[Sweeney Hyde]

Answer the question.
Discuss.
Fun fun fun.

I personally can't decide just yet...

[Xack]

I'm in between the ballad of Sweeney Todd and everybody's got the right.

[pish123c]

I've really grown to appreciate how sharp Company's opening can be.

[Guinevere]

I love, love, love "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd". I cannot stress that enough! I think it is a perfect opening to that show. It has this beautiful, eerie sound to the music, I think. It gives you a "feel" for what is in store regarding the story, lyrics wise. It is just great.

That is my favorite. No doubt about that. You do make it tough when I see the options there if I were to make a #2 choice. When you look at them all together, it almost makes it more difficult to choose one from the other. "Company" is pretty good. Then again, so is "Night Waltz". Then there is... Oh, forget it! I can't really seem to choose. So I will just stick to my answer for #1, which is "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd".

[DontDoSadnessxx]

the ballad of sweeney todd and sunday in the park with george for me <3

[Not Dead Yet]

I vote Sweeney, but Company comes close.

[Salome]

Company..hands down. the city rythyms the pulsing tones..its a real bitch to perform though but when you do it its a high!

Follies,Sweeney and Assassins are also high on the list for me.

[musicalfan07]

I voted Sunday in the Park with George, simply because it's such a great character development song for Dot, and also tells us alot about George.

[musikal_geek]

That's hard...
I'll tell you what's NOT the best opening, though.
INTO THE WOODS

Boo.

[Borb]

I voted for The Ballad of Sweeney Todd. It gives me chills every time. It really sets the whole tone for the show, and lets the audience know what they are about to see.

Company comes in at a close second. It is a very complicated number, and is amazing when performed right.

[Xack]

I've decided, I chose "Everybody's got the right" the song just perfectly captures what you're in for. I also love playing it for people who have no idea what it is. The faces I see when they hear "Come here and kill a president" are priceless!

[what_the_heck013]

For me, it's between Into the Woods and "Everybody's Got the Right". I also really do like the Night Waltz, which is one of Sondheim's few actual overtures.

[BenStone]

Definitely, Company - but then it's the first Sondheim number I heard and got to perform so it's special that way.

The Ballad is good too - but Comedy Tonight, when done well, like at the RNT, is a great rabble rouser and lots of fun.

[Anno_Domini]

Gotta cast my vote for the Ballad, I just can't stop whistling the bloody thing (no pun intended)

After that is "Comedy Tonight" (always a fun little romp) and Company (haven't listend to it in a while, but I remember that I liked it(

[ActingDude17]

Gotta love the Ballad!

[musicalFREEK]

I'm between the Ballad of Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods...

I love booth... that was a lame joke, sorry...

[reedzee]

I picked Sweeney, but that was just out of the ones I've actually heard. I've only heard a few on this list.

[LookBehindTheFacade]

It was close between Company and Sweeney...

...but in the end Sweeney prevailed.

[Kiwi]

Sweeney...followed by Comedy Tonight or Everybody's Got the Right.

But i also love Invocation and Instructions to the Audience from The Frogs, it's how every play should begin

[RainbowJude]

I'd say "Company" is my favourite opening number. I think its got a great energy about it, a tremendous build and it sets up the entire show flawlessly.

Later days
David

[jackissensational]

[qmechanic]

I voted for the Ballad of Sweeney Todd a while back, but now that I think about it, I should have voted for Company!

[ilovebway]

Company for me.

[Electricity24601]

I went for Sunday just because I get chills when I hear "White, a blank slate or canvas. The challenge to bring order to the whole... through design".
I also love how it starts so simply- no overture, just a man talking on stage. And then the music comes in and you're totally sucked into George's world. Love it.

[jesuiscommejesuis]

The Ballad of Sweeney Todd, the Prologue from Into the Woods, and Everybody's Got the Right are all phenomenal, I can't decide which is best. Come to think of it, Sondheim always has very impressive openings.

[curlyhairedsoprano91]

ITW opener, hands down.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

Into The Woods because that's the only one I've ever seen since I don't think that the Ballad of Sweeney Todd is in the movie.

[Sweeney Hyde]

Why people vote when they lack the knowledge to do so is beyond me.

[Anno_Domini]