhousin mit Shuffhausen"-Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
"All Shook Up"-All Shook Up
"Call Back in the Morning'-LSOH
"What is Urinetown?"-Urinetown
"Bi-Costal"-The Boy From Oz
"That Face"-The Producers
"There is Life Outside your apartment"-Avenue Q
________________________________________________________________
"Somebody blows their nose and you wanna keep it"
-Ghostbusters

#20

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:41am

All That Jazz - CHICAGO

Ragtime - RAGTIME

Belle - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats - CATS

Little Shop Of Horrors - LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

#21

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:41am

Incredible how mired we are in modern musicals!
The act one opening of My Fair Lady -- "Why Can't The English," Camelot -- "I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight," The Sound of Music...ummmm....
The West Side Story opening through the Jet Song if you're really ambitious.

If you're looking for overtures, there are two that stand head and shoulders over everything else: Gypsy and Candide.

I have to say I agree with the poster who mentioned the opening of Grand Hotel...

I can't believe no one (including me) has mentioned Tradition from Fiddler yet either...

Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.

#22

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:44am

I can't believe more people haven't mentioned..

CHICAGO - ALL THAT JAZZ.

Is there really any contest? ATJ is usually considered by the critics and fans one of the best opening numbers EVER.

#23

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:47am

ummm...'Comedy Tonight' from '...Forum' anyone?

"The cynicism you refer to, I acquired the day I discovered I was different from little boys!~All About Eve

#24

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 12:20pm

I put in my vote for "Wilkommen" from Cabaret (as a matter of fact, that's the opening number to my musical revue show). It's fun cuz when you're introducing the "Cabaret girls" and "Cabaret boys" you can say whatever you want about them (cuz the original lyrics are not exactly family friendly).

"And I feel it move me Like a fire deep inside Something bursting me wide open Impossible to hide And suddenly I'm flying Flying like a bird Like electricity Electricity" - Electricity from Billy Elliot The Musical

#25

re: Favorite Opening Numbers

Posted: 8/17/05 at 12:38pm

i second RENT the opening number gets you pumped up for the rest of the show. As for Act I Finale i think "Astonishing" was pretty incredible. I also have to say I think "Seasons of Love" is a pretty powerful Act II opening number. thats my two cents :)

I'm kind of a sweat pant, t-shirt, no make-up type of girl. So once a year, I can get spiffy. Sutton Foster :)

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