What do you think is the most effective Act One CLOSING for a musical?- Page 2

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:54pm

Mary Ethel, I agree about the movie's pacing. they made a lot of changes solely for the purpose of having the rumble later on. that's why Gee Officer Krupke is sung by Riff early on and Cool is sung by a character called ICE near the end.

they did this because they didn't want to have any comic relief after the rumble. it works on stage because the intermission breaks it up, so Gee Officer Krupke is both an acceptable and welcome tension breaker in Act II. in the movie it was more important to keep the tension building toward a climax after the killings. a fun song or too much ground to cover would have hurt the dramatic affect.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 6:03pm

BroadwayMatt,

I understand your points re: film version, but I wish Production Team had consulted a little thing called 'Romeo and Juliet' by some guy called W. Shakespeare.

In R&J, the caputlet musician's do a comedy routine AFTER J thinks R has "met his maker."

I know, I know. Different medium. :)


Well, the film did win 10 Oscars, make a bootload of money and transform Maria from a 'bright' girl to a 'gay' one. [Lyric change in "I Feel Pretty"--to account for time a day it was being sung.)

Thanks for your insights, BroadwayMatt.

[CattleCall]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 6:06pm

I've always loved the act one closing of Beauty and the Beast, where the beast sings "If I Can't Love Her" and the set moves around. I've seen the show multiple times just for that scene.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 6:10pm

it's not a matter of what i think. those are the reasons the changes were made. i would have loved it if they could've found a way to keep it closer to the stage version. though i admit I don't know HOW they could have done that in the film without compromising the strength of the finale.

what bugs me is seeing so many stage productions doing it like that. no one needs to see a re-creation of the movie and no one needs to see the ENTIRE dream ballet!

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 6:13pm

Hi Matt,

Did you see revival with Debbie Allen as Anita?

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 6:21pm

no, but i hear she was a great anita. did you?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 6:52pm

Definitely GYPSY!!!!

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 6:55pm

I love the endings to RENT, CABARET, and GODSPELL.

I saw Avenue Q, but I don't remember what the ACT 1 finale. What is it?

[CurtainUp]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 7:16pm

Gypsy and Forum's are great, but the one that automatically comes to mind is the chilling One Day More from Les Mis.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 7:24pm

BroadwayMatt,

In everything I've seen Debbie preform (WEST SIDE STORY, SWEET CHARITY), she is always a JOY TO WATCH.

I know she's into directing more now; but I would love to see her return to Broadway!

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 7:27pm

Curtain...

I LOVE the Act I ending to FORUM:

(Miles Glorious is about to arrest Psedulous)

P: May I Say One Word?

MG: What's That?

P: INTERMISSION!

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 7:29pm

I'd say The Witches Of Eastwick. The witches flying high above me singing I wish I may... LOVED IT.

Also, the original closing of the first Act of Martin Guerre - A real cliff-hanger.

QM

[NoDayButToday2]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 7:31pm

I love the Act I endings to Rent, Les Miserables, 42nd Street, and Into the Woods

[ponine24601]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 7:39pm

i love the act 1 endings of aida, rent, hairspray, les mis, and..ok don't fricking kill me...wicked.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 7:39pm

i know i'm a wicked fan but seriously. what better way then to get the audience momorized with one of the most powerful numbers in the show! defying gravity!

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 8:59pm

I also think Defying Gravity is an almost perfect Act 1 closer.

As for Westside Story... My best friend and I were actually listening to our recording of Westside the other day (I was Maria and he was my Tony) and after the Quintet ended we both said almost simultaneously, "THAT is where Act 1 should end!" The Quintet is so huge and full of anticipation and beautiful that he and I both feel it should in many ways, end the act. The argument will of course be made against it, but that was our gut reaction.

[Sant]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 9:01pm

I'd say WICKED and CHICAGO. And RAGTIME had a powerful Act I closing number, 'Till We Reach That Day - my favourite song of that show.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 9:17pm

Defying Gravity is a very good Act one closer.

[Mythus]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 9:40pm

I'd say La Cage and The Producers. The layout of the theatre helped a lot for La Cage - Albin threw off his wig and exited up the center aisle, if I remember correctly.

The only thing that bothers me about The Producers Act One Finale (is that all supposed to be capitalized?) is the huge sign. I love it, but after I saw the show, everyone was saying, "Did you see Shirley flirting with Ulla?" and I was like, "What? I was a little distracted by the huge, glowing sign that came down from the heavens!" But I still love that part. Five part counterpoint? Fantastic. It all just...blends together.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 9:51pm

Dreamgirls
Les Miz
The Producers
Hairspray
Wicked

[Parks]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 10:24pm

I was thinking Godspell doesn't have a very good Act I closing. I mean-it's a catchy song (Light of the World).. I hope you were talking about the Finale of the whole show. Now THAT was incredible. Made me cry.. (in our school's production of it last year) That's actually kinda funny cause I'm not much of a crier-but hearing that music "Long Live God" while thinking about Jesus being carried off the cross..it's sad. Oh-sorry if I ruined it for those of you who haven't seen it.. Hopefully you would've known the ending.


I thought Into the Woods had a great ACT I closing. "And happily ever after!...To be continued."

I also like Funny Girl's ACT I closing.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 10:33pm

Parks,

Yes... I like "Don't Rain On My Parade" as well.

Fanny finally coming to terms with what's REALLY IMPORTANT in life (relationship vs. show business) and placing ALL energies firmly on that track.

I don't care for movie musicals as a rule, but the film version of FUNNY GIRL handled that number BRILLIANTLY.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 10:35pm

Les Miz. As Matt said, it's perfection.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 10:51pm

I've always liked Miss Saigon's finale... such a beautiful song and then the image of Kim, Tam, the Engineer and the boat people leaving for a better life... excellent!

[DobieG]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 10:57pm

I'm with eatlasagna - Miss Saigon really pulled at my heartstrings at the end of the first act. Wish I could have seen Lea Salonga in the role, but I never did...

DG