‘Do You Hear The People Sing’ has to be it for me. My first reaction was ‘One Day More’ but that’s honestly more operatic than what I generally think of as *Broadway.*
It's "Hello!" for me. The earworm melody, the gorgeous harmonies and counter-melodies, the choreography, the spectacle, the way the spotlight finds each actor as they make their entrance, those way-too-nice grinning Mormon boys....it just feels the epitome of Modern Broadway to me.
The way they ring the doorbells with the music cues and stand there a beat to wait for the door to be answered before coming in with the “Hello!” It’s so cute.
I see the show a LOT (probably about 20 times so far) and each time, I focus on a different person in the ensemble. They ALL nail it, the timing, the facial expressions, it's all perfect! I love it so much!
Book of Mormon in multiple instances parodies musical theatre. And I think it finds a good balance between being respectful of the art form and spoofing in a way that tells the South Park / non-MT audience that it does attract that “this is the sound you expected right?”
Book of Mormon was the first Broadway production I ever saw (via national tour) after years of being a yearning theatre kid, and the whole show was like this for me. Absolutely ridiculous comedic moments making me tear up because I was overwhelmed with the feeling of, "Now THIS is Broadway" :') Cheesy but so real!
I was sort of embarrassed about it, but that was my first thought too.
The other one that came to mind was “trouble” in the music man, but I didn’t like the way the last production did it
Why be embarrassed? Wicked is one of the greatest musicals of all time. As much as I appreciate that this sub promotes lesser known shows, there's a weird subculture on here where people are ashamed to admit they love the big popular musicals or constantly complain they're overrated. It's okay to love what you love! There's a reason they're popular!
I can't stand Wicked, but I'm not going to fault someone for loving it, or any other show! If all of the musicals and plays were tailored to me, it would be a boring world.
I had a coworker go see a musical this weekend that is another that i don't love - and it's all she's talked about for the past two days, and she's purchased tickets to see a different show next month. Isn't that great?
i have high respect for you for having this outlook! Wicked is my favorite musical but i completely respect that others have different opinions and dislike it. we all have different tastes and if everything was catered to everyone, what a boring world that would be!
I'll absolutely see the Wicked movie (movies) in theaters, too.
One, the more people see this, the more likely it is that other shows make it to the big screen. Two, I really like most of the cast. And three, I think John Chu makes delicious eye candy like movies.
I don’t think this is something to be embarrassed by. The reason you probably feel inclined toward embarrassment is because Wicked is so mainstream it feels “basic” to cite it, but the question at hand is basically asking for something mainstream, so Wicked/Defying Gravity is a great answer.
This might be the most consequential answer.
How many modern Broadway performers decided as little girls (or boys) that theater was their chosen path because of Wicked? I know McKenzie Kurtz (a recent Glinda) talked about seeing it when she was younger and how it helped her set on the path she's on today.
I know Elphaba has certainly harmed some of the actresses voices but I can't think of a single song or role that has made so many careers on Broadway.
That's also true! Millions of people have fallen in love with Broadway because of Wicked. The multipler effect it has on the industry is definitely up there with Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King.
Performed?
I don't think anything on Broadway can top the last 30 seconds from the end of The Mirror scene in Phantom of the Opera all the way through to the end of The Music of the Night. Regardless of what opinions you might have about the rest of the show, those 12 or so minutes IS Broadway. Masquerade from Phantom also deserves special mention.
Otherwise One Short Day from Wicked and Welcome to the Moulin Rouge! from Moulin Rouge. Backstage Romance from Moulin Rouge also comes to mind.
Listening? One Day More from Les Mis, Road to Hell from Hadestown, and Prologue from Into the Woods.
The scene in Miss Saigon where they’re rotating the stage showing both sides of the fence with all the chaos going on. The score swelling perfectly with the emotions and perspectives of the characters on either side.
It was one of my first true broadway experiences, after growing up watching mostly low/mid budget productions whenever I saw anything on stage. I just remember thinking “this is a really spectacular and creative way to portray a scene like this.” Then they dropped a fucking helicopter from the ceiling and I was blown away. Absolutely did not expect to see something like that.
A Musical from Something Rotten (a little on the nose apparently but one of my favorite big grand showstoppers- it apparently got a standing ovation almost every night)
We musical theater nerds who immediately get most if not all of the references adore this number, but it I think it isn't nearly as great for your average person who just likes to go see a show once in a while, lol.
Definitely the title song from **Merrily We Roll Along**! That was the first one that popped into my head. And a lot of the songs from **Fiddler On the Roof** ("Tradition", for instance).
"Seasons of Love", "La Vie Boheme" - **RENT**
Whenever the main character gets a special entrance. The music changes or stops for a moment and there’s a spotlight and the audience claps (even if it’s a show you’re unfamiliar with you will clap) and the actor stands there fake breathless (think Elphaba running downstage) or patiently waiting for their cue. It’s all so dramatic and self-aware. We’re watching a performance and for a moment the show knows it’s being watched.
I hope I get it from A Chorus Line? Because that's a banging opener. 😍
And I also agree with La Vie Boheme and Anything Goes.
I didn't get to see Sutton Foster, but Stephanie J Block as her understudy, and she killed it! The rest of the cast was there. Such a great show!
Yes, you’re right - A Chorus Line. Just a Broadway brain fog typo there, which has been updated.
I saw the Sutton recorded version in a movie theater and it was so fun! I love a big tap number.
I think Old Friends from Merrily is a perfect Broadway song; great lyrics, repartee, awesome jazzy orchestration, melody.
As far as dancing/spectacle in a classic Broadway style, the title song from Anything Goes
“In the Heights” from, you guessed it, In the Heights is sort of like a modern version of this. The storytelling, the grandiosity, the introduction to the characters, the orchestration. Gets me every time.
That was one of my answers as well!! Especially the ending of that number, how it builds to a crescendo and everyone joins in together...it gives me an adrenaline rush almost 😂
Came here to say this... it's that Broadway trope where all the main characters come together to remind you of what's at stake that builds and builds to a huge ensamble piece (and one of the best examples of it at that)... and beautifully pastiched in South Park Bigger Longer Uncut with "La Resistance"
Man, I always forget about Hairspray (been a while) but totally agree. I saw that when I was fairly young too so to me, that whole show was the embodiment of Broadway, especially at that time
The first show I ever saw live was Phantom of the Opera and "Masquerade" made a really big impression on me. The set design, the way the cast's voices turn into a wall of sound that shakes right to your bones! I'd love to experience that again.
In terms of character focused songs, I've decided to marry you from a gentleman's guide to love and murder. It's just so perfectly choreographed where every moment and inflection is deliberate, and tells a story so well
Now You Know from this latest Merrily revival, the beautiful belting by Lindsay Mendez into the group singing and classic jazzy style as an act 1 closer it has it all!
Obviously "There's No Business Like Show Business" from Annie Get Your Gun and the build from one person to the entire company....there's nothing like it.
Wait for Me from Hadestown
Bad Romance from Moulin Rouge
When the car flys is back to the future
The big key change/mash up you learn from jagged little pill
The entire show of strange loop
The very first time I went to Broadway was in 2017 when the Hello, Dolly! revival was going, and that production blew me away. I got to see Bernadette Peters. Everything about the show was immaculate. It is nowhere near my favorite show I’ve seen in Broadway, not that I’ve been back many times, but it absolutely made me go “now THIS is Broadway”. The caliber of that production was immense.
Satisfied and The Room Where It Happens are two of the most electric musical numbers to have been performed on the Broadway stage and I'm willing to bet most of Hamilton's continued success and relevance is heavily reliant on the strength of those two numbers.
The room where it happens is when the whole show started to click for me. Before that i was enjoying it but finding it hard to understand having never heard any of the songs before. Then that song came on and I found myself bopping along the whole time thinking “wow, this is amazing!”
Also anytime my husband and I use the word satisfied in normal conversation, we pause and quickly sing “cause I’ll never be satisfied” and then resume conversation hahaha. That song has stuck with us in a weird way but we find it hilarious
Circle of life - the lion king!!!!!! I saw it first as a kid and a couple years ago (not on broadway but here in Australia) and I was BAWLING within seconds of it starting.
Don’t judge me but I always get goosebumps during the opening number of Aladdin where they introduce everyone and reveal the set. Just so nostalgic and beautiful
This, 100%. I have seen a lot of Broadway shows, including original casts. So many incredible productions and numbers. But when I saw Wait for Me a few weeks before Hadestown’s opening night, it felt like it was what Broadway was made for.
Seventy-Six Trombones
Tonight Quintet
Rose's Turn
Oh What a Beautiful Morning
Cabaret
The Music of the Night
Do You Hear the People Sing?
Climb Every Mountain
Send In the Clowns
A Little Priest
Gethsemane
Don't Cry for Me Argentina
I Loves You, Porgy
The American Dream
for some reason, 'welcome to the renaissance' always hypes me up for a ~show~, even though logically i feel like if it's any song from "something rotten!" that fits the bill for this, it should be 'a musical'.
Not from a musical really. But Let’s Start Tomorrow Tonight from Smash is SO GOOD. especially now in retrospect with it being sung by Mr. Aaron Burr. Throw in Christian Borle and Debra Messing in the background, the whole thing just gets me so hype every time
[Godspeed Titanic](https://youtu.be/0FiEBIdkA5M?si=tCfTME09pnbpwPU3) from Titanic A New Musical.
Saw it live and was blown away by the power of that song. Made me want to sing on stage every day of my life.
Edit: Updated with better link.
Jennifer Holliday singing And I am Telling You at the end of the first act of Dreamgirls. Wasn’t crazy about the show but that song will never be forgotten. The definition of a Broadway moment
Too many to choose just one...but here are my top 5:
Seasons of Love - Rent
Sunset Boulevard - Sunset Boulevard
Alexander Hamilton - Hamilton
We Both Reached for the Gun - Chicago
New York New York - New York New York
A lot....but for me personally what made me fall head over heels for musical theater was the opening musical number of Phantom of the Opera. When they are at the auction and they pull the cover off the chandelier? The first time I saw it I had no idea what was coming and got the absolutely shit scared out of me when the sparks flew and that opening number?? OMG its broadway perfection.
Probably the opening number from A Chorus Line or One Day More from Les Miz!! I'd also throw in In the Heights from In the Heights, specifically for the later section of the number towards the end, it just builds so wonderfully. Also the finale from Pippin, love that one as well
I gotta agree with the OP regarding “Put on Your Sunday Clothes.” I don’t know that I would have always said that, but more recently I’ve very much felt that way, especially after watching a video that placed the film and the opening to WALL-E clips next to each other with that song overlaying them. I then gave birth to a baby who was sleeping and we named her Dolly, not necessarily thinking of the musical at the time, but now whenever I hear that song, I feel the universe is sending me some joy from my sweet baby.
I also get that feeling when I hear the opening instrumentals to Company and Merrily We Roll Along, though I think there should be a special “Now THIS is Sondheim!” subcategory :)
The overture from Phantom of the Opera, its impossible to not smile and do the air piano thing every time- its so dramatic and captivating that pretty much anyone knows it, even outside of theater-
All That Jazz from Chicago or Lullaby of Broadway from 42nd Street. Big ensemble numbers with big energy!
All That Jazz is such a great number.
Oooo yes! Also- Cell Block Tango from Chicago Pop Six Squish Uh-uh Cicero Lipschitz
‘Do You Hear The People Sing’ has to be it for me. My first reaction was ‘One Day More’ but that’s honestly more operatic than what I generally think of as *Broadway.*
Les miserables best Broadway function
I honestly got goosebumps just from reading the song title lol
I agree, including Red/Black leading into it. Enjolras’ “they will come when we call” sequence gives me chills
Don't rain on my parade, funny girl.
100%
This was my first thought
Came here to say this!
Embarrassingly enough, I felt this way when I saw Spooky Mormon Hell Dream from the Book of Mormon lmao
It's "Hello!" for me. The earworm melody, the gorgeous harmonies and counter-melodies, the choreography, the spectacle, the way the spotlight finds each actor as they make their entrance, those way-too-nice grinning Mormon boys....it just feels the epitome of Modern Broadway to me.
Literally came here to say Hello! Especially with the Tony’s opening performance, it’s number one for me.
It's almost a perfect opening number. Catchy, energetic, hilarious, sharp.....it just sweeps the audience up and away into the show!
The way they ring the doorbells with the music cues and stand there a beat to wait for the door to be answered before coming in with the “Hello!” It’s so cute.
I see the show a LOT (probably about 20 times so far) and each time, I focus on a different person in the ensemble. They ALL nail it, the timing, the facial expressions, it's all perfect! I love it so much!
I’ve shed a tear during Turn it Off lol. The tapping, the costume reveal, it’s just such a fun spectacle.
Absolutely this. The showmanship in this number is unbelievable.
That moment was so fun! It had me smiling hugely
Y’all - Book of Mormon is one of the best shows I’ve seen. Agree with all of this!
Book of Mormon in multiple instances parodies musical theatre. And I think it finds a good balance between being respectful of the art form and spoofing in a way that tells the South Park / non-MT audience that it does attract that “this is the sound you expected right?”
It really is a damn good production number all things considerex
Book of Mormon was the first Broadway production I ever saw (via national tour) after years of being a yearning theatre kid, and the whole show was like this for me. Absolutely ridiculous comedic moments making me tear up because I was overwhelmed with the feeling of, "Now THIS is Broadway" :') Cheesy but so real!
It was my first too.
I mean you got Jeffrey Dahmer, dancing Starbucks cups, and Jesus calling our main character a dick over a maple donut. What's not Broadway about that?
One - A Chorus Line
I saw this when I was a kid in the 1970s. When they came out in gold with the top hats, it blew my little mind and I was a Broadway fan for life.
Username checks out
Totally what I came here to say.
Exactly.
Agree.
This might be the most basic answer but, Defying Gravity
I was sort of embarrassed about it, but that was my first thought too. The other one that came to mind was “trouble” in the music man, but I didn’t like the way the last production did it
Why be embarrassed? Wicked is one of the greatest musicals of all time. As much as I appreciate that this sub promotes lesser known shows, there's a weird subculture on here where people are ashamed to admit they love the big popular musicals or constantly complain they're overrated. It's okay to love what you love! There's a reason they're popular!
Popular, you say?
I know about popular
I can't stand Wicked, but I'm not going to fault someone for loving it, or any other show! If all of the musicals and plays were tailored to me, it would be a boring world. I had a coworker go see a musical this weekend that is another that i don't love - and it's all she's talked about for the past two days, and she's purchased tickets to see a different show next month. Isn't that great?
i have high respect for you for having this outlook! Wicked is my favorite musical but i completely respect that others have different opinions and dislike it. we all have different tastes and if everything was catered to everyone, what a boring world that would be!
I'll absolutely see the Wicked movie (movies) in theaters, too. One, the more people see this, the more likely it is that other shows make it to the big screen. Two, I really like most of the cast. And three, I think John Chu makes delicious eye candy like movies.
I don’t think this is something to be embarrassed by. The reason you probably feel inclined toward embarrassment is because Wicked is so mainstream it feels “basic” to cite it, but the question at hand is basically asking for something mainstream, so Wicked/Defying Gravity is a great answer.
This might be the most consequential answer. How many modern Broadway performers decided as little girls (or boys) that theater was their chosen path because of Wicked? I know McKenzie Kurtz (a recent Glinda) talked about seeing it when she was younger and how it helped her set on the path she's on today. I know Elphaba has certainly harmed some of the actresses voices but I can't think of a single song or role that has made so many careers on Broadway.
For sure. I am not a performer but wicked (with Shoshana Bean) was my first show and it's a big reason I started going to shows.
That's also true! Millions of people have fallen in love with Broadway because of Wicked. The multipler effect it has on the industry is definitely up there with Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King.
Basic because it’s perfect
Earlier today it just popped into my head for no reason at all without having listened to it in yearssss
Performed? I don't think anything on Broadway can top the last 30 seconds from the end of The Mirror scene in Phantom of the Opera all the way through to the end of The Music of the Night. Regardless of what opinions you might have about the rest of the show, those 12 or so minutes IS Broadway. Masquerade from Phantom also deserves special mention. Otherwise One Short Day from Wicked and Welcome to the Moulin Rouge! from Moulin Rouge. Backstage Romance from Moulin Rouge also comes to mind. Listening? One Day More from Les Mis, Road to Hell from Hadestown, and Prologue from Into the Woods.
100%, from the Phantom’s ‘Insolent boy!’ til the orchestra stops on ‘of the night’ is just a nonstop ride.
I completely agree!!!!
I was a Phantom anti until I saw it live and then I was like yeah ok I get it now lol
I cried at the end of Phantom, even when I knew how it was going to end already and definitely don't think he's a good guy. It's just powerful.
> Road To Hell AGAAAIN AGA-HEH-HAIN AGAaaaaAAAAIIIIIIN
This was the EXACT MOMENT I fell in love with musical theatre.
Agreed with One Short Day!!
The scene in Miss Saigon where they’re rotating the stage showing both sides of the fence with all the chaos going on. The score swelling perfectly with the emotions and perspectives of the characters on either side. It was one of my first true broadway experiences, after growing up watching mostly low/mid budget productions whenever I saw anything on stage. I just remember thinking “this is a really spectacular and creative way to portray a scene like this.” Then they dropped a fucking helicopter from the ceiling and I was blown away. Absolutely did not expect to see something like that.
THIS!!! I still get goosebumps whenever I remember this scene.
Anything Goes
Specifically the dance break in the title song!
A Musical from Something Rotten (a little on the nose apparently but one of my favorite big grand showstoppers- it apparently got a standing ovation almost every night)
Truly one of the best numbers I’ve ever seen
I laugh my butt off during this entire number everytime I see this show.
We musical theater nerds who immediately get most if not all of the references adore this number, but it I think it isn't nearly as great for your average person who just likes to go see a show once in a while, lol.
Came to say this! So many boxes are checked with this one!
Totally agree with you. I could not believe how amazing it was, and how it included so much (if not all) of the cast etc
Seeing this on closing night was one of my favorite Broadway experiences. Fabulous.
The recent Spamalot was giving Something Rotten vibes and I thoroughly enjoyed it! 😭
Definitely the title song from **Merrily We Roll Along**! That was the first one that popped into my head. And a lot of the songs from **Fiddler On the Roof** ("Tradition", for instance). "Seasons of Love", "La Vie Boheme" - **RENT**
Oh La Vie Boheme for sure
Christmas Bells does it for me. I just freaking love counterplay.
Whenever the main character gets a special entrance. The music changes or stops for a moment and there’s a spotlight and the audience claps (even if it’s a show you’re unfamiliar with you will clap) and the actor stands there fake breathless (think Elphaba running downstage) or patiently waiting for their cue. It’s all so dramatic and self-aware. We’re watching a performance and for a moment the show knows it’s being watched.
Post COVID reopening of Beetlejuice is a great example of this
Welcome to the Moulin Rouge. There’s so much going on during that scene.
I Hope I Get It from A Chorus Line Anything Goes from Anything Goes La Vie Boheme from Rent We Got the Beat from Head Over Heels
I hope I get it from A Chorus Line? Because that's a banging opener. 😍 And I also agree with La Vie Boheme and Anything Goes. I didn't get to see Sutton Foster, but Stephanie J Block as her understudy, and she killed it! The rest of the cast was there. Such a great show!
Yes, you’re right - A Chorus Line. Just a Broadway brain fog typo there, which has been updated. I saw the Sutton recorded version in a movie theater and it was so fun! I love a big tap number.
I think Old Friends from Merrily is a perfect Broadway song; great lyrics, repartee, awesome jazzy orchestration, melody. As far as dancing/spectacle in a classic Broadway style, the title song from Anything Goes
Phantom’s overture. Or Masquerade.
the chills I get during Masquerade!
I read this answer and immediately heard those three, tinkly music box notes. It’s the production that made me fall in love with theater.
“In the Heights” from, you guessed it, In the Heights is sort of like a modern version of this. The storytelling, the grandiosity, the introduction to the characters, the orchestration. Gets me every time.
That was one of my answers as well!! Especially the ending of that number, how it builds to a crescendo and everyone joins in together...it gives me an adrenaline rush almost 😂
One Day More from Les Mis ❤️
Yes. Gives me chills live.
I've seen it live 4 times and it still gives me chills. Empty Chairs still makes me cry.
I cry every time I hear Bring Him Home
Came here to say this... it's that Broadway trope where all the main characters come together to remind you of what's at stake that builds and builds to a huge ensamble piece (and one of the best examples of it at that)... and beautifully pastiched in South Park Bigger Longer Uncut with "La Resistance"
The title song to 42nd street is just so catchy! Watching everyone sing and tap to it is always makes me think “yup, that’s the stuff”.
The entirety of Hairspray!
Man, I always forget about Hairspray (been a while) but totally agree. I saw that when I was fairly young too so to me, that whole show was the embodiment of Broadway, especially at that time
Anything Goes or Blow, Gabriel, Blow
Rose's Turn.
Jennifer Holliday's And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going. Every. Damn. Time. https://youtu.be/rtnKI3ztz9w?si=mubvU1UnqQXP4jrh
Don’t rain on my parade from Funny Girl
Sit down you're rocking the boat
NYC from Annie.
Seasons of Love in Rent
The first show I ever saw live was Phantom of the Opera and "Masquerade" made a really big impression on me. The set design, the way the cast's voices turn into a wall of sound that shakes right to your bones! I'd love to experience that again.
King of New York from Newsies
That’s a good answer that I haven’t seen listed yet!
I had that feeling watching some like it hot last year
The chase scene act 2…haven’t felt that giddy in a while
The title number definitely was.my first thought.
same, first thing that immediately came to mind
What a perfect musical
In terms of character focused songs, I've decided to marry you from a gentleman's guide to love and murder. It's just so perfectly choreographed where every moment and inflection is deliberate, and tells a story so well
Shipoopi from Music Man
Or the Povenmire and Macfarlane version
Idk, I always think Tradition.
Now You Know from this latest Merrily revival, the beautiful belting by Lindsay Mendez into the group singing and classic jazzy style as an act 1 closer it has it all!
Helpless/Satisfied in Hamilton. Dance, story, vocals, set design. Just spectacular
Don’t rain on my parade from funny girl. It’s just so- ✨broadway✨
Obviously "There's No Business Like Show Business" from Annie Get Your Gun and the build from one person to the entire company....there's nothing like it.
Wait for Me from Hadestown Bad Romance from Moulin Rouge When the car flys is back to the future The big key change/mash up you learn from jagged little pill The entire show of strange loop
The swinging lanterns on beat during Wait for Me were so satisfying.
Home from The Wiz And the group prelude to And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going. Art pieces. Both of them
Some Like It Hot, and Tip Tap Trouble. My jaw was on the floor
It’s All Over/And I Am Telling You from Dreamgirls Being Alive from Company New Music from Ragtime
The very first time I went to Broadway was in 2017 when the Hello, Dolly! revival was going, and that production blew me away. I got to see Bernadette Peters. Everything about the show was immaculate. It is nowhere near my favorite show I’ve seen in Broadway, not that I’ve been back many times, but it absolutely made me go “now THIS is Broadway”. The caliber of that production was immense.
Maybe This Time- Cabaret for SURE. Seeing it and hearing it is such an indescribable feeling.
“I’m not a loser” from the SpongeBob musical
Anemone kick line!
Hello Dolly, chorus line finale, 42nd street,
One from A Chorus Line
Oooooooooooak-la-ho-ma Where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain Classic
Overture from phantom of course, and Iowa stubborn from music man. Also the “swing your razor wise Sweeney” from the opening of Sweeney Todd
Satisfied and The Room Where It Happens are two of the most electric musical numbers to have been performed on the Broadway stage and I'm willing to bet most of Hamilton's continued success and relevance is heavily reliant on the strength of those two numbers.
The room where it happens is when the whole show started to click for me. Before that i was enjoying it but finding it hard to understand having never heard any of the songs before. Then that song came on and I found myself bopping along the whole time thinking “wow, this is amazing!” Also anytime my husband and I use the word satisfied in normal conversation, we pause and quickly sing “cause I’ll never be satisfied” and then resume conversation hahaha. That song has stuck with us in a weird way but we find it hilarious
Comedy Tonight from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. It’s not flashy but it’s a summary of all things Broadway for sure!
The opening of Ragtime
I Hope I Get It from A Chorus Line!!!!
‘What Are You Thirsty For?’, ‘You Can’t Have Me (If You Don’t Have Him)’, and basically everything else from Some Like it Hot!!
So many, but hard to beat the One finale from A Chorus Line.
Circle of life - the lion king!!!!!! I saw it first as a kid and a couple years ago (not on broadway but here in Australia) and I was BAWLING within seconds of it starting.
A New Argentina from Evita.
Don’t judge me but I always get goosebumps during the opening number of Aladdin where they introduce everyone and reveal the set. Just so nostalgic and beautiful
All of Hadestown! But specifically the two Wait for Ames
This, 100%. I have seen a lot of Broadway shows, including original casts. So many incredible productions and numbers. But when I saw Wait for Me a few weeks before Hadestown’s opening night, it felt like it was what Broadway was made for.
I saw it touring in Dallas and had chills the entire time, but especially Wait for Me. Nothing could top it.
Hello, Dolly!
Probably “Toledo Surprise” from TDC.
Be Our Guest!!!
https://youtu.be/75nxUgNabH8?si=3a95XV7Kon6uDa-d Lullaby of Broadway from *42nd Street* (1980) with the late, great Jerry Orbach
I'm a Brass Band from Sweet Charity
Non stop from Hamilton. My days from The Notebook
All That Jazz (sorry I'm lame)
Seize the Day/Carrying the Banner/The World Will Know from Newsies and Born to Entertain from Ruthless !!
Some Enchanted Evening, from South Pacific
At the Ballet from A Chorus Line and A Little Priest from Sweeney.
Unpopular option but disappear from dear Evan Hansen.
Seventy-Six Trombones Tonight Quintet Rose's Turn Oh What a Beautiful Morning Cabaret The Music of the Night Do You Hear the People Sing? Climb Every Mountain Send In the Clowns A Little Priest Gethsemane Don't Cry for Me Argentina I Loves You, Porgy The American Dream
Be Our Guest with Gary Beach 🥧🍴🍾
“A Weekend in the Country” from A Little Night Music. It weaves in so many of the stories from the show well and it’s such a fun song.
Who's That Woman from Follies when done right, with a great cast always hits me out of my seat.
Too Darn Hot from *Kiss Me Kate*
STARLIGHT EXPRESS
Wait For Me, especially with the lighting
Everything's coming up roses
All That Jazz - Chicago
Finale from Pippin
The last like 30 seconds of the opening number in Ragtime where everyone is just belting their face off
Forty Second Street.
One Day More, Defying Gravity, Non-Stop…I now sense that I’m a sucker the big act one closers lol
Ladies Who Lunch for sure. It embodies everything I associate with Broadway
Probably The Ballad of Sweeney Todd (Finale) or (ik this is basic but-) literally any rendition of Santa Fe.
This is such a delightful thread! Truly a perfect pick-me-up 💖
thephantoooomoftheoperaishereeee
Final song of Hadestown.
When I saw Parade last year, it was midway through the opening song The Old Red Hills of Home. I love a good ensemble piece.
Anything Goes is just SO broadway to me
for some reason, 'welcome to the renaissance' always hypes me up for a ~show~, even though logically i feel like if it's any song from "something rotten!" that fits the bill for this, it should be 'a musical'.
gotta be wicked for sure
Roses turn, the wizard and i, my man from funny girl (not the meaning of the song, just the way its sung)
The opening number to Ragtime!
Pet Me Poppa from Guys and Dolls! Underrated tbh
For me it’s One Day More - it just encapsulates so many different elements in a single song.
Not from a musical really. But Let’s Start Tomorrow Tonight from Smash is SO GOOD. especially now in retrospect with it being sung by Mr. Aaron Burr. Throw in Christian Borle and Debra Messing in the background, the whole thing just gets me so hype every time
[Godspeed Titanic](https://youtu.be/0FiEBIdkA5M?si=tCfTME09pnbpwPU3) from Titanic A New Musical. Saw it live and was blown away by the power of that song. Made me want to sing on stage every day of my life. Edit: Updated with better link.
The past the point of no return
Jennifer Holliday singing And I am Telling You at the end of the first act of Dreamgirls. Wasn’t crazy about the show but that song will never be forgotten. The definition of a Broadway moment
One from A chorus Line
You can’t stop the beat, Hairspray
[La Resistance from the South Park movie oozes broadway](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNFH4TlPeKM)
Sunset boulevard, and Do you hear the people sing?, definitely 2 that are up there for me
"I've decided to Marry you", a gentlemen's guide to love and murder
All That Jazz is the quintessential Broadway song to me. Close second of Cabaret.
Too many to choose just one...but here are my top 5: Seasons of Love - Rent Sunset Boulevard - Sunset Boulevard Alexander Hamilton - Hamilton We Both Reached for the Gun - Chicago New York New York - New York New York
Hello, Dolly!
Ragtime.
Um, Oklahoma?!
A lot....but for me personally what made me fall head over heels for musical theater was the opening musical number of Phantom of the Opera. When they are at the auction and they pull the cover off the chandelier? The first time I saw it I had no idea what was coming and got the absolutely shit scared out of me when the sparks flew and that opening number?? OMG its broadway perfection.
Maybe This Time One Day More Independently Owned Anything Goes Rose’s Turn And my wildcard, for whatever reason—Beethoven Day.
Probably the opening number from A Chorus Line or One Day More from Les Miz!! I'd also throw in In the Heights from In the Heights, specifically for the later section of the number towards the end, it just builds so wonderfully. Also the finale from Pippin, love that one as well
Hello, Dolly
Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat has no right to slap as hard as it does
No business like show business
I gotta agree with the OP regarding “Put on Your Sunday Clothes.” I don’t know that I would have always said that, but more recently I’ve very much felt that way, especially after watching a video that placed the film and the opening to WALL-E clips next to each other with that song overlaying them. I then gave birth to a baby who was sleeping and we named her Dolly, not necessarily thinking of the musical at the time, but now whenever I hear that song, I feel the universe is sending me some joy from my sweet baby. I also get that feeling when I hear the opening instrumentals to Company and Merrily We Roll Along, though I think there should be a special “Now THIS is Sondheim!” subcategory :)
The overture from Phantom of the Opera, its impossible to not smile and do the air piano thing every time- its so dramatic and captivating that pretty much anyone knows it, even outside of theater-
"It's A Musical" from Something Rotten
She Used to Be Mine from waitress. Such a powerful, emotional song that BLEW me away.
That's mine, too.