Favorite Overtures

[Bwaynerd]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 9:51am

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels----my favorite overture!!!!!
Drowsy Chaperone
Gypsy
Addams Fam

Updated On: 8/25/10 at 09:51 AM

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 9:59am

South Pacific, above all, especially in the revival! I love the moment when the strings echo the horns in the "Some Enchanted Evening" segment.

Light in the Piazza- truly gorgeous

does the Carousel Waltz count?

Oklahoma

The King and I

Finian's Rainbow

Funny Girl

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:00am

South Pacific
The Light in the Piazza
Gypsy

[Broadwaywest2]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:09am

Candide-my favorite
Chicago
Gypsy

[HistoryBoy2]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:15am

I think Gypsy is peerless, but also:

The Light in the Piazza
Funny Girl
Darling of the Day

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:24am

Gypsy and Candide are the obvious choice.

A personal favorite is On the 20th Century.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:31am

SOUTH PACIFIC--REVIVAL HANDS DOWN

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:32am

and I very much enjoyed PROMISES, PROMISES

[My Oh My]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:33am

Jesus Christ Superstar
Carousel
West Side Story

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:35am

FOLLIES

[BroadwayBelle2]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:37am

GYPSY - dosen't get better than that!
Updated On: 8/25/10 at 10:37 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:38am

Hallelujah Baby!
Gypsy (of course)
Nine

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 11:51am

Carousel
South Pacific
Gypsy
Kiss Me, Kate

[philly03]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 11:56am

Napoleon
Gypsy
The Addams Family
The Phantom of the Opera
edit: A Tale of Two Cities Updated On: 8/25/10 at 11:56 AM

[Elphaba43]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:06pm

South Pacific
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Phantom of the Opera

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:10pm

As has been said already, Gypsy, South Pacific, Candide and Finian's Rainbow. I'd also add Wonderful Town, A Little Night Music, Fanny and Annie OBC.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:10pm

Agree, I think as a "melodic overture" "Gypsy" is without peer. Many are great, but in my opinion none are quite as thrilling. I love "South Pacific" and "The King and I" as well.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:15pm

West Side Story, Gypsy, Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, Sweet Charity, Chicago and the opening to Les Misérables.

[born2bebroadway]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:35pm

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Jesus Christ Superstar
Seussical
Spamalot
Damn Yankees

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:43pm

PROMISES, PROMISES
FUNNY GIRL
ANNIE
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
CHICAGO
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING
BRING BACK BIRDIE

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 1:40pm

Two other great overtures are:

1) SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING

2) ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

[phantomcrazy14]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 10:33am

The Phantom of the Opera
Cats
Chicago
The Little Mermaid
Les Miserables
Mary Poppins
South Pacific
Young Frankenstein

[Jon]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 2:23pm

BTW - the long (6 minute)overture heard on the cast recording if LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA is not actually in the show as currently performed. What's left is basically the first minute, then it cuts to Clara's "Ahhh...".

My favorites:

CANDIDE
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (the ORIGINAL)
HOW TO SUCCEED... (the ORIGINAL)
DAMN YANKEES (Revival recording)
MAN OF LaMANCHA (the complete version as heard on the London recording with Keith Mitchell. For some dumb reason, the OBCR shortens the opening trumpet fanfare.) Updated On: 8/26/10 at 02:23 PM

[philitalia]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 2:29pm

Carousel
Mack and Mabel

[elphabelle07]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 3:31pm

Gypsy. 100% the best ever.
Nine is fantastic also.