Every Broadway show has that one number that completely blows you away and leaves you speechless as you exit the theater. Though there are so many to choose from, I have narrowed my list down to ten.
10. Voulez Vous – Mamma Mia!
This dream sequence at the end of Act 1 brings all of Sophie’s problems full circle, literally. With the party dancing around her and the lights show going on above her, this definitely tops my favorite dance numbers.
9. Don’t Stop Believin – Rock of Ages
The Journey hit is such an iconic song and makes an even better finale number that gets the whole audience on their feet. This riff-tastic song is always stuck in my head when I walk out the door.
8. The Phantom of the Opera – The Phantom of the Opera
You can’t beat this classic scene of the Phantom taking Christine down to his lair for the first time. This boat ride through the sewer underneath the Opera House always haunts my mind.
7. All That Jazz – Chicago
The show starts will betrayal, murder, and the dance stylings of the famous Bob Fosse. What more can you ask for from an opening number?
6. Impossible/ It’s Possible – Cinderella
What makes this number is the amazing costume changes of the Fairy Godmother and Cinderella, you can see why this show won the Tony Award for costumes. No matter how many times you watch, it’s just purely magic.
5. Everybody Say Yeah – Kinky Boots
This number completely blew me away at the Tony Awards, Cyndi Lauper created such a fun score with this show. With the huge ensemble cast and the conveyer belt choreography, this song is so much fun you have to love it.
4. Seize the Day – Newsies
The Newsies boys are very talented from singing to dancing throughout the show, however Seize the Day truly shows off all their talents. Don’t believe me? You try to dance and spin on sheets of newspaper!
3. Magic To Do – Pippin
The circus comes to the stage when acrobats and Fosse-style dancing meet in the opening for Pippin. This is already a spectacular show, but this production makes this song a true spectacle.
2. Revolting Children – Matilda the Musical
Matilda has many great numbers, but what brings this song to the top of the list is the incredible dancing of the children of this show. Revolting Children is so high energy that I want to jump up on a desk and cheer along with the students.
1. Defying Gravity – Wicked
When you leave Wicked for the first time, this is the moment you remember. You feel like you are rising out of your seat as Elphaba takes off on her broom for the first time. I have seen the show four times and my jaw is still on my lap at intermission.