The Last Great Overture

[Mr. Nowack]

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)

[Sally Durant Plummer]

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"? 

[newintown]

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

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

[TNick926]

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!

[Lot666]

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.

[Valentina3]

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.

[darquegk]

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

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

[newintown]

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?"

[Lot666]

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.

[Valentina3]

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?

[bdn223]

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. 

[Sondheimite]

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

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

[Lot666]

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!

 

[bct14972]

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

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

[ChairinMain]

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.

[carolinaguy]

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.

[eugenia2]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 12:47pm

maybe not the last, but oh my, the one I would love to hear/see again. 42nd Street. ... when that curtain rises, it is incredible!!! I smile just thinking about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJT_z0csy-E

[JohnyBroadway]

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

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

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 12:52pm

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

[henrikegerman]

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

[LYLS3637]

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

NEXT TO NORMAL

IF/THEN

[SkylarElizabeth]

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.  

[Lot666]

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?

[Lot666]

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

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

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 3:09pm

A Christmas Story has a lovely overture.