Worst Opening Number- Page 3

[RockabyeHamlet]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 1:24pm

I love the opening of Sweeney Todd.

I hate the opening of Wicked.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 2:36pm

The opening to "Thou Shalt Not" was pretty weak (of course so was the rest of the show!).

An atypical opening number, which some may view as weak, but I think was crafted brilliantly is the opening to The Last Five Years.

Due to the way Jason Robert Brown structured the plot of the show, it is left up to Kathy to open things up. Of course, due to the fact that she "starts" at the end of the relationship the first song is slow and melancholy -- which is the antithesis of your traditional happy/uptempo opening number.

Traditionalists would probably scream that the better choice would be to start with "Shiksa Goddess", but I disagree. I think the way Brown has it set up is genius. It helps to quickly establish the unique method of storytelling by immediately starting the show where the audience least expects it. I think if the first two songs were reversed, it wouldn't have the same impact and would leave the audience confused.

[Sant]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 3:08pm

Can't think of one which would be the Absolutely Worst Opening Number.

Worst:

NOTRE DAME DE PARIS
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (the song was boring! the show itself was not.)
JEKYLL & HYDE
MAMMA MIA (and unfortunately the show doesn't get much better as it goes on...)
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
TITANIC ("In Every Age" - yawn!!!)


Best:

CHICAGO
RAGTIME
THE LION KING
HAIRSPRAY
CATS

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 3:13pm

BEST: Wicked, Hairspray, Rent, Little Shop Of Horrors, Lion King
for some reason i love Tarzan's opening but the show is okay.

Worst: Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 3:20pm

I hate the opening of Wicked.

I, too, hate the opening of WICKED. Am I the only one who cannot stand the opening of THE WEDDING SINGER? (along with the rest of the show).

[jv92]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 3:33pm

Wicked's opening sounded like a parody of a musical. Like something they'd do on South Park.

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 4:10pm

worst: not a fan of mamma mia!'s it's really like.. uhhh, okay? i get how it works and is important to the story, but impo, it's just not my cup of tea.
best: yes, i would have to say wicked's opening is marvelous. i also love the prologue (which i know isn't an opening NUMBER, but it still opens the show) to west side story. it gets my blood flowing everytime. =)

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 5:03pm

I'm glad somebody finally mentioned Little Shop for Best Opening... I really like the Prologe/Little Shop of Horrors...

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 5:14pm

Best:
RAGTIME
COMPANY (IF you count "Company" and not the "Bobby" chorus)
MAME

Worst:
EDWIN DROOD (Love the show, bad opening number...cmon Rupert!)
OKLAHOMA!

[Wildcard]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 5:20pm

Best:
Lion King
Ragtime
La Cage Aux Folles
Hairspray
Phantom of the Opera

Worst:
Wicked
Rent
Mamma Mia
Lestat

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 5:52pm

Best:
Hairspray
Lion King
Tarzan
Wedding Singer
Wicked

Worst:
Grease (How it starts off just bores me, to tell the truth)

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 6:29pm

yankee_fan907

I completely agree. Little Shop is a fantastic opening and finally someone agrees with me. It sets the mood for the fantastic show.

[musicalkid]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 6:37pm

can't believe noone mentioned "TRADITION" from Fiddler on the Roof.
one of the best opening numbers ever.
and it establishes the theme and plot, just as good as Into The Woods and Ragtime's opening numbers do.

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 6:58pm

I really enjoy prologue-type numbers, like the prologues in Ragtime, Into the Woods and West Side Story.
I think its a brillant way to open a show.

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 7:00pm

Well unfortunately, I have never seen a full production of Little Shop, although I would definitely love to! I've only heard the beginning really, and I think it's great...

As for FIDDLER, I really don't like that show, so I wouldn't classify it as one of the best beginnings, though it is probably one of the better songs in the show...

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 7:32pm

I have to say that Les Miz is a little cheezy untill "At the end of the Day" but i look past that...

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 7:33pm

"It's Your Wedding Day" from THE WEDDING SINGER, hands down. Horrendous.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 7:43pm

Best:

Company
Sweeney Todd
Ragtime
Cabaret
Chicago

Worst:
Wicked
The Producers

[Tchi4Lif188]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 7:56pm

I adore the openings of Chicago, The Wedding Singer, and Into The Woods. And I enjoy about the first minute of Tarzan. The effects are great!

Not a huge fan of the opening of Seussical or Something's Afoot.

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 7:57pm

Best:

"Oh What A Beautiful Mornin'" which changed the concept of the way opening numbers are supposed to be. Instead of a chorus singing with some big flashy number Aunt Eller steps out and churns butter while Curly sings. Amazing for its time!

"Overture" from Jesus Christ Superstar. It doesn't attempt to play highlights of the score, it's totally new, eventually becoming the music for "Trial Before Pilate".

"Requiem For Evita". This is absolutely stunning, IMO.

Most, if not all of Sondheim (I particularly like "Forum", "Sweeney Todd" and "Into The Woods")

"Denton U.S.A." from Shock Treatment. Well, not a stage musical but I think it's the best part in the movie.

"Little Shop Of Horrors", perfect! "Skid Row" is another great song

"Merano" from Chess. This should have been kept as the opening number. To me, the only "Chess" is the '84 concept album or something like it. I hate all the re-writes

"At The End Of The Day", the opening number in the original Paris version of "Les Miserables".

"Let's Have Lunch" from Sunset Boulevard. I love the whole counterpoint thing, plus it's an extended opening going on through a procession of scenes.

"Overture / He Ho Professor" from Tanz Der Vampire. The atmosphere was completely ruined on Broadway because the Overture is scored for a blizzard. It's not supposed to be a random overture opening in a forest in Lower Belabart.. whatever. I also like the extension of the Overture as Alfred searches frantically for the Professor.

"Gotham City / The Graveyard Shift" from Batman. I think this is as stunning as the opening for Evita. Although, of course, I just HAVE to mention Batman

Many more...

Worst:

I can't stand "The Producers" opening night song.

[FrontRow]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 8:14pm

As soon as I saw the subject on the message board, I thought WICKED. I can't believe how many people put it on their best lists.

And is it because of all the teenagers (or recent teenagers) on this board that it took so darn long for someone to mention WEST SIDE STORY or FIDDLER ON THE ROOF???!!! Those are iconic opening numbers. Trust me, WICKED is not and will never be.

Also, for the I assume young'un who named OKLAHOMA as a worst: That was one of the noteworthy innovations of that show, having a single person walk on stage singing a cappella. (You do know that OKLAHOMA was ground breaking, don't you?)

And kudos to whoever remembered 42ND ST. That may be the best opening moment, not necessarily entire number.

[littlechavela2]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 8:30pm

Oh man, I love the opening of wss.
I also love Fiddler, Lion King, Kiss Me Kate, Ragtime, and contrary to what someone mentioned Rent. I think the characters just strolling onto stage is so different. Not like "wow", but cool in its own way.

Worst...L5Y, different yes, but VERY whiney,
HONK! I've done the show and it just does nothing to grab the audience

[Lizzya9]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 8:35pm

WORST - Footloose/On Any Sunday from Footloose

my high school is performing this show and you never really know how awful this show is until you have to perfom it. I never saw it on Broadway but I am guessing it stunk. My teacher handed out the cast recording to us to memorize and I honestly cannot get through the opening number - I mean I really cannot stand it. Was this show successful at all on Broadway? Because I can't imagine spending $110 to see this piece of crap.

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 8:40pm

Just listened to it, and have to add that I adore Big River's overture and "Do You Wanna Go To Heaven?"

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 8:46pm

Footloose was a flop, Lizzy.

Best: Cats, Fiddler on the Roof, and Sweeney Todd.

Worst: I like POTO's, but most actors are WAY too over the top with it and sort of ruin it. The material is great, but I feel it's misdirected (until the chandelier's amazing ascension).

Updated On: 2/26/07 at 08:46 PM