Incredibly UNDERRATED Overtures..

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 6:15pm

Before anyone says something. This is not ANOTHER "favorite/best Overture" thread.

I've been through many of these threads. And I never see some amazing overtures included.

First off I think

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY has an incredible overture. I would put this up against GYPSY's overture ANYDAY. Just as good as the Gypsy overture. This overture barely gets any love!

Well the next overture is from a very unfamous show. It's the overture of REDHEAD. I really think this show has a great overture. One of the strongest parts of score, in my opinion.

SWEET CHARITY also has an amazing overture. I'm not talking about the cheap version from the new revival, in which they cut down the overture. I am talking about the original overture, it's just incredible. Nothing like starting with the BIG SPENDER vamp. And at the end, the big build up to the vamp again!

So what do you think are some UNDERRATED overtures?

[little_sally]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 6:41pm

Sweet Charity's overture is amazing.

I also love Piazza's overture. I don't know how underrated it is, but a lot of reviews said they couldn't make out which songs were in the overture but I think it's gorgeous.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 6:49pm

Not such a great show...but great overture...WONDERFUL TOWN

Still I'll say GYPSY...though far from underrated...is still the best.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 6:52pm

ohh I LOVE Wonderful Town's overture. So much fun!

[Jon]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 6:53pm

I love the jazzy overtures of HOW TO SUCCEED... and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED...

Please note: I am referring to the ORIGINAL productions - the recent revivals edited and/or changed the overtures.

On the other hand, I adore the overture of the REVIVAL version of DAMN YANKEES - with the national anthem, the "play ball!", and the sounds of the cracking of the bat. And when they got to the "Whatever Lola Wants" section, the conductor played the castanets, with his baton between his teeth like a rose.

[Musical_nerd]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 7:00pm

Im not exactly sure if these are underrated or not, so don't kill me for this.

I love the overture in drs and the music at the beginning in Fiddler. I know this isn't exactly an overture but I really like the introduction to Every Story Is a Love Story from aida. The little instrumental parts in Seussical are nice too. Good stuff.

Updated On: 10/13/05 at 07:00 PM

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 7:19pm

Promises Promises! :)

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 7:21pm

ha. the fiddler overture is underrated mostly due to the fact that it doesn't have one...

[theaterlover45]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 7:24pm

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

[little_sally]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 7:26pm

Oh I do love the WT overture as well.

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 7:33pm

i'm not saaying that it's the best overture ever...but i really like the Urinetown overture.

it's just so original sounding with it's orchestrations. i think it also stands alone...there aren't themes from any other songs from the show.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 8:36pm

Carmelina.

The show (with Georgia Brown) tanked, but the overture is fantastic.

Any of you "rare" collectors out there, check it out.

[Craig]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 8:41pm

Merrily We Roll Along

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 9:00pm

It's not on the album, but HOW NOW DOW JONES has a fabulous overture. A true Phil Lang classic.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 9:04pm

Wow, Smaxie... They didn't put the overture on the album??? Truly tragic, and strange.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 9:05pm

SEUSSICAL

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 9:12pm

Yes, and the album for HOW NOW DOW JONES is very very short, so it's unfortunate, because Lang was able to make just about any score sound like a million bucks. I don't think the Overture was even recorded, but it starts with the ticker tape music that is used for the beginning of "A.B.C.". I seem to recall that "Shakespeare Lied" is in the Overture, and I think they do a bit of "Walk Away" before the thing ends in a hair raising martial version of "Step to the Rear". It's GREAT.

[BroadwayNick]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 10:06pm

Merrily We Roll Along all the way! One of the best overtures ever! I listen to that more than the rest of the CD.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 10:11pm

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's overture is fantastic.

[LostLeander]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 10:15pm

I third (or fourth) the Merrily Overture.
But only the OBCR... so fresh, so crisp, and that 1st Trumpet gives me orgasms throughout the CD.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 10:18pm

I didn't know that merrily was underratted. I have always considered it BRILLANT. Honestly, in my top five.

Posted: 10/12/05 at 10:41pm

HIGH SPIRTS comes to mind, as does FADE OUT, FADE IN

Posted: 10/12/05 at 10:42pm

Actually all July Styne, except GYPSY and FUNNY GIRL which are all they are said to be.
Updated On: 10/12/05 at 10:42 PM

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 10:51pm

The Full Monty
It's just so much fun

[Craig]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 10:59pm

I'll also add "Do Black Patent Leather..."