best/most powerful finales of a show

[YankeesFan175]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:15pm

lets hear them. i think the les mis one is very beautiful.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:18pm

The most recent revival of Cabaret.

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:19pm

I know I know, but I'm going to say it. RENT.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:20pm

Rose's Turn. no contest.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:24pm

This may sound really stupid, but even though I've never seen it I love the finale to Hairspray (it makes me wanna dance which is very unusual for me).

I especially love when Penny sings for some reason. Updated On: 2/19/06 at 03:24 PM

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:24pm

Sweeney Todd just leaves my mouth wide open. Swan Lake is also great

Updated On: 2/19/06 at 03:24 PM

[IssaMe]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:27pm

Piazza, Candide, Monty, and dare I say it? DOTV.

[tim10086]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:37pm

Most powerful...Parade.

Most exciting...42nd Street.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:38pm

Whoot! Go 42nd Street!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:41pm

I will always love Les Miserables final scene. It is so wonderful.

I also liked the Music Circus version of CHESS. It was so simple and yet so wonderful.

And I know I will get flack for it but I liked WICKED'S finale. Maybe cause I just really loved the show, I thought it wrapped it in a nice bow at the finale.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:43pm

i agree with you boxoffice. I like the wicked one too. and le mis is definately up there.

[chino]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:49pm

Les Mis!!!!! really the best.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:52pm

- The tragic ending of Miss Saigon and Cabaret.
- The final disappearing act of the Phantom.
- I second on Rose's Turn in Gypsy.
- Orchestral Finale to the exodus of the family in the movie version of The Sound of Music.
- The heartwarming ending of Wicked (from For Good to Finale).

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:55pm

I get goosebumps from Les Mis as well as Sunday in the Park with George.

I also get a chill from listening to the finale to "My Favorite Year," "A Chorus Line," "BatBoy," "Prodigal," and Menken/Ahrens' "A Christmas Carol".

So beautiful.

[tim10086]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:00pm

I'll throw Assassins in there too.

As well as Hair. The finale of that show...The Flesh Failures/Let the Sun Shine In...is just a FCUK YES moment.

Updated On: 2/19/06 at 04:00 PM

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:00pm

"The most recent revival of Cabaret. "

I agree. It left my mouth wide open. My mom still talks about it all the time (she also does a hilarious impression of the MC at the very end of the show, which is so funny and cruel)

Ditto on Sweeney Todd, Gypsy, and Candide. And I agree with Josh Freilich about Sunday: that is one of the most understated, chlling and beautiful endings of any show I've ever seen.

And while I'm not by any means a Les Miz fan, it WAS the first show I ever saw. And to a 9 year old girl experiencing theater for the first time, that ending is truly magnificent.

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:04pm

What about ASSASSINS? That was pretty goosebump-inducing as well.

[Composer9]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:06pm

Sunday in the Park with George and Passion both give me chills.

As far as a big finish, Roses Turn for sure.

[tim10086]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:07pm

Big River

[livelife]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:07pm

Phantom!!!!!!!!!!! - heartbreaking

[tim10086]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:18pm

Many of you have mentioned Sunday in the Park With George, and as its a show I don't know, I just listened to the finale sample on Amazon.com. Even though its 30 seconds, its making me want to cry. I love this.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:24pm

Hairspray.

It's insane. My leg litterally starts shaking as the music starts to You Can't Stop the Beat, and my breath gets all wonky. Something about the sheer transfer of joy between the performers and audience hits me in a vicseral way. I guess it's because it's theatre at it's finest.

Akiva

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:43pm

Ragtime, Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, SITPWG, and Miss Saigon.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:44pm

Oooh, I have to agree with Passion and Assassins. And I ADORE Ragtime, but the ending to the first Act is MUCH more powerful than the ending to the show.

[Lamc16]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:47pm

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Can't wait to see it again in London.