Weekend Poll Top Three: Pippin Takes the Crown as the Best Act One Finale on Broadway

The number that ends the first act of a Broadway musical is a magical time for theatergoers. It can leave audiences on a high that carries through intermission and beyond. Who doesn’t get chills during Les Miserables’ “One Day More” or Dreamgirls’ “And I Am Telling You?” This weekend, we asked you to assess the current landscape of Broadway musicals and pick your favorite. Check out the surprising results below.

1. “Morning Glow” From Pippin - 36%
In Diane Paulus’ Tony-winning production of Pippin, Act One comes to an end with the coronation of Prince Pippin (Matthew James Thomas). Surrounded by circus folk, Pippin and the Leading Player (Patina Miller) look toward what’s ahead for the newly crowned king. While not the flashiest number in the jaw-dropping Broadway production, “Morning Glow” is most definitely a powerful send off before the 15-minute interlude.


2. “Defying Gravity” From Wicked - 35%
Wicked tells the untold story of Elphaba (Lindsay Mendez) and Glinda (Katie Rose Clarke), two young friends who become the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch, respectively. In the first act finale, Elphaba takes flight for the first time in the heart-pounding number “Defying Gravity.” As intermission begins at the Gershwin Theatre, audiences are feeling as high-flying as Elphie.


3. “Man Up” From The Book of Mormon - 6%
The sidesplitting, Tony-winning musical The Book of Mormon ends its first act with the characters coming together and each one singing his or her own part of the song. After being deserted by his mission brother Elder Price (Matt Doyle), the bumbling buffoon Elder Cunningham (Cody Jamison Strand) decides its time to man up and spread the Mormon word alone. Leave it to Mormon to end Act One with a big, hearty laugh.