Top 10 Act One Finales in Musicals That Give Us Chills

[@MsMojo]

Which Act One finale had YOU shook? Let us know below, and check out our video of the Top 10 Finale Songs from Musicals That Give Us Chills - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4KQcqqaiMyKjtE

[@matthewrosenthal753]

My addition to list would be “If I can’t Love Her” Beauty and The Beast. It’s absolutely heart wrenching.

[@jackieamann5520]

oh that's a good one!

[@KittenEatsRamen]

YAAAAAAASSS!!!

[@trinaq]

Yes, that always gives me chills, excellent choice.

[@heatherlewis4477]

That song gets me in tears every time I hear it!

[@trinaq]

I saw "Wicked" for the first time live a few weeks, and although I've heard "Defying Gravity" several times on the soundtrack, it gave me chills, hearing it up close.

[@joshuagorski9452]

I saw it for the first time ever on Saturday in NYC, and that’s exactly how I felt

[@RosieTheWickedFangirl2007]

@@joshuagorski9452 I’d love to go to NYC and be Elphaba on Broadway in Wicked. I’d love to see my favourite Elphaba/Broadway hero Eden Espinosa singing on stage

[@trinaq]

My final year school musical was "Les Miserables", and we all loved singing "One Day More", and had fun with the different harmonies. During breaks, we would try singing all of the other parts.

[@ceciwynne4154]

Yep, you aren’t a musical theatre kid unless you try to sing all of the other parts as well as your own 😉

[@ax9405]

I would add La Vie Boheme to this list. That final shouted La Vie Boheme at the end gave me major chills!

[@celeste2025]

Yes ! Was looking for this comment ❤

[@chelseacanales8763]

One More Day from Les Miserable is so good that it gives me goosebumps ❤❤❤❤

[@isabellalukitschoffical]

Santa Fe brilliant closing act you can see the sadness and giving up in Jack’s voice and his emotion, it can leave you in tears and goosebumps

[@MegCazalet]

I’ve always loved how both Newsies and RENT, which were both HUGE to my youth in the 90s, both had songs about dreaming of moving to Santa Fe.

[@dreamguardian8320]

That chandelier falling down nearly gave me a heart attack the first time I went to see the Phantom of the Opera.

[@kristashafer93098]

Same!! I was sitting front row Orchestra centre stage. IT. RUSHED. PAST. MY. HAIR!! I jumped and shrieked, giving a good laugh to my stepmom as well as the other theater goers seated nearby! Still one of my favorite memories of my entire life so far!!

[@PrincessMeggala0913]

Especially if you’re close enough for the “glass” (it’s rubber! Don’t worry!) to hit you! I have a whole drawer full of the stuff😂

[@BurrShotHam711Jenna]

that part scared the crap out of me when i saw it in Toronto May 26th 1999 at the Pantages Theatre (now the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre) i was sitting in Orchestra (Row A Seat 25) and if i looked up, the chandelier was right above me

[@nicolefolkert0730]

Okay, but how is “So Much Better” from Legally Blonde not even an honorable mention? That sustained note!

[@andrewleeadkins93]

I’m currently in a regional production of Legally Blonde. As much as I love this song, the whole cast agrees it’s an amazing song and perfect plot song, but it just has a weird ending that makes you almost feel like “where’s the end of the song?”

[@Notme20806]

How is it a weird ending? She holds out a four measure high note which definitely marks an ending

[@andrewleeadkins93]

@@Notme20806 ohh yes it’s very impressive but the chord progression doesn’t totally resolve which leaves music theory nerds in a bit of a tizzy. Granted it shouldn’t totally “resolve” because obviously Elle isn’t done yet

[@your.local.theaterkid]

@@andrewleeadkins93 100% agree! i love so much better so much but it feels so incomplete 😭

[@CourtJesterJorge]

It’s a shame The Hunchback of Notre Dame never made it to Broadway to give it the recognition it deserves. But I also respect the decision not to in order to keep the 40-person choir on stage throughout the show.

[@jeannehall6546]

“A New Argentina” from “Evita” does it for me!

[@mattperiolat]

Agreed! It’s omission is really a surprise! For me personally, A New Argentina is behind only One Day More and Defying Gravity for best act one finale.

[@jamesmcarthur6945]

I'd like to add A Little Priest from Sweeney Todd Ever After from Into the Woods A Weekend in the Country from A Little Night Music No Moon from Titanic and Climb Every Mountain from The Sound of Music

[@gordongraham7]

Esmeralda gives my goosebumps goosebumps.

[@kermitTHEdinosaur93]

Many of these Act 1 Finales from Musicals definitely deserved their spots on the list. Though I would've included: .Who I'd Be- Shrek the Musical .If I Can't Love Her- Beauty and the Beast .Everybody Say Yeah- Kinky Boots .A New Argentina- Evita .Damed for All Time/Blood Money- Jesus Christ Superstar .There's a Fine Fine Line- Avenue Q

[@JulieDelahooke]

Let it Go in Frozen is pure magic and spine tingling! La Vie Boheme in Rent is an epic performance and song. I want to get up and dance!

[@jenniferkerner6444]

I had the honor of being in a production of Shrek a few years ago, and "Who I'd Be" emotionally destroyed me every night.

[@AlisaGrishman]

No La Vie Boheme? Seriously?

[@thomasbradley4505]

I saw a local production of Ragtime in San Jose CA. It was a small-ish theater When they sing Til We Teach That Day, members of the ensemble stood in the side aisles of the theater, so their voices surrounded the audience. It made the song even more powerful

[@fermangogo]

La Vie Bohème (Rent), A New Argentina (Evita)

[@keyblademasterclark]

I thought La Vie Boheme was the start of act 2

[@fermangogo]

@@keyblademasterclark “Seasons of Love” is the opening of Act 2

[@keyblademasterclark]

@@fermangogo oh right. The movie moved stuff around

[@KZ1211-t2q]

I'm so glad you included Bandstand and Ragtime, two highly underrated shows. It's a pity that there are no videos of Ragtime except for the Tony awards.

[@reneejackson6633]

Dreamgirls!! The Jennifer's are incredible

[@bookemdano7567]

Yes Les Mis! It is and will always be Les Mis! I’d like to add the original Hal Prince staging of A New Argentina from Evita. If done correctly, always gives me chills!

[@thegoosebean]

Honestly, “Let It Go” from Frozen is in the top Act I finales I’ve ever seen and that should at least have been an honorable mention!

[@kristashafer93098]

How in the name of all that’s holy did they affect that dress and hair change live???!?!!

[@susanshinkai4787]

Yes ! “Let it Go” is the song that always brings the house down as scores of young girls try to sing along’

[@Ionan89]

All of the memorable mentions (even including "Man Up" from The Book of Mormon, which wasn't mentioned) can easily and justifiably replace the #10 placed Bandstand number 🙃

[@thehooligan9]

bandstand is a criminally underrated show, if you ever saw it you’d understand why it made the list

[@Ionan89]

@@thehooligan9 My comment has absolutely nothing to do with the show as a whole, but rather this particular number when compared to other possibilities...it really falls flat when compared to so many others that failed to make this list. Competition is extremely high when it comes to musical/broadway lists.

[@Pogueconductor]

i was in a production of "Ragtime" on the day and time of Trumps Election. By the time we got to "tell we reach that day" It took on such a different meaning for everyone in that cast. It was life changing

[@RobinDragonryder]

That is equal parts amazing and horrifying.

[@lynnlumpkin6799]

“A Weekend in The Country” from A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

[@lukeliebert1199]

I said the same thing! The ending gives me goosebumps every time

[@mp.4340]

Go, Go, Go, Joseph(Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)

[@craftychicken12]

I would add Bottom's gonna be on top from something rotten for sure. That song is amazing!

[@DinoandGalaxy]

The only ones here I’ve watched are Hamilton and newsies I haven’t watched a bunch of musicals just yet outside my parents’ MUST WATCHES (wicked, waitress, newsies) so rn my taste might be bad but as of now it’s “loser, geek, or whatever”, “our love is god”, and, solely for its harmonies, “I never wanted to love you” Those musicals are be more chill, heathers, and falsettos respectively.

[@jandreid2023]

"I Am What I Am" from La Cage Aux Folles should be here.

[@theatrebear]

Came here to say the same thing. One of the rare standing ovations given at the end of an Act 1 in my theatre going experience. George Hearn in the original London production. And the English don’t stand as readily as everyone else!!!

[@quartz_quill]

I know it’s not here because of how new it is But Run Run Brother from the Outsiders is just on another level man. AND the second act opens with an equally strong number, maybe even stronger!

[@JennNofficial]

mine would be Before The Parade passes By in Hello,Dolly!

[@itspaulasbookshelf3076]

THANK YOU FOR GIVING BANDSTAND LOVE!!!!! It’s such an amazing show!!

[@richieinca]

Finally, Miss Saigon is mentioned in a Ms Mojo countdown, albeit it be an honorable mention 😏

[@GamerFunOriginallyAarush]

These are such great Act 1 finales!

[@sjfaraoni]

I was surprised that “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” from Gypsy, “La Vie Boheme” from Rent, and “So Much Better” from Legally Blonde weren’t on the honorable mentions.

[@mervyngreene6687]

I was not surprised. I was OUTRAGED!!! "Everything..." IS the musical! It is the signature song in one of the most iconic shows in Broadway musical history. This "showcase" solo is the lynchpin to EVERY storyline.

[@PrincessMeggala0913]

My addition would be Man Up from Book of Mormon. It’s such a great song, it’s super fun to watch, and it just pumps you up! I’ve seen the show 20+ times and it’s still my favorite song 😂

[@jennyfab312]

Perhaps this should have been a Top 20. You're definitely gonna need a "10 more ....."

[@DavidGholson]

Great list but I would have added “Anthem” from “Chess”

[@jackieamann5520]

I forgot about that one....that is a great choice!

[@kevintremblay9183]

Seeing Hadestown on this list makes me SO HAPPY!! THANK YOU!!

[@theatrebear]

You missed a big one. “I Am What I Am” from La Cage Aux Folles. I have only ever experienced end-of-Act 1 standing ovations for that and your #1.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I’ll never forget when Christopher Sieber played Albin when I saw it!

[@wolffriendinus]

I was expecting a song from "Six the Musical" but then I remembered, it doesn't have separate acts lol. No Act 1 or Act 2 Personally I would have put Phantom of the Opera at #1

[@lucyj8204]

One Day More is rightly epic. Tonight makes my hair stand on end. Incredible musicality and storytelling. You Will Be Found should definitely have made it into the list! Friends have a Christmas party which descends into drunken music after about 10pm - One Day More sightread by slightly too few people is a core joyful memory I will carry with me forever.

[@kamsismith]

Hamilton. The rest of the Hamilton soundtrack is fire, but that song takes it to the next level.

[@trinaq]

Yes, it really leaves you anticipating Act 2. Have you ever seen the show live?

[@kamsismith]

No. I only saw it on Disney Plus, but my sister and I would love to. What about you?

[@katiaromero7149]

I always cry when Eliza sees what I think is Heaven 🥹

[@trinaq]

​@@kamsismithMe neither, but fingers crossed that I'll be able to one day.

[@thecrazypuppyshow]

I got to see it in person and I actually got to meet the guy playing Hamilton (not lin Manuel Miranda) as he was walking in before the show

[@CaptainBarcode]

This is a good list. Urinetown’s Act One finale is very underrated

[@Nurichiri]

"The Jellicle Ball" shifting into the first taste of "Memory" in Cats should at least have gotten an honorable mention.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I have a long line of favorite Act One endings. In no particular order they are Defying Gravity, Go Go Joseph, Santa Fe, La Vie Boheme, So Much Better, The Club/Fireworks, Climb Every Mountain, And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going, Angry Dance, I Am What I Am, You Will Be Found, Before The Parade Passes By, Conga, Ten Minutes Ago, Morning Glow, Walk Like A Man, Big Blonde & Beautiful, Blue Skies, Anything Goes, Don’t Rain On My Parade, Never Been In Love Before and the Oklahoma Dream Ballet

[@mariskelley8831]

I know it might be silly, but I saw Cats on tour when I was 14 & both versions of Memory (act 1 & act 2) have stuck with me. There's something so honest about Grizabella getting her moment in the spotlight that the others denied her for probably her entire life.

[@sunnygirl523]

all of these act one finales moments gives me chills everytime ❤

[@palemich]

Cannot BELIEVE that Cabaret ‘Tomorrow belongs to me (reprise)’ with the Nazi flags etc isn’t on this. It’s honestly jaw-dropping. Seeing it in the 2019 UK tour version with John Partridge is one of the best moments of theatre I’ve ever experienced; and I’m not even the biggest fan of Cabaret. It does something. Also very niche choice but for something Crybaby- ‘Can’t beat the system’ hits real hard

[@shaliseshaw9385]

Cats, Rent, Oklahoma, The Sound Of Music, The Lion King musical, Dear Evan Hansen, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, School Of Rock: The Musical, Beatleguese: The Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Dreamgirls, The Wiz, Beauty and The Beast, Little Shop Of Horrors, Sweeney Todd, and other musicals should've been on the list. 🚔🚔🚔🚔🚕🚕🚕🚕🗽🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️🎭🎭🎭🎭

[@amelieroulleau3592]

I love Bandstand sooooo much it deserves this recognition ❤❤❤

[@ToABrighterFuture]

"Pinball Wizard" from "The Who's Tommy" may be an ensemble number, but when it's staged with enough glitz, your eyeballs pretty much NEED the intermission.

[@Tswizzler22]

Idk why I was thinking this but maybe as an honourable mention our love is god from heathers prob because I’m obsessed with heathers tho it’s just like jd being like I love you but Veronica is just disturbed by the fact she killed 3 ppl with jd so she is kinda resisting it’s a banger tho

[@WaffandCoff]

Yes!! Our Love is God at least deserved an honourable mention, it's really good!

[@djs_specs]

You couldn't find a better version of 'All I Ask Of You (Reprise)' than that abomination of a movie?

[@shuggie76]

Exactly my reaction too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@shuggie76]

at least is changed mid-way through ;-)

[@kristashafer93098]

They really need to stick with the glorious 25th anniversary production for PotO clips. Everyone is stellar, but Ramin is especially excellent. He blows terrible Gerard Butler out of the hemisphere with his gorgeous voice!

[@kkmmrew]

as soon as i saw the title my mind went to Bandstand! It is a masterclass in singing through emotion and making people feel it. That whole score is unbelievable, but 'Right This Way" is just a goosebumps inducing act one finale.

[@marcusyates3044]

Top 10 _______________ Musical Songs! - SpongeBob! - Beetlejuice!

[@musicalsingingboy]

I'm surprised that Alive (Reprise) didn't make it on the list, also can u rank top 10 songs from musical theatre productions, like Sweeney Todd, Assassins, or even Team Starkid Productions

[@FritzandtheOscars]

I have seen West Side Story a couple of times on the stage and the finale of Act 1 was always the ramble itself, not The Quintet

[@carlbaldasso]

Exactly. The Quintet is the very powerful lead-up to the rumble. But the real, and unprecedented, wallop that WEST SIDE STORY delivers at the end of Act One is the death of 2 characters.

[@mervyngreene6687]

​@@carlbaldasso I think that you make a very good point. This is also the case with "Dreamgirls." The last number in Act One was "Love love you Baby."

[@lueagle09]

Great list of songs!

[@dawnjensen6560]

Thank you for adding I’d Give My Life For You from Miss Saigon. To me it should be on the list, but at least it was mentioned. Les Miserable is definitely number 1. How about best Act 2 opening songs?

[@daisyrobinson4326]

Honestly almost all of these songs was my entire D of E, 6 girls, all musical theatre kids and this one boy who had only ever heard Beauty and the Beast despite being with an acting school, honestly think musicals are the only reason we stayed sane

[@azebede]

"Anastasia"!

[@stulewis6651]

I would add "Don't Cry" from "The Most Happy Fella" and "Anthem" from "Chess."

[@AlexanderWatchingmovies]

I’m really happy all I ask of you reprise is on the list

[@jackieamann5520]

I would add Stronger from Finding Neverland. That was amazing!

[@melm6797]

Agreed. I was looking to see if anyone said this in the comments.

[@xxkerosenexkidxx]

Omg yes Hadestown! Both times I've seen it that song gave me the most CHILLS. The character of Hades is so well cast in the original and the Toronto one was way up there!

[@Chandler.With.A.Chainsaw]

In my opinion, one that deserves at least a honerable mention it One Day from groundhog day. the last part gives you the perfect amount of almost anxiety about the situation and just gives you goosebumps everytime, when i saw it OH MY GOD was it good

[@robmoore2375]

How is Aida not on this list. The Gods love Nubia is amazing. A lot better then most of these songs.

[@2bteachable2]

I’m surprised you didn’t give Evita “A New Argentina” at least an honorable mention.

[@benlevan5645]

How did "Who I'd Be" from Shrek the musical not even make honorable mention? That song is a bloody powerhouse that pretty much describes the hopes and dreams of every hero in a musical ever. And with the vocals of Brian d'Arcy James...

[@ColtonMyers1]

“The Young Are At the Gates” from Suffs should absolutely be on this list, or - at the very least - an honorable mention.

[@SpEdMice]

Agree, these lists aren’t keeping up with newer shows. Run, Run Brothers from The Outsiders could be in there too.

[@awesomehufflehug5408]

The thing is that the young are at the gates isn’t the act 1 finale it’s the act 2 opener so it isn’t technically eligible for this list (it is absolutely amazing tho so I don’t disagree on that front)

[@jimc5096]

Great list and I think you nailed it with Les Miserables One Day more. I would have loved to see La Vie Boheme from Rent as an honorable mention.

[@samanthaweis3228]

How is no one saying So Much Better?!

[@Cat-bt7wy]

Omg I was so scared when one day more wasn't in honorable mentions but yay

[@MrGleeiscool]

Ummm imma need a top 30 list about this Emily

[@kirbypaugh4569]

Tomorrow Is from the SpongeBob Musical is my personal number one, the way it incoproprates the core characters singing their worries and aspirations for what will come tomorrow, the fear the town all shares, and not to mention the use of the initial Bikini Bottom Day motif. It all blends together to make a truly beautiful, impactful, and meaningful act one closer that could make even the squidwards of the world tear up.

[@TheHeatherGallagher]

The Gods Love Nubia from Aida!!!!❤❤❤ An all time favorite - I get chills listening to it ❤❤❤

[@melm6797]

Yes!

[@tedgun7776]

I’m my opinion it’s a crime to not have Tomorrow Belongs to Me from Cabaret on this list. It is such a shocking part of the show and shows how evil is slowly leaking into the world of joy, cabarets, and booze.

[@adamg157]

I would add "It's a Fine Fine Line" from Avenue Q. It's a beautiful song that comes out of nowhere when compared to the rest of the show at that point

[@mrmarkleybio6272]

Whoa... Didn't know umbrage was in musicals! Probably due to it being recently seen - Jersey boys - Walk Like a Man (Reprise) as an act 1 Finale is great!

[@cheshire793]

I'm VERY surprised that Tomorrow Belongs To Me (Reprise) wasn't on the list, even just as an honorable mention.

[@fangirlable]

On The Phantom Of The Opera , the guy’s name is Raoul, not Ralph.

[@esciteach7997]

you have it perfectfully: Les Mis and Wicked

[@Phelie315]

Many great mentions, and would have included Man Up from the Book of Mormon as well :)

[@TMA2MI]

HOW did Everything's Coming Up Roses not even score an honorable mention? Sunday and 'Til We Reach That Day should both listed higher.

[@alaynawhitten]

I'm glad to see "Bandstand" getting some love. "Right This Way" is such a powerful song. It's my absolute favorite in the show.

[@ZinoraSkyVlogs]

I would have added come from away, there was some pretty powerful songs in that musical

[@annabohr276]

"A Light in the Dark" from Next to Normal should have been on this list

[@joseda3rd354]

I did not know One Day More was the Act One closer. I could’ve sworn it was part of Act Two

[@Hi_itsSophie]

I would add mj the musicals earth song/the don't really care about us because there is a bang from the table prop at the end of act one as soon and the lights go down and the show as a whole is quite spectacular with the bright sets and amazing vocals ect 😊

[@JeromeGentes]

As great as "One Day More" is, "Tonight" from WSS set the post-war, Golden Age Act 1 closer for the rest of the 20th century and all of the 21st to date.

[@dawgdaiscool]

How is "Don't Rain on My Parade" not on this list!?!

[@heatherlewis4477]

I would add "So Much Better" from Legally Blonde the Musical to the list.

[@sademakeseditz]

if you can't tell I'm a phantom fan girl. especially a ramin karimloo fan girl when I saw ramin in the video I jumped so high i broke my roof😭 i love ramin smmmm

[@bridgetcressman4313]

No ones talking about Book Report from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown 😭

[@noahaiello3143]

How is Esmeralda not number 1?

[@eliza_2551]

Exactly my thoughts

[@LoopySid]

I 💯 agree with the top 2. I do think Hamilton should have been a little higher on the list though.

[@HayLeesHomeMade]

One day more: 😴 One day more sung by starkid puppets: 🤩

[@gchandler3912]

how that 'not finish building the wall' colorado, nyc, ga .... how's that working for you?