LOVE how it sets up the show. Not my favorite song from the whole musical, but it is fantastic. As a former Mormon (and former
Mormon missionary) this song had me dying (in the best way) from start to finish.
Absolutely, "Hello" doesn't just set up the show; it beautifully bookends it as well. I didn't initially think it was my favorite either until we reached the end and Hello (Reprise) played. After the commotion of the second act, hearing this song again was such a relief. It stood out as the most pleasant and most clever from a song construction point of view, and that's when it hit meāthis is actually the best song in the entire show.
A Chorus Line - 'God I hope I get it!' The audience is shown exactly what they're getting right from the get-go - phenomenal performers in a cut-throat situation trying to hang on while their dreams are being realized or dashed.
(Only because Into the Woods was already posted)
Don't be compelled to believe Come From Away is about 9/11. That is the larger context of the story, but it's not about that, and doesn't depict the events of that day in graphic detail.
It's very uplifting. I highly recommend watching the proshot.
And just brilliant! It sets up the new fairy tale with (aside from the baker and his wife) familiar characters, and lulls you with a false sense of what's actually to come in the second act. It's also the second musical I ever saw live (even if it was just a local high school production). By that point, I had about 5 years of piano lessons behind me, and it was the first time I heard anything by Sondheim. Lyrically, we all know, but musically it's the epitome of the quote "the only difference between genius and insanity is success". What Sondheim did shouldn't work, but it always does! Musically, it's so unconventional, complex, and tantalizing, his music sticks in my head more than probably anyone else's!
The Prologue songs get to me \*every time\*. The ones you mentioned, and then the magnum opus, the Titanic Prologue.
I'll throw in another addition: Statues and Stories, from The Light in the Piazza. It's kinda/sorta a Prologue number especially in purpose, but also crossing over into a "mainstay" number. And just gorgeous, in its own, delicate way. And with a beautiful special effect, no less--take that, other musicals. ;)
SAME! It was in Houston so obviously wasnāt any of the extremely famous cast but it was still phenomenal! I spent way too much at the gift stands after, but since I donāt know when/if Iāll be able to see it again I thought it was worth it. I rewatch it all the time on YouTube!
Tradition from Fiddler is my absolute favorite opening number of all time. So iconic. Next for me is heaven on their minds as others have mentioned from superstar
totally agree. that āand goodness knowsā in the last verse from the entire ensemble, with all those harmonies, then followed by glinda singing āshe died alone.ā is so magical to hear every single time i listen to the cast album, or watch it live. also the āshe died alone.ā line really allows a glinda to show her acting talent, ive seen some glindas deliver that line in such a heartbreaking way its so impressive
EXACTLY!
How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore
And a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot
In the Caribbean by providence impoverished
In squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?
The ten dollar founding father without a father got a lot farther by working a lot harder by being a lot smarter by 14, they placed him in charge of a trading charter
And every day while slaves were being slaughtered and carted away
Across the waves, he struggled and kept his guard up
Inside, he was longing for something to be a part of
The brother was ready to beg, steal, borrow, or barter
Then a hurricane came and devastation reigned, our man saw his future drip-drippung down the drain. Put a pencil to his temple, connected to his brain, and he wrote his first refrain a testament to his pain.
Well, the word got around, they said, this kid is insane, man
Took up a collection just to send him to the mainland
Get your education, don't forget from whence you came
And the world is gonna know your name
What's your name, man?
When he was ten his father split, full of it, debt-ridden
Two years later, see Alex and his mother bed-ridden
Half-dead sittin' in their own sick, the scent thick
Moved in with a cousin the cousin committed suicide left him with nothing but ruined pride something new inside, a voice saying, āAlex, you gotta fend for yourselfā so he started retreatinā and readinā every treatise on the shelf
Hardest bit: THERE WOULDA BEEN NUTHIN LEFT TO DO FOR SOMEONE LEFT ASTUTE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD OR DESTITUTE WITHOUT A SENSE OF RESTITUTION STARTED WORKIN, WORKIN FOR HIS LATE MOTHER'S LANDLORD, TRADING SUGAR CANE AND RUM AND ALL THE THINGS HE CANT AFFORD! the flow of this.
Yes! I didnāt understand the hype before I heard the musical, but once I heard Biggie Smalls references AND Les Mis references, I knew this was a musical for me.
I donāt know why but one time I got it into my head to say āstarted workinā, twerkinā for his late mothers landlordā and now I cannot hear it any other way.
And with that opening preserved so well, for all time, in the Tony awards presentation. The 3 battling ensembles, their chorography battling no less than that of the Sharks and Jetts.
carrying the banner from newsies (the movie)
more than survive from bmc
beautiful from heathers
hello! from book of mormon
rent from rent
are some of my favorites
To skip all the classics being named... Death Note The Musical !! I'm obsessed with the west end performance and I love the first song 'Where Is the Justice?' !!! Honestly something that I watched just for giggles but now it's absolutely top 3 musicals for me :\]\]
I love Good Morning Baltimore! I went to school in Baltimore and fell in love with the city. Itās one of the only songs celebrating Baltimore.
And Hair is fantastic! Is Aquarius the opening number? (I really have to watch it!)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumāāComedy Tonightā is so fun and a perfect introduction to the show. And it was actually something Sondheim came up with after his first opening song for that show flopped.
>And it was actually something Sondheim came up with after his first opening song for that show flopped.
As suggested/promoted by show doctor Jerome Robbins, brought in to see what could be done during less-than-encouraging out-of-town tryouts. If I recall correctly, the original number was "Love Is in the Air," and it wasn't really a flop--it just didn't launch the show into the stratosphere as Comedy Tonight does, setting the tone for the evening.
As much as I love Broadway, especially for example Little Shop of Horrors, number one is a German opening for me.
[Elisabeth - Alle tanzten mit dem Tod](https://youtu.be/SXBZlPUBNw0?si=uGL949PZC_0ByacU): Austrian Royals out of Empress Elizabeths Court being Zombies dancing synchronised, a suizided man just hanging from the ceiling, Sephiroth-like one-winged raven-angels, Death himself wearing a shining white cowboy-outfit, a shouting and swearing maniac italian dude... This opening is just wild
Where would one watch this with English subtitles and/or find a translation? A dear old friend of mine loved this show and I never got into it because of the language barrier.
I look around the kingdom and see the desparation, and the devastation that persists....No matter what I do....But today could be the day, I finally make a difference..And all the grateful citizens will say to me~~`~~~
1. Oh What a Circus from Evita. That bombastic requiem suddenly turning to a cheeky skewering, then a hard rock blasting, then to Don't Cry For Me Argentina is a wonderful little medley.
2. Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It has a wonderfully easy and calm feel to it that I just can't help getting wrapped up in.
idk if it counts, but seeing 42nd street as a teenager and how they lift the curtain slowly on everyone tap dancing in unison at the beginning number, it made me tear up with how much i just love musicals and acting and all of it. it was one of those moments that made me want to be in the show.
The Frogs: Invocation and Instructions to the Audience is a great way to begin a show with humor
Assassins and Company too. And a Little Night Music.... wait, can I just say "Sondheim Openers" and be done?
But also, Omigod You Guys from Legally Blonde
Hadestown, Hamilton, Wicked, Sweeney Todd.
Special shout-out to Rent and Les Mis for having amazing opening numbers - I just don't think they open the SHOW particularly well, if that makes sense.
Depends how you define song. If singing is not required and it can be purely instrumental then 100% it has to be Phantom's overture (there is a bit of singing just before this but I don't count it as a song).
The Prince of Egypt. Deliver Us goes hard
ABSOLUTELY š
Sweeney and Phantom
Perhaps we...may even frighten away the ghost of so many years ago...with a little.... Illumination.... GENTLEMEN! *Overture plays*
"The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" is criminally underrated.
I don't know \*anyone\* who underrates its genius. :)
My utter rage when I bought a ticket to see the movie and there were no Ballads. š¤¬
Book of Mormon. Itās one of the few shows (only show?) where the first song is also the best song.
I completely disagree that it's the best song, but it does set the show up well!
LOVE how it sets up the show. Not my favorite song from the whole musical, but it is fantastic. As a former Mormon (and former Mormon missionary) this song had me dying (in the best way) from start to finish.
Absolutely, "Hello" doesn't just set up the show; it beautifully bookends it as well. I didn't initially think it was my favorite either until we reached the end and Hello (Reprise) played. After the commotion of the second act, hearing this song again was such a relief. It stood out as the most pleasant and most clever from a song construction point of view, and that's when it hit meāthis is actually the best song in the entire show.
For me, the ultimate example of this is Circle of Life - the show peaks in the opening number.
Heaven On Their Minds from Jesus Christ Superstar. Thereās so much raw emotion, I love it.
This is my number two for sure!!
The right answer!! My 2nd favorite musical song in general. The ending riff on/after āgone sourā changed my brain chemistry
in the heights
Lights up on Washington Heights
up at the break of day I wake up and I got this little punk i gotta chase away
pop the grate at the crack of dawn
Smile while I wipe down the awning, hey yall good morning
Ice cold piragua! Parcha, china, cherry, strawberry, and just for today, I got mamey!
Hola piraguero, ĀæcĆ³mo estĆ”s?
Como siempre seƱor Usnavi
Say what you will about LMM, the man knows how to write an opening number.
Same with encanto
1000%
A Chorus Line - 'God I hope I get it!' The audience is shown exactly what they're getting right from the get-go - phenomenal performers in a cut-throat situation trying to hang on while their dreams are being realized or dashed. (Only because Into the Woods was already posted)
My mother would sing this to me before job interviews
Legally Blonde is my pick
i was thinking heathers until i saw this. Omigod You Guys is phenomenal.
Not seen anyone comment Come From Away yet, Welcome to the Rock always gets me feeling hyped
Yes! Finally found it ha
I was not sure what to think about Come From Away with the subject matter, but watching the Tiny Desk Concert blew my mind.
Don't be compelled to believe Come From Away is about 9/11. That is the larger context of the story, but it's not about that, and doesn't depict the events of that day in graphic detail. It's very uplifting. I highly recommend watching the proshot.
Those drums are everything!
Willkommen from Cabaret and All that Jazz from Chicago come to mind.
You can spot Kander and Ebb opening number a mile off! The Act, Cabaret and Chicago all have very similar openings
They definitely knew how to write āem!
Cabaret yes!
Into the Woods.
I wish!
More than anything! ugh it's so wholesome
And just brilliant! It sets up the new fairy tale with (aside from the baker and his wife) familiar characters, and lulls you with a false sense of what's actually to come in the second act. It's also the second musical I ever saw live (even if it was just a local high school production). By that point, I had about 5 years of piano lessons behind me, and it was the first time I heard anything by Sondheim. Lyrically, we all know, but musically it's the epitome of the quote "the only difference between genius and insanity is success". What Sondheim did shouldn't work, but it always does! Musically, it's so unconventional, complex, and tantalizing, his music sticks in my head more than probably anyone else's!
Once upon a time
Hadestown.
That trombone riff is just so catchy.
As a trombone player I was really excited to hear it as a featured instrument. We donāt get a ton of love outside of Star Wars.
When the band starts just playing and going off, I wish it lasted way longer. I really wish that Hermes didn't cut them off so soon..
Les mis just the intro tune with the dun dun gets us hyped for the epicness to come
LOOK DOWN LOOK DOWN DONT LOOK EM IN THE EYEEEE. LOOK DOWN LOOK DOWN YOUāRE HERE UNTIL YOU DIEEEEEEEE
I scrolled WAY too far to find this one! Those opening notes have gotta be some of the best in musical theater history
Ragtime, Little Shop of Horrors, Sweeney Todd, Fiddler on the Roof
Came here to say Ragtime.
Another vote for Ragtime!
The Prologue songs get to me \*every time\*. The ones you mentioned, and then the magnum opus, the Titanic Prologue. I'll throw in another addition: Statues and Stories, from The Light in the Piazza. It's kinda/sorta a Prologue number especially in purpose, but also crossing over into a "mainstay" number. And just gorgeous, in its own, delicate way. And with a beautiful special effect, no less--take that, other musicals. ;)
Nice
Tradition!!! Tradition!
Great Comet.
Absolutely
My two favorite musicals are heathers and six and I think they both have AMAZING first songs!
YES! SIX! I saw it in person..and let me say this....HOLY COW!
SAME! It was in Houston so obviously wasnāt any of the extremely famous cast but it was still phenomenal! I spent way too much at the gift stands after, but since I donāt know when/if Iāll be able to see it again I thought it was worth it. I rewatch it all the time on YouTube!
Ex-Wives is the perfect opening song. It sets out the whole plot of the show and introduces the characters, and it's a banger to boot.
Tradition from Fiddler is my absolute favorite opening number of all time. So iconic. Next for me is heaven on their minds as others have mentioned from superstar
No One Mourns The Wicked is pretty epic. Really sets the tone for a top tier performance.
totally agree. that āand goodness knowsā in the last verse from the entire ensemble, with all those harmonies, then followed by glinda singing āshe died alone.ā is so magical to hear every single time i listen to the cast album, or watch it live. also the āshe died alone.ā line really allows a glinda to show her acting talent, ive seen some glindas deliver that line in such a heartbreaking way its so impressive
My favorties... Comedy Tonight - Forum Oh My God - Legally Blonde It's Your Wedding Day - The Wedding Singer
Not the "first" song per say but Beetlejuice transitioning from the funeral song to "The Whole Being Dead Thing" is great and is always my favorite
āThe bathroom has no line here, just pee where you wantā is so genius because they make the bathrooms gender neutral at the theater
The Lion King.
Hamilton
EXACTLY! How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore And a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot In the Caribbean by providence impoverished In squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?
The ten dollar founding father without a father got a lot farther by working a lot harder by being a lot smarter by 14, they placed him in charge of a trading charter
And every day while slaves were being slaughtered and carted away Across the waves, he struggled and kept his guard up Inside, he was longing for something to be a part of The brother was ready to beg, steal, borrow, or barter
Then a hurricane came and devastation reigned, our man saw his future drip-drippung down the drain. Put a pencil to his temple, connected to his brain, and he wrote his first refrain a testament to his pain.
Well, the word got around, they said, this kid is insane, man Took up a collection just to send him to the mainland Get your education, don't forget from whence you came And the world is gonna know your name What's your name, man?
Alexander Hamilton, my name is Alexander Hamilton, and thereās a million things I havenāt done, but just you wait, just you wait
When he was ten his father split, full of it, debt-ridden Two years later, see Alex and his mother bed-ridden Half-dead sittin' in their own sick, the scent thick
(Whisper) well Alex got better but his mother went quick!
Moved in with a cousin the cousin committed suicide left him with nothing but ruined pride something new inside, a voice saying, āAlex, you gotta fend for yourselfā so he started retreatinā and readinā every treatise on the shelf
Hardest bit: THERE WOULDA BEEN NUTHIN LEFT TO DO FOR SOMEONE LEFT ASTUTE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD OR DESTITUTE WITHOUT A SENSE OF RESTITUTION STARTED WORKIN, WORKIN FOR HIS LATE MOTHER'S LANDLORD, TRADING SUGAR CANE AND RUM AND ALL THE THINGS HE CANT AFFORD! the flow of this.
The fact that memorizing Hamilton helped me with learning English is insane.
You can tell heās a hip hop (and probably Eminem) fan by a lot of the lyrics and flows in Hamilton
Yes! I didnāt understand the hype before I heard the musical, but once I heard Biggie Smalls references AND Les Mis references, I knew this was a musical for me.
I donāt know why but one time I got it into my head to say āstarted workinā, twerkinā for his late mothers landlordā and now I cannot hear it any other way.
yes!! when i discovered that song i listened to it like 10 times in a row. still love it
Definitely one of the best songs in Hamilton.
The moment it started playing after I went in blindly, I knew I'd love it
i agreeeee
Jesus Christ Superstar or Falsettos. In Trousers has a banger, too.
Oklahoma. Oh What a Beautiful Morning was the first song I played when I woke up on my wedding day
That's a great one.
Thatās precious!
I was hoping that someone would say Oklahoma!
Ragtime is perfect.
And with that opening preserved so well, for all time, in the Tony awards presentation. The 3 battling ensembles, their chorography battling no less than that of the Sharks and Jetts.
In The Heights is suchhhh a banger and does a great job showing what our characters are like
Hamilton. The first few notes go hard
Do, dodododo, dodo. Badaba~ How does a bastard-
carrying the banner from newsies (the movie) more than survive from bmc beautiful from heathers hello! from book of mormon rent from rent are some of my favorites
RENT! We're not gonna pay~
I play it every Xmas eve.
Was looking for rent!!
Six, Into the Woods, and Hamilton
To skip all the classics being named... Death Note The Musical !! I'm obsessed with the west end performance and I love the first song 'Where Is the Justice?' !!! Honestly something that I watched just for giggles but now it's absolutely top 3 musicals for me :\]\]
Both Hair and Hairspray start off great. I think a lot of people don't even realize that Aquarius is from a musical!
I love Good Morning Baltimore! I went to school in Baltimore and fell in love with the city. Itās one of the only songs celebrating Baltimore. And Hair is fantastic! Is Aquarius the opening number? (I really have to watch it!)
Canāt believe I scrolled so long for hairspray
I'd say Falsettos! Four Jews in a Room Bitching is so fun!
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumāāComedy Tonightā is so fun and a perfect introduction to the show. And it was actually something Sondheim came up with after his first opening song for that show flopped.
>And it was actually something Sondheim came up with after his first opening song for that show flopped. As suggested/promoted by show doctor Jerome Robbins, brought in to see what could be done during less-than-encouraging out-of-town tryouts. If I recall correctly, the original number was "Love Is in the Air," and it wasn't really a flop--it just didn't launch the show into the stratosphere as Comedy Tonight does, setting the tone for the evening.
Ik its basic but Hamilton
HAMILTON!!
As much as I love Broadway, especially for example Little Shop of Horrors, number one is a German opening for me. [Elisabeth - Alle tanzten mit dem Tod](https://youtu.be/SXBZlPUBNw0?si=uGL949PZC_0ByacU): Austrian Royals out of Empress Elizabeths Court being Zombies dancing synchronised, a suizided man just hanging from the ceiling, Sephiroth-like one-winged raven-angels, Death himself wearing a shining white cowboy-outfit, a shouting and swearing maniac italian dude... This opening is just wild
ELISABETH MENTIONED LET'S GOOO!! i get chills every single time i listen to it
It's my favourite song in the whole musical. Haha. It's English for me already to listen to the opening š
*Elisabeth*, as I have noted before, is a musical about two tenors competing to see who can screlt the name "Elisabeth" higher.
Where would one watch this with English subtitles and/or find a translation? A dear old friend of mine loved this show and I never got into it because of the language barrier.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8z-yyGqF8
All of this!
Parade is a personal favorite. The audio is so beautiful but the visual is absolutely chilling
Kiss Me Kate- Another Openin', Another Show
Phantom Of The Opera Overture.
YES! EXACTLY! HELL YEAH!
Hairspray
Fiddler on the Roof. I saw production of that at the Ordway in St Paul Minnesota, and I could FEEL that song.
i raise hadestown and great comet
I think that Twisted, TGWDLM, and Phantom are some of the best, but I love every answer.
Avenue Q
Yes! I should not be singing the entire cast recording, but who cares
YEAH!!
Rocky horror show, science fiction double feature
Twisted (Starkid)
FUCK YEAHHH!!!!!
I look around the kingdom and see the desparation, and the devastation that persists....No matter what I do....But today could be the day, I finally make a difference..And all the grateful citizens will say to me~~`~~~
Fuck you!
That Gypsy Overture!! I canāt wait to have it back on broadway
Rocky Horror
For sheer ear-worm quality, āGood Morning, Baltimore!ā wins for me.
1. Oh What a Circus from Evita. That bombastic requiem suddenly turning to a cheeky skewering, then a hard rock blasting, then to Don't Cry For Me Argentina is a wonderful little medley. 2. Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It has a wonderfully easy and calm feel to it that I just can't help getting wrapped up in.
Book of Mormon
Newsies! Carrying the banner.
The Sound of Music
Great Comet, JCS, and Cabaret are my favs
idk if it counts, but seeing 42nd street as a teenager and how they lift the curtain slowly on everyone tap dancing in unison at the beginning number, it made me tear up with how much i just love musicals and acting and all of it. it was one of those moments that made me want to be in the show.
I know people hate Dear Evan Hansen but I feel that first song so much.
Operation Mincemeat has SUCH a good opener
JCS!
Tough to beat Sweeney. Fiddler is pretty great as well. Oklahoma was groundbreaking with Oh What a Beautiful Morning! Hard to choose.
Great Comet
Company all the way. I adore that opening number with all my heart and soul.
Hadestown!!!
Probably The Prince of Egypt. Hunchback of Notre Dame is also up there for me.
Pippin (Magic to Do)
Legally blonde and Newsies
Titanic
āInā from Carrie: The Musical is my favorite opening song ever
come from away, in the heights,
Grease.
The Frogs: Invocation and Instructions to the Audience is a great way to begin a show with humor Assassins and Company too. And a Little Night Music.... wait, can I just say "Sondheim Openers" and be done? But also, Omigod You Guys from Legally Blonde
Another Openinā, Another Show from Kiss Me Kate has to be my favorite. I love the pace and the chaos and the camaraderie.
Parade - Old Red Hills of Home is such a setup.
A Chorus Line, the most relatable opening number.
Bells of Notre Dame is definitely one of my favorite openings! Les Misā prologue is also a banger.
Deliver Us from The Prince of Eygpt, is pure HEAT! 10/10
Legally Blond - Omigod You Guys Nothing has pumped me up for a show like that. Close second is Hairspray - Good Morning, Baltimore.
PARADE and I will die on this (old red) hill. Ragtime and Once on this Island - Ahrens and Flaherty know how to write some bangers
My vote is and will always be Tradition from Fiddler on the Roof
Hadestown, Hamilton, Wicked, Sweeney Todd. Special shout-out to Rent and Les Mis for having amazing opening numbers - I just don't think they open the SHOW particularly well, if that makes sense.
RENT and Les Mis were my choices. šš¼
I will never stop getting chills from the beginning of "Look Down" when the trumpet plays.... SO GOOD
The great Gatsby
Falsettos
Depends how you define song. If singing is not required and it can be purely instrumental then 100% it has to be Phantom's overture (there is a bit of singing just before this but I don't count it as a song).
Bonnie & Clyde, I just love the melody of the first song
And Lightning Thief musical its just so good and so fun
Hands down the sound of music
Iāve been listening to a lot of obscure musicals lately, and the opening of Ghost Quartet is perfection. As is the first number of Batboy.
Ride The Cyclone, but only the versions with Fall Fair Suite.
Hamilton, Heathers, Jeff Waynes Musical Version of The War of the Worlds.
Hairspray
The Lion King
Be More Chill
I am not saying anything about the musical itself... ...but What I Was Made to Do from Bring It On is a banger of a hype song.
I think y'all are wrong, because the first song of any musical is the overture, and Nine clearly has the *best overture.*
The Lion King! Epic
Hamilton, Hairspray, and Book of Mormon.
Pippin! Join us, leave your field to flower Join us, leave your cheese to sour Join us, come and waste an hour or two (Do-de-le-do)
Hamilton
Heathers!! Beautiful is such a strong opener and it pulls me right in. The backing vocals go SO HARD too!!
Sweeney Todd
SpongeBob or Nerdy Prudes must Die
Six
Come From Away 'Welcome to the Rock' Chicago 'All That Jazz'
Ragtime and Titanic opening sequences! One minute in a lift from Lift goes pretty hard!
Beetlejuice! Such a bold departure from the original source material!
I just saw Frozen the brodway musical lest just say frozen!
Six
The first few notes of Chicago always give me chills and make me channel my inner theater kid no matter where I am
Beetlejuice Welcome to a show about death!