The greatest line or lyric ever said/sung on a stage

[paradox_error]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:31pm

???
From any musical or play, whether it has been to broadway of not.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:34pm

"Attention must be paid" -Death of a Salesman

[jmaclover]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:35pm

"I am what I am"

La Cage

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:40pm

I couldn't really pick one line, but I think the greatest song in the WORLD is Louder Than Words from tick, tick, BOOM!

"What does it take to wake up a generation? How can you make someone take off and fly? If we don't wake up and shake up the nation, we'll eat the dust of the world, wond'ring why."
and
"Why do we follow leaders who never lead? Why does it take catastrophe to start a revolution? If we're so free, tell me why. Some one tell me why so many people bleed."

Updated On: 11/3/04 at 10:40 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:43pm

Well, this is a pretty difficult question, isn't it? I guess it's all a matter of personal preference, but I also have to vie for "Death of a Salesman" in many of its quotable quotes. In addition to the famous "Attention must be paid" line, there's that great line in Charley's speech, "A salesman's got to dream, boy." I also like Willy's line about eating an orange and then throwing away the peel--"a man is not a piece of fruit!" What a great play. It really is famous for a reason!

As for musicals, Sondheim is definitely the most quotable. "And we have some shepherd's pie peppered with actual shepherd on top!"

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:45pm

"Shut up! I'm having a rhetorical conversation" -Max Bialystock (okay maybe not one of the GREATEST but I just love that line)

[edenespinosalover]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:45pm

"White. A blank page of canvas. His favorite. So many possibilities..."

[jmaclover]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:46pm

There's one from Hairspray I am blanking on - at the end of the show said by tracy. I'll let you know this weekend!

:)

Sorry to say this, "I can't harbor a fugitive, I'm an unelected official."

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:47pm

"This is such a Midol moment" -Edna Turnblad

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:51pm

"You're too young to understand now, Little Sally, but nothing can kill a show like too much exposition." - Urinetown

[paradox_error]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:56pm

I know its difficult...personally i have hundreds of favourite lines/lyrics.
Just to be different im going to say
"Is that a Unicorn? No, I'll wear the purple shoe...Who painted the kitten?" in Avenue Q
or
"here's the politician so oily it's served with a doily, not one?" "Put it on a bun...well, you never know if it's going to run." in Sweeney Todd
ah! sondheims words become so much more relevant in these times.

[momtobwwannabee]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 10:58pm

There is a great line in Cinderella that I have tried to think of for a couple of years. Even tried to obtain script. It is spoken by fairygodmother (Eartha Kitt when i saw it) and it has to do with being yourself....anyone fill in my memory loss???

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 11:07pm

This is one that everyone says is a good one
"Dwarfs are very upsetting" INTO THE WOODS
I dont know why they find it so appealing.
the funny thing is that im in the show and thats my lyric.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 11:13pm

"No day but today." :)

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 11:14pm

"George Bush is only for now"

[pab]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 11:15pm

Alaura's Theme - City Of Angels

"Are you ready? This is Alaura's Theme. Picture this, the Kingsley Mansion, her bedroom. Alaura wearing satin, maybe less. Ten thousand Violins, THERE WON'T BE A DRY SEAT IN THE HOUSE. "

[milkengh]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 11:30pm

Sorry to ruin all the happy fun in this post, but i'm gonna go with the only line that has made me cry every single time i've heard it performed.

"To love another person is to see the face of God..." -Les Mis

*tear*

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 11:54pm

my 3 faves to deliver

"not to blow my own horn or anything but if jesus christ had lived in chicago and he had $5000 things woulda turned out differently"- billy flynn, chicago

"hello, hell?...its me....waddo you mean who? who else gets to leave"
"you wife loving louse, you two timing false faced swindler!!!"- both Mr. Applegate- damn yankees

[BreakingTheCircle07]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 12:01am

"Have I mentioned today how lucky I am to be in love with you?" ~'TH5Y'

"Just look at you. How could I not be in love with you. What kind of fool could have taken you for granted for so long?" ~'Parade'

[kates]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 12:07am

I have so many...
"How in one night have we come so far"-Miss Saigon
"Forget regret or life is yours to miss"-Rent
"So let's find a bar, so dark we forget who we are, and all the scars of the nevers and maybes die"-Rent (So I have some unhealthy habits, but who's counting)
"When you walk through a storm hold your chin up high, and don't be afraid of the dark."-Carousel
"Now my life is forever yours and you are mine"-Once Upon This Island

[kates]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 12:09am

and I just realized how sappy I really am

[VivaBohemia]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 12:22am

"If I have to search a thousand lifetimes looking for you...I WILL find you again." -Radames, Aida.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 12:23am

I have no idea what my answer to this is, but Viva, I need to tell you that you just made me cry!

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 12:28am

"how do you measure the life of a woman or a man? how about LOVE?" -- Rent


"can't we just persue our lives with our children and our wives? how do you ignore all the witches, all the curses, all the wolves, all the lies, the false hopes, the goodbyes, the reverses, all the wondering what even worse is still in store, all the children, all the giants? No more." -- Into the Woods


"I'm sorry for bringing everyone here down, but...you're all gonna die, too!" -- Mario Cantone "Laugh Whore"

[bythesword84]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 12:31am

Some of my favorites:

"Just keep your faith, an' courage, an' you'll come out all right..." -Carousel

"He's only before his time but still too young to know..." -Blood Brothers

"Why is your life in such a mess if you're so damn smart?" -Taboo

"At the shrine of friendship never say die." -Les Miserables