The Megamix

[darquegk]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 10:16pm

Doing "Joseph" this past month made me think: what show had the FIRST genuine megamix?

For the sake of argument, I'm defining megamix not as "mixed to a techno beat," but as "a curtain call musical sequence consisting of a fully sung and danced production number as a medley of songs from the show, distinct from the finale."

I can't think of a megamix from before "Mame." Would that be the first one?

What are all the shows that have "official" or unofficial megamixes at their closing? What are some shows that should? On the other hand, what are the worst possible shows to have megamixes of?

[chewy5000]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 10:43pm

Jerry Herman ends lots of his shows with a big old fashioned medley.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 10:44pm

Before the "Megamix" there was the Finale Ultimo.

[darquegk]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 10:53pm

I'm familiar with Finale Ultimatos that end the show with one big reprise of a major number or two, then have a distinct bows section, as seen most notably in Gilbert and Sullivan and early Rodgers and Hammerstein. I also know others, like Threepenny Opera, that end with a little suite of new material.

I've never heard a pre-Herman Finale Ultimato that turned into a full-blown medley.