The Best of Broadway (IMHO) #1

Because all good things must come to an end. Because not all endings are final. And, because sometimes you have to stand up and say "World, this is my time now." For all that, and because it makes me cry, this song from Gypsy is my number one.

#1: "Rose's Turn" from Gypsy

The Best of Broadway (IMHO) #2

Much subtlety is lost in our hyper, stylized, and glossy media world. There are things to be said about old actors and their ability to bring to life so much with so little. While some modern actors have this talent, and many old actors didn't, I think, if recent trends at the box office are any indication, that subtlety is no longer quite so important. This song is an ode to a fading art. As a classicist, I appreciate this very much.

#2: "With One Look" from Sunset Boulevard 

The Best of Broadway (IMHO) #3

Fox introduced me to this musical soon after we met. I will admit freely that I did not watch it right away, and, alas, never watched the version she bought for me. I have, however, seen the show, and I am chagrined to say that I should have watched it long, long before. I am sorry, Fox. This part of it now makes the top three, so that should ameliorate all ill feeling.

The Best of Broadway (IMHO) # 4

Javert dreams of hunting down Valjean, but this next song concerns a different kind of dream. Sometimes we wish ourselves in worlds of dragons and sorcery. More often, however, we wish ourselves to be heroes, to be greater than we are. May our wishes inspire actions. May our actions inspire others.

#4: "Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha

The Best of Broadway (IMHO) # 5

Les Miserables was my first Broadway show, and you never forget your first. We had fantastic seats, and many songs from that night would influence my imagination for years to come. The following song, however, was my favorite all those years ago, and while it isn't now, it deserves to be on this most arbitrary of lists.

#5: "Stars" from Les Miserables

The Best of Broadway (IMHO) # 6

When a song is particularly catchy, and you find that the melody and the lyrics roll like marbles in your head, it deserves to be on a list somewhere.

# 6: "An Old Fashioned Wedding" from Annie Get Your Gun

The Best of Broadway (IMHO) # 7

This list is not meant as objective critique, but rather a list of songs that inspired me, that made me laugh or cry, that filled me with that special, glorious sensation of wonder.

#7: "Climb Every Mountain" from The Sound of Music

The Best of Broadway (IMHO) #8

Money makes the world go round. And this song is my favorite from Caberet.

"Money" from Caberet is # 8.

The Best of Broadway (IMHO) # 9

The only version of this song that I could find comes from the cinematic adaptation, but that is fine, because it is still one of the best numbers in the show, and my ninth best choice for Broadway songs.

# 9: "We Both Reached for the Gun" aka "The Press Conference Rag" from Chicago

The Best of Broadway (IMHO) # 10

I enjoy Pandora's Broadway selection from time to time (read: daily), and so I have decided to spend the next ten days posting my favorite bits of Broadway.

#10: "I am what I am" from La Cage Aux Folles