Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING? — Page 3

#51

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

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

Magruder,

"Little Old New York" in TENDERLOIN does a FANTASTIC job of setting up story, time and place, and basic conflicts to follow.

Also, show comes full circle as it also CLOSES with "Little Old New York."

(I wish I was old enough to see Maurice Evans sing!) :)

[Rumor has it he could not remember song lyrics to save his life so he was allowed to hold them in his hand and pretend they were letters from members of his congregation.]

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"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

#52

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/9/04 at 8:12pm

"when it comes to enormous openings, lots of people think of me..."

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"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

#53

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/9/04 at 8:14pm

Mr. Roxy:

Yes, "Movies Were Movies" set the PERFECT tone for MACK & MABEL. You learned a lot about Mack Sennett's personality in just a few minutes.

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"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

#54

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/9/04 at 8:16pm

BroadwayMatt,

What is that quote from? :)

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"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

#55

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/9/04 at 8:17pm

I would say 42nd Street. The curtain rising on the tap number is so incredible.

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-If you don't like your fate, change it. You are your own master.- Aida

#56

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/9/04 at 8:50pm

its alsocool how in hairspray, tracys the only one on the stage in her bed. in the movie version, i think it would be cool if the picture started out in space looking at the earth, and slowly zooms in to baltimore until its about an inch above tracys face in her bedroom! ok im crazy.

#57

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

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

West Side Story

#58

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

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

Having just seen it today, I can't help but mention "Hairspray".

But the big ones that come to mind are "Sweeney Todd" and "Les Miz" (Dum Dum Da Da Da! *goosebumps*)

#59

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/9/04 at 9:26pm

Mary Ethel, it's from "Hedwig" though I may be a word or two off

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"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

#60

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/9/04 at 10:05pm

Actually, Tenderloin closes with "Little Old Detroit".

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"Gif me the cobra jool!"

#61

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/9/04 at 10:09pm

... which is "Little Old New York" with the city name changed. :)

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"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

#62

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

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

The Producers - including "King of Old Broadway"

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Urinetown

EDIT: 42nd Street

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"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

Updated On: 10/9/04 at 10:13 PM

#63

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/9/04 at 10:20pm

Easily, THE LION KING.

Say what you will about the show, the opening sequence is a masterpiece, and is pure theatrical nirvana.

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#64

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/9/04 at 11:51pm

I knew that one,matt!I just got to it too late-michael cerveris was great in that role-could not for the life of me figure why he left Titanic for Hedwig...til I saw him in the role-then it made perfect sense.....

Updated On: 10/10/04 at 11:51 PM

#65

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 2:01am

Wasn't the line, "I love a warm hand on my opening?" at Hedwig?

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"Gif me the cobra jool!"

#66

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 3:01am

magruder, different line.

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"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

#67

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 3:06am

POTO, A Chorus Line, Starlight Express(intrestering overture)

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need to defrag my brain.

#68

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 11:23am

Obviously CHICAGO. It's considered one of the best openings.

The overture is amazing, that it leads right into ATJ. Just fabolous.

#69

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 11:31am

I agree with a lot of the musicals that were mentioned.
I want to add "PASSION" to the ever growing list..Those drums, leading into one of the most beautiful songs ever written, "Happiness", sung by two naked lovers on a bed...That HAS to be one of the best!

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"Years from now, when you talk about this - And you will - Be kind. "

#70

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 1:37pm

Right on, BlueWizard.

The Lion King opening is like a 360 degree musical extravaganza. I found myself staring around saying in a breathy voice..."more!"

"Say what you will about the show"

So what is it exactly that people don't like about The Lion King anyway? For some people, it seems like they don't like it because of its mega tourist success. But, really, what do people say about it that they don't like?

#71

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 2:24pm

It doesn't have anything in the way of story to make it interesting and the music is mediocre at best.

#72

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 2:49pm

I liked the opening to Urinetown, when the conductor/piano player is lead to the cage by the cops. Tottally unexpected and a perfect way for that show to start. I also loved how the ushers would yell the opening announcements from each section of the house.

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I got rid of my teeth at a young age because... I'm straight. Teeth are for gay people. That's why fairies come and get them

#73

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 9:00pm

Urinetown is priceless...it sets the tone for the entire show.

I love 42nd Street as well, just all those legs and feet, moving at such speed!

Also, Millie. I love those great choreography, fast pace numbers. That, and all shows taking place in the 1920's. Which explains my answers.

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Deet: Shira, I Love You!

#74

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 9:12pm

Sunday in the Park with George

#75

re: Which Musical Had The BEST OPENING?

Posted: 10/10/04 at 9:18pm

my answer would have been WEST SIDE STORY but i can't watch the Prologue anymore without laughing. Gang members pirouetting through the ghettos of NYC...ummm, no.

so my answer would now have to be DREAMGIRLS..it starts off with a bang by putting the audience directly in the middle of an on-going talent competition at the world-famous Apollo Theatre....