ChiDoc said: "My immediate thought is “The Gentleman is a Dope” from Allegro, although several of the songs in that show also qualify."
The song is sung by the character who proves to be the protagonist's true love and moral compass. Hardly a minor/insignificant character.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/19
"Turkey Lurkey Time" - Promises, Promises
Swing Joined: 1/14/23
The first thing that came to my mind is Answer Me. Not only is it given to a character with only a handful of lines, it’s one of the most important parts of the show!
Swing Joined: 12/29/23
You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile! It may be a given since it is the traditional irrelevant act II opener, but it’s one of the most well known songs from the score and Burt Healy does not exist outside the one scene.
All I Need Now is the Girl
The Miller's Son
Not a Day Goes By
Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat
Featured Actor Joined: 12/28/21
Beauty School Dropout
Take a Letter, Miss Jones
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
Robert McDonald said: "You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile! It may be a given since it is the traditional irrelevant act II opener, but it’s one of the most well known songs from the score and Burt Healy does not exist outside the one scene."
Bert Healy is a radio character singing a song that becomes an almost-show-stopper for the orphans. It is their song. Bert Healy is just a way to introduce it. He is beyond insignificant.
I wholeheartedly agree with "Charming" from Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, which, to my ears, was the only memorable song in the show.
"Understudy Buddy" from Goosebumps the musical is the best and catchiest song by far and is sung by a very minor character in the show. I've already heard it quite a bit at auditions and showcases.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/11/11
"Another Life" from Bridges.
I like it better out of context though.
Just beautiful
Swing Joined: 2/5/24
King Herod's Song - JCS
Mack the Knife - Three Penny Opera
They Call the Wind Maria - Paint Your Wagon
Ol' Man River - Showboat
Fly, Fly Away - Catch Me If You Can
He Plays the Violin - 1776
Young Pretty Girl Like You - Promises, Promises
The Miller's Son - A Little Night Music
All of Cats
The Bittersweets said: "The first thing that came to my mind is Answer Me. Not only is it given to a character with only a handful of lines, it’s one of the most important parts of the show!"
I was scrolling all the replies for this specific answer.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
marytylermoore said: "He Plays the Violin - 1776
Young Pretty Girl Like You - Promises, Promises
The Miller's Son - A Little Night Music
All of Cats"
Young Pretty Girl was a duet with Jerry Orbach, who won a Tony, and A Larry Haines, who had a pretty sizable supporting role, for which he received a Tony Nomination.
Featured Actor Joined: 10/8/18
Brush Up Your Shakespeare?
Do we consider “all of Cats” to be great songs? 😜
Sondheim’s fave might fit this description: “Someone in a Tree”
Swing Joined: 8/7/15
a few that come to mind, though "great" is certainly subjective:
Somewhere, West Side Story (if you go off the original casting)
Hot Patootie, The Rocky Horror Show
Words Words Word & My Love, Candide
My Conviction, Hair (lots of ensemble solo songs in this, but this character is different in the one-scene of it all)
The Movie in My Mind, Miss Saigon
Beauty School Dropout & Born to Hand Jive, Grease
I suppose a few of the early show songs in Oliver!, and some of the tunes in Titanic might also qualify.
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