Opening Songs That Explain The Show

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 1:22pm

Listening to Superman now & Doing Good qualifies

It sets up the show & explains the title character

Another is King of Broadway from The Producers

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 1:24pm

Well, generally, every opening number is the introduction to the 'ordinary world' of the show. "Good Morning Baltimore" shows us Tracy. "It's Your Wedding Day" introduces who Robbie is, and what he's all about. "Huckleberry Pie/Mysterious Ways" shows us Celie's world and early life. "No One Mourns The Wicked" gives us the major conflict/plot point that brings about the flashback.

I think it'd suffice to say that most opening songs explain the show's premise or the characters. Updated On: 7/9/06 at 01:24 PM

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 1:24pm

Give them what they wan't - DRS

Urinetown - Urinetown

Posted: 7/9/06 at 1:26pm

Attend the Tale of Sweeney Todd....

[C is for Company]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 1:28pm

I think there needs to be more clarification to what the thread actually is. I can think of some that lay the ground work for the beginning of the show, but many listed yet have actually to explain a show, with the exception of probably Urinetown

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 1:29pm

Comedy Tonight from Forum

Tradition from Fiddler

Sit Down, John from 1776 (and if you doubt me, listen to the commentary on the movie - the authors say as much)

[Just_John]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 1:30pm

It Sucks to Be Me -Avenue Q explains all the major characters in the show.
Updated On: 7/9/06 at 01:30 PM

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 1:32pm

"Prologue" in West Side Story explains the entire backstory of the gangs without a single word being spoken. The genius of Bernstein and Robbins.

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 1:46pm

Does "Love Changes Everything" from ASPECTS OF LOVE count? It pretty much sums up the many themes in the show and foreshadows quite a few of the plot conflicts in the show and describes the main theme of the show. It also shows us a base ground for the main character, Alex. Does it count?

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 2:23pm

The opening of Ragtime

Posted: 7/9/06 at 2:30pm

Every Story is a Love Story ... Aida

Posted: 7/9/06 at 3:31pm

Every Ahrens and Flaherty opening number - I'd say they are the masters of this.

"Ragtime", "We Dance", "A Man Of No Importance", "Oh The Thinks You Can Think", "Something Funny's Going On", and "20 Million People" all introduce almost all the main characters, clue us in to some potential conflicts, tells us about the world we're about to enter (the 1950's TV industry, the world of Seuss, turn-of-the century America), and most importantly - sets the style of the show.

"Something Funny's Going On" - Tells us this is a fast-paced farce that's going to be absurd, so don't take it too seriously.
"We Dance" - Shows us how the Gods will be influencing and commenting on what's about to happen to TiMoune.

I'd say Love Changes Everything is a good TV show theme if Aspects Of Love was made into a made-for-TV movie. Yes, it's an all-encompassing theme of the show, but I don't think it's specific enough.

(Tangent: I love Aspects, but let's face it... three hours later and love changes nothing. They just make the same silly mistakes over and over.)

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 4:25pm

"Oh what a Circus" sums up what your about to see in Evita.

[Parks]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 4:36pm

Into the Woods prologue is like...the epitome of this.

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 5:17pm

Another Openin' Another Show from KISS ME KATE
Enjoy these Theater Links

[timote316]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 5:30pm

Would "How to Succeed" count?

[bwayboi4life42]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 6:45pm

i think ya'll are forgetting the most obvious one of them all...

"Many Moons Ago" from ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. It tells the entire story and introduces Prince Dauntless. The first time I saw a production of it, my dad leans over to me and was like "Okay, we know the whole story now. Can we go?"

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 6:46pm

Come Look At The Freaks - Side Show

[jo]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 6:48pm

>>>Does "Love Changes Everything" from ASPECTS OF LOVE count? It pretty much sums up the many themes in the show and foreshadows quite a few of the plot conflicts in the show and describes the main theme of the show. It also shows us a base ground for the main character, Alex. Does it count? <<<

It does - very much so! As a matter of fact, the song also performed the role of the musical overture ( normally intended to give us a sampling of the entire score).

I'd also like to add ALL THE LIVES OF ME - from THE BOY FROM OZ. While the songs used in the show were not originally composed for the production, it is a song composed by Peter Allen with autobiographical tones and gave a picture of his life. Ironically, it was only one part of bookends - on Broadway, the rest of the story ( and his philosophy in life) was summed up in the finale I GO TO RIO.


Updated On: 7/9/06 at 06:48 PM

[starshine2]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:35pm

"Hold me, Bat Boy" from Batboy the Musical.

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:42pm

"Magic to Do" - Pippin

[GodIHopeIGetIt]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:45pm

The Drowsy Chaperone- "Fancy Dress". They parade out all the characters and explain what they're doing...*shrugs*

[EganFan2]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:46pm

"This Day of Days" from Triumph of Love sums up a lot of the plot.

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:52pm

"Four Jews in a Room Bitching" March of the Falsettos

[BDrischBDemented]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:55pm

Snap, I was also going to say "Prologue" from "ITW".

But also "Willkommen" form Cabaret and "All That Jazz" from Chicago. "Willkommen" more obviously, I think.