For Openers

The musical theater opening number is a vital tool to establishing the tone of a musical, readying the audience for what they're about to see, and introducing important characters and themes. Ubiquitous as it is as a "song type," it is in fact extremely varied in the method of its execution. In this season finale, we'll examine different kinds of openings and why they work.SONGS FEATURED:"Comedy Tonight" from A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum"Invocation and Instructions to the Audience" from The Frogs"Prologue" from Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812"Tradition" from Fiddler on the Roof"In the Heights" from In the Heights"I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight" from Camelot"Wilkommen" from Cabaret"Heaven on Their Minds" from Jesus Christ Superstar"Entr'acte" from Guys and Dolls"Runyonland" from Guys and Dolls"Fugue for Tinhorns" from Guys and Dolls"Tulsa '67" from The Outsiders"Too Much Exposition" from Urinetown"The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"The Ballad of Floyd Collins" from Floyd Collins"Overture/Once in the Highlands" from Brigadoon