Most Shocking/Surprising Twist in a Musical? (SPOILERS)

[JM226]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:16pm

just wondering what musicals you can all think of with some of the most shocking/surprising twists. i really cannot think of any and yes, this thread will have spoilers. beware! 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:19pm

I was pretty surprised when I found out the Beggar Woman was Lucy Barker.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:22pm

Even though I despised It Shoulda Been You, the gay/marriage/yada yada reveal did warrant a big gasp for me.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:23pm

Christine Colgate is the jackal.

[JM226]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:28pm

madbrian said: "Christine Colgate is the jackal.

 

"

good one!!!

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:37pm

gypsy101 said: "I was pretty surprised when I found out the Beggar Woman was Lucy Barker.

 

"

I was in fifth grade when I saw the film of the production with George Hearn and Angela Lansbury and my jaw literally hit the floor.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:37pm

gypsy101 said: "I was pretty surprised when I found out the Beggar Woman was Lucy Barker.

 

"

Forgot to keep track of your musical themes, did you? I thought that one was pretty well telegraphed. I was more shocked by the next moment when Sweeney threw Mrs. Lovett into the oven to the same music with which they had rationalized everything in Act I.

The sudden transformation into Loveland near the end of FOLLIES shocked and amazed me more than any plot twist I've encountered in a musical.

Judging from audience reactions, GYPSY has a couple of plot shockers: in Act I when Rose suddenly decides to turn "no talent" Louise into a star, and in Act II when she shoves her daughter on stage in burlesque. I suspect the latter was more shocking in 1959 when people still recalled the difference between vaudeville and burlesque.

Updated On: 8/4/16 at 03:37 PM

[JM226]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:41pm

why does it seem like to me there are more plot twists in movies or television than theatre? or at least musicals? maybe not plays 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:47pm

^^^^ Because film and TV have taken over the suspense genre. Why pay $100+ when you can see numerous mysteries every night for free?

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, plays like WAIT UNTIL DARK, SLEUTH, DEATHTRAP and the like made fortunes for their producers and creators.

I don't know that musicals have ever done that sort of suspense terribly well and I'd guess it's because one of our conventions is that characters in musicals "tell all" when they sing their thoughts to the audience. That favors "Will they get away with it?" (i.e., SWEENEY, GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE or even LITTLE SHOP) over "Who done it?"

But I have to admit I haven't seen many of the musicals (like EDWIN DROOD or REDHEAD) that tried to do a true murder mystery in musical form.

Updated On: 8/4/16 at 03:47 PM

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:47pm

Kim's suicide

[godlessondheimite2]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:51pm

He's not here, he's not here...

Updated On: 8/4/16 at 03:51 PM

[Broadway Geek2]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:54pm

The end of Cabaret (revival).

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:02pm

It's old news now for us, but I think Elphaba's survival is a pretty big twist for anyone seeing Wicked for the first time. 

 

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:20pm

I saw a local production of "The Crying Game: The Musical", and, well . . . .

[gypsy101]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:29pm

GavestonPS said: "Forgot to keep track of your musical themes, did you? I thought that one was pretty well telegraphed. I was more shocked by the next moment when Sweeney threw Mrs. Lovett into the oven to the same music with which they had rationalized everything in Act I.""

my first encounter with the material was when I saw the film when I was 14, I must not have been playing as close attention to catch it.

[MyLife]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:31pm

The BIG twist in Bright Star. Never would have guessed because of the stellar book-writing. 

 

Too Soon?

 

Professor Callahan giving Elle the internship just based on her looks and then making a move on her.  

[thommg]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 5:41pm

Forgot to keep track of your musical themes, did you? I thought that one was pretty well telegraphed. I was more shocked by the next moment when Sweeney threw Mrs. Lovett into the oven to the same music with which they had rationalized everything in Act I.

When I saw Sweeney Todd in the initial Broadway run, the Beggar Woman's ballad was not in the show. I believe that was added for the tour. Her being Lucy was indeed a huge shock. And, I agree, Mrs. Lovett going into the oven was a gasp inducing moment.  

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 6:22pm

gypsy101 said: "...
my first encounter with the material was when I saw the film when I was 14, I must not have been playing as close attention to catch it.

 

"

I wouldn't have caught it when I was 14 either, gypsy. Sorry. I meant my comment to seem more bemused than harsh, but it may have appeared otherwise in print. By now I'm sure you've noticed that every time the Beggar Woman appears, she's singing a version of the dance music from the rape scene.

As I said, I was shocked that anyone would kill off Angela in a musical. And I was 25 by then!

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 6:28pm

thommg said: "When I saw Sweeney Todd in the initial Broadway run, the Beggar Woman's ballad was not in the show. I believe that was added for the tour. Her being Lucy was indeed a huge shock. And, I agree, Mrs. Lovett going into the oven was a gasp inducing moment.  

 

"

Now I'm stumped: what is "the Beggar Woman's ballad"?

[Alex Kulak]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 6:39pm

Not sure how many people will know this one, but in Ordinary Days, this little Off-Broadway show, a character named Claire has commitment issues throughout the show, having issues with her boyfriend moving in, proposing, during her last song in the show called I'll Be Here, she says she was married before, but her husband had died. I liked it fine, it was a good twist. Then, one night, as I was driving home from work, I put on the album, and I listened again to the lyrics.

 

We got hitched in September, our favorite month,

with a rock band that played in this old synagogue.

And we bought an apartment on West 17th street and talked about children and getting a dog.

Our first anniversary came in a flash

and we promised to take the day off.

He had to stop into his office that morning,

and so I went walking uptown to this bakery I know.

When I heard on the street what I thought was a joke

till I noticed the sirens and saw all the smoke.

So I'm running back home with this feeling of dread

to the voicemail he left with the last words he said.

 

September.

The show is set in New York the mid 2000s.

Sirens and smoke.

Claire's husband died in 9/11.

 

I really enjoy twists like that, where you don't catch it the first time around.

Updated On: 8/4/16 at 06:39 PM

[gypsy101]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 6:43pm

GavestonPS said: "I wouldn't have caught it when I was 14 either, gypsy. Sorry. I meant my comment to seem more bemused than harsh, but it may have appeared otherwise in print. By now I'm sure you've noticed that every time the Beggar Woman appears, she's singing a version of the dance music from the rape scene."

Oh you didn't offend! It really is obvious now. I think the "ballad" thommg referred to is that song she sings towards the end, it's like a lullaby to a doll or something? I'm blanking on so many Sweeney specifics today lol I need a refresher.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 8:02pm

gypsy101 said: "I think the "ballad" thommg referred to is that song she sings towards the end, it's like a lullaby to a doll or something? I'm blanking on so many Sweeney specifics today lol I need a refresher.

 

"

I thought that might be it. I've seen it so many times, that moment seems cemented into the show, but it's possible the OP is right and it was added later. It isn't listed separately on song lists.

I did see one of the first previews, so I got to see the half-naked Judge flagellate himself while spying on Johanna through a keyhole. I'm not surprised it was cut. Pretty overwhelming and lacking the touches of wit that punctuate the rest of the show even during dark moments.

[Queen of the Night]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 12:52pm

When Mimi comes back to life at the end of Rent. I thought she'd really be dead like Mimì is at the end of La Bohème. 

[newintown]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 1:05pm

That the body in the chair isn't Uncle Anthony in Lucky Stiff.

That Doyle accidentally killed his wife and son in Grind.

That the Shogun's mother is slowly poisoning him throughout "Chrysanthemum Tea" in Pacific Overtures.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 1:08pm

It's old news now for us, but I think Elphaba's survival is a pretty big twist for anyone seeing Wicked for the first time. 

 

I agree.  I remember jumping up in my seat the first time I saw WICKED.  The genuine reaction from the audience (and those gasps) was a true testament how engrossed they were.  One of the few magical moments I've experienced in the theatre in quite a long time.