Top 10 Opening Numbers That Instantly Set the Tone
- Garry Anderson
- Sep 2
- 6 min read
The lights go down. The overture ends. And then - BAM - the opening number hits.
A great opening number doesn't just start the show - it defines it. It tells the audience what kind of ride they're in for: chaotic comedy? Epic drama? Intimate storytelling? Whatever the tone, that first song has one job - grab attention and never let go.
Some musicals ease you in. Others kick down the door. But the best opening numbers all have one thing in common: they make you lean forward in your seat and think, "Okay... I'm in."
In this post, we're counting down the top 10 opening numbers that nail it from the first note, setting the tone with style, purpose and unforgettable energy.
What Makes a Great Opening Number?
A brilliant opening number doesn't just start the show - it builds the world, sets the mood, and tells the audience what to expect. Think of it as the musical's first impression, and just like in life, first impressions matter.
Here's what makes an opening number truly unforgettable:
1) Tone-Setter
Whether it's chaos, charm, drama, or disco - an opener sets the emotional tone. The music, lyrics, and energy let you know what kind of story is about to unfold.
2) Introduces Key Characters and Concepts
The best opening numbers often give us our first glimpse at the main players, themes, or even the setting - without feeling like an info dump.
3) Hooks the Audience
A killer opening number grabs your attention and doesn't let go. Whether it's a quiet solo or a full-cast spectacle, it pulls you into the world of the show.
4) Establishes Style and Structure
Is the show sung-through? Meta? Full of fourth-wall breaks or narrative twists? The opening number gives you a taste of the show's unique DNA.
5) Memorable and Rewatchable
Even after the curtain falls, a great opening sticks in your head. It's the kind of number you want to hear again - and maybe even perform yourself.
Top 10 Opening Numbers That Instantly Set the Tone
From explosive ensemble numbers to subtle solo ballads, these opening songs don't just start the show - they command the audience's attention from the very first note.
Each one of these musical openers sets the tone with absolute clarity - whether it's bold, chaotic, heartfelt, satirical, or revolutionary. They build the world, introduce the stakes, and tell us exactly what kind of ride we're in for.
Let's count down 10 opening numbers that know exactly what they're doing - and do it brilliantly.
1) "Alexander Hamilton" - Hamilton
Why It Works
In under four minutes, this opening number does the impossible: it introduces the title character, the major players, the tone, the stakes, and the show's entire premise - all while establishing a bold, genre-bending musical style. The song is tightly written, richly layered, and rhythmically addictive. Every character’s brief line is packed with subtext, hinting at relationships and foreshadowing future conflict. It’s a masterclass in narrative economy and style.
The Vibe
Epic, historical, rebellious, and razor-sharp. A mix of biography and bravado with a modern pulse.
2) "Tradition" - Fiddler on the Roof
Why It Works
This opening number sets up the entire world of the show - its people, its rules, and the tension between old customs and a changing future. Tevye's narration weaves through the song, introducing the audience to the town of Anatevka, the family structure, and the social hierarchy, all through catchy repetition and layered vocals. It immediately immerses us in culture, conflict, and character, without needing a single scene change.
The Vibe
Grounded, reflective, and communal. It’s both celebratory and cautionary - warm on the surface, but loaded with foreshadowing.
3) "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" - Oklahoma!
Why It Works
It’s quiet. Calm. Unexpected. And that’s exactly why it works. Instead of launching into a big ensemble number, Rodgers and Hammerstein gave us a lone cowboy strolling onstage, singing about the sky and the corn. With just a voice and an open stage, it redefined what a musical opener could be. This song sets a peaceful tone while subtly preparing us for deeper emotional and cultural tensions to come. It’s confident in its simplicity - and unforgettable because of it.
The Vibe
Hopeful, serene, sun-drenched Americana. A gentle start that slowly unfolds into something bigger.
4) "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" - Sweeney Todd
Why It Works
From the first ominous organ chord, this number tells you one thing: you’re not in for a feel-good night at the theatre. The chorus emerges like a Greek tragedy, warning us of Sweeney’s tale in haunting unison. The music is unsettling, the lyrics are sharp, and the whole piece feels like a creeping shadow pulling you into the darkness. It sets up the show’s themes of vengeance, madness, and moral decay - with no illusions of happy endings.
The Vibe
Dark, chilling, theatrical horror. A gothic prelude to murder, revenge, and razor blades.
5) "Welcome to the Rock" - Come From Away
Why It Works
With rhythmic stomps, driving percussion, and overlapping dialogue, this opener throws you straight into the heartbeat of Newfoundland. The ensemble functions like a living, breathing community - introducing characters, accents, and daily routines while building toward the global event that will disrupt them all. It’s fast, grounded, and rooted in real life. The repetition of “I’m an islander” becomes a grounding force in a show about global disconnection and human connection.
The Vibe
Raw, earthy, communal energy. Like a folk-rock news broadcast from a remote town just before history changes.
6) "Magic to Do" - Pippin
Why It Works
This number breaks the fourth wall from the start, with the Leading Player inviting the audience to witness a “journey” full of illusion, drama, and spectacle. It’s deliberately theatrical, setting the tone for a show that’s part musical, part performance-within-a-performance. The song is enticing and mysterious, drawing us in with the promise of something magical - while hinting at something much darker beneath the glitter.
The Vibe
Seductive, surreal, showbiz sparkle with a sinister edge. Theatrical charm meets existential dread.
7) "Tuning Up/One" - A Chorus Line
Why It Works
This opener puts us right in the middle of a Broadway audition - no preamble, no exposition. Just dancers warming up, a director barking instructions, and performers fighting for a spot on the line. The disjointed fragments of music, numbers, and tension build until they explode into “One,” giving us a glimpse of the polished product they’re all striving toward. It’s immersive, chaotic, and instantly sets the tone for a show about raw ambition, vulnerability, and survival.
The Vibe
Frantic, honest, high-stakes rehearsal energy. You can almost feel the sweat and stress.
8) "The Heat Is On in Saigon" - Miss Saigon
Why It Works
This opener throws the audience into the chaos, seduction, and desperation of 1970s Saigon during the Vietnam War. With pounding drums, strobe lighting, and overlapping ensemble vocals, it immerses you in a world of tension and exploitation within minutes. We meet key characters, understand the brutal stakes, and feel the heat - both literal and emotional. It's not just an introduction - it's a sensory assault.
The Vibe
Gritty, chaotic, and dangerous. Theatrical realism with a pulse you can’t ignore.
9) "All That Jazz" - Chicago
Why It Works
Velma Kelly struts into the spotlight and instantly sets the tone for a show that’s all about glamour, grit, crime, and manipulation. The number oozes sensuality, showbiz satire, and razor-sharp cool - all before we even meet the full cast. With its sultry rhythm, tight choreography, and vaudeville undertone, this opening says: “You’re not just watching a show… you’re watching a performance about performance.”
The Vibe
Sleek, seductive, and cynical. Pure showbiz with a wink and a knife behind the curtain.
10) "Rent" - Rent
Why It Works
No overture. No warm-up. Just a blast of electric guitar and a voicemail telling us the rent is due. The title number launches us straight into the gritty, bohemian chaos of 1990s New York - introducing us to a world of artists, poverty, defiance, and community. It’s bold, loud, and unapologetically raw, perfectly capturing the show's DIY spirit and urgent tone. You know right away: this isn’t your typical Broadway musical.
The Vibe
Grungy, rebellious, and full of heart. Equal parts punk rock and poetic frustration.
Final Thoughts
An opening number is more than just the start of a musical - it’s a statement of intent. It tells us where we are, what’s at stake, and what kind of emotional journey we’re about to take. Whether it’s whispered with quiet longing or blasted through an ensemble wall of sound, the best openers grab the audience and never let go.
From Broadway classics to modern masterpieces, these songs set the tone with power, personality, and purpose. They’re the first impression - and sometimes, the most unforgettable.
What’s your favourite musical opening number?
Did it make the list? Or is there one you think deserves a spot? Let us know in the comments!
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