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The Last Great Overture

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#1

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 4:09am

Due to changing tastes and styles they're not really common anymore, but what do you think was the last GREAT one?

My pick: THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (2001)

Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated
#2

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 4:20am

Light In the Piazza sprang to my mind. Women On the Verge has an fantastic opening, but it's only a minute or so and doesn't draw on any musical themes - maybe a more proper term is "prelude"? 

"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
#3

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 7:58am

The Drowsy Chaperone? That's the last one that made an impression...

#4

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 8:36am

My top favorites are Gypsy and Carousel (which isn't really an overture but rather sets the entire story with Rodgers glorious Carousel Waltz underscoring the action on stage). The best I've heard recently is the new Hello, Dolly! overture - the accelerating pulse pounding rush of orchestra to land with sublime serenity in the title song is heavenly!

#5

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 9:42am

For me, it will always be the auction prologue/chandelier ascent in Phantom of the Opera. It still gives me goosebumps and I've yet to experience anything to rival it.

==> this board is a nest of vipers <==

"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#6

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 10:08am

Lot666 said: "For me, it will always be the auction prologue/chandelier ascent in Phantom of the Opera. It still gives me goosebumps and I've yet to experience anything to rival it."

I don't particularly like Phantom as a show (or at least, the Broadway production as it stands - the current touring is significantly better) but it is one of my favorite cast albums. I agree completely with this sentiment. That bold organ sound totally gets me in the mood.

My guilty pleasure favorite orchestra is Mamma Mia. For the same reason.

Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
#7

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 10:08am

It may be pastiche, but the full length album version of the Producers overture is pretty nice.

#8

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 10:15am

"It may be pastiche, but the full length album version of the Producers overture is pretty nice."

In what way is that overture "pastiche?"

#9

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 10:16am

Valentina3 said: "Lot666 said: "For me, it will always be the auction prologue/chandelier ascent in Phantom of the Opera. It still gives me goosebumps and I've yet to experience anything to rival it."

I don't particularly like Phantom as a show (or at least, the Broadway production as it stands - the current touring is significantly better)"

My reaction to the current "reimagined" U.S. tour was exactly the opposite; I found it terribly disappointing. I purchased advance tickets for two different nights and after the first performance I immediately regretted having already spent my money on a second show.

==> this board is a nest of vipers <==

"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#10

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 11:00am

^Lot666 - that's interesting. There's certainly some bum moments* in there, but I think overall it did a better job of keeping me engaged.

* - Masquerade scene in particular made me roll my eyes hard because of its simplicity. WHY would you take a giant production number and switch that into a ballroom-esque sequence? Did you learn nothing from the movie?

Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
#11

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 11:07am

I know I will get eviscerated for this, but I have to say the overture for The Little Mermaid. If I remember correctly they played the full 3 minute overture on Broadway, during which I got goosebumps. Then the curtain rose, and any hopes I had for the production were crushed when I saw the set. 

#12

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 11:10am

Merrily We Roll Along had, in my opinion, is the last great overture.

Broadway World's Fireman.
#13

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 11:56am

Valentina3 said: "^Lot666 - that's interesting. There's certainly some bum moments* in there, but I think overall it did a better job of keeping me engaged.

* - Masquerade scene in particular made me roll my eyes hard because of its simplicity. WHY would you take a giant production number and switch that into a ballroom-esque sequence? Did you learn nothing from the movie?"

Precisely!

 

==> this board is a nest of vipers <==

"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#14

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 11:58am

The overture for "Honeymoon in Vegas" was the best thing about that show.

#15

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 12:22pm

newintown said: ""It may be pastiche, but the full length album version of the Producers overture is pretty nice."

In what way is that overture "pastiche?"

 

"

It wasn't actually performed; just written for the album. The overture as performed on broadway was significantly shorter.

#16

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 12:46pm

bct14972 said: "The overture for "Honeymoon in Vegas" was the best thing about that show.

 

"

This x 2.

Just remembering you've had an "and" When you're back to "or" Makes the "or" mean more than it did before
#18

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 12:48pm

The overture for A christmas story and Cinderella were fun and enjoyable.

#20

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 1:01pm

Sondheimite said: "Merrily We Roll Along had, in my opinion, is the last great overture."

That was my first thought.

But then again there's the "Prelude" to La Cage.  Which is also great.   And no reason it shouldn't count as an overture.
 

Updated On: 5/16/17 at 01:01 PM

#21

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 1:07pm

NEXT TO NORMAL

IF/THEN

"I shall stay until the wind changes."
#22

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 1:32pm

I LOVE the Next to Normal overture. It really sets the mood and tone of the show, and I don't know, its just really appealing to me.  

#23

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 1:33pm

PThespian said: "I was working there one performance and a patron came up to me and asked, "They don't play the Overture every night, do they?""

What a peculiar question. Any idea what gave them such a notion?

==> this board is a nest of vipers <==

"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#24

The Last Great Overture

Posted: 5/16/17 at 1:40pm

PThespian, do you currently work at The Majestic with any regularity?

==> this board is a nest of vipers <==

"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage

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