Single Favorite Musical Number

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/3/22 at 5:37pm

This is hard and, in many cases, may be a little arbitrary unless, like me, you have thought about it.  I just find it fascinating to discover others' favorites.

What is your single favorite musical number of anything you have seen in the twentieth century.  One runner-up okay.

-- Production Number:  Mame; Runner up: Who's That Woman 

-- Solo, Duet, etc.:  Jennifer Holliday...And I am Telling You; Runner up: Angela Lansbury...Rose's Turn

 

What is your single favorite musical number of anything you have seen in the 21st centurey.  Same guidelines.

-- Production Number: (Cheating) Put on Your Sunday Clothes; Runner-up:  Alexander Hamilton

-- Solo, Duet, etc.:  Nathan Lane...Betrayed; Runner up: Lea Michele: Finale Act 2 (from title song through Curtain down).

My answers are bolded.

 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 12/3/22 at 6:01pm

I don't think I feel comfortable definitively saying that it's my favorite of ALL TIME, but it is hard for me to think of a song and character that are a more perfect encapsulation of who I am than Another Hundred People and Marta/PJ. 

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/3/22 at 6:05pm

"Solidarity" from BILLY ELLIOT will always be, in my opinion, one of the greatest and well-conceived numbers in a musical.

[South Florida]

Posted: 12/3/22 at 7:52pm

"I don't do sadness'.

 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/3/22 at 8:13pm

My.memory isn't very good these days but it was sung by a lady coming down a staircase in a red dress.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 12/3/22 at 8:16pm

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/3/22 at 8:18pm

Montage: Part 4 from A Chorus Line. The greatest piece of chaotic choreography to ever grace a stage.

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 12/3/22 at 8:29pm

I can't pick one!

"losing my mind" original follies

"one hallowe'en"  applause

"at the ballet" original chorus line

"not a day goes by" from merrily we roll along (which I didn't get to see)

[suzycat]

Posted: 12/3/22 at 8:49pm

I don’t know that it’s my all-time favorite but the first thing that popped into my mind was “A Musical” from Something Rotten. The first time I saw that number I was laugh-sobbing in absolute delight. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/3/22 at 9:42pm

“24 Hours a Day” from GOLDEN RAINBOW

 

[Markie27]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 2:59am

I can still remember the day when I first watched “I’ll Cover You (Reprise)” from Rent decades ago… I was sobbing.  True work of art.  
 

I have two runner ups sorry -

When Big Alison, instead of just being the observer, became part of the narrative when her father, instead of asking Medium Alison if she wanted to drive, turned to her instead… as they sang “Telephone Wire”.  Such a powerful scene from Fun Home.

When The Baker, with all his frustrations to a father he never knew , begins to sing.. “no more questions…please”.  Never fails to make me sob like a baby from Into the Woods.

As for a solo number, in my opinion the best performance I have ever seen is from my Queen Audra with a magnolia on her head singing “God Bless The Child” and “Strange Fruit”.  Truly one of Broadway’s greatest actresses of this generation.  

Updated On: 12/4/22 at 02:59 AM

[binau]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 8:05am

It's always hard to choose but right now I think I have decided that my single favourite number and piece of music ever written in any genre (both musical and non-musical) has to be the title song of 'Sunday in the Park with George', especially as performed by Bernadette Peters. 

The music is so unusual and unique but also completely beautiful. It goes from the most ridiculously overwhelmingly beautiful introduction as the Park appears - between the piano, strings, woodwinds and that horn melody (it's like complete ecstasy) to then something completely bizarre and rhythmic with Bernadette's unique and odd sound voice going all up and down the scale and navigating a complex set of rhythms, only returning to again the most beautiful, delicate and intimate melodies I've ever heard. Bernadette's voice and facial expressions through "Your Eyes, George" are just so unreal and the emotion that is conveyed here feels so authentic it's like suddenly I feel fully immersed and in touch with this emotion - I get lost in the world and there is no stage or singing anymore.





And when she gets to but most of all I love your "paaaaainnntingggg" there are tears in her eyes.





 

You might say there is a 'Sondheim' sound and a 'Bernadette' sound but there is also a 'Sondheim & Bernadette' sound that for me feels like the highest quality and unusual tasting dark chocolate or fine wine. And I can't think of a better example of this aesthetic than what is on aural display here. 

 

 

Nearly 40 years later Bernadette was asked if singing on the Tonys for Sondheim gave a sense of closure. "There is never closure with his music. I want to sing it forever."

 

 

Updated On: 12/4/22 at 08:05 AM

[goodlead2]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 3:28pm

"Rose's Turn," especially as performed  by Patti Lupone.  I was going to say "sung," but "performed" is more accurate.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 4:20pm

I'd have to say "Walk Him Up the Stairs", the opener to "PURLIE". Close second is "I Hope I Get It" from A CHORUS LINE.

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 7:33pm

I think it’s hard to argue with “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” It’s infectious, hummable, danceable, and caps off the theme of the show perfectly. 

[The8re phan]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 7:41pm

My single favorite number is Sunday (act 1 finale) from the original Sunday in the Park with George.

My single favorite solo/performance - Patti LuPone's last "The Ladies Who Lunch" at Company's final performance on July 31, 2022........  Electrifying 

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 8:10pm

The8re phan said: "My single favorite number is Sunday (act 1 finale) from the original Sunday in the Park with George.

My single favorite solo/performance - Patti LuPone's last "The Ladies Who Lunch" at Company's final performance on July 31, 2022........ Electrifying"

Patti got a very well-earned 3 minute standing O that show and sat there in her fur coat like a Queen. 
 

For me “Rose’s Turn” will always be my pick. 

[MysteriousLady]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 8:44pm

First song that came to mind was "Hello, Dolly!" so I'll go with that. It has given me so much joy. Runner up: "A little priest" because of the witty word play and the perfect act I finale. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 9:11pm

Too many to pick just one, and I'm sure I'll change my mind, but at the moment, my heart says this (as performed by numerous people/no one in particular).

 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 8:28pm

“A Musical” from “Something Rotten is pretty brilliant :) 

Updated On: 12/5/22 at 08:28 PM