by Laura W
A few things usually define award shows. The speeches, the outfits, and the nominations. There is also one defining moment that will ensure whether or not the audience is paying attention. That would be the opening number. Not every number can compare to that of Hugh Jackman’s opening for the Oscars (he is Wolverine!), or the 2013 “We’re Going Bigger” opening for the Tony Awards. The Tonys, fortunately and unfortunately, heavily rely on its opening numbers. Last year’s number, through no fault of Hugh Jackman’s, was an absolute bust. Actually, the entire show was a bust, despite some brilliant wins.
So let's hope this year's number is great. To celebrate, here are just a few of the best opening numbers.
A few things usually define award shows. The speeches, the outfits, and the nominations. There is also one defining moment that will ensure whether or not the audience is paying attention. That would be the opening number. Not every number can compare to that of Hugh Jackman’s opening for the Oscars (he is Wolverine!), or the 2013 “We’re Going Bigger” opening for the Tony Awards. The Tonys, fortunately and unfortunately, heavily rely on its opening numbers. Last year’s number, through no fault of Hugh Jackman’s, was an absolute bust. Actually, the entire show was a bust, despite some brilliant wins.
So let's hope this year's number is great. To celebrate, here are just a few of the best opening numbers.
Hello!
(66th Annual Tony Awards)
We’re used to spectacles. For once though, instead of a spectacle, we got witty and clever with this number. It starts off with members of the cast of The Book of Mormon ringing the doorbells of Broadway stars’ dressing rooms. We see Broadway legend Judith Light, James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, and Cynthia Nixon all being visited by the Mormons. The cast meet on stage to finish the number, before introducing Neil Patrick Harris. This number is brilliant, because it is absolutely hilarious and simple. It is saying hello not only to the ceremony’s host, but basically saying hello to the ceremony. The ceremony is light hearted from then on and just a great deal of fun.
It’s Just Not for Gays Anymore
(65th Annual Tony Awards)
The entire number is quite honestly, one of the best numbers the show has ever had. It’s a well-known fact Broadway is known for high attendance of gay people. The number poked fun at this stat, using Neil (who was once again hosting) to point the fact out. The number has Neil describing the many elements of why straight people would enjoy coming to the Great White Way. He even ventures into the audience, getting help from the likes of Brooke Shields and Stephen Colbert, to prove these points. The entire number is just is so funny and clever. From the dancing Mormon missionaries and prancing nuns and sailors, it is really worth the watch.
The Circle of Life
(62nd Annual Tony Awards)
Holy goosebumps, Batman. In celebration of The Lion King’s 10th anniversary on Broadway, the cast of The Lion King opened the show with a performance of The Circle of Life. It is one of the most memorable opening numbers of any Broadway and West End shows in history. The reaction of the audience is the exact same of those who witnessed a similar performance at the Tonys 10 years earlier. You can see the excitement, wonder and happiness when the “animals” come down the aisles. It is also a beautiful number, because it didn’t rely on, unlike The Book of Mormon opening number, any big names or any big spectacles. It was just simple and picturesque theatre magic.
We’re Going Bigger
(67th Annual Tony Awards)
We’ll keep this one short, because basically, the entire number speaks for itself. They were going for bigger, and they did. Lin Manuel Miranda, a GENIUS mind, wrote the number and rightfully won an Emmy for it. The number basically took every popular show on Broadway, plus all of that year’s musical nominees, and turned it into one giant musical geek fest. What made the number even greater was that it also (quite rightly) took the piss out of the film version of Les Miserables, along with other films, and challenged it. This moment was brilliant, because they don’t need extreme close ups to prove they sing live. On top of this, the rap in the middle of the number is beautiful, because it spoke to us theatre fans. Check it.
One Night Only
(58th Annual Tony Awards)
The number is a collection of seriousness and comedy all in one. This was Hugh Jackman’s year and he showed the entire world, basically, what he was fully capable of. Using the song One Night Only from Dream Girls, they applied the song towards the actual ceremony and worked. At one point, Hugh brilliantly works in how long award ceremonies run and how much time they’ve actually got. It was a good number, as it focused solely on that year’s musical (best revival) nominees. They used a song from one of the revivals and twisted it to apply to the show, without making it ridiculous. What took the number further is they included another NYC staple in the form of The Rockettes. Want to see someone high kick, dance, sing and still remain entirely flawless? Watch this number and Hugh will do just that.
What Do You Think?
Are these the best numbers?
Or are there more toe-tapping awards?
Let us know in the comments below!
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