Unexpected openings..
Unexpected openings..
#1Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/11/08 at 11:17pm
What's a Broadway show that has an opening or overture you were not expecting when the show started? What was your reaction? Cause, I seem to have a different reaction to different shows' overtures and opening numbers.
Personally, I was scared crapless when I saw Wicked in Chicago.
I had seen it in New York (December 2004) and hadn't been paying attention to the overture, and the sound system had been messed up. So it was decently quiet and didn't get louder until the "unlimited" instrumental part.
However, in Chicago Wicked had my full attention. And there was silence after the announcement then BAM No One Mourns the Wicked started. And I jumped, and after seeing the dragon moving in all directions instead of left and right I was debating on whether or not to stay.
So, what are some of YOUR stories.
"That's a good point. Next time I pee on a Starbucks couch and throw straws and napkins at a barista, I'll just yell, "YOU DON'T KNOW ME OUTSIDE OF STARBUCKS! YOU DON'T KNOW ME AT ALL!" and that should do it. "-LizzieCurry
#2re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/11/08 at 11:20pmUsually the audience jumps from "Big Spender" vamp that opens the SWEET CHARITY overture.
#2re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/11/08 at 11:26pmEven on the recording, the opening of No One Mourns the Wicked scares me.
It was awesome. - theaterkid1015
#3re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/11/08 at 11:28pmI don't jump at anything.
yellibean2
Featured Actor Joined: 5/17/06
#4re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/11/08 at 11:31pmWell, I was debating whether or not I should stay since the opening when I saw Wicked, and really, I regret staying.
#5re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/11/08 at 11:33pmAlso, when Mamma Mia's overture begins the audience all jumped back. I was in Standing Room so it was quite a funny sight.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#6re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/11/08 at 11:38pm
Lizzie always has the right thing to say 
#7re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 12:04amYeah, I'm ashamed to admit that Mamma Mia! made me jump. I was right next to a speaker...and yeah, definitely unexpected.
#8re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:03amThey always did the first chord of 'The Who's Tommy' before the lights went down, I saw it 5 times and it always made me jump in my seat.
NakedBluAngel2
Swing Joined: 12/21/07
#9re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:10ami caught the Avenue Q tour, and I jumped at the first chord!
#10re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:17am
LOL, blaxx, I just don't startle easily at all. I'm the worst nightmare of people who like to come up behind others and scare them, because it just doesn't work with me. 
being.jeremiah
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#11re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:18am
Not so much for the opening of the show, but the beginning of Act II in the recent Cyrano revival!
Talk about being "in the middle of warfare." Very, very effective.
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#13re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 3:16am
AIDA, right before Amneris sings, "This is the story of a love that flourished in a time of hate."
It practically gave me a heart attack in the theatre.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
COOOOLkid
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/15/05
#14re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 9:12am
Even though it's not the beginning of the show, the beginning of the overture scares me in The Phantom of the Opera.
I'm expecting a big chord to scare me, and when the guy says, "Gentlemen!" I just get chills.
ohjustjake
Leading Actor Joined: 4/18/06
#15re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:01amThe beginning of Mamma Mia did scare me, even the entr'act scared me too.
#16re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:05amI was 11 when I saw MAMMA MIA on the pre-Broadway tour at the Shubert (I miss that theatre). I was so scared when the overture began and the waves moved. The entr'acte scared me ****less as well.
#17re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:12am
Footlose in the UK has no announcement it just starts with bang and then in to the music for Hero.
Bad Girls the musical also started whilst the lights were up so they were no warning, all of a sudden you just heard a cell door bang shut, i nearly flew in to the pit lol
#18re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:46am
Haha 'Bad Girls' was a rare one that got me too!
The big jump for me was and still is the whistle for 'Sweeney Todd' at Londons Drury Lane- it got me 4 times!
sally1112
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/13/04
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#21re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:20pm
The opening whistle of the original Sweeny Todd.
i.believe2
Swing Joined: 1/11/08
#22re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:58pm
the beginning of the second act at Jersey Boys!
to keep up the "rock concert" incredible feel of the show, they just began to play BIG MAN IN TOWN! took me by surprise!
Trekkie2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/7/06
#23re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 3:44pm
Not proud of it, but The Lion King. When She just starts like that... a little spooky. Also, Cats, when they pop out like that.
You know what, I'm just not proud that I saw either of these...
#24re: Unexpected openings..
Posted: 1/12/08 at 4:12pm
to keep up the "rock concert" incredible feel of the show, they just began to play BIG MAN IN TOWN! took me by surprise!
Actually, it's an instrumental of "Oh, What a Night," (not that sudden, either, IMO) which then leads into "Big Man in Town."
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