Top 10 Opening Songs from Musicals That Give Us Chills

[@MsMojo]

Which opening musical number gives YOU chills? Let us know below, and be sure to also check out our video of the Top 10 Opening Songs from Broadway Musicals - kzbin.info/www/bejne/baTHiZyvecZ5d68

[@markturpin584]

The entire opening of Titanic!

[@foxy02919]

You can't forget "Fall Fair" from "Ride the Cyclone". It is SO GOOD on setting the scene and mood of the rest of the show.

[@noobbutteryt9801]

For me not quite chills, but god damn “I Need To Know” from Jekyll and Hyde just pulls me in, I love it so much

[@LJTan]

I hope I get it from A Chorus Line needed to be on this list!

[@bulovapsb]

@@LJTanWho am I, anyway…?

[@kylejohnson6867]

“Once upon a time.” “I wish.” Into the Woods, Prologue. That opening chord brings chills to my spine every time I hear it.

[@lrokrasz]

Came here to say this!

[@emilydiveley9661]

@@lrokrasz me too

[@KT-sq2ml]

Was just coming to post this opening!! Love it and always will!

[@rebeccaboone1236]

I thought this would be. Number 1!

[@jmichaelhpaul]

“More than anything.”Best Musical Ever!!

[@AnnMegFair]

Might be recency bias for me but, "Road to Hell" from Hadestown gets me incredibly hyped everytime I hear it. Live band on the stage and the energy Hermes brings and how they have the audience glued to the story immediately. I think it's so, so good!

[@MusicGeekX]

I second this statement

[@notesbynor]

AIGHT!!

[@soccerwizard975]

My initial thought. It should be around Hamilton

[@dougrenze7473]

I was jumping on to add this! One of my favorites, but I've got to say that I wish I had the recording of the traveling company that did the show I first saw.

[@Mossymoss69]

REAL

[@WerthFamily]

Rent, they had one of the most amazing openings. It set up the story, set up each character, and was huge. This should have been a top 3.

[@A-ro-2803]

1000 percent, came to the comments to say exactly this

[@erichuxel5408]

"All That Jazz" from Chicago is such a great opening!!

[@MidwesternDiva]

Yes! Perfectly sets the tone and builds the world

[@jenmck23]

As a Canadian who was too young to be able to truly understand just everything that happened that day, I'm so proud of how such a small community showed the world just how kind we can be and how we can come together in times of need. I may be an Ontarian but have family roots in me from there and am so proud to be part Newfie. Come From Away is such an amazing story and to make it a musical and not just a documentary on TV is very unique and so special. It took such a horrid day and turned the heartwarming actions of a small town and educated the world what being neighbours to the North means.

[@bulovapsb]

“And I turn on the radio…” I remember *exactly* what I was doing…and this segue *always* brings tears.

[@CaroSez]

I was old enough and for my money, the “Newfies” saved the world.

[@gke8]

I drove my parents through Canada to Vermont starting on Sept. 12. They had plane tickets to leave on the 12th. I will always be grateful for the support and compassion we received. Thank you, Canada. ❤

[@ElectricStitches]

I was an American student going to college in Newfoundland when 9/11 happened. I can’t describe how supported and cared for I was by my friends, the staff and faculty and my other classmates. I can’t watch Come From Away without crying/laughing/crying the whole time. If I couldn’t be home for that horrible time, I’m so thankful I was there.

[@CinnamonQuills]

It may not have made it to Broadway, but the stage version of Hunchback of Notre Dame took the already-chill-inducing opening song and kicked it up about ten notches, with a full choir and the actor transforming into Quasimodo on stage.

[@raindrop.47]

YES omg it gives me chills every time!

[@Phelie315]

Came here to say this. One of the best openings, that choir gives you goosebumps for days!

[@willoww7023]

Thank you! Yes. That whole album is goosebump-inducing ear candy.

[@bmariska]

YES!

[@bk_truth9143]

Agreed! The whole show is very underrated!

[@alicialuxx8210]

As a newfie, come from away always makes me proud when I see it on a top 10 list

[@gordongraham7]

It's my favorite show of all time. It's incredible!

[@creativename3256]

It’s so good! The reason I clicked this video

[@RedwoodGirl-z8x]

I was so glad this was included!! It brings tears to my eyes every single time.

[@hprotz6600]

I can't make it through the soundtrack without crying. Made the mistake of trying to listen to it for the first time at work. Had to turn it off before I broke down at my desk.

[@dennisegrant5901]

@@hprotz6600 the final 'No I'm fine Tom, I'm fine' gets the waterworks going for me

[@whitneyfricke7484]

The opening of West Side Story is so icon and the music was ground breaking for musical at that time. Gets me every time!

[@Writer9]

"Opening/I Hope I Get It" from A Chorus Line and "Rent" from RENT

[@KakiOlsenCreative]

Except “Rent” is multiple songs in.

[@tejaswoman]

It's inexcusable they didn't name "I Hope I Get It" as the top pick.

[@T123456788]

@@KakiOlsenCreative What? No. What song comes before Rent? It's literally the first words of the musical: December 24th, 9pm, eastern standard time from here on I shoot without a script.

[@Azraline]

@@T123456788 In the movie they sing Seasons of Love first. In the play the voicemail and tune ups come first.

[@T123456788]

@@Azraline Movie doesn't count but I forgot the tuneups/voicemail are considered separate tracks

[@Modern_Pirate]

Come from Away is such a good show!!! I was surprised that Ex-Wives from Six, or Welcome to the Moulin Rouge from Moulin Rouge weren’t ranked or listed, they never fail to give me chills

[@brianreising3293]

Cabaret's "Willkommen" is one I really enjoy. Strongly recommend for any bookmark/reprise style list in the future

[@ChienaAvtzon]

I was so surprised “Willkommen” was not featured on the list.

[@davidrosenberg9615]

I was expecting it to be on this list.

[@MrRraoulof]

As a student I was working as an usher in a cinema where Cabaret was playing. I saw the opening "willkommen". many, many times and it still gave me goosebumps.

[@michellec6119]

@@davidrosenberg9615me too!

[@FionaHobson-on4tz]

I was in fiddler on the roof last year. I played an ensemble daughter but it was SO much fun. Each group is so unique. The song tradition had so much energy and it was fun getting to see the awe in people’s faces every night.

[@northernwords9966]

I just finished my fiddler run two weeks ago! I was an ensemble mama and I relate with everything you said! Some refugees came to our show and felt very moved and really enjoyed it too which was so exciting to hear it was able to touch people

[@daniellem_24]

i did fiddler my junior year of high school and it was my favorite show i’ve done! i played fruma sarah and a mama as well!

[@dawnieb.7394]

@@northernwords9966 that's amazing! Do you perform in community theatre?

[@northernwords9966]

@@dawnieb.7394 Yeah, this theatre company is for people under 19 but run by adults. It’s a semi professional theatre company and anyone of age can join

[@lefantomer]

How did Disney justify the inane "live action" version of "Lion King" when this brilliant staging was there all the time just waiting to be filmed?

[@drekfletch]

Probably because they wouldn't get ALL the profits.

[@pierrexxanubis]

It has been filmed. And already been released to the public.

[@Asongbook]

Because we ae more interested in the Uncanny Valley than styized storytelling. The technicals on that show are AMAZING.

[@chelseacanales8763]

I still get goosebumps whenever I hear the opening song of The Sound of Music

[@firefalcoln]

IMO it just pales in comparison to the act 1 ending song of “climb every mountain”. The visuals of the movie are cool for the opening. But for the theater show they’re not able to capture those same visuals from the helicopter of her up alone in the mountains.

[@MarshallArtz007]

“Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

[@edifice2773]

Agreed. That song changed musical theater forever.

[@117Orion]

@@edifice2773 I fully expected that to be #1 for that reason alone. In the era when most musicals started with a big flashy chorus, the simplicity of Curly strolling onstage and beginning “Oh What a Beautiful Morning,” unaccompanied, was especially thrilling.

[@reneestockdale-homick343]

Oklahoma was one of the first movie musicals I ever saw, and I was blown away by Joel McCray singing that song.

[@edifice2773]

@@reneestockdale-homick343 You mean Gordon McRae?

[@reneestockdale-homick343]

@@edifice2773 OMG, yes, you’re right! Sorry I got that mixed up. SMH

[@Anthingll]

100% agree with number one. The ending of the number where the chorus are repeatedly singing “Sweeney” like the violin stabs in the Psycho score giving way to the first entrance of Sweeney himself is a pure goosebump moment.

[@clairethechimera9718]

Come from away is one of my favorite musicals ever! Had me BAWLING

[@Phelie315]

Never cried as much in a theatre and that's saying something ngl

[@geraldineclarke5434]

I saw Sweeney Todd in it's original version on Broadway the first week it opened. I knew absolutely nothing about it except it was by Sondheim. I've never been so blown away in my life.

[@mervyngreene6687]

I know exactly what you mean!!! I had a very similar experience. "A Chorus Line" was sold out, so my friend got us for the new "Sondheim musical." All I knew was that Angela ("Mame") Lansbury and Len ("A Little Night Music") were in the show. I was blown away from the beginning until the end!

[@geraldineclarke5434]

@@mervyngreene6687 We were two lucky people!

[@Beth_Alice_Kaplan]

So. Jealous.

[@mockingray-sd8rq]

That's so cool! I saw the revival and it's definitely one of the best musical openings I've ever seen. Just the music along with the lighting was SO good!

[@Acadian_Proud]

Come From Away is a musical that speaks of the true stories that the writers discovered when they went to Gander Newfoundland on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. A number of the ‘plane people’ (the term that refers to those in the planes that landed in Gander when the planes were ordered to land at the nearest airport) travelled back to Gander and the surrounding communities to thank those who took in over 7000 people.

[@TNorville101]

Come from Away was one of the best musicals I've ever seen. I had zero expectations, and have never laughed and cried within one performance as I had with that.

[@kermitTHEdinosaur93]

I can think of a few: ."Arabian Knights"- Aladdin ."Bikini Bottom Day"- Spongebob The Musical ."Good Morning Baltimore"- Hairspray ."In the Heights"- In the Heights musical ."Santa Fe (Prolouge)/Carrying the Banner"- Newsies ."Rent"- RENT the Musical .The Into the Woods Prologue- Into the Woods

[@soccerwizard975]

Road to hell

[@KT-sq2ml]

I was surprised - pleasantly - to see Maybe as one of your choices! Annie was the first musical I saw on Broadway, and that opening number will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ll never forget the chills I got hearing the orchestra playing the Overture but when that curtain rose and Annie started singing Maybe I just fell in love with the entire spectacle of live theater. ❤

[@constantlycomic1290]

"Magic to Do" from Pippin is my personal favorite. It's a masterfully ominous buildup that is simultaneously enticing and unnerving

[@jarrodashley-vanduser676]

The exact “You are here” moment you played from “Welcome to the Rock” literally gave me chills both times I saw it on Broadway

[@brand_the_man]

The opening of Ragtime should’ve been on this list. Hands down one of the best. It gives me chills every single time.

[@bethd.6670]

Was coming here to say that. It is amazing!

[@Joeoguzon]

9.5 minutes of magic. I got to be in the ensemble a few months ago 🙂

[@Telamond]

I was gonna come here to say this too. It's a crime it's so forgotten.

[@SweetJackknife]

SHOCKED it didn’t make the list!

[@EdmondGuay]

PREACH!

[@Lavolanges]

September 1998, Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre Colm Wilkinson kneels on the stage 🎶🎵Look down! Look down! I burst into tears. The tears kept coming throughout the performance. At the end of the night I rise and catch sight of a guy who’d been sitting a row behind and a few sears over. In his hands, a ball of soggy tissues, probably a full box worth. I hear him comment to someone, “Guess I didn’t cope with this show too well!” “Neither did I Buddy, neither did I.”

[@jairynbullinger]

“Prologue: Old Red Hills of Home” from Parade in my mind is a perfect opening number. It’s a beautiful timely melody that does a stunning job setting up the culture of a town bred in pride and hatred; while subliminally alienating the main character. From the first 8 minutes of the show, it shows you how it was possible for all events to take place the way they did

[@TheBlkSimsQyeen]

I sobbed during this I was in ensemble and omg the final night we all struggled to get through the song

[@rebekahbrannan7246]

I was really hoping that would be on here! I can't even describe the emotions I get from that musical, and particularly "The Old Red Hills of Home."

[@ks350]

I'm so glad they included 'Deliver Us' from Prince of Egypt. Truly a masterpiece and moving opening! Gets me every time, especially when the mother starts singing.

[@ChristChickAutistic]

Ex Wives from Six. "Divorced." "Beheaded." "Died." "Divorced." "Beheaded." "Survived." Always gets me. Oh What A Beautiful Morning from Oklahoma! The song that made me fall in love with musical theater when I was young. Alexander Hamilton from Hamilton. Can't avoid goosies every time I hear it.

[@Nurichiri]

Where is Ex-wives from Six? You can't say that opening with the drum leading into each wife mentioning their single word fate doesn't give you goosebumps.

[@jesssssx.lv3s]

it’s iconic but not iconic enough to be on the list imo

[@aliebellule]

Come from Away is the one that got to me the most. But I’m from Atlantic Canada, so I’m totally biased

[@Midlander83]

I’m not though - and I completely agree 😊

[@dawnieb.7394]

For Les Miz, Instead of the "Prologue" I would have gone with "At the End of the Day" for those chills you're looking for. Those opening notes, with the brass and violins crashing in - complete shivers!!

[@chris_versteegen_]

My vote is for RENT. Powerful, punchy, tells you where these misfits are heading without giving away too much. Love it! ❤🧡💛

[@WerthFamily]

Yessss!!!!!

[@theozucconi6350]

@@WerthFamilyIt’s not really an opening number though because it doesn’t begin the show

[@dawnieb.7394]

@@theozucconi6350 it's the first complete song, though.

[@yvonneksheherhers5301]

phantom of the opera theme always gives me chills

[@cuttlefishagain]

I was looking for that. the overture with the chandelier is the quintessential chill-giving opening...c'mon now lol. unless this list just had songs with words/lyrics (vs. just music)

[@horsechick818]

@@cuttlefishagainthey said at the beginning that the list doesn’t include overtures because they should have their own ranked list

[@cuttlefishagain]

@@horsechick818 oh ok, thanks. I didn't watch the intro lol

[@suek7086]

It was my late daughters absolute favorite.

[@KZ1211-t2q]

I agree with a lot of your picks, but the opening that I adore is Ragtime. It sets up the entire show, and the harmonies and power of the end of the song are incredibly beautiful.

[@katrinahake1715]

All That Jazz from Chicago! But my personal favorite opening number is Still Hurting from The Last 5 Years. My first time hearing it I literally had tears streaming down my face in less than a minute and that raw hurt that was conveyed through the music and lyrics Cathy sang.

[@jeanneragonese709]

Titanic, Ragtime, Into The Woods are 3 that come to mind. All 3 are astounding!

[@MidwesternDiva]

I didn’t even think of Titanic! So haunting

[@mikeyb6859]

From the first time I ever heard it, "Seasons of Love" from Rent has always given me goosebumps and a tear in my eye. It is one of the most beautifully haunting songs I've ever heard.

[@Duchess-crockett]

I feel like I am on a never ending mission to have everyone appreciate The Prince of Egypt as the masterpiece that it is! And this is like the third or fourth video I have watched where y’all have had it on a top countdown list, so thank you for doing so much for the cause, lol!

[@jobuck879]

I don’t know it if this song qualifies but when I first heard the opening Little Shop Of Horrors (movies and musical with the same title) I was on locked in.

[@fashionablechangeling2003]

Yeah, that qualifies

[@AngeliqueStP]

Oh hell yeah 'Little Shop' ...that Motown Sound just hooks you right in and never let's go.

[@jenewok]

That's my favorite!

[@TBSTL2024]

Yes - "Downtown" is an incredible opening number from a musical. So glad that someone else thought so too.

[@cijmo]

I love "Aquarius" but then I was a child in those days and everything (to me) was so colourful and pretty. It was my halcyon years so I didn't know how truly ugly the world was at that time LOL.

[@lueagle09]

Come From Away is great considering the emotion derived from that moment.

[@peggyknecht5551]

I was in Jesus Christ Superstar. Heaven on Their Minds got the whole cast pumped up to perform.

[@alysmith7529]

Been wanting to watch come from Away for a long time and finally got around to it last week and wow the whole thing gave me chills. Proud to be Canadian

[@firefalcoln]

I’m surprised that Into the Woods didn’t even make an honorable mention. That opening song covers SOOOOOO much and is integral to getting all of the many storylines established and connected with the characters going “Into the Woods”.

[@dawnieb.7394]

I agree it's fabulous! BUT, I think their criteria of giving you "chills" is why it didn't make the cut. I think their definition leans more toward the melancholy/haunting side.

[@disabledisney]

Welcome to the Rock even in this video gave me chills all over. It's just so powerful! I saw The Lion King here in the Netherlands, and when I got to see it on the West End, both me and my mom were *sobbing* from the first note. BUT YES SWEENEY TODD PRELUUUDEEEE the "what happened then well that's the play and he wouldn't want us to give it away" is just PERFECT

[@allthingsmovies10164]

I think 'Food, Glorious Food' from Oliver! fits this category pretty well.

[@firefalcoln]

I was fortunate enough to go to high school and perform in high school drama with the woman at 7:34 on the left (Katie Boeck) who was the voice of the female lead in that Spring Awakening revival. A very talented performer and musician.

[@gbh0031]

Ragtime should be on this list. The opening number sets up the show.

[@trinaq]

"Just Another Day" is a great introduction to the dysfunctional Goodman family, and how they're determined to bottle up their respective traumas, sung under an upbeat melody.

[@christinebutler7630]

May you be.forever blessed, people of Newfoundland. Greetings and lobe from North Carolina.

"IN" from Carrie - the musical gets me every time. No matter what you might think of the idea of turning the story into a musical, the songs are incredible.

[@strawberrysoulforever8336]

5:31 I live in New Zealand, so I didn't hear until 9/12. But I do remember exactly where I was. I was sitting in my classroom, six years old and hearing about these Twin Towers I'd never even known existed. No "Beautiful" from Heathers? For shame! That summed up the setting, the characters, the theme and the backstory all in one go. I still get chills the second Veronica runs out in her blue blazer and miniskirt.

[@munbok]

I'm surprised that the classic opening number "Jet Song" from West Side Story did not make it to this list.

[@whitneyfricke7484]

Agreed!

[@CaitlynisaKitty]

I had a chance to see Come From Away this spring in Lexington, and thanks to my friend I actually got to go. I knew I was going to get emotional, especially at Me and the Sky, but Welcome to the Rock hit me so hard. I was nearly bawling by the end of the show, but that certainly didn't do me any favors at the top.

[@averytussing7913]

Just a few other openings I think are... *chef's kiss* Miracle from Matilda: The Musical Roaring On from The Great Gatsby The Whole Being Dead Thing from Beetlejuice When You're an Addams from Addams Family Overture/Prologue: A Warning to the Audience from A Gentlemen's Guide to Love and Murder Lost in the Darkness from Jekyll and Hyde Ex-Wives from SIX: The Musical In from Carrie Welcome to the Moulin Rouge! from Moulin Rouge Prologue/The Day I Got Expelled from Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Prologue: Into the Woods from Into the Woods Company from Company Time from The Notebook Epiphany from Bare: A Pop Opera Wow I really didn't think I had that many others on my mind

[@cecelliarogers7346]

I second the vote for Matilda!

[@michele.the.quilter6174]

We saw Come From Away this year and it was so powerful! I loved the music.

[@loutuu]

if you would count it i would say carrying the banner from newsies is up there because the harmony’s give you chills and the dancing oh my god the dancing

[@GingerPrincessVlogs]

Last five years has an amazing opening number!

[@katrinahake1715]

Yes!! I commented this as my favorite. I was literally in tears in less than a minute the first time hearing it

[@davevanfunk8917]

FIddler opening with "Tradition" really sets the viewer up for a play which shows how traditions are blown apart for Tevye's community.

[@SenCherylKagan]

I adored the opening number of "Big River." And "Sit Down John" from 1776 lays out the whole story really well.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

Ditto 1776 - "Sit Down, John!"

[@erinjade86]

I saw Come From Away on tour knowing almost nothing about it (just the story of the town taking in people on 9/11 because I’d read an article about it many years before). I’ve never loved a musical more. I stood up at the end and said “I want to see that again.” It’s even more amazing considering how small the cast is and how minimal the staging is.

[@jediwesty]

I think Prologue from Ragtime deserves a mention. Weaves so much together and then the end when all three groups are singing it just sets up such an underrated musical.

[@Jserna05]

I would've put In The Heights and Beetlejuice in the Honorable mention, personally. Both are great at setting the tone and establishing the narrative.

[@ericbnielsen]

I would have put “Hello” from The Book of Mormon on the list.

[@dawnieb.7394]

I thought of that too, but I think they're going for a bit more of a haunting feel. This number gives me chills in a different way, with the harmonizing and just the sheer power of the voices.

[@Beth_Alice_Kaplan]

That doesn’t give one chills…just the giggles. Different countdown. 😏

[@thattheaterkid123]

“Live Like This” from Tuck Everlasting literally gives me chills. The harmonies are so amazing! Also “Food Glorious Food” from Oliver! Is also amazing!

[@lianap7497]

i saw sweeney todd last weekend (a theater company based in Canada) and it gave me CHILLS it was amazing

[@asexualbert7262]

I'm not sure if it _technically_ counts, but Carrying the Banner. It's just got such great energy; it really gets you into the world and feels like you're getting to know these boys and their life, building a connection with them. I love it. (Also, it's just a bop)

[@hoffy63]

Yes, but there's a few 'meh' songs in your list that I would replace with songs such as Good Morning Baltimore - Hairspray, Prologue - Into the Woods, Willkommen - Cabaret, Company - Company, I Hope I Get It - A Chorus Line,

[@amitmeir8109]

Honourable mentions: What's Inside - Waitress (Come on, that opening is amazing!!!!) Wilkommen - Cabaret (That drumroll adds a lot) Beat It - MJ The Musical (The buildup is amazing and then the song kicks in to a round of applause)

[@declanquinn6853]

“Be the hero of your story” from big fish belongs at #1 for me

[@whimsiclethefirefly]

Alexander Hamilton is the best in my opinion also loved sound of music

[@matthewwyss6405]

MSMOJO I am shocked! I love your lists but the ones you picked vs the ones left off (and not even honorable mentions?!?) blew me away! Where were the following?!? -Prologue: Into the Woods -I Hope I Get It: A Chorus Line -9 to 5: 9 to 5 -OMIGOD You Guys: Legally Blonde -Good Morning Baltimore: Hairspray

[@TopHatGacha]

and dont forget Aquarius: Hair too! At least they added les mis but still, this one was not the best

[@paulotoole4950]

I was thinking that about OMIGOD You Guys: Legally Blonde and really surprised "All that jazz" not in there.

[@Caro-ri4cj]

Good Morning Baltimore and Omigod You Guys are fun opening numbers, but do they really give you chills? I don’t think they’re going for that

[@dawnieb.7394]

I think they're going for more "haunting" chills, rather than good-feeling chills.

[@caril.9384]

Don't forget "Santa Fe (Prologue)" from Newsies!

[@maddielonge2003]

Sound of music deserves more than just an honorable mention!

[@manuelorozco7760]

The movie was one of my musical theatre geek baby steps

[@wdwnanab6221]

Great list. I thought of Into the Woods, Cats, Pippin, Hello Dolly, Cabaret.

[@cuttlefishagain]

Cabaret, of course! another good one

[@constantlycomic1290]

Pippin is one of my favorites as well! The Lead Player is my dream role, haha

[@honeycone1235]

I got to see Sweeney Todd on broadway before it was done on broadway and that first song I got full body chills and it was just amazing!

[@lizzytomlinson1712]

prologue from the great comet is my favourite. introduces you to all of the characters and it’s just a funky jazzy lil number

[@fletcherchambliss1590]

The opening of rent is incredibly moving.

[@mikkibaker6907]

The management team at Arena Stage in DC rescued this show from the trash can! The writers tried to make it work -- without any success and were giving up. Molly Smith at Arena focuses on American plays and saw through to the heart of this show. Some considerable workshopping later we Arena Stage subscribers were treated to a wonderful and rewarding musical play. From the trash can to The Pulitzer Prize. Quite the journey!

[@theaussiebackflipboy]

I've seen "The Lion King" a few times and every time I get chills at the opening. I think it's the best opening to a show ever. Number two (in my opinion) is the opening to "Cats" where the cast infiltrate the audience during the opening.

[@hwheelez24]

as a Sweeny head, it's place at one fills me with so much joy.

[@hevyn-lee5278]

i completely agree with #1, i was lucky enough to see one of the last shows of the recent Sweeney Todd run with Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster and i had chills that lasted the entire time. a truly incredible musical

[@izzycusson3017]

i went for the end of hush and annaleigh’s run and it was so amazing to be in the room with all the operatics

[@marketingjones]

“Once Upon a Time” from Into the Woods “Nippon, the floating kingdom” from Pacific Overtures “Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd” OF COURSE.

[@gayledaddario5155]

My all time favorite The Opening from Phantom of The Opera. I’ve seen it live in a great theatre (The Bushnell in Hartford Connecticut) 3 times. Every time that organ begins, I get chills.

[@SusanWikkerink]

The people of Newfoundland make the rest of us Canadians proud! Such a great musical.

[@nathieboy1987]

"Overture/Prologue/In Every Age" from Titanic is an incredible opening.

[@NancyVanSoest]

I vote for "Magic To Do" from Pippin and "Walk HIm Up" from Purlie. Walking HIm Up being probably the most energetic opening number I have ever seen in 50+ years of theatre going.

[@restforthefallenplaysdraws5725]

The opening of ride the cyclone gets my curiosity going. The opening of And Juliet make me drop what I’m doing and dance. And another banger is the opening of the 9 to 5 musical

[@Chrisyork1989]

As a self-proclaimed musical nerd for the entirety of my life, I never really liked “Tradition” from Fiddler on The Roof until I had the opportunity to play Tevye. Putting myself in his shoes and suddenly so much came in to focus. That was an incredibly crazy time do be alive. We’re numb to it now’a’days because of the way technology has just always been there. Removing yourself from that and putting yourself in to the mindset of an older Jew in an extremely rural area where, “it’s just been that way” forever and having a modern world with modern people and modern thoughts encroaching on your livelihood would be hard enough as it is, add in the antisemitism and a nation being on the brink of a World War is so poignant and relative even to this day. Traditional is a phenomenal way to set the tone and conveying life at the time before everything is, quite literally, destroyed around you is just pure brilliance and will always have a special place in my heart for challenging my worldview.

[@LynneNolte]

My all-time favorite is Sit Down, John from 1776.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

I can almost see William Daniels curled lip and disgust

[@vickiw1895]

It may not have any lyrics, but the overture at the start of Phantom gets me every time.

[@AliceMissemer]

All that Jazz from Chicago, Urinetown from... well Urinetown, Tower of Babble from Godspell, Ex Wives from SIX, In from Carrie, Beautiful from Heathers and In the Heights from In the Heights are all really strong contenders

[@wildflowerdreams]

I would add, "If You Knew My Story" from Bright Star. Chills! And it sets so much anticipation for the story, especially if you haven't seen it.

[@sarina76667]

I love all the songs in The Lion King and the opening certainly gives me chills, but the one that never fails to take my breath away is Rafiki’s Mourning song. No song has ever twisted me up and taken away my strength like that one. It’s the same feeling I got when I was finally out of state back at my dorm room and all alone after my mom’s funeral. It taps into something deep and excruciating.

[@Owenostling]

My first Broadway musical I saw was Sweeney Todd and the feeeling of the opening number was absolutely insane 😍

[@heatherlewis4477]

The opening number that really stands out for me is "Ex-Wives" from Six: the Musical! What better way to introduce the 6 wives of King Henry VIII than through this powerful number!

[@dramac333]

How could you possibly miss Rent - from Rent? One of the most powerful openings ever!

[@z1andonlyme557]

My personal favorite openers (in no particular order): - Just Another Day (Next To Normal) - No One Mourns The Wicked (Wicked) - Live Like This (Tuck Everlasting) - Hero of Your Story (Big Fish) - Road to Hell (Hadestown) - Ex Wives (Six) - Highschool is Killing Me (Nerdy Prudes Must Die) - 13 (13) - Little Shop of Horrors (Little Shop of Horrors) - Roaring on (The Great Gatsby)

[@Swampert384]

I actually just saw Wicked for the first time a week ago at the time of this comment. It was such an amazing show, and I’d not heard this song before seeing it live so I was caught off guard and in a good way.