I would have to say RAGTIME, not just because im obsessed with Ragtime, but if you dont cry by the end of Act I of RAGTIME, you have a heart of Stone/Ice
I'll have them clawing at eachother, like drag queens at a wig sale"
I was a mess by the end of Act I of Ragtime. I was a bigger mess by the end of the whole show.
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ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
I have to admit, the first time I saw Wicked, I was awestruck. However, I guess I'd have to say the most brilliant act 1 finale I've ever seen would be "A Little Priest" with Michael and Patti. God, I love those two.
On a side note, allthough I've never seen it live, the act 1 finale of "The Woman in White" always gives me the chills.
Among recent Broadway musicals, The Color Purple's Act 1 finale is incredibly emotional. This is particularly impressive because the emotion is achieved through a book scene instead of a big, showy closing number.
The act break of Side Show is also pretty depressing.
Not sure what else at the moment. It's difficult to make the act break sad or depressing because then audience members have no reason to return for Act 2.
I was a total mess at the end of the first act of "the Beautiful Game". ****Spoiler**** It was so simple, just a bare stage with a coffin, drums and rain falling down. I will always remember seeing that big macho man drying his tears and trying to hide it.
In my heart, I found the answered dream,
and in my soul I found the song, and in my friends
I found the magic, the love,
the moon up above- they were mine, all mine, all along..!
My Ragtime experience was ruined. I a horrible production of it at a University. I was excited for "Your Daddy's Son", but when Sarah started singing, is was a ping pong game between Belting and airy head voice... Airy- non supported head voice won.
Edgar and Mother were the two best characters of the night.
The production I saw didn't really have a set... It was more like a concert version of Ragtime.
Back to the Topic... I haven't really cried after any pre-intermission song. I did bawl during Little Women when Jo sings about Beth (not the one they sing together). And.. Spelling Bee during the I Love You Song.
I think the end of the first act of Children of Eden is a tearjerker. The one time I saw it, it ("Children of Eden") was one of the most emotional songs I've ever seen performed.
"Piazza, is just so damned beautiful, I was actually immobile."
agreed! i really for the characters there.
anddd, definitely wicked, i was just speechless, and i cried. it was embarrassing actually. haha. and rent, it's a very empowering piece, it made me want to like, make a difference in the world. okay i'm lame.
also, i've never seen in staged, but i imagine west side story to be incredible. [it's my favorite]
anddd, TL5Y was gorgeous, too. it made me sad because it was so perfect and i knew what was coming in the end.
oh and GAWD, jersey boys. their positioning, and the lights and oh my goshhhhh.. just.. WOW! beautiful, really.
hear my song; it was made for the time when you don't know where to go, listen to the song that i sing, you'll be fine..
'Will You?", the Act One finale of Grey Gardens, didn't make me cry the most that I can remember, but it did make my eyes water quite a bit. "Another Winter in a Summer Town" on the other hand had me sobbing. -BJH
I make no apologies for saying Wicked. The whole idea of "Defying gravity" when applied to all aspects of life...is quite moving, and throw in the effect and Idina's voice belting through the audience...tears.
Agree with Til We Reach That Day from Ragtime.
The Tomorrow Belongs To Me reprise in Cabaret, and the way everyone rises to join is just...sad.
The inspiration of I Am What I Am from La Cage sometimes moves me.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
"There's A Fine, Fine Line"-Avenue Q. It's a really touching moment, and it makes me cry a bit(not as much as "Fallen Angel" in Jersey Boys).
Still, my favorite Act I finale is when Norm comes looking for Tommy after The Four Seasons concert in Jersey Boys. It's very suspenseful, especially for those who haven't seen the show.