Best Overtures
Best Overtures
#0Best Overtures
Posted: 4/2/04 at 5:02pm
Which Overture do you think best sets you up for the tone of the show and the mood for the first scene?
Honestly, I am thinking it might be ANNIE, as tired as I am of the music.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#1re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/2/04 at 5:07pm
Chicago.
I haven't seen Gypsy yet (this weekend!!) but I adore the overture.
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#2re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/2/04 at 5:58pmGypsy has a fantastic overture- that trumpet solo got the entire audience cheering when I heard Chris Jaudes do it the current production.
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#4re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/2/04 at 6:12pmCandide, hands down. Annie? Really?
Please visit Bitchy Waiter
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#5re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/2/04 at 6:23pm
Hook, This subject comes up very frequently. Using the search feature of the board I found that "overture" as a subject comes up over 207 times as of a few minutes ago. In that list of hits are many variations of the same best overture question you posted. You're sure to find the same overtures listed there, too.
Cheers!
Jose'
Updated On: 4/2/04 at 06:23 PM
#6re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/2/04 at 6:48pmWest Side Story definetly.
You've gotta have heart AND music
#7re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/2/04 at 7:03pmGypsy and NGD
"Take a breath. Take a step. Take a chance. Take your time." -L5Y
#8re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/2/04 at 7:10pm
Phantom - always gives me chills
Dance of the Vampires also had a good one
"Life will be frozen peaches and cream.
Baby, dream Your Dream" ~ SC
#9re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/3/04 at 7:34pm
Gypsy - I think it's one of the best overtures ever....and I have to agree with Plum, the trumpet solo is AMAZING.
Urinetown - No real reason, I just love it
(formerly bronte604)
"You really just love money and power and capitalism? You know they're never going to love you back."
"Things happen for the best...I don't even believe that myself."
VoiceofReason
Leading Actor Joined: 2/18/04
#10re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/3/04 at 9:56pm
Id have to agree with Candide
I'm also a fan of the Music Man ovt, eventhough the original is pretty lengthy
always,
~m~
For heaven's sake, don't try to be cynical. It's perfectly easy to be cynical.
~The Importance of Being Earnest~
redmustang
Broadway Star Joined: 5/14/03
#11re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/3/04 at 10:02pm
In order:
1- Gypsy
2- Funny Girl
3- Candide
4- Chicago
5- Mame
Dennis2
Chorus Member Joined: 3/13/04
#12re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/4/04 at 3:46am
Here's a few in no particular order...
Chicago- Easily one of the best ever. It helps set the mood for All that Jazz which goes on to set the mood for the entire musical. The original cast version sounds best, but that's just my opinion.
The Producers- Kind of biased here, because it's already my favourite musical, but even when listening to it objectivly (if that's possible) it's still awesome. A lot of that has to do with Glen Kelly though; all of the orchestrations for The Producers are very well done.
H2$- Just listen to the original cast recording. The part with Brotherhood of Man is just fantastic.
I don't like ice cream
Updated On: 4/4/04 at 03:46 AM
TheaterChef
Chorus Member Joined: 1/6/04
#13re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/4/04 at 4:57amRagtime, South Pacific, POTO..
"More than in any other performing arts the lack of respect for acting seems to spring from the fact that every layman considers himself a valid critic."
--Uta Hagen
Belter
Stand-by Joined: 6/13/03
#14re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/4/04 at 8:11am
Carousel has the best overture overall, IMO.
You get on the ride, you get off the ride, but it's only a ride. Tells you the whole show theme in one long, beautiful piece of music.
And it doesn't use bits of songs in the show -- it's a stand alone piece. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
As to version .... I like the 60s revival better than the OBCR, but to each her own.
#15re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/4/04 at 8:30am
Every time I hear the Gypsy overture, my heart swells. It's just one of the most thrilling theatrical moments ever: to be sitting there, listening to that fabulous overture live. I can't help but dance in my seat as the orchestra builds to the fabulous trumpet solo. I don't think you truly know what a great overture is until you hear Gypsy's.
My other all time favorites are Nine and Tommy. Nine's is so beautiful and unique because it's sung--the vocal blend achieved by the women is always wonderful. Tommy's is just a great mix of sounds; the violins and electric guitars intermingled with the sound of foghorns and helicopters gives me chills.
"Peace! The charm's wound up."
--Macbeth
Updated On: 4/4/04 at 08:30 AM
#16re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/4/04 at 10:46amGypsy and Chicago! Gotta love that trumpet section leading right into All That Jazz
"Did you know that if you take the first two vowels in Olive and rearrange them it spells I-Love?"-Spelling Bee
"It's night like this that hotel bars were specifically made." Light In The Piazza
DofB5
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03
#17re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/4/04 at 12:45pm
I have to agree that both POTO and DOTV have pretty powerful overtures.
D
MusicalDirector109
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/03
#18re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/4/04 at 1:02pm
"Gypsy" - the trumpet in "Rose's Turn" gets me all the time
"Annie Get Your Gun" - the 66 revival
"Funny Girl"
"Candide"
"Jesus Christ Superstar"
Leading Actor Joined: 12/31/69
#19 Best Overtures
Posted: 4/4/04 at 3:17pm
Candide is one the all time best! Love it....
I also think Seussical's overture is fun and charming
TheaterChef
Chorus Member Joined: 1/6/04
#20re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/5/04 at 11:55pmI do have to agree with Gypsy as well as Candide and Chicago.
"More than in any other performing arts the lack of respect for acting seems to spring from the fact that every layman considers himself a valid critic."
--Uta Hagen
Juliette Capulet
Featured Actor Joined: 5/28/03
#21re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/6/04 at 5:49am
Phantom, CATS, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Chicago
Tendres Baisers,
Juliette Capulet
#22re: re: re: Best Overtures
Posted: 4/6/04 at 7:26am
Gypsy
My Fair Lady
Cats
BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"
