What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#0What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:08pm
My pick:
42ND STREET.
Star of 'Pretty Lady' [show within show] breaks her ankle.
Pretty Lady's Director steps out and says:
"This performance has been canceled. Please see box office for refunds. HOUSE LIGHTS!"
AND THE THEATER'S HOUSE LIGHTS IMMEDIATELY COME ON!!! :)
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#1re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:09pmEverything's coming up roses for me and for you!!!!!
defy_gravity
Stand-by Joined: 9/12/04
#2re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:10pmI like the RENT act 1 closing... Viva La Vie Boheme and all that. Very nice last scene (the cafe.) But then again, I just love that song.
#3re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:10pm
Everything's Coming Up Roses
Tomorrow Belongs to Me
Albin
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#4re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:12pmAlbin/Zsa Zsa defiantly pulling off his/her wig at the end of "I Am What I Am."
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#5re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:12pm
Hey Matt,
I KNEW someone was going to say that!
By the way, have you ever noticed how similar "Roses" is to "Don't Rain On My Parade" from FUNNY GIRL (another Jule Styne musical about show business--and character is also singing in a train terminal!) :)
Broadway Matt
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/17/03
#6re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:12pmwest side story set the standard, les mis perfected it
"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#7re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:13pm
lutheemcee,
Yes "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" sends SHIVERS up my spine!!!
andyf
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/12/04
#8re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:14pm
The 42nd Street closing is really a lot of fun.
I think the Avenue Q Act One closer is funny, too. Everyone's expecting another cartoon, but when it gets to 15, it says "15 minute intermission".
I always like it.
But I think 42nd Street is definitely intense and also probably the smartest one I've seen.
BWayBoy88
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/23/04
#9re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:18pmI LOVE One Day More.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#10re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:18pmDreamgirls!
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#11re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:21pm
Hi BroadwayMatt,
Did you ever notice that film version of WEST SIDE STORY totally wrecked story's pace and tempo by moving songs and modifying plot at will?
In film version, "The Rumble" happens when film is about 70% OVER--talk about ANTICLIMATIC!
#12re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:22pm
Tomorrow Belongs to Me is well .. indescribable. Shivers is right.
Gods of Nubia is also very powerful.
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#13re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:23pm
Hi Deena,
Well Miss Thing--are you referring to "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" or "Love Love Ya Baby."? (Just Kidding. :)
I admit, the first act closing of DREAMGIRLS is RIVITING!
#14re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:23pmAbsolutely GYPSY.
GovernorSlaton
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/04
#15re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:25pm
May I add Sweeney Todd? As Priest might say:
"A. Little. Priest. Enough said."
Updated On: 10/9/04 at 05:25 PM
Marquise
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/1/04
#16re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:26pmDREAMGIRLS
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#17re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:27pmOh, yeah. Forgot about that one. I might just have to change to that, too.
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#18re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:27pm
Hi Rath...,
Do you know that when I saw Lansbury in GYPSY and at Act I Closing she turns to Louise and says "I'm going to make YOU the STAR! You were the one with the TALENT all the time!" the audience actually LAUGHED? They thought Momma Rose was making a joke!!!
#19re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:33pm"A Little Priest" would have to be my pick, but I love a lot of the others you guys mentioned
#20re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:34pmEveryone loves Dreamgirls. I picked up the album last week and I can see why! I am envious of those who got to see it. What happends for the Act I closer. I am curious.
ProducersFan
Broadway Star Joined: 7/25/04
#21re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:34pm
I love the Avenue Q closer - it's so perfect for the overall feeling of the show. It's one of my favorites of the cartoons.
But I love the closer for The Producers. The entire cast is out in front, singing 5 different parts - and then the lighted sign comes down from the ceiling. It's a perfect set-up for the second act and just leaves you with this great feeling of anticipation.
~Jessica
#22re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:37pmTGIF- I, like you, unfortunatly am too young to have seen the OBC of "Dreamgirls", but to answer your question, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" closed Act 1 I believe. Updated On: 10/9/04 at 05:37 PM
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#23re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:41pm
TGIF,
'Effie White' (character modeled after Florence Ballard) is kicked out of Dreams group for gaining weight and being unreliable.
Group goes on with Effie's replacement.
Her response: "And I am telling you I'm not going."
To add insult to Effie's injury, after she stops singing NEW Dreams come out and perform their new hit "Love Love Ya Baby." In the middle of their performance, curtain drops as stage machinery moves Effie AWAY from group. HEARTBREAKING!
#24re: What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?
Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:48pmWow, Mary. That is actually shocking. I didn't see it with Lansbury but I can't imagine she was any less intense at that moment than any other Rose.
Videos