Top 10 Opening Songs from Broadway Musicals

Welcome to Gander, Newfoundland, a small town in Atlantic Canada where thousands of people sought refuge during September 2001. “Come From Away” follows a plethora of touching stories that emerged from that day. Featuring a modestly sized ensemble, the cast pulls double duty by portraying multiple roles, including locals, travellers and community members. The captivating opening number captures the hospitality that Gander has come to be known for. It instantly greets spectators with open arms through warm yet commanding lyrics. “Welcome to the Rock” is the perfect introduction to a charming production that leads with its heart.

Any musical theater performer knows the excitement and pressure that come with hearing the numbers “5, 6, 7, 8…” And in this meta production about auditioning for a musical, the stakes are just as high as the kicks. Based on true stories of real life dancers in the 1970s, “I Hope I Get It”, is honest, raw, and rooted in truth. The lyrics of this number tap into the characters’ inner thoughts during a try-out, and are just sympathetic enough to help us understand them. A roller coaster of doubt, optimism, and desperation, this tune is a love letter to anyone with a dream.

A spectacle of technical achievements and legacy, “Wicked” is a powerhouse musical that continues to take Broadway by storm nearly 20 years later. To kick things off, the show drops its audience right into the thick of the story. Much to the delight of the Ozians, the Wicked Witch of the West - also known as Elphaba - has been proclaimed dead. Their beloved Glinda the Good arrives, and attempts to use this song as a teachable moment. She reminds everyone that her onetime rival has a story worth hearing. The tune unpacks Elphaba’s tragic origin, and cleverly subverts our assumptions of who the high-profile antagonist actually is.

Playing off The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ hard selling door-to-door tactic, “Hello!” hits all the right notes. Setting the tone for a satirical musical comedy about Mormon missionaries, this opening number is fun, cheery, and side-splitting. Featuring the heavenly harmonies of its superb ensemble members, the song is an easy listen. Especially when you consider many of the events that follow! Pushing the boundaries of musical comedy, “BOM” knows that its content isn’t for everyone. But it wisely opts for a tame - yet extremely humorous - opening number that just about anyone can enjoy.

There’s nothing quite like settling into a dark theater and hearing the first few notes emitting from the orchestra pit as the lights come up. The sense of anticipation is simply unparalleled. This classic opening tune, which was made famous by Oscar winner Joel Grey, understands that excitement. What’s more, it feeds into it by breaking down the fourth wall and inviting the audience to Berlin’s Kit Kat Klub. Led by the Emcee, “Willkommen” is an immersive celebration of live performance. Thrilling and playful, this cheeky little opener effectively drives home the point that life really is a “Cabaret”.

“Good Morning Baltimore” has all the makings of a great opening number: it’s thrilling, captivating, and leaves us excited to see more. Told through the perspective of teenager Tracy Turnblad, the song transports us to 1960s Baltimore, where everyone has big, beautiful dreams - and hair. She takes the audience on a journey through an average morning in her life, which includes plenty of lively dancing and singing. Tracy adores every square inch of her hometown, even the seedier parts. Her optimism gleams through every lyric, and helps set the stage for this Broadway blockbuster.

The Disney classic astounded audiences when it debuted on the big screen in 1994. A few years later, it became one of the most powerful and transcendent opening numbers in Broadway history. And it’s easy to see why. Using the Zulu language off the top of the song, the music then swells in an emotional, stirring and climactic chorus. Featuring a vocal mosaic of leads and ensemble members, it's a beautiful moment of community that’s accompanied by awe-inspiring visuals. “Circle of Life” is a true theatrical experience that earns its long-standing Broadway residency time and time again.

This musical theater classic trades in pizazz for tranquility. With the opening tune, protagonist Curly McLain transports listeners to Oklahoma, where fields are golden and skies are endless. The cheerful cowboy revels in how lovely the morning is, as he admires his surroundings and confidently anticipates a perfect day ahead. Penned by legends Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, the buoyant and optimistic lyrics have been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra to James Taylor. A staple of the Golden Age of Broadway, there’s a reason musical theater fans hold this number in such high regard.

Ron Chernow’s biography about Alexander Hamilton gave Lin-Manuel Miranda the idea to create a musical about the oft-forgotten Founding Father. And thank goodness he did. Through the opening rap, he catches the audience up on Hamilton’s backstory, and gives them a glimpse at what’s to come. Importantly, much of the play is actually narrated by the protagonist’s future rival, Aaron Burr. Needless to say, this perspective gives the introductory song an extra layer of complexity and depth. Keeping with a steady beat, the track rises to a captivating climactic finish that establishes this revolutionary piece of theater’s pace and tone.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Prologue: Little Shop of Horrors”, “Little Shop of Horrors”
This Fun Tune Welcomes the Audience Into a Weird World

“All That Jazz”, “Chicago”
This Song Sets the Mood for the Dark but Fun Spectacle That Follows

“Prelude: The Ballad of Sweeney Todd: “Attend the Tale of Sweeney Todd”, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
A Dark & Ominous Number That Establishes the Horror Musical’s Backstory

“Magic to Do”, “Pippin”
It’s Understandably One of Stephen Schwartz’s Most Famous Songs

“Ex-Wives”, “Six”
This Number Introduces Henry VIII’s Spouses & Begins to Break Down Historical Falsehoods

Mastering the art of opening a show isn’t easy. But “Fiddler on the Roof” knocks it out of the park with “Tradition”. Following a prologue by lead character Tevye, the song welcomes us to Anatevka, Russia in the early 1900s. A man of tradition, the aging father desperately wants to preserve his Jewish customs despite the fact that the world around him is changing. In this song, the verses guide listeners through each villager’s duties, allowing us to easily understand the world of the play. Perhaps the most beautiful thing about the number is that it’s a celebration of community, which lies at the very heart of “Fiddler” itself.