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#1

Opening Numbers

I'm currently directing a revue with Teenagers... I need an opening number... with alot of parts (I.E. no big solos)
We all think "Another Opening Of Another Show" is overdone... anyone got any ideas on a good opening number
#2

re: Opening Numbers

"Comedy Tonight" from A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM

I did this as the opening of a cabaret we did in my freshman year of high school. We had small groups of students and each small group sang a different verse with their own choreography, and then everyone sang together at the end. It's a great opening number.

Updated On: 4/3/05 at 10:52 PM

#3

re: Opening Numbers

Um....maybe "Before the Parade Passes By" from DOLLY or "Our Time" or "Old Friends" from MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG.

"The Telephone Hour" from BIRDIE is always fun.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson
#4

re: Opening Numbers

you could always do the best opening number ever: ragtime. but it probably would not set up a cabaret appropriately.
#5

re: Opening Numbers

I did the Telephone Hour with my summer acting class and that was alot of fun. That would be a good choice.
I wanted to get something that an "ex"-junkie like him would really appreciate and cherish....it's a brick of heroin shaped like a heart. -Scrubs
#6

re: Opening Numbers

On My Way from Violet

or Our Time from Merrily...
[title of show] on Broadway. it's time. believe.
#7

re: Opening Numbers

fyi. our time is a closing number.
#8

re: Opening Numbers

Hmm "Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome" Has that got enough dancing in it?
#9

re: Opening Numbers

"Nobody Listens to the Opening Number" from THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKSTAGE MUSICAL
"Marathon" from JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL
"It's Today" from MAME
#10

re: Opening Numbers

"We Are What We Are" - LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, after changing a couple of words maybe...

"Something's Coming" - WEST SIDE STORY. Not the opening number in the WSS but so what.
#11

re: Opening Numbers

"Gratuitous Nudity" from Naked Boys Singing


re: Opening Numbers
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2
#12

re: Opening Numbers

Don't hate me...but lately I LOVE listening to "No one mourns the wicked" from Wicked..i just love the

"Good NEWS she's DEAD the witch of the west is dead..." and "unnaturally GREEN!" that chord is awesome and then of course the "wicked!"s at the end...wow...great...
and all that I could do because of you was talk of love...
#13

re: Opening Numbers

The opening from CABARET is simply called "Wilkommen"

It's a great opener for any revue.
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
#14

re: Opening Numbers

How about "Magic To Do" from Pippin?

Lots of singing parts, and you could split up the Leading Player's lines amongst the cast if you wanted to. Plus, the lyrics are great for an opening (it's the whole point of the song!)
#15

re: Opening Numbers

I have a soft spot for telephone hour in my heart. Its also a great way to give the boys something to do - who are often out numbered by the girls.
I want to write music. I want to sit down right now at my piano and write a song that people will listen to and remember and do the same thing every morning...for the rest of my life. - Jonathan Larson. Tick, Tick...BOOM!
#16

re: Opening Numbers

I second MAGIC TO DO from PIPPIN. It's a great opening number for a musical review. I can't think of one that's better.
scooter3843
#17

re: Opening Numbers

I think, Magic to Do from PIPPIN, is clearly your best choice. It is an "actual" opening number as you requested and have many "solo spots," as you also requested. It is also a great song to open any show with. It is ideal to be used by teenagers. I am rather surprised no one else has mentioned Magic To Do from PIPPIN yet.

Edited for PEACH-- I am sorry, I just reread and saw that you too recommmended Magic To Do. :)
"Blow out the candles Robert and make a wish. Want something, want SOMETHING."

Updated On: 4/4/05 at 01:43 PM

#18

re: Opening Numbers

WISH, two people did meniton it. :)
I want to write music. I want to sit down right now at my piano and write a song that people will listen to and remember and do the same thing every morning...for the rest of my life. - Jonathan Larson. Tick, Tick...BOOM!
#19

re: Opening Numbers

What about "One" from A Chorus Line?
#20

re: Opening Numbers

" "The Telephone Hour" from BIRDIE is always fun. "

I third or fourth that.
#21

re: Opening Numbers

i think magic to do is the solution.
#22

re: Opening Numbers

Theres No Business Like Show Business-1999 Revival Version
All That Jazz-i know its mostly done by a female but its a great opening number nonetheless
#23

re: Opening Numbers

I had some friends who opened their cabaret act with "Nothing Can Stop Me Now" from "Roar of the Greasepaint..." only they changed the "ME" to "US" in the title. It's an upbeat number that builds, has a real show biz sound to it and can easily pertain to one's determination to entertain a crowd.
#25

re: Opening Numbers

Check out the opening number from Ragtime. Many parts and very diverse for a school population.

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