Stand-by Joined: 2/13/06
what are some of the greatest musical lines in broadway history?
Freddy: Don't snore at the opera.
Lawrence: It was Wagner.
Freddy: It was 6 hours! I don't even like to have sex and eat bacon for 6 hours.
"Who do you have to fcuk to get a break in this town?!"
Featured Actor Joined: 12/31/69
I was going to say A Chorus Line but that was silly....
so
"...to flirt with rescue when one has no intention of being saved..." from A Little Night Music
Even though we are sitting down, we are giving you a standing ovation. - The Producers
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
From Sunday In The Park With George:
Dot: I've come to tell you I'm living because I thought you might care to know, foolish of me because you care about nothing.
George: I care about many things.
Dot: Things...not people.
It's not a line, but this dialogue is one of the most heart-breaking in a musical.
From Passion: "We each deal with our pride as we can, Captain"
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/25/05
TURPIN: You're in a marry mood today, Mr. Todd.
---Sweeney Todd
EMCEE: We have no troubles here.
---Cabaret
MILES: My virgin!
HYSTERIUM: Sir, I am no virgin.
ERRONIOUS: Those filthy pirates!
---A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
DICKENSON: But what's wrong with being called an Englishman - the English don't seem to mind.
FRANKLIN: Nor would I, were I given the full rights of an Englishman. But to call me one without those rights is like calling an ox a steer. He's thankful for the compliment, but he'd much rather be restored what's rightfully his.
DICKENSON: When did you first notice they were missing?
---1776
PROF. HILL: My dear little librarian, you pile up enough tomorrows and you'll find you've collected nothing but a lot of lonely yesterdays.
---The Music Man
"We are the knights who say, NI!"
Joking.
Um, there are so many. I can't decide.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/06
"Don't talk like a slut, Shelley!"
-Bat Boy
"I'm hurrying, Tracy, but my mother says I'm not allowed to perspire!"
-Hairspray
"At last, my arm is complete again!"
-Sweeney Todd
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/25/05
Usually when we have a thread like this, someone eventually chimes in and asks us if we ever see any straight plays. Well, I'll do that this time.
ELIZABETH PROCTOR: He has his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.
---The Crucible
I think Al Hirschfeld had the greatest lines in Broadway history!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/22/05
Nice, BobbyBubby.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/9/04
ELIZABETH PROCTOR: Adultery, John.
By far my favorite.
"Even though we're sitting down, we're giving you a standing ovation" --Max Bialystock, The Producers
..and the line that is my signature: "There's a horse's ass for every light on Broadway" - Julian Marsh, 42nd Street
Thesbijean -- that was what I was going to write!
Firstly, my signature
Secondly (all from 1776)-
Adams: I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace, that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress!
Adams: Well, it doesn't matter. I'll not appear in the history books anyway. Only you. Franklin did this and Franklin did that and Franklin did some other damn thing. Franklin smote the ground and out sprang George Washington, fully grown and on his horse. Franklin then electrified him with his miraculous lightning rod, and the three of them - Franklin, Washington, and the horse - conducted the entire revolution all by themselves.
Franklin: I like it.
Franklin: Be careful, Mr. Dickinson. Those who would give up their liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Adams (upon finding out that Jefferson has not yet started the Declaration): Good God! A whole week! The entire earth was created in a week!
Jefferson: Someday, you must tell me how you did it.
Adams: Disgusting. Look at him, Franklin. Virginia's most famous lover!
Jefferson (hasn't seen his wife in 6 months): Virginia abstains.
Franklin: "Treason is a cause invented by winners as an excuse for hanging the losers."
Adams: I have more to do than stand here listening to you quote yourself.
Franklin: No, that was a new one!
Abigail: Oh, John. Can you really know so little about yourself? And can you think so little of me that you'd believe I'd marry the man you've described? Have you forgotten what you used to say to me? I haven't. "Commitment, Abby. Commitment. There are only two creatures of value on the face of this earth - those with a commitment and those who require the commitment of others." Do you remember, John?
Adams: I remember.
Updated On: 2/19/06 at 05:49 PM
"George Bush...is only for now..... " Just kidding, but it is a great line...
What do you do when you're not sure / Sister James, I have doubts...I have such doubts.-Doubt
I swear to god George, if you even existed I'd divorce you. / You're all flops. I am the Earth Mother, and you are all flops./ Good . Better. Best. Bested- Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
And Anything that came out of Liev Schrieber's mouth in the Glengarry revival.
1776 is such a great show.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/9/04
jasonf,
I know, such a brilliant moment in quite possibly one of the most brilliant plays.
Senator Fipp: What an unexpected surprise!
Hope: Is there any other kind?
~Urinetown
Jam Man's last one is my e-mail signature. I believe that's the greatest Broadway line.
Not a musical , but a great line from America's greatest playwright.
"Once and for all you must know that there's a universe of people outside, and you're responsible to it."
ALL MY SONS (Arthur Miller)
Videos