I know finale from in the heights is gonna live rent free in my head. just that final buildup is, wow. I know that final line is gonna hit me should things in life have me to move from where I am. cause yes, the whole music from around all of the so cal areas, and then the train from the metro, I kinda miss that feeling though I’m inside.
My personal favourite finale song is the final number in "Les Miserables," where even though many of the main characters are now deceased, their memories still live on, and their sacrifices weren't for nothing.
“One” from “A Chorus Line” always gives me cold chills. It so perfectly brings together all of the earlier shared hopes and dreams that those hopeful young dancers had put on the line. Suddenly that previously bare stage becomes alive moving those dancers to the next step in their longed for professional career as a performer.
I had the honor to play Don Quixote in the first production of "Man Of La Mancha" in Germany (on the U.S. military base in Augsburg) in 1973. As the entire cast sang "The Impossible Dream" to close the show each night, the audience was on it's feet before the song was done. To me, "The Impossible Dream" finale is still one of the greatest musical finale songs ever.
My brother was chosen to sing the impossible dream in a school production when he was a freshman. I was so shocked to see him on stage and remembering all the words. He was fantastic.
I had the honor of seeing Robert Alda (Alan's father) play the lead. I was able to meet him after the show. He could not have been more gracious with his time. May he rest in peace 🙏
My favourite finale song has to be "Climb Ev'ry Mountain (Reprise)" from "The Sound of Music"! Seeing the Von Trapp family walk into their new lives on the hill gets me emotional every time!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU~THANK YOU~ MY FAVORITE AS WELL! Because it is about a REAL family! I was enthralled as a little girl,watching it at the Paramount Grand Theatre. I have performed the roles of: Leisl, Maria, and Sister Berthe' as my life progressed,my youngest daughter performing with me at my last run. I can attest that real tears coursed down my cheeks are we, the "Von Trapp," family climbed over the alps, the Mother Superior and the Nuns chorus swelling "Climb Ev'ry Mountain(Reprise)" ( The actual family did not escape in this manner) however the true facts are that their family left Austria in order for the Captain not to be forced into fighting for the Nazi's. He was stripped of all that he owned or had in order to get his family out of the country. How many wealthy, landed, aristocrats that you know of did or would have done that?
I tend to agree -- although I really like some of the other rousing ballads (like Climb every mountain that she didn't even mention) -- You can' stop the beat is an amazing closing number.
I can't think of a better finale than Les Miserables. The emotions are just *so* incredibly powerful- especially coming off Valjean's passing, that you get hit full tilt with sadness, joy, inspiration, and hope all in one number.
dear evan hansens finale In my opinion is better it never fails to tear me up and is one of the most heart touching finales of all time as it perfectly ends the play on a touching but powerful finale
Oh, man . . . Hair. The ending of that movie always devastates me. That music is perfect. I'm deeply moved every time, and always cry. That's probably number one for me.
Welcome to the Rock (Finale) from Come From Away is a really underrated one. It really highlights how simultaneously everything in the post 9/11 world is different, but yet goodness of humanity is and will always be the same.
There are so many songs or a musicals that transcend and reach in and touch our hearts and souls. What a reminder to all of us -talk about Being Alive. I say yes and I am so thankful for the miracle of these creations.
nooo you had "Anatevka" (Fiddler On the Roof) in the intro, how was it not at least in the top 5?! it's the only musical finale that legit makes me cry, it's so heartwrenching and somber. So much of the rest of the musical is centered around their community, and then the finale is about how that community is being separated and will always be searching for signs of each other out in the world. "Soon I'll be a stranger in a strange new place / Searching for that old familiar face / From Anatevka," their whole lives were spent in this little town, and now it's being shattered. They may have had arguments and disagreements, but they still knew that they were part of the same whole. Now they're losing that, and they have the second whole-community harmony since "Tradition" at the opening. Damn, it just gets to me.
I agree. And, for me, to show it in the intro and then not to have it on the listing? To me that was clickbait and definitely made me not decide not to describe to this channel.
I love "Anatevka" from Fiddler! It is so heartwrenching! There was not a dry eye in the theater when we sang that song. That one and "Sunrise, Sunset". I completely agree with you.
@Chris Matthews, I saw Phantom Of The Opera three times on Broadway, and each time I was in tears in the finale. I thought that after subsequent watch, the tears would lessen or subside. But NOPE! The worst part: the embarrassment after having been caught in tears, each and every time, when the theater lights were turned back on.
Rose's Turn is definitely one of _the_ best closing songs! Always get chills, no matter who's doing it - try seeing Gypsy live sometime, and the chills will be even chillier 🥰
After the Merm’s premier of it in the late 50s, Angela Lansbury was the first to bring it back to Broadway in the early 70s. Her performance is still available on CD on Amazon. Have you heard it?
I am very partial to "Children Will Listen." I had the opportunity to see the original run on B'way 8 times and was able to play The Baker in 1996 with community theatre. The line that always got me is "Tell him the story of how it all happened, be father and mother, you'll know what to do." Now that I'm a grandfather, the line that got me the first time I saw the film (when my twin granddaughters were 12 and sitting next to me), is from "Stay With Me," "Stay a child while you can be a child with me." Sondheim was/is a genius!
Children Will Listen is one of the reasons that I would love to be in Into the Woods. I would love to play the Witch. "Stay with me, the world is dark and wild. Stay a child while you can be a child with me." She also has some of the funniest lines. After Rapunzel says the line about being left out in the desert to raise twins, and that she will never be happy because of the witch. The witch says "I was only trying to be a good mother." I almost peed myself laughing.
I personally love “It’s Time To Dance” from The Prom and “The Color Purple (Reprise)” from The Color Purple. They are both beautiful and are great songs to listen to!
Back in 2007 my sister and I were lucky to get show tickets in NYC for phantom of the Opera, The Lion King and, The Color Purple. Phantasia.portrayed the role of Celie. It was wonderful.
I knew les Mis would be number 1 and rightfully so. It’s so powerful, I love Hamilton but nothing could ever make me feel the way Les Mis finale did live
My favorites are "The Color Purple (Reprise)" and "Rose's Turn," hands down. Although there's so many great ones! "Who Lives, Who Dies...", "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "You Can't Stop the Beat" are also all excellent picks, for sure.
I am glad you got the #1 right. I started this video thinking, there is no way Les Miserables is not the best Finale ever. I would say it has the best end before intermission as well. But I think Phantom of the Opera should have been higher up on your list.
Thing is....that isn't actually the finale song for the musical. They changed it for the movie. My Man isn't even in the musical. That's my favourite movie musical, and I adore the final scene, btw
Honestly, the 'One' reprise from A Chorus Line is possibly the most genius of musical theatre endings if only for the fact that it actively manages to trick a large number of people who watch it into thinking it's a genuinely happy ending. Like, so many people take the finale of A Chorus Line completely at face-value as "whoo! These kids achieved their dreams of being on Broadway, yay!" without taking into account the reality of the situation: these dancers were put through an incredibly physically and emotionally gruelling audition process, at the end of which only half of them actually got a job and among the ones who lost out, at least one is almost certainly at the end of his dance career due to an injury and at least one other is on the verge of just giving up having spent years going through this process with no luck. And these people are all under 30 years old. And for the ones who *did* get the job, you're watching these people you've come to know surprisingly intimately completely suppress any hint of their individuality for the sake of bigging up and providing the background to the star - that's another thing people tend to ignore; the dancers in the finale *aren't* the "one singular sensation" being referenced in the song and we never even see the person who supposedly is. And yet somehow it all feels so triumphant when you're actually watching it. It's like the incredibly dark flipside of the finale of 42nd Street...
Great points on this fantastic number and why it's my co-favorite (To Dream the Impossible Dream). I have a slightly different take on the numbers meaning though as I feel it refers to both the chorus as well as the star. The chorus and the people in it are indeed "one singular sensation" because the star needs them to function properly in order to shine also. But ironically them functioning properly means not standing out and being noticed because that literally is the job of the stars who are the "sensations" the audience came to see. So they have to be great, but not super really great, so they don't stand out.
Hadestown’s finale may not be the biggest, but it is the most heartbreakingly beautiful song in the whole soundtrack. It’s sad to see it not even get at least an HM
"One" from 'A Chorus Line' is clearly the most moving and effective finale in all musical theatre. Everyone is viewed as ONE and they truly are a singular sensation. At the end, everyone is highlighted and a star. In live performances, the applause is so exciting as each character returns to the stage in the gold outfit and top hats. There is no more moving and exciting finale...... period!
I don't have any children, but I have thousands. As a teacher for 48 years now, when I saw the original on Broadway so many years ago, this song resonated so strongly with me and I realized that in a small way compared to parents, I had to remember the core lines every time I stepped into a classroom or talked with a student outside of it: children will listen; children will see.
Also, (not shown in this clip) is the finale Megamix in "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat" ..... every song is reprised, and all the characters make another return to the stage. As someone once told me, this finale alone is worth the price of admission! Go, go, go Joseph!!!
RENT was my gateway into all things Broadway. The most musical experience I had was Disney movies before the cinematic release of RENT. A friend who was MUCH more into musicals than I had a costumed release party when the DVD came out and insisted I come. Knowing nothing about the show she said I should come as Tom Collins since I wear a trench coat and love the sauce so I was like "OK". Fast forward to present day and I've seen live The Book of Mormon 4 times, Wicked twice, Lizzie, a musical about Lizzie Borden, once, Sweeney Todd twice, Hamilton, The Lion King, Mean Girls, Les Miserables, On Your Feet, Little Shop of Horrors, Dear Evan Hansen, The Phantom of the Opera, and of course, the 20th anniversary tour of RENT. I'm slated for round 2 of Hamilton and Hadestown this year as well and it's all thanks to a chance encounter with that one show. I could literally concuss someone with my stack of playbooks at this point lol. Also, I'm the son of an HIV positive gay man who committed suicide and I have Marfan Syndrome, the condition that likely caused the death of Jonathon Larson, so to say it was serendipitous would be a gross understatement.
I LOVED N STILL LOVE TIL N TO THIS DAY RENT (ONLY THE MOVIE VESION THOUGH) N THE LION KING (BOTH THE MOVIE N THE PLAY) LE MES (ONLY THE MOVIE VERSION THOUGH) N HAIRSPRAY (ONLY THE MOVIE VERSION THOUGH)
I really relate to RENT. I was in my 20's in the 90's, and me and my friends were just like the characters in the show. But, the thing that I relate to the most is that most of the characters have HIV/AIDS. I don't have AIDS, but I had blood transfusions during that time. I also have a disorder that I can't control called Marfan Syndrome (Jonathan Larson died of undiagnosed Marfan Syndrome).
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story made me cry what- What touched me the most on that song were the parts when Eliza sang what she was produest of (The Orphanage) and also, when she gasped in the end.
Thank you so much for including The Flesh Failure (Let the Sunshine In). Hair is a musical that changed my life and the fact that it's still relevant is both wonderful and scary.
West side story finale deserved an honorable mention, at the least. The fact that they try to hold onto their on their dream of being together as tony dies is very powerful, emotionally.
Funny Girl (at least when Streisand played it on Broadway) also deserved at least an honorable mention. I'm also thinking of Camelot, Hello Dolly!, and My Fair Lady
“Why We Tell the Story” - Once On This Island “Children of Eden: Finale” - COE “Home” - The Wiz “Endgame” - Chess “Come To My a Garden” - The Secret Garden
I always liked “Let The Sun Shine In “ From Hair. What Makes The Song So Bitter Sweet Is That George Was Goofing Around with Claude’s Stuff And Was Mistakenly Drafted To Fight And Die In A War He Knew Was Wrong.
One from A Chorus Line is so powerful it’s always on my list of grand finales. However, my first thought was the last song from Camelot-so very gripping and moving after the whole story unwinds.
No mention of Climb Every Mountain, one of the most beloved, rousing, hope-filled songs ever or Cabaret, one of the cheeriest sings ever so cynically and stingingly placed against the rise of the Nazis. The best of times are now from La Cage aux Folles. My Man. Oklahoma. Somewhere. And many more. A lot of these ones in this list won’t last the course, they’re just not good enough songs or the musicals are too small, whereas we know every single song in South Pacific is a smash hit 70 years later, the soundtrack album was No 1 in the USA for 14 months!
I totally think the ending to Six should be in here. I love how it reminds the audience that even though we just got to “know these real historical characters” that because they were just women in a patriarchal society, that all of what we just watched is a highly fictionalized version of them. It essentially the names of these women with little else. And of course ppl know it’s fiction but I like that reminder. That how the actors are portraying these women aren’t historically accurate to their personalities or thoughts because even though they were important enough to be remembered, it was only their names. It kinda reminds me of Hamilton’s song of Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story. On a side note, Les Mis totes desires the win!
The six wives of Henry VIII? The only one who was important historically was Anne Boleyn. And having PoC actresses portray them to make some kind of statement about patriarchy is just silly. And they weren’t “just women”. I think if you brought the washerwoman from the same era and tried to “educate” them about patriarchy they would laugh. They wouldn’t have any sympathy for those women.
Great list. I think they nailed the top 2 with Who Lives Who Dies Who Tells Your Story and Do You Hear The People Sing? (Reprise). Those two have so much weight behind them and are simultaneously melancholy yet filled with so much hope. I can't help but feel uplifted and encouraged in spite of all the difficulties of life after hearing each of them.
The Phantom was one of the last shows me and my soon to be dead boyfriend/ lover of 33 1/2 years saw together. He died from a stroke. GOD that that is the first time I said it so bluntly. Thank you for allowing me to say it. He passed 3 1/2 years ago. Now I am going to sleep exhausted and drained but happy (?).
Again!! Wicked! I was lucky enough to see Wicked with my sisters a few months ago and I had tears streaming down my face starting from For Good till the curtain closed
Dreamgirls (Reprise Finale) is a great song because we see a girlband recognizing a member who left, as we know we don't have much of these stories in girlbands and seeing them all together and singing demonstrates that after all that their sisterhood is what matters
All of these wonderful songs even in short clips make me respond in a very emotional way. I remember the feelings I had when first experiencing these moments in the medium of live theater. What a gift to mankind they all are.
One of my favorite Finale songs is lullaby of Broadway from 42nd Street! Honorable mention Home from The Wiz. Spot on with You can’t stop beat from Hairspray. I’ve seen dozens of show but that one had us dancing out the door!
Pippin finale is one of the best. It’s supposed to be an actual final act for the main character (spoiler) in which he is almost pressured to jump into fire. And how it comes full circle from the first couple of notes to the last. Iconic.
To any theatre fan with a broad knowledge past movie musicals… this list is crazy…. Who in their right minds put Sister Act above Being Alive and Roses Turn?!
“Being Alive” should be higher! Just my opinion. :) “Company” is my favorite Sondheim musical. I connect so personally to the themes, and cry whenever I listen to the soundtrack.
anything from the lion king will always touch me. I felt by sharing that wonderful moment with my mom that brought my life full circle. First I saw the original movie with my grandma when I was 5. Then when I was 16 I saw Broadway with my mom
All of these songs are incredible and definitely deserve their placement but I would have loved to see the Pippin finale. The show opens with a grand showstopping number in Magic to Do and then when it comes to the finale they strip all the glam and magic away and yet you still end up with an incredible peice that sends shivers down the spine everytime
Finale of Les Miserables always make tears streaming down my face. Although the show itself is not even on my personal top 5 most fav, the finale is definitely one of the most memorable and touching for me.
OK, you had me worried that the finale to Les Mis would not be on your list. If it hadn't been, I would not be following your lists any more. So good job on that being No. 1.
I fully agree with the Les Miserables finale (as it's my favorite finale of all time), but I think Anatevka from Fiddler on the Roof deserves at least an honorable mention (although you did put a short teaser with it at the beginning). It may not be high energy, but it conveys a heartbreaking sadness and a sense of hope at the same time (while injecting a bit of Fiddler's trademark sense of humor in a few places).
Hello Dolly (Carol Channing), One (reprised), Man of La Mancha (Richard Kiley), Climb Every Mountain (Florence Henderson), and Home (Stephanie Mills) from the Wiz are my 5 most memorable finales - I left the theatre thoroughly satisfied
thank you for mentioning Home - it was one of the best and one of the few, like Gypsy, where the finale was a solo. Do you know of any others with a solo finale?
How in the heck did I get away with not knowing Idina Mendez and Kristen Chenoweth were in Wicked? Actually there are a lot of people in these that I had no idea were in them. Crazy
The bigger question is how did you not know in the first place? I'm not trying to be a dick or anything but, like, have you never heard For Good? If not look that shit up right now and grab some tissues while you're at it.
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story from "Hamilton"...gets me every time. Although the finale song from "Les Miserables" is a very close second. Finale from "Phantom of the Opera" is also great
Geat work! I have to say that I feel that I've Grown Acustomed to her Face, from My Fair Lady and Camelot - Reprise - two Julie Andrews great musicals as well as other classics such as My Man- from Funny Girl, Climb Every Mountain from The Sound of Music and Somewhere , from West Side Story deserved at least honorable mentions, as a few of those songs on your list are ...a bit obscure and soon forgotten after you leave the theatre.
My absolute favorite is Les Miserables. It’s so powerful and moving (like the rest of the play) All those characters who had suffered so much in their lives (mainly Jean, Fantine and Eponine) leaving their sad hard lives behind and going to Heaven…If I don’t cry during the musical at all (which is extremely rare) I will almost always cry with the finale
Everyone always forgets Tell Me It’s Not True from Blood Brothers. It’s wonderful and it makes you rise to your feet with sad tears streaming down your face even though you always knew how it was going to end.
I saw every iteration of Natasha, Pierre, etc. from its beginning at Ars Nova to Broadway. I saw it at least 7 times! I just listened to the soundtrack yesterday.
Personally, Happiness from You’re a a good man Charlie Brown, I can relate to. It pretty much speaks to the normal person who sees life with silver linings and finding the good in between things. Best song is Hairspray indeed. Catchy song!
Rose’s Turn is #14 Please tell me you were high when this list was put together…as usual Ms Mojo rarely realizes there was musical theater prior to the 2000’s…
Yeah....they have an inappropriate obsession with Webber too. Pretty much every MT composer is better than Webber; none of his songs should have made this list.
@@koriley It's called objective reality. All musical theatre professionals (which I am) know that Webber isn't great. He writes the musical theatre equivalent of bubblegum pop. Yes, it's commercial and it sells, but it's simple and uninteresting...and in many cases, complete crap.
What's YOUR favorite musical finale song? Let us know below!
I know finale from in the heights is gonna live rent free in my head. just that final buildup is, wow. I know that final line is gonna hit me should things in life have me to move from where I am. cause yes, the whole music from around all of the so cal areas, and then the train from the metro, I kinda miss that feeling though I’m inside.
Sweeney Todd finale
I mean, I love Lin Manuel Miranda, so Hamilton and In The Heights are my favorites, but I also love Rent and Wicked.
The Finale to Hunchback
@@liveicelive OMG, between him and anthony in heights doing that finale, just makes me cry though.
My personal favourite finale song is the final number in "Les Miserables," where even though many of the main characters are now deceased, their memories still live on, and their sacrifices weren't for nothing.
everywhere i go i see ur comments
I agree it always makes me smile
Yes! The finale always makes me want to start a revolution!
your comments are everywhere
I just came to the comments to say this
“One” from “A Chorus Line” always gives me cold chills. It so perfectly brings together all of the earlier shared hopes and dreams that those hopeful young dancers had put on the line. Suddenly that previously bare stage becomes alive moving those dancers to the next step in their longed for professional career as a performer.
It moves me to tears every time I hear it!!
Still the Ultimate!
I had the honor to play Don Quixote in the first production of "Man Of La Mancha" in Germany (on the U.S. military base in Augsburg) in 1973. As the entire cast sang "The Impossible Dream" to close the show each night, the audience was on it's feet before the song was done. To me, "The Impossible Dream" finale is still one of the greatest musical finale songs ever.
Totally agree - story set in the Spanish Inquisition In made the closing song even more riveting - well done Sir
Sounds perfect. That was the theme song if my high school class for 4 years. I didn’t find out till a few years later it was from the show! 👍👏
I agree, one of my favorites and so inspiring. Been in three productions of it and still cry!
My brother was chosen to sing the impossible dream in a school production when he was a freshman. I was so shocked to see him on stage and remembering all the words. He was fantastic.
I had the honor of seeing Robert Alda (Alan's father) play the lead. I was able to meet him after the show. He could not have been more gracious with his time. May he rest in peace 🙏
My favourite finale song has to be "Climb Ev'ry Mountain (Reprise)" from "The Sound of Music"! Seeing the Von Trapp family walk into their new lives on the hill gets me emotional every time!
Same!
That's my second favourite
Agreee. The music moves every part of my body every time I listen to it.
Such a beautiful finale - it gets me every time ❤️
THANK YOU! THANK YOU~THANK YOU~ MY FAVORITE AS WELL! Because it is about a REAL family! I was enthralled as a little girl,watching it at the Paramount Grand Theatre.
I have performed the roles of: Leisl, Maria, and Sister Berthe' as my life progressed,my youngest daughter performing with me at my last run.
I can attest that real tears coursed down my cheeks are we, the "Von Trapp," family climbed over the alps, the Mother Superior and the Nuns chorus swelling "Climb Ev'ry Mountain(Reprise)"
( The actual family did not escape in this manner) however the true facts are that their family left Austria in order for the Captain not to be forced into fighting for the Nazi's.
He was stripped of all that he owned or had in order to get his family out of the country.
How many wealthy, landed, aristocrats that you know of did or would have done that?
Hamilton’s Finale never ceases to make me cry, while also making me deeply think....🥺🙏👏👏👏
AND unlike most others- it's true!. . . mostly.
@@americaroleplayer Hamilton was NOT that great a guy that we heard about in history class.
@@colleen4ever The finale is not about Alexander. . .
The line "Oh I can't wait to see you again" always kills me
If you’ve read the book, the song is especially touching, knowing what Eliza did to keep Hamilton’s story alive.
My favorite is Hairspray, you can’t stop the beat.
Same such a good song!
It's my feel good song when I have chores to do I blast it and dance away
yes! full of life
THAT'S MY THIRD FAVORITE (FUN FACT I SANG THAT IN HIGH SCHOOL N THE LION KING'S CIRCLE OF LIFE)
I tend to agree -- although I really like some of the other rousing ballads (like Climb every mountain that she didn't even mention) -- You can' stop the beat is an amazing closing number.
I can't think of a better finale than Les Miserables. The emotions are just *so* incredibly powerful- especially coming off Valjean's passing, that you get hit full tilt with sadness, joy, inspiration, and hope all in one number.
As he is taken by the hands of Fantine and Eponine.
dear evan hansens finale In my opinion is better it never fails to tear me up and is one of the most heart touching finales of all time as it perfectly ends the play on a touching but powerful finale
My favorite finales are Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. They're both so beautiful in so many ways!!
Those are my two favorite musicals and the Les Mia finale is my favorite musical finale
The Phantom Of The Opera finale (musical theater, not the movie) always brings me to tears 🥺!
Way too low on this list. Easily a Top 10.
My top two also!
Oh, man . . . Hair. The ending of that movie always devastates me. That music is perfect. I'm deeply moved every time, and always cry. That's probably number one for me.
Welcome to the Rock (Finale) from Come From Away is a really underrated one. It really highlights how simultaneously everything in the post 9/11 world is different, but yet goodness of humanity is and will always be the same.
I was thinking the same thing! It is one of my favorite songs in the show!
Agreed! Extremely powerful.
My favorite closing number out of them all
There are so many songs or a musicals that transcend and reach in and touch our hearts and souls. What a reminder to all of us -talk about Being Alive. I say yes and I am so thankful for the miracle of these creations.
Yes!!!! A thousand times yes! (Through my tears...)
nooo you had "Anatevka" (Fiddler On the Roof) in the intro, how was it not at least in the top 5?! it's the only musical finale that legit makes me cry, it's so heartwrenching and somber. So much of the rest of the musical is centered around their community, and then the finale is about how that community is being separated and will always be searching for signs of each other out in the world.
"Soon I'll be a stranger in a strange new place / Searching for that old familiar face / From Anatevka," their whole lives were spent in this little town, and now it's being shattered. They may have had arguments and disagreements, but they still knew that they were part of the same whole. Now they're losing that, and they have the second whole-community harmony since "Tradition" at the opening. Damn, it just gets to me.
I agree. And, for me, to show it in the intro and then not to have it on the listing? To me that was clickbait and definitely made me not decide not to describe to this channel.
That was the only reason I clicked on this video because I thought I was gonna see some Fiddler on the Roof appreciation
She was really partial to newer (inferior) musicals and ignored many classics.
I love "Anatevka" from Fiddler! It is so heartwrenching! There was not a dry eye in the theater when we sang that song. That one and "Sunrise, Sunset". I completely agree with you.
Les Miz leaves every other musical in the dust. What a plot, what incredible music and deep characters. Best of the best!
I love the power in the Phantom of the Opera finale. It’s so full of emotion and power. The end note is just…*chills*
Used to have that one on repeat.
When the Phantom sings, "Christine I Love You," I generally lose it- it's so heart-wrenching.
@@apparition668 agree
@Chris Matthews, I saw Phantom Of The Opera three times on Broadway, and each time I was in tears in the finale. I thought that after subsequent watch, the tears would lessen or subside. But NOPE!
The worst part: the embarrassment after having been caught in tears, each and every time, when the theater lights were turned back on.
@@ms25risa4 When I was younger, there may have been some embarrassment, but I own it, now! =)
Rose's Turn is definitely one of _the_ best closing songs! Always get chills, no matter who's doing it - try seeing Gypsy live sometime, and the chills will be even chillier 🥰
After the Merm’s premier of it in the late 50s, Angela Lansbury was the first to bring it back to Broadway in the early 70s. Her performance is still available on CD on Amazon. Have you heard it?
@@RLucas3000there’s even a recorded version of the whole show with the audience reaction
NO we DO NOT associate Heathers with RIVERDALE
I DO CAUSE WE HAVE OUR OWN OPINIONS
@@Shadow-mp9ppNOOO IT'S TERRIBLE
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story and you can’t stop the beat are my favorites
I am very partial to "Children Will Listen." I had the opportunity to see the original run on B'way 8 times and was able to play The Baker in 1996 with community theatre. The line that always got me is "Tell him the story of how it all happened, be father and mother, you'll know what to do." Now that I'm a grandfather, the line that got me the first time I saw the film (when my twin granddaughters were 12 and sitting next to me), is from "Stay With Me," "Stay a child while you can be a child with me." Sondheim was/is a genius!
Children Will Listen is one of the reasons that I would love to be in Into the Woods. I would love to play the Witch. "Stay with me, the world is dark and wild. Stay a child while you can be a child with me." She also has some of the funniest lines. After Rapunzel says the line about being left out in the desert to raise twins, and that she will never be happy because of the witch. The witch says "I was only trying to be a good mother." I almost peed myself laughing.
I agree with most of these - but I'm surprised that "Climb Every Mountain" from "The Sound of Music" didn't even get a mention.
She really ignores most classical musicals. Sadky she is more for newer ones.
I personally love “It’s Time To Dance” from The Prom and “The Color Purple (Reprise)” from The Color Purple. They are both beautiful and are great songs to listen to!
Back in 2007 my sister and I were lucky to get show tickets in NYC for phantom of the Opera, The Lion King and, The Color Purple. Phantasia.portrayed the role of Celie. It was wonderful.
I knew les Mis would be number 1 and rightfully so. It’s so powerful, I love Hamilton but nothing could ever make me feel the way Les Mis finale did live
My favorites are "The Color Purple (Reprise)" and "Rose's Turn," hands down. Although there's so many great ones! "Who Lives, Who Dies...", "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "You Can't Stop the Beat" are also all excellent picks, for sure.
My favorite musical finale is Olkahoma. The song tells of the forming of a brand new state. The song is upbeat and a sure croud pleaser.
I can't believe that 76 Trombones (reprise) from The Music Man did not even get an honorable mention.
I am glad you got the #1 right. I started this video thinking, there is no way Les Miserables is not the best Finale ever. I would say it has the best end before intermission as well.
But I think Phantom of the Opera should have been higher up on your list.
"one" from "a chorus line" never ceases to give me chills and make me cry
Ikr it's amazing
It’s really the number one musical finale of all time.
My favorite will always be “My Man” sung by Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl
same ! it will forever be my favorite
Me too. 😊
I like the finale song from Funny Girl better, His Is The Only Music That Makes Me Dance.
Thing is....that isn't actually the finale song for the musical. They changed it for the movie. My Man isn't even in the musical.
That's my favourite movie musical, and I adore the final scene, btw
@@carr0760 oh really?! What’s the finale for the musical? I’m going to see it on Broadway soon!
Honestly, the 'One' reprise from A Chorus Line is possibly the most genius of musical theatre endings if only for the fact that it actively manages to trick a large number of people who watch it into thinking it's a genuinely happy ending. Like, so many people take the finale of A Chorus Line completely at face-value as "whoo! These kids achieved their dreams of being on Broadway, yay!" without taking into account the reality of the situation: these dancers were put through an incredibly physically and emotionally gruelling audition process, at the end of which only half of them actually got a job and among the ones who lost out, at least one is almost certainly at the end of his dance career due to an injury and at least one other is on the verge of just giving up having spent years going through this process with no luck. And these people are all under 30 years old. And for the ones who *did* get the job, you're watching these people you've come to know surprisingly intimately completely suppress any hint of their individuality for the sake of bigging up and providing the background to the star - that's another thing people tend to ignore; the dancers in the finale *aren't* the "one singular sensation" being referenced in the song and we never even see the person who supposedly is. And yet somehow it all feels so triumphant when you're actually watching it. It's like the incredibly dark flipside of the finale of 42nd Street...
Great points on this fantastic number and why it's my co-favorite (To Dream the Impossible Dream). I have a slightly different take on the numbers meaning though as I feel it refers to both the chorus as well as the star. The chorus and the people in it are indeed "one singular sensation" because the star needs them to function properly in order to shine also. But ironically them functioning properly means not standing out and being noticed because that literally is the job of the stars who are the "sensations" the audience came to see. So they have to be great, but not super really great, so they don't stand out.
Les Mis always wins for me. The entire show is full of amazing songs
Have you seen the the 10th anniversary. The very last is the best. I always get chills
Hadestown’s finale may not be the biggest, but it is the most heartbreakingly beautiful song in the whole soundtrack. It’s sad to see it not even get at least an HM
SO TURE
"One" from 'A Chorus Line' is clearly the most moving and effective finale in all musical theatre. Everyone is viewed as ONE and they truly are a singular sensation. At the end, everyone is highlighted and a star. In live performances, the applause is so exciting as each character returns to the stage in the gold outfit and top hats. There is no more moving and exciting finale...... period!
Into the Woods ending makes me tear up…It’s so powerful and beautiful
I don't have any children, but I have thousands. As a teacher for 48 years now, when I saw the original on Broadway so many years ago, this song resonated so strongly with me and I realized that in a small way compared to parents, I had to remember the core lines every time I stepped into a classroom or talked with a student outside of it: children will listen; children will see.
Also, (not shown in this clip) is the finale Megamix in "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat" ..... every song is reprised, and all the characters make another return to the stage. As someone once told me, this finale alone is worth the price of admission! Go, go, go Joseph!!!
You’re right! I can’t believe it was not mentioned. Love that musical so much!
Agreed! Such a great and effective finale. Joseph always seems to be forgotten in musical conversations.
Rent was the soundtrack of my teenage years in the 90s, it was such a wonderful show
RENT was my gateway into all things Broadway. The most musical experience I had was Disney movies before the cinematic release of RENT. A friend who was MUCH more into musicals than I had a costumed release party when the DVD came out and insisted I come. Knowing nothing about the show she said I should come as Tom Collins since I wear a trench coat and love the sauce so I was like "OK". Fast forward to present day and I've seen live The Book of Mormon 4 times, Wicked twice, Lizzie, a musical about Lizzie Borden, once, Sweeney Todd twice, Hamilton, The Lion King, Mean Girls, Les Miserables, On Your Feet, Little Shop of Horrors, Dear Evan Hansen, The Phantom of the Opera, and of course, the 20th anniversary tour of RENT. I'm slated for round 2 of Hamilton and Hadestown this year as well and it's all thanks to a chance encounter with that one show. I could literally concuss someone with my stack of playbooks at this point lol. Also, I'm the son of an HIV positive gay man who committed suicide and I have Marfan Syndrome, the condition that likely caused the death of Jonathon Larson, so to say it was serendipitous would be a gross understatement.
I LOVED N STILL LOVE TIL N TO THIS DAY RENT (ONLY THE MOVIE VESION THOUGH) N THE LION KING (BOTH THE MOVIE N THE PLAY) LE MES (ONLY THE MOVIE VERSION THOUGH) N HAIRSPRAY (ONLY THE MOVIE VERSION THOUGH)
You should attend La Boheme.
I really relate to RENT. I was in my 20's in the 90's, and me and my friends were just like the characters in the show. But, the thing that I relate to the most is that most of the characters have HIV/AIDS. I don't have AIDS, but I had blood transfusions during that time. I also have a disorder that I can't control called Marfan Syndrome (Jonathan Larson died of undiagnosed Marfan Syndrome).
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story made me cry what-
What touched me the most on that song were the parts when Eliza sang what she was produest of (The Orphanage) and also, when she gasped in the end.
Watching the finale of Les Mis for the first time might be the most overwhelming emotions I’ve ever felt at once
Thank you so much for including The Flesh Failure (Let the Sunshine In). Hair is a musical that changed my life and the fact that it's still relevant is both wonderful and scary.
It could have been number1.
Les Miserables and Rent are my absolute favorites. So powerful, I can't hear them without tearing up. 😭
I was in musical theater and I become emotional at every musical I am in and have watched. It is a beautiful thing.
You'll Never Walk Alone and Being Alive. I still get chills hearing them.
West side story finale deserved an honorable mention, at the least. The fact that they try to hold onto their on their dream of being together as tony dies is very powerful, emotionally.
Funny Girl (at least when Streisand played it on Broadway) also deserved at least an honorable mention. I'm also thinking of Camelot, Hello Dolly!, and My Fair Lady
Les mis, Hamilton and Hadestown are my personal favorites. But les mis wins me over everytime, especially the movie version.
"One" is definitely my favorite. The kickline is honestly one of the biggest Broadway moments of all time IMO, it's just iconic.
The first thing that came to mind when I saw this topic was "Hairspray." Probably the best non-tragic finale ever.
“Why We Tell the Story” - Once On This Island
“Children of Eden: Finale” - COE
“Home” - The Wiz
“Endgame” - Chess
“Come To My a Garden” - The Secret Garden
I saw Les Miserables on Broadway for my 18th birthday. The finale never fails to give me goosebumps and tear prickles.
Saw it for my 16th soo beautiful in person. 23 and want to see it again
I always liked “Let The Sun Shine In “ From Hair. What Makes The Song So Bitter Sweet Is That George Was Goofing Around with Claude’s Stuff And Was Mistakenly Drafted To Fight And Die In A War He Knew Was Wrong.
And had absolutely no training for. His death was inevitable.
That's the movie not the actual show.
"To love another person is to see the face of God."
Cabaret’s finale will always be one of my favorites. Alan Cumming’s final outfit reveal coupled with the bow gives me chills every time.
It is a CRIME that you didn't include "Come From Away" with its Finale. It was a wonderful epilogue to the story and NEEDED to be on the list.
One from A Chorus Line is so powerful it’s always on my list of grand finales. However, my first thought was the last song from Camelot-so very gripping and moving after the whole story unwinds.
No mention of Climb Every Mountain, one of the most beloved, rousing, hope-filled songs ever or Cabaret, one of the cheeriest sings ever so cynically and stingingly placed against the rise of the Nazis. The best of times are now from La Cage aux Folles. My Man. Oklahoma. Somewhere. And many more. A lot of these ones in this list won’t last the course, they’re just not good enough songs or the musicals are too small, whereas we know every single song in South Pacific is a smash hit 70 years later, the soundtrack album was No 1 in the USA for 14 months!
I'M SO HAPPY SOMEONE MENTIONED MAN OF LA MANCHA IF ANY STORY IS ABOUT HOPE IT'S THAT ONE AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE ENDING IS ABOUT
I cried so hard the first time I saw that show. So beautiful.
Godspell.
Most of these songs bring tears to my eyes though.
I totally think the ending to Six should be in here. I love how it reminds the audience that even though we just got to “know these real historical characters” that because they were just women in a patriarchal society, that all of what we just watched is a highly fictionalized version of them. It essentially the names of these women with little else. And of course ppl know it’s fiction but I like that reminder. That how the actors are portraying these women aren’t historically accurate to their personalities or thoughts because even though they were important enough to be remembered, it was only their names. It kinda reminds me of Hamilton’s song of Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.
On a side note, Les Mis totes desires the win!
The six wives of Henry VIII? The only one who was important historically was Anne Boleyn. And having PoC actresses portray them to make some kind of statement about patriarchy is just silly. And they weren’t “just women”. I think if you brought the washerwoman from the same era and tried to “educate” them about patriarchy they would laugh. They wouldn’t have any sympathy for those women.
@@debblouin you even tried to watch the show?
@@debblouin woah 😂
They tease it in the opening but it isnt even an honorable mention! It is such a kick ass modern musical
Great list. I think they nailed the top 2 with Who Lives Who Dies Who Tells Your Story and Do You Hear The People Sing? (Reprise). Those two have so much weight behind them and are simultaneously melancholy yet filled with so much hope. I can't help but feel uplifted and encouraged in spite of all the difficulties of life after hearing each of them.
The Phantom was one of the last shows me and my soon to be dead boyfriend/ lover of 33 1/2 years saw together. He died from a stroke. GOD that that is the first time I said it so bluntly. Thank you for allowing me to say it. He passed 3 1/2 years ago. Now I am going to sleep exhausted and drained but happy (?).
He'll always watch over you, William
Again!! Wicked! I was lucky enough to see Wicked with my sisters a few months ago and I had tears streaming down my face starting from For Good till the curtain closed
Dreamgirls (Reprise Finale) is a great song because we see a girlband recognizing a member who left, as we know we don't have much of these stories in girlbands and seeing them all together and singing demonstrates that after all that their sisterhood is what matters
Before watching my top picks would be:
1) Rent
2) Children of Eden
3) Les Miserables
4) Hamilton
5) Funny Girl
I see some of my faves here but 1 of my fave is the ending of Newsies. I still love how the focus of the ending is the entire cast of Newsies dancing
All of these wonderful songs even in short clips make me respond in a very emotional way. I remember the feelings I had when first experiencing these moments in the medium of live theater. What a gift to mankind they all are.
“I Sing The Body Electric” from FAME. Hands down best musical ending.
YES!!!!
Send to Dean Pitchford. He'll be pleased
My personal favorite is either Les Mis’s or Hunchback’s. Both are so beautiful.
Victor Hugo is musical gold. Wish the Smiling Man had a better musical adaptation. It was fine, but the music wasn’t good.
I saw les mis a few years ago and the whole show gave me chills. the finale was beyond amazing
One of my favorite Finale songs is lullaby of Broadway from 42nd Street! Honorable mention Home from The Wiz. Spot on with You can’t stop beat from Hairspray. I’ve seen dozens of show but that one had us dancing out the door!
Pippin finale is one of the best. It’s supposed to be an actual final act for the main character (spoiler) in which he is almost pressured to jump into fire. And how it comes full circle from the first couple of notes to the last. Iconic.
L
Especially when they added the tune of magic to do with son at the end
To any theatre fan with a broad knowledge past movie musicals… this list is crazy…. Who in their right minds put Sister Act above Being Alive and Roses Turn?!
💯 I could not believe Being Alive was #20!!!
Right?!? Roses Turn should be in the top with Les Mis.
@@BrittanyClark-vn1ee Curtain UP!!
“Being Alive” should be higher! Just my opinion. :) “Company” is my favorite Sondheim musical. I connect so personally to the themes, and cry whenever I listen to the soundtrack.
+1 I completely agree!
Listen to Barbra sing it! Best ever
Being Alive definitely deserved a minimum of 6 spots higher. It hits so personally.
Who's version of Being Alive is better? John Barrowman, Raul Esparza or Neil Patrick Harris?
It's one of the greatest songs ever, beautifully crafted! Dean Jones of the original cast gets my vote .
anything from the lion king will always touch me. I felt by sharing that wonderful moment with my mom that brought my life full circle. First I saw the original movie with my grandma when I was 5. Then when I was 16 I saw Broadway with my mom
All of these songs are incredible and definitely deserve their placement but I would have loved to see the Pippin finale. The show opens with a grand showstopping number in Magic to Do and then when it comes to the finale they strip all the glam and magic away and yet you still end up with an incredible peice that sends shivers down the spine everytime
One of the few musicals that I love every single song, tbh!
Pippins finale is WILD the song is also basically just "kys Pippin it'll be cool"
It is still "Phantom of the Opera" for me. The first time I saw it I had goosebumps that have made a home in my soul. 😍😍
Finale of Les Miserables always make tears streaming down my face. Although the show itself is not even on my personal top 5 most fav, the finale is definitely one of the most memorable and touching for me.
Phantom’s finale leaves me in tears everytime, doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen it. It’s just so beautifully heartbreaking.
Circle of Life makes me want to cry. It’s so awesome and the fact that emit ends with a literal Circle of Life is so emotional.
Thank you for including part of Michael Crawford as the phantom. :)
No problem!
It doesn’t get any better than Michael Crawford or Colm Wilkinson for leading man.
My fav duo will always be Ramin Karimloo & Sierra Boggess
How do you not put You're the One That I Want from Grease??? It's so good and iconic. You got #1 right though.
OK, you had me worried that the finale to Les Mis would not be on your list. If it hadn't been, I would not be following your lists any more. So good job on that being No. 1.
I really wish that “it’s time to dance” from The Prom was on this list. It seriously is the most uplifting and awesome song
As a lesbian watching that number for the first time had me SEVERELY choked up
I fully agree with the Les Miserables finale (as it's my favorite finale of all time), but I think Anatevka from Fiddler on the Roof deserves at least an honorable mention (although you did put a short teaser with it at the beginning). It may not be high energy, but it conveys a heartbreaking sadness and a sense of hope at the same time (while injecting a bit of Fiddler's trademark sense of humor in a few places).
I legit can't listen to the Six finale without crying happy tears
You'll Never Walk Alone was one of the songs my mother had requested for her funeral.
My high school graduating class sang it during the ceremony.
My mother asked me to sing it for her funeral too. Miss you Mom😢💔
Finding Neverland's ending just dismantled my heart and soul. Love love love 💚💚💚
I don't know if the 2021 tick tick boom would be considered.. but man louder than words is just amazing
Hello Dolly (Carol Channing), One (reprised), Man of La Mancha (Richard Kiley), Climb Every Mountain (Florence Henderson), and Home (Stephanie Mills) from the Wiz are my 5 most memorable finales - I left the theatre thoroughly satisfied
thank you for mentioning Home - it was one of the best and one of the few, like Gypsy, where the finale was a solo. Do you know of any others with a solo finale?
@@stevenchapin8274 Being Alive (Company) and My Man (Funny Girl) if I'm not wrong - never had the chance to see in person.
Anyone who doesn't belt out the Les Miserables finale has no soul! My favorite
How in the heck did I get away with not knowing Idina Mendez and Kristen Chenoweth were in Wicked? Actually there are a lot of people in these that I had no idea were in them. Crazy
The bigger question is how did you not know in the first place? I'm not trying to be a dick or anything but, like, have you never heard For Good? If not look that shit up right now and grab some tissues while you're at it.
Wait… what? They are the OBC
N IDINA MENZEL WAS ALSO IN RENT (THE MOVIE VERSION)
@@feelthejoy N SHE WAS ALSO IN RENT (THE MOVIE VERSION N THE WOMAN THAT PLAYED HER GIRLFRIEND WAS IN BOTH THE MOVIE N THE PLAY)
@@jeremygilbert7989 I will!
Great list, kudos!
I personally would have included 'Purple Summer' from Spring Awakening. The harmonies, the hope, the strenght ... Chills!!!!
You forgot to include the finale of MISS SAIGON! ❤️
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story from "Hamilton"...gets me every time. Although the finale song from "Les Miserables" is a very close second. Finale from "Phantom of the Opera" is also great
Omg yes with Hamilton wow .
I did raise you up and just be with my show choir my 8th grade.. so many memories 🥹
Sunday from Sunday in the Park with George should be on every best musical finale list.
In the heights and who lives ,who dies who tells your story are my favorite
Geat work! I have to say that I feel that I've Grown Acustomed to her Face, from My Fair Lady and Camelot - Reprise - two Julie Andrews great musicals as well as other classics such as My Man- from Funny Girl, Climb Every Mountain from The Sound of Music and Somewhere , from West Side Story deserved at least honorable mentions, as a few of those songs on your list are ...a bit obscure and soon forgotten after you leave the theatre.
My absolute favorite is Les Miserables. It’s so powerful and moving (like the rest of the play) All those characters who had suffered so much in their lives (mainly Jean, Fantine and Eponine) leaving their sad hard lives behind and going to Heaven…If I don’t cry during the musical at all (which is extremely rare) I will almost always cry with the finale
Everyone always forgets Tell Me It’s Not True from Blood Brothers. It’s wonderful and it makes you rise to your feet with sad tears streaming down your face even though you always knew how it was going to end.
I can't hear even one line of that song without breaking into tears.
So true. The whole show is fantastic.
Rose’s Turn should be way higher. That is a banger to end on.
I agree with the number one, but I also love The Great Comet of 1812. It's so gorgeous and uplifting and such an unique climax of a story.
Yes definitely!!! That show is so underrated!
I saw every iteration of Natasha, Pierre, etc. from its beginning at Ars Nova to Broadway. I saw it at least 7 times! I just listened to the soundtrack yesterday.
@@claybyrd2 luckyyyy!! I became a fan too late :(((
Personally, Happiness from You’re a a good man Charlie Brown, I can relate to. It pretty much speaks to the normal person who sees life with silver linings and finding the good in between things. Best song is Hairspray indeed. Catchy song!
I used that as my senior quote in my high school yearbook.
Rose’s Turn is #14
Please tell me you were high when this list was put together…as usual Ms Mojo rarely realizes there was musical theater prior to the 2000’s…
Yeah....they have an inappropriate obsession with Webber too. Pretty much every MT composer is better than Webber; none of his songs should have made this list.
@@carr0760 Your opinion which is based on some fantasy you live in! LOL
@@koriley It's called objective reality. All musical theatre professionals (which I am) know that Webber isn't great. He writes the musical theatre equivalent of bubblegum pop. Yes, it's commercial and it sells, but it's simple and uninteresting...and in many cases, complete crap.
@@carr0760 Oh I think I've seen you on Reddit (if I'm mistaken, I apologise)