all-time greatest musical showstoppers

[oldfashionedboy]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 8:38am

What do you believe are the all-time greatest musical showstoppers?
I would nominate SOLILOQUY as greatest male solo showstopper, ROSE'S TURN as greatest female solo showstopper, and SIT DOWN, YOU'RE ROCKIN' THE BOAT as the greatest ensemble showstopper.
Any other thoughts?

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 8:51am

"And I am Telling You"--Dreamgirls
"Gethsemane"--JCS

[broadway betty]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 8:52am

I'm sorry if I'm too young, but I nominate "You Can't Stop the Beat". It's the most exciting number I've ever seen in a musical!

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 10:10am

I definitely agree with "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat" as one of the all time greatest showstoppers.....since I not long ago played Nicely-Nicely, I can say that number brought down the house every night....


Cheers,
The Balladeer

[DancerGirl16]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 10:15am

Might be easily disagreeable because I don't know if you would consider it a "showstopper" but I would say

Little Priest - Sweeney Todd

if not

Sit Down Your Rocking the Boat

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 10:44am

hmm before nominating "you can't stop the beat" which is of course a nice song, but do listen to a few more shows. You'll discover gems

I agree with the ones mentioned in the first place as they are brillantly written and executed (in the original production). Updated On: 3/8/05 at 10:44 AM

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 12:35pm

A Little Priest is MOST DEFINITELY a showstopper, dancergirl.

[matthius202]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 12:48pm

hmm...Bring on the Men...*pauses a moment for Linda Eder*

the Gospel funeral hymn in Big River

Easy as Life and Elaborate Lives...Aida

[JailyardGuy]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 1:22pm

"Lot's Wife" - Caroline or Change
"I Am Telling You..." - Dreamgirls

those two are just stuck in my head today. :)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 1:30pm

"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" -- DREAMGIRLS
"Rose's Turn" -- GYPSY
"You Gotta Have A Gimmick" -- GYPSY
"The Music and the Mirror" -- A CHORUS LINE
"I Got Love" -- PURLIE
"People" -- FUNNY GIRL
"Don't Rain On My Parade" -- FUNNY GIRL
"The Oldest Profession" -- THE LIFE
"Whatever Lola Wants" -- DAMN YANKEES
"Steam Heat" -- PAJAMA GAME
"If My Friends Could See Me Now" -- SWEET CHARITY
"Who's That Woman" -- FOLLIES
"I'm Still Here" -- FOLLIES
"The Ladies Who Lunch" -- COMPANY
"Glitter and Be Gay" -- CANDIDE
"Turkey Lurkey Time" - PROMISES PROMISES
"Hello Dolly" -- HELLO DOLLY
"Anything You Can Do" -- ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
"100 Easy Ways" -- WONDERFUL TOWN

Updated On: 3/8/05 at 01:30 PM

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 1:37pm

the song A Little Priest comes at the end of the first act of SWEENEY TODD. It does not have the opportunity to be a "show stopper."

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 1:42pm

the HELLO DOLLY! number is a true showstopper. There have been many times when a few Dollys did the ENTIRE number again for an audience.

I'm the Greatest Star by Streisand in FUNNY GIRL,,got loooooooong applause before the show could continue..

Rose's Turn is of course a showstopper....... as is

The Music and the Mirror from A CHORUS LINE

In the most recent Broadway revival of GUYS&DOLLS, they did an uninspired Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat -- but the show was stopped with substained applause when Nathan Lane and Faith Prince did Sue Me.

Measure The Valleys, Measure the Hills from RAISIN stopped the show

The Rain In Spain is the showstopper from MY FAIR LADY

[elphieisperky]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 4:04pm

My all-time favorites:
You Can't Stop The Beat
Don't Rain On My Parade
La Vie Boheme
No One Mourns The Wicked
One Day More
Do You Hear The People Sing
Seasons Of Love
Finale of Les Miz Updated On: 3/8/05 at 04:04 PM

[ThE nEw KiD]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 4:12pm

ummm Defying Gravity! I don't care what most of you think...I LOVE Stephen Schwartz! :)

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 4:26pm

On My Own can be if done right.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 4:26pm

"No One Mourns the Wicked"?? But when that song happens, the show has barely STARTED...

I always thought that showstoppers were songs that STOPPED THE SHOW... literally! Like, the audience would burst into such an ovation that the show would have to stop for the audience. According to this definition, Act One and ultimo finales do not count.

I wish that "Suddenly, Seymour" was considered a 'showstopper'... it's a great 11 o'clock number, but it doesn't usually stop the whole show.

[hannahshule]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 4:26pm

Look for the Silver Lining- Sally
A pretty girl is like a melody -Ziegfeld Follies of 1918
My Man -Ziegfeld Follies of 1919
Old Man River -Show Boat
Brother Can you Spare A dime? -Americana
Stormy Weather-?
You're the Top-Anything Goes
New Yor, New York -On the Town
Hey There- Pajama Game
hello Dolly -Hello Dolly
Rose's Turn-Gypsy
If I were a rich man- Fiddler on the Roof
One -A chorus line
I am what I am -La cage

[GypsyRoseLee]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 5:27pm

Glitter and Be Gay from Candide...my absolute favorite at this moment.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 5:29pm

Defying Gravity
I know Where I've Been

[catstagestud]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 5:37pm

"Glitter and be Gay" Candide
"I Know Where I've Been" Hairspray
"And I'm Telling You..." Dreamgirls
"When I Look at You" The Scarlet Pimpernel
"Rose's Turn" Gypsy
"Dance of the Robe" Aida
"Elaborate Lives" Aida
"Soliloquiy" Carousel
"Be Our Guest" Beauty and the Beast
"A New Life" Jekyll and Hyde among others...

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 5:42pm

Glitter and be Gay
Easy as Life
Suddenly Seymour
Defying Gravity
No Good Deed
Last Midnight
Gimme Gimme

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 5:52pm

I thought "Betrayed" from The Producers was great..

Also, "Fine Fine Line" from Avenue Q..Stephanie D'Abruzzo had me in tears!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 5:56pm

I agree with 'Betrayed' a definite show stopper, also I have to throw in 'Once before I go' from 'The Boy from Oz' whatever you think of the show, or the music Hugh Jackman made that one a showstopper in the literal sense.

[zippyjen]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 5:56pm

I agree girlfortartaglia about fine fine line. i also think "i am telling you" and "hello dolly" are amazing showstoppers.

[mizzie]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 7:49pm

Wait....but You Can't Stop The Beat....stops the entire show. It's the ending? Still, great song!

Here's my list:
Suddenly Seymour
Glitter and Be Gay
Gimme Gimme
On My Own

mizzie!