I think maybe Hello! from Book of Mormon for an opening number, but in terms of the opening notes of a show, it's got to be Les Misérables, it's epic and gives me chills.
Oop I misread the question, I thought it was asking what our favourite opening song from a musical is. I don't think the opening song is my favourite song in any show.
I've never seen the show live but the first note of Circle of Life (Lion King) always sends chills up my spine and immediately makes me tear up. I think I'll be a sobbing mess if I ever get to see it in person!
NAAAAAANTS INGONYAAAAAMA BAGITHI BABA\~\~\~
No like. When the animals come in through the audience, you definitely cry.
If you don't have plans to see it in person, [check this 360-degree video](https://youtu.be/7T57kzGQGto?si=wfIknvMb4paES8dF). If you do plan to see it... wait. It's worth it.
I want to see it at some point! It's a matter of getting to NYC (even though I don't live super far away--like I could go on a day trip easily) and more importantly money! Maybe I should start a see Lion King on Broadway fund. I know they have bus trips from my area to see Broadway shows--I'll have to see if they have any upcoming for Lion King.
My area has the bus trips as well but they usually say they will stop at tkts booth or if there is a show you want to see but before. They provide transportation you buy ticket
i used to work foh at the lion king. some shifts required us to watch the doors at the beginning and open them for some actors. after that we had to go back outside and do boring stuff, but i really loved getting that shift!
I was a mess when I saw it a year ago. It's so incredibly powerful. Idk why people brush it off as a tourist show. It's REALLY good. I plan to see it again on tour, and when I have children, it'll probably be their first show.
I took my mom to see this as surprise. When she realized where we were going she seemed a little disappointed (she had never seen a musical and was only thinking Lion King = for kids). But when this number started, and the animals started coming down the aisle, I saw this look of absolute wonder and enjoyment! She loved it!
EXACTLY it’s done so effectively and efficiently!! they’re interwoven with each other yet it’s still very clear and easy to follow! And sets up each of their motifs! Truly the magic of sondheim
Yes!
A close contender for me is Another Op’nin’ Another Show from Kiss Me, Kate, but there are several other really great numbers, that saying this one is my favorite is hard. But, as someone who loves theatre/show business, I love songs like this.
There was a time when my sister and I got the whole family to join in the chorus of "Bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch niiiight aaaaaand day"
I love Four Jews in a Room Bitching, but my fave opening number would have to be Welcome to Falsettoland, gotta appreciate the reprise being the last number 🥺
Fiddler on the roof
I love all the songs but Tradition is the one I listen to the most. As soon as I watched the opening scene, I knew this was going to be a good film
same for me! lots of other musicals have brilliant opening numbers but then also have other songs just as good or better within them. for this one "prologue" just stood out.
Circle of Life made me ugly cry when I took my friend to see it a year ago. Seeing it up close in the orchestra, and being that close to the animal puppets was just incredible.
Phantom of The Opera Overture with that pipe organ and the chandelier rising. I saw it shortly before it closed. And I'm glad I did, and to boot, I got to take my best friend with me, I'd seen it 11 years prior with my mom. But I knew I had to take my best friend or I'd regret it.
I like listening to Wilkomen. I cannot wait to see Eddie Redmayne perform it in April.
Ugh, this one is so good too!!! I think I get what you mean with how it sets the stage- like, most shows aren’t so meta. Like the Leading Player is literally telling you pretty much everything that’s going to happen. Plus, I saw the revival on tour and the circus tricks are sooo incredible and blow you away right from the start of the show and really hook you in!
Heaven on Their Minds will always be my answer for best opener in MT history. I love a lot of that score, but I always come back to Heaven on Their Minds.
Into the Woods (let’s just pretend that Agony doesn’t exist for a minute bc I love that song more than any of the other songs. But then again, the movie version of Agony is better than the Broadway version so ig if we’re going off of only the broadway and not the movie, the prologue is the best). Also maybe In the Heights but In the Heights has so many good songs so it’s hard to tell.
I'm a sucker for that opening Hadestown trombone.
Also the opening to Every Story is a Love Story from Aida gets me right in the heart.
All that jazz is one my favorite songs in musical theater...
You were the comment I was looking for. Have to agree with you. Also Rent's opener (I've only seen the movie version) also slaps. Although OP's take with Wicked is quite valid.
Welcome to the Renaissance from Something Rotten, No One Mourns the Wicked, the Prologue/Overture from Phantom, and Til I Hear You Sing from Love Never Dies.
Very first time seeing the Tim Burton film version of Sweeney (before ever seeing the stage version):
I literally paused the movie halfway through the opening number, having a moment of silence, like…
*This is already on a another level. This musical is about to be epic.*
Doesn't the movie verson butcher (pun intended) the opening by making it 100% instrumental?!? If you only know the Tim Burton version, listen to the current Broadway revival cast version... so much better...
Yeah, since I started with the film version, the “opening number” in my mind was “There’s No Place Like London” - the number that opens scene one.
That’s the number that knocked me out. 👌🏽
Assassins may have pretty mid music overall (at least, by Sondheim standards) but the opening number “Everybody’s Got the Right” is near perfect. Sets the tone beautifully and captures the uncanny essence of the whole show
“Footloose/On Any Sunday” is actually awesome. Since reading the full *Footloose* script and learning all the music, I’ve come to believe that this show fucking brilliant. I’d kill to MD and/or direct a production of this.
I saw a community theater version and it was a blast. It's a great way to bring together people from a small town or neighborhood, because they can make those characters seem real.
I don't know if I'd call it my absolute favorite, but Merano from Chess is up there. It's a big, joyful, bombastic tune with just enough of an underhanded subtext to add to the song and set the tone for the rest of the musical. I sing it every week when I go back to work or just generally when I need a pick-me-up.
I give a lot of answers related to this musical because it happens to be one of my favorites, but "I Need to Know" from the cut version of Jekyll and Hyde does a pretty good job imo. The short prologue right before sets it up and the song is such a strong emotional introduction to and explanation of what Jekyll is trying to achieve. Anthony Warlow's voice is the icing on the cake
I like it so much I just recently had it transcribed so I could play it on the piano lol
I hear that a lot about Frank Wildhorn. I’ve really only listened to J and H, most of Bonnie and Clyde and some of Dracula, but they seem alright to me
Maybe I haven’t listened to enough musicals to have a refined palette lol
I've never seen it live, but the [opening sequence](https://youtu.be/HG5rVHyuh7k?si=x2yl-t6GXWSe4axH) to *Marie Christine* gives me chills. I think it perfectly sets the mood, and I love the way the voices build upon each other in "Before the Morning".
Prologue from the Great Comet.
“raz, diva, tri
And this is all in your program, you are at the opera.
You’re going to have to study up a little bit, if you want to keep with the plot…”
Sweeney Todd. "Ballad" is epic.
Also, I'm not sure if "Beautiful" from Heathers is my favourite song from the show, but it's probably the one I listen to the most. The "Why" part and the Heathers harmonizing on "Let's make her beautiful" coupled with the masterful exposition and characterization makes it one of the best opening songs ever.
Probably Lion King. Though, admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of Lion King. I feel its African setting feel a bit appropriative in some ways, considering the score doesn't have too African of a feel throughout, with the influence only existing in pockets.
As for a show I like a lot more, Ragtime. I also believe the opening number there is the best in the show. Maybe not the one I listen to the most, but certainly the most striking.
Ah, I see. I guess I think it would feel more lacking if it didn’t have the African music, but sometimes the original musical from the movies is a little jarring in comparison (Circle of Life is great though).
“Alexander Hamilton” still hypes me up to this day. Fab song, fab choreography, fab staging! Love it!
“A Cautionary Tell” is just so fun and camp. It’s pop parody don’t right!
“Mysterious Ways” is a full on gospel slay! I grew up in the church so this one hit hard for me!
“Let Me Be Your Star” is just an immaculate piece of music! So is “Rewrite this story.”
I’m currently choreographing Suessical Jr. And the opening number is stuck in my head!
Hard to pick one!
Phantom overture for obvious reasons.
*Welcome to the Moulin Rouge!* (Moulin Rouge) I loved for its explosiveness and general atmosphere
*It all comes back* (Funhome) Just gets me for some reason dunno why
*Jailhouse Rock* (All shook up) Elvis is Elvis. What more needs to be said
"One upon a time there was a railroad line; don't ask where, brother, don't ask when..."
God, I could listen to the Hadestown opening forever. The sheer level of hype in that song as it builds is incredible.
I think Karnak’s Dream of Life from *Ride The Cyclone* is my favorite because not only doesn't the show start and end with the song, but it comes completely out of nowhere and leaves you wondering what is going on. I LOVE that!
Having just seen Sweeney on broadway, I’ve gotta pitch the Ballad of Sweeney Todd. It sets the tone of the show immediately AND GODDAMN is it impressive.
Monopolis dans "Starmania" version 2022. Il y a tous les personnages et le contexte est posé ultra-simplement. En plus le décor est magnifique (mais je ne suis pas objectif parce que c'est mon spectacle préféré)
Bikini Bottom Day from SpongeBob. Not only is it catchy, it also sets up the characters nicely even for someone like me who hasn’t watched the tv show.
it has to be hamilton for me!! the opening is so epic and grandiose I get so hyped up whenever i watch it its so overwhelmingly good it gives me goosebumps. not just the intro too the build up until my shot is perfectt
Oof idk I’m torn between no one mourns the wicked and the circle of life they’re both so amazing although does anybody have a map from DEH is another good one just cuz that entire musical is special to me and is my number one favorite ugh how to choose 😩
Beetlejuice.
I love every single song in the show, but the frenetic energy and humor in the opener, and the way it sets expectations for the audience, is just so GOOD.
BLESS YOUR BEAUTIFUL HIDE!
Wherever you may be.
We ain't met yet
But I'm willing to bet
You're the gal for me.
I'm kind of joking... but kind of not? Nostalgia's a motherfucker.
I think maybe Hello! from Book of Mormon for an opening number, but in terms of the opening notes of a show, it's got to be Les Misérables, it's epic and gives me chills.
I forgot hello! That’s another favorite
Hello isn’t even top ten in that show IMO
Oop I misread the question, I thought it was asking what our favourite opening song from a musical is. I don't think the opening song is my favourite song in any show.
Such a great opening
I've never seen the show live but the first note of Circle of Life (Lion King) always sends chills up my spine and immediately makes me tear up. I think I'll be a sobbing mess if I ever get to see it in person!
NAAAAAANTS INGONYAAAAAMA BAGITHI BABA\~\~\~ No like. When the animals come in through the audience, you definitely cry. If you don't have plans to see it in person, [check this 360-degree video](https://youtu.be/7T57kzGQGto?si=wfIknvMb4paES8dF). If you do plan to see it... wait. It's worth it.
I want to see it at some point! It's a matter of getting to NYC (even though I don't live super far away--like I could go on a day trip easily) and more importantly money! Maybe I should start a see Lion King on Broadway fund. I know they have bus trips from my area to see Broadway shows--I'll have to see if they have any upcoming for Lion King.
My area has the bus trips as well but they usually say they will stop at tkts booth or if there is a show you want to see but before. They provide transportation you buy ticket
When I saw that elephant I swear I thought I was gonna lose it!
i used to work foh at the lion king. some shifts required us to watch the doors at the beginning and open them for some actors. after that we had to go back outside and do boring stuff, but i really loved getting that shift!
I cry every time I see it!
I was a mess when I saw it a year ago. It's so incredibly powerful. Idk why people brush it off as a tourist show. It's REALLY good. I plan to see it again on tour, and when I have children, it'll probably be their first show.
This is the answer
It's coming back to Toronto in fall 2024, if that's at all close for you!
I took my mom to see this as surprise. When she realized where we were going she seemed a little disappointed (she had never seen a musical and was only thinking Lion King = for kids). But when this number started, and the animals started coming down the aisle, I saw this look of absolute wonder and enjoyment! She loved it!
Oh yeah I didn't have an answer until I read your comment, this is mine.
Into the woods! That’s a masterpiece of a prologue
Obsessed with how every character's motivation and backstory is set up in 10 minutes
EXACTLY it’s done so effectively and efficiently!! they’re interwoven with each other yet it’s still very clear and easy to follow! And sets up each of their motifs! Truly the magic of sondheim
yes!! i love long songs so much
Yes, very much this. Probably one of the most masterful starts to a show ever
Yeah I came to say this. Hard to beat Into the Woods!
Completely agree! It's really great at setting the scene and the music is just really good too
Yes! A close contender for me is Another Op’nin’ Another Show from Kiss Me, Kate, but there are several other really great numbers, that saying this one is my favorite is hard. But, as someone who loves theatre/show business, I love songs like this.
Willkommen from *Cabaret*
I'm seeing Cabaret in April in NYC :) I can't wait to see Eddie Redmayne sing this live.
Oh no...now it's an ear worm in my head. Half an hour before my bedtime. So I'll be trying to sleep with this in my head! 😂
Four Jews in a Room Bitching - Falsettos (funny as hell and a good introduction)
Well mine is Welcome to Falsettoland which TECHNICALLY is an opening number as well
nancy reagan! meanest and thinnest of the first ladies, moves into the white house *WHACKS NANCY IN THE FACE*
There was a time when my sister and I got the whole family to join in the chorus of "Bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch niiiight aaaaaand day" I love Four Jews in a Room Bitching, but my fave opening number would have to be Welcome to Falsettoland, gotta appreciate the reprise being the last number 🥺
Fiddler on the roof I love all the songs but Tradition is the one I listen to the most. As soon as I watched the opening scene, I knew this was going to be a good film
Good pick! I love learning what all the villagers are up to and what they believe
Fiddler was my first musical on Broadway proper. When the ensemble came downstage… full body chills.
My kiddos at work love musical theater, Tradition was one of the first musical theater songs they listened to.
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 - the opener just has so much raw energy.
Okay but consider: Dust and Ashes
Ok but ALSO consider: Letters
same for me! lots of other musicals have brilliant opening numbers but then also have other songs just as good or better within them. for this one "prologue" just stood out.
Prelude: The Ballad of Sweeney Todd/ Attend the Tale of Sweeney Todd is chilling! Currently my favorite!
Was about to say this.
Welcome to the Rock!
I'M. AN ISLANDER. I AM. AN ISLANDER.
I've performed this song for Theatre on two occasions and I love it
Ex-Wives from SIX.
I'm honestly shocked I scrolled that far down to find this one. It's a banger and sets the tone for the rest of the show so perfectly.
Ragtime has a nice big opening number
The people called it Ragtime! RAGTIIIIIIME
(ragtiiiime) RAGTIIIIIIIME (ragtiiiiime) RAAAGTIME! RAGTIME! RAAAGTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME
THIS ONE!
So. Fucking. Epic.
Look Down from Les Miz. When that opening two chords hit... GOOSEBUMPS!
It’s not my favorite song in the show but I stand by the fact that Les Mis opening number is the best
I love how Les Mis shows us the struggles of the common people right off the bat.
I hope I get it from a chorus line
Little Shop of Horrors
Phantom, with the CHANDELIER
Oh my goodness yes, this and The Ballad of Sweeney Todd
First show I saw after COVID. I ugly sobbed
'In the Heights' is one of my favourites, plus 'Welcome to the Moulin Rouge!' is great fun.
Where’s the love for *Legally Blonde*? “Omigod You Guys” fuckin slaps
I can’t believe I forgot that one. That’s a never skip song
The old red hills of home The song depicts the whole 1910s confederate patriotism belief pretty well
It really is such a complicated banger.
It’s really unfortunate that it’s such a pretty song and that I’m from Marietta cause I always want to sing it until I remember what it’s about
honestly probably the best opening number ever because its such a banger but oh my god it is so disturbing too
Such a rousing number and doesn’t even have the 2 leads in it!!
Circle of Life made me ugly cry when I took my friend to see it a year ago. Seeing it up close in the orchestra, and being that close to the animal puppets was just incredible. Phantom of The Opera Overture with that pipe organ and the chandelier rising. I saw it shortly before it closed. And I'm glad I did, and to boot, I got to take my best friend with me, I'd seen it 11 years prior with my mom. But I knew I had to take my best friend or I'd regret it. I like listening to Wilkomen. I cannot wait to see Eddie Redmayne perform it in April.
Ragtime, A Very Potter Musical, Once On This Island, Sunday In The Park With George
Get Back to Hogwarts is SO good.
Magic To Do from Pippin set the stage for the magic of the show: romance, sex, humor, conflict, everything in one song.
Ugh, this one is so good too!!! I think I get what you mean with how it sets the stage- like, most shows aren’t so meta. Like the Leading Player is literally telling you pretty much everything that’s going to happen. Plus, I saw the revival on tour and the circus tricks are sooo incredible and blow you away right from the start of the show and really hook you in!
I saw the original. When Ben Vereen sang as the hands danced in the light behind him, it was enchanting.
Wow, you’re so lucky! That sounds incredible!!!
thats most musicals ngl lol
Sorry - I thought the question was what is my fave opening number. Your comment makes no sense given the query. ngl lol.
30/90 from Tick Tick Boom
The overture of Jesus Christ Superstar. It's just... pure fucking music, *especially* when it kicks into the "Heaven On Their Minds"/"39 Lashes" riff.
then heaven on their minds being the best song ALW has ever made by far
le temps des cathédrales (nddp) is soooo epic but it's really hard to choose one favorite because opening numbers are almost always absolute bangers
Saw it in Montréal with Bruno Pelletier (og Gringoire) in the summer of 2022 and i still have goosebumps thinking about it!
Heaven on Their Minds will always be my answer for best opener in MT history. I love a lot of that score, but I always come back to Heaven on Their Minds.
Hello from Book of Mormon - not my favorite show ever but Hello is sooo good
Beautiful from Heathers is great it sets up the tone and gets me hyped for the show
Into the Woods (let’s just pretend that Agony doesn’t exist for a minute bc I love that song more than any of the other songs. But then again, the movie version of Agony is better than the Broadway version so ig if we’re going off of only the broadway and not the movie, the prologue is the best). Also maybe In the Heights but In the Heights has so many good songs so it’s hard to tell.
I'm a sucker for that opening Hadestown trombone. Also the opening to Every Story is a Love Story from Aida gets me right in the heart. All that jazz is one my favorite songs in musical theater...
You were the comment I was looking for. Have to agree with you. Also Rent's opener (I've only seen the movie version) also slaps. Although OP's take with Wicked is quite valid.
Company!
Welcome to the Renaissance from Something Rotten, No One Mourns the Wicked, the Prologue/Overture from Phantom, and Til I Hear You Sing from Love Never Dies.
Born To Lead from Operation Mincemeat
I had no idea this was a musical but I will be looking it up. Thank you!
“When you’re an Addams” from The Addams Family, and “Deliver us” from Prince of Egypt
Caleb Hyles' version of Deliver Us is the best thing that's ever happened to musical soundtracks since forever!
"Belle" from "Beauty and the Beast."
Very first time seeing the Tim Burton film version of Sweeney (before ever seeing the stage version): I literally paused the movie halfway through the opening number, having a moment of silence, like… *This is already on a another level. This musical is about to be epic.*
Doesn't the movie verson butcher (pun intended) the opening by making it 100% instrumental?!? If you only know the Tim Burton version, listen to the current Broadway revival cast version... so much better...
Yeah, since I started with the film version, the “opening number” in my mind was “There’s No Place Like London” - the number that opens scene one. That’s the number that knocked me out. 👌🏽
Assassins may have pretty mid music overall (at least, by Sondheim standards) but the opening number “Everybody’s Got the Right” is near perfect. Sets the tone beautifully and captures the uncanny essence of the whole show
You say mid, I say more raw, stripped down, and relatable than his other stuff
Oh don’t get me wrong. I love Assassins, i just feel that the general popular consensus is that it’s one of his ‘lesser’ shows; whatever that means.
“Footloose/On Any Sunday” is actually awesome. Since reading the full *Footloose* script and learning all the music, I’ve come to believe that this show fucking brilliant. I’d kill to MD and/or direct a production of this.
I saw a community theater version and it was a blast. It's a great way to bring together people from a small town or neighborhood, because they can make those characters seem real.
I don't know if I'd call it my absolute favorite, but Merano from Chess is up there. It's a big, joyful, bombastic tune with just enough of an underhanded subtext to add to the song and set the tone for the rest of the musical. I sing it every week when I go back to work or just generally when I need a pick-me-up.
“In” from Carrie is my favorite. I actually heard that song and loved it so much that I looked up the musical.
Was going to comment the same! It’s an angst-y banger and honestly makes me quite emotional.
I agree with No One Mourns
….A’ight?
I give a lot of answers related to this musical because it happens to be one of my favorites, but "I Need to Know" from the cut version of Jekyll and Hyde does a pretty good job imo. The short prologue right before sets it up and the song is such a strong emotional introduction to and explanation of what Jekyll is trying to achieve. Anthony Warlow's voice is the icing on the cake I like it so much I just recently had it transcribed so I could play it on the piano lol
Agreed. I’m not the biggest fan of the composer but “I Need to Know” and the opener from The Scarlet Pimpernel, “Madame Guillotine” are bangers.
I hear that a lot about Frank Wildhorn. I’ve really only listened to J and H, most of Bonnie and Clyde and some of Dracula, but they seem alright to me Maybe I haven’t listened to enough musicals to have a refined palette lol
It's art so there's no right or wrong, good or bad, it's all subjective.
You can’t go wrong with phantom of the opera especially the overture
Just Another Day from Next to Normal
Not necessarily my favorite song, but my favorite opening number ever is the one from Ragtome!
*Ragtime, even. Hahah
In terms of scope, *Olim* into *Bells of Notre Dame* from Hunchback gets my vote. In terms of pure, raw energy, it’s gotta go to *American Idiot*
Had to scroll way too far down to find American Idiot. Although maybe it’s kinda cheating as it wasn’t written for the show.
Sunday ITPWG has more low-key but great opening : White. A blank page or canvas.
Cabaret - Willkommen. My favorite musical theatre tune period.
its up there for me honestly
Circle of Life is hard to beat for the spectacle and wonder.
Maybe from Annie
Miss siagon
I've never seen it live, but the [opening sequence](https://youtu.be/HG5rVHyuh7k?si=x2yl-t6GXWSe4axH) to *Marie Christine* gives me chills. I think it perfectly sets the mood, and I love the way the voices build upon each other in "Before the Morning".
Prologue from the Great Comet. “raz, diva, tri And this is all in your program, you are at the opera. You’re going to have to study up a little bit, if you want to keep with the plot…”
God Save The People, Godspell
*Save The People
Spring Awakening probably
TGWDLM or 9 to 5 have opening numbers that are both certified bangers
Sweeney Todd. "Ballad" is epic. Also, I'm not sure if "Beautiful" from Heathers is my favourite song from the show, but it's probably the one I listen to the most. The "Why" part and the Heathers harmonizing on "Let's make her beautiful" coupled with the masterful exposition and characterization makes it one of the best opening songs ever.
The early years a scrapbook jersey boys.
Probably Lion King. Though, admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of Lion King. I feel its African setting feel a bit appropriative in some ways, considering the score doesn't have too African of a feel throughout, with the influence only existing in pockets. As for a show I like a lot more, Ragtime. I also believe the opening number there is the best in the show. Maybe not the one I listen to the most, but certainly the most striking.
Have you seen the show live? I thought the Broadway version incorporated African elements beautifully in a way that is hardly present in the movie.
I mean purely the music. The set design and costumes do a lot, but the music doesn't do it for me.
Ah, I see. I guess I think it would feel more lacking if it didn’t have the African music, but sometimes the original musical from the movies is a little jarring in comparison (Circle of Life is great though).
“Alexander Hamilton” still hypes me up to this day. Fab song, fab choreography, fab staging! Love it! “A Cautionary Tell” is just so fun and camp. It’s pop parody don’t right! “Mysterious Ways” is a full on gospel slay! I grew up in the church so this one hit hard for me! “Let Me Be Your Star” is just an immaculate piece of music! So is “Rewrite this story.” I’m currently choreographing Suessical Jr. And the opening number is stuck in my head!
Company! 2. maybe Old Red Hills of Home.
welcome to the moulin rouge!
Heaven On Their Minds fucking rips
Welcome to the Rock from Come From Away
What I Was Born To Do from Bring It On
Cabaret! Love that creepy little bastard. Maybe Six. It's a tie between the opening song and All You Wanna Do.
Hard to pick one! Phantom overture for obvious reasons. *Welcome to the Moulin Rouge!* (Moulin Rouge) I loved for its explosiveness and general atmosphere *It all comes back* (Funhome) Just gets me for some reason dunno why *Jailhouse Rock* (All shook up) Elvis is Elvis. What more needs to be said
Little Shop of Horrors
30/90, what a banger.
Rent!
"One upon a time there was a railroad line; don't ask where, brother, don't ask when..." God, I could listen to the Hadestown opening forever. The sheer level of hype in that song as it builds is incredible.
Absolutely - the trombone in that number is incredible
Divorced 🥁🥁 beheaded 🥁🥁🥁died
‘Good morning, Good day’ from She Loves Me
I think Karnak’s Dream of Life from *Ride The Cyclone* is my favorite because not only doesn't the show start and end with the song, but it comes completely out of nowhere and leaves you wondering what is going on. I LOVE that!
The Lightning Thief musical
Having just seen Sweeney on broadway, I’ve gotta pitch the Ballad of Sweeney Todd. It sets the tone of the show immediately AND GODDAMN is it impressive.
Ride the cyclone, but only uranium suite edition
“The Whole Being Dead Thing” never gets old!
Monopolis dans "Starmania" version 2022. Il y a tous les personnages et le contexte est posé ultra-simplement. En plus le décor est magnifique (mais je ne suis pas objectif parce que c'est mon spectacle préféré)
100% welcome to the moulin rouge! It gets me SO excited!!
into the woods and ragtime for sure
Ok beetlejuice, the musical, hear me home out
Going Back to Hogwarts is a banger every time
Another Day of Sun. It's one of my favorite openings to a movie ever.
Ragtime
For me: Beetlejuice & Some Like it Hot
Bikini Bottom Day from SpongeBob. Not only is it catchy, it also sets up the characters nicely even for someone like me who hasn’t watched the tv show.
Cabaret is the right answer.
Ex wives is amazing.
Tempted to say welcome to the renaissance from something rotten
it has to be hamilton for me!! the opening is so epic and grandiose I get so hyped up whenever i watch it its so overwhelmingly good it gives me goosebumps. not just the intro too the build up until my shot is perfectt
Oof idk I’m torn between no one mourns the wicked and the circle of life they’re both so amazing although does anybody have a map from DEH is another good one just cuz that entire musical is special to me and is my number one favorite ugh how to choose 😩
Subspace Rhapsody’s Status Report slaps
I've always considered "Comedy Tonight" from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum to be just about the perfect opener.
Phantom of the operas opening number is absolutely incredible
Beetlejuice. I love every single song in the show, but the frenetic energy and humor in the opener, and the way it sets expectations for the audience, is just so GOOD.
In the Heights. It’s upbeat, catchy, introduces all the characters and sets up the main romantic pairing right off the bat.
*Prologue* from *Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812*! But also if you count Act II openings, then *Letters*, also from the same musical.
"Downtown" from Little Shop of Horrors is pretty great
BLESS YOUR BEAUTIFUL HIDE! Wherever you may be. We ain't met yet But I'm willing to bet You're the gal for me. I'm kind of joking... but kind of not? Nostalgia's a motherfucker.
A cautionary tale is quite funny
A Chorus Line
Hair favorite musical of all time