Let me explain. With the right cast of singers, it's stunning. If anyone is not up to the vocal challenge, it sounds terrible. If the tempo is just slightly too slow, it's a dirge; too fast, it's silly. The Gods Love Nubia requires such precision that the slightest mistake makes it a hohum affair.
The Gods Love Nubia, if I'm not mistaken, is a song right BEFORE the Act 1 finale, isn't it? Wasn't there a brief scene right after it that ended the act?
I know there are two different versions of the script- the Broadway and the Tour, and I'm not sure which of those is the MTI version, but I think there's a post-NUBIA song in one of the two.
My Favorites Mary Poppins Little women Beauty and the beast West Side Story Gypsy Les Miserables Newsies Phantom Annie The Color Purple My Fair Lady- when the embassy ball scene is cut. Billy Elliot Legally blonde!
Best Wicked (Done right, that is basically the Number 1 way to end an act) Spring Awakening - Beautiful, just beautiful Shrek- The best song in the show, and another beautiful moment Gyspy- No explanation needed The Great American Trailer Park Musical- Perhaps my favorite Act1 ending Me and My Girl- Just a fun song Sweet Charity- Simple and yet amazing
Worst- Brigadoon- It's just really awkward, and I get its supposed to be that way, but I never even know if I should clap PIPPIN- I have a love/hate relationship with that Act1 ending
Best Sweeney Todd Gypsy Sunday In the Park with George Les Miz Mame La Cage Aux Folles Promises, Promises Anything Goes West Side Story Once
Least Favorite The Book of Mormon- it is my least favorite song in the show Fiddler on the Roof The Lion King Hairspray-again, least favorite song of a show I love Aida
Best Book of Mormon- Makes me smile Porgy and Bess Newsies- Oh, the goosebumbs... Evita- NOT THE REVIVAL. Wicked- Defying Gravity, as cliché as it is, it is one of Schwartz best's Anything Goes Ghost- I enjoy the music Rent- Love the energy built up in the song Carrie- The Original with Buckley
Worst Wonderland Catch Me If You Can
Love-Hate Seussical Pirates of Penzance- If done right, it can be really good.
I agree with you, qolbinau. I love Next to Normal too, and I think that it has a nice act ending; I do feel emotionally invested in what is happening, but it's not epic in the same way that most of these are. I think it works very well for the show, but in the grand scheme of act 1 endings, it's not at the top.
Mister Matt, what was so bad about GLOCKNER's Act 1 closer? I rather like "Esmerelda" - is it something lyrical I maybe don't understand (not being fluent in German) or something about the staging?
darquegk, I'll try to find my copy of the script later today. I don't remember a scene after The Gods Love Nubia in the MTI version but I might be mistaken. At most, it would have been a few lines. It's been years since I music directed that production so I might be forgetting something.
My favorites are Shrek and Beauty and the Beast. I absolutely love "Who I'd Be" and "If I Can't Love Her." Not my favorite shows, but loved the first act finale.
My two least favorite was Tarzan and Parade. I have no idea what Tarzan was thinking? I really enjoyed the show for the most part, but the first act finale was beyond lackluster. I love Parade. It is easily my favorite score. However, I did not like the end of the first act. I loved the trial and that it ended with the sentence, but I would have preferred a song or something there. It just kind of ended.
Sunday in the Park With George and Once both have gorgeous and emotionally impactful Act 1 finales. Both exhibit everything finally coming together in harmony, literally and figuratively. They both have left me breathless.
How can Fiddler be considered one of the worst? The Wedding Dance is thrilling and then that joy is instantly stolen from them by the intruders. The audience feels exactly what our protagonists are feeling. It's incredibly effective.
For such an epic opening, The Lion King's act one closer is a real letdown. Ditto for Hairspray.
Godspell would work better without an intermission, no? That act break is always awkward.
I think the final scene in act 1 of South Pacific is incredible. So many highs and lows, discoveries, emotions, and a great Emile will bring down the house with those last two lines before curtain.
Cabaret is absolutely chilling. Sweeney is hilarious and makes the audience disgusted with what they're laughing at.
One that may be a guilty pleasure of mine but I think totally works is "Can't Help Falling in Love" from All Shook Up.
And of course, the epic One Day More. That just screams ACT ONE CLOSER in your face. Hey, it does its job.
Why is there all this hate for a quieter or more solemn act one closer? In NEXT TO NORMAL and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, I've always ached to see act two. I find the suspense over those fifteen minutes far more insurmountable than the loud and boisterous act one finales of WICKED and RENT. In fact, because of the power and drive in WICKED and RENT's finales I feel like the is over when act one closes. If I had to wait more than 15 minutes to find out what was I next, I could do it. These shows present second acts that feel more like sequels to me.
I don't get that feeling in NEXT TO NORMAL or FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Both shows have such a hushed urgency that I absolutely cannot wait for people to reclaim their seats and for the houselights to darken.
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joined:6/25/09
Posted: 7/16/12 at 06:45pm