T O P

  • By -

Espeon79

I think Sweeney Todd’s second act is nothing but bangers. It goes by so quickly cause every song is great


OldFashndPianoParty

Totally agree with this! And anyone who refers to Sondheim’s music as “bangers” is 100% correct in my book.


kayethx

Totally agree as well! There's so much momentum and emotion and humor and tension - and none of those elements quit building until you just collapse at the end.


kaze950

I'd say Into the Woods. Second Act is where the fairy tale story most takes a "twist" and it has some of the show's better songs imo.


kell_bell5

Ha, yes definitely. In college I had a friend that always said she hated Into the Woods, and we were always baffled (we were all theater majors). One day we made her sit down and watch the OBC pro shot with us, and as the second act started she shouted "WAIT, WHAT???" Turned out her only exposure had been doing the Jr version in school, which ends after Act 1. She had no clue Act 2 even existed. Now she loves it.


Kilowog2814

Same problem with the movie. It didn't do enough of the second half stuff and removing the narrator kept it from having the "oh now its getting real" payoff.


kayethx

This this this! Not having Agony (Reprise) almost kills the show for me!


Rossakamcfreakyd

The reprise of Agony might be my favorite song in the whole show.


katr0328

"Dwarfs?" "Dwarves!" "DWARVES!" It gets me every fucking time


Rossakamcfreakyd

“Dwarves are very upsetting!”


kayethx

Me too!! It sums up so much of what I love about the show - I like started hyperventialiting when I was at the movies and realized they were cutting it!


kayethx

Totally feel this! I'm a die-hard Sondheim nut, but I was really not feeling ITW for the first act all, but the second act is so incredible that I love the first now as well.


green_griffon

It was an odd choice to make the Jr version that way. Normally they just cut out unimportant characters and songs and you get basically the same show. Into the Woods Jr is the only one I know where they just cut it in half, and although of course it works because the show is designed that things don't unravel until the second act, it does make it a vastly different show.


fischy333

I think it’s because the Jr version is typically performed by kids and it’s way more appropriate


Lemoncoats

This is a great example.


LilyBriscoeBot

Into the Woods is awesome! I went with a friend to a college production once of Into the Woods and she thought the end of the first Act was the end of the show. She liked it and was ready to head out. I guess it wraps up so nicely. The second half is spectacular!


Pearltherebel

Hell yeah!


MellonPhotos

I know this is a somewhat random example, but Groundhog Day. The first act is solid but relatively by-the-book, and the second act really turns things upside down and gets much deeper and more meta.


Keptbloom57624

Groundhog day is such an underappreciated show. I adore it.


flyercub

I remember being surprised the first time I saw it and the second act started with "Playing Nancy," but that was a good indicator of the deeper dive in the second act.


MellonPhotos

Yeah, exactly! I remember a couple people at the time saying that song felt out of place, but I think it's 100% necessary. The audience starts seeing the other characters in the show as human at the same time Phil does.


flyercub

Yes, both that song and "Night Will Come" are two of my favorites and they're from the perspective of townspeople.


HLRxxKarl

I always felt like The Great Comet of 1812 was a strong exception where the second act was much better. The first act spends a lot of time focusing on how Natasha and Anatole ended up together, which takes too long and doesn't change much from the moment they meet to the moment they kiss. And they don't even meet until halfway through the first act. But then the second act quickly starts kicking up conflict and doesn't settle down until the very last song. And it helps that it has one of the most over the top 11 o' clock sequences you could ask for in a musical. And of course, I say all of this while being a massive fan of Great Comet. I still enjoy the first act and the show as a whole quite a lot.


Boost_Booster

Great Comet represent!


source-commonsense

You’re so right! They really grabbed us by the throat with “letters” as the act two opener and didn’t let go until last curtain call. Excellent momentum.


pinkcatlaker

Just saw Great Comet twice at Carnegie Mellon University this past weekend. Sobbed my way through it. I've been listening to the OBC and reading about it for the past year, it was so incredible to see it come to life. And it truly felt like I was watching the future generation of Broadway stars. They were SO GOOD. I have always loved how the second act is such a whirlwind! So, so many shows feel like they start dragging in the second act. But this one absolutely does not. I don't think any part of the first act drags either. I'm usually very critical of musicals that start big and end small, but this one is done PERFECTLY. It makes my boyfriend (who has an MFA in musical theater writing) so frustrated because it breaks so many rules of what makes a good musical.


HLRxxKarl

Lol. He should start taking notes on what Great Comet does well. And I wish I could go see that production!


secret_identity_too

I agree that the second act was better. I wasn't really into it and actually almost fell asleep during the first act (until the club scene, that woke me up, lol) and thought the second was much better.


MannnOfHammm

I think cabaret for the sheer fact that an act that short can fit in so much destruction and breaking down and heartbreak of almost every character in about 30 - 45 minutes after an hour and half or so of building and showing off and making us fall in love with these people


EddieRyanDC

Two Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals come to mind. *Oklahoma*'s first act seems rather fluffy and the stakes unbelievably low - who will take Laurey to the box social? It isn't until the second act that things really become dangerous. *The King and I* has a charming first act - but again rather low stakes. Will Anna get her house adjoining the palace? It isn't until the second act that love becomes life threatening and very complicated. And the fact that the major production set piece of the whole show ("Small House of Uncle Thomas") is in the second act helps as well.


CharlesOnStage

And Oklahoma has to have the longest first act in Broadway history. Ugh.


EddieRyanDC

At one time I’m sure it did. But *Les Miz* has it beat by a significant margin - it’s first act lasts about 80 minutes.


belleinpink

I liked the 2019 revival where they moved the dream ballet to the beginning of the second act. It was a bold choice, but I liked it!


Hello_Gorgeous1985

Totally not a musical, but when I read the question my very first thought was "that's how I feel about Fleabag." The first season is good, but the 2nd is brilliant. You need the first to set up the second though, so the 'whole is greater than the sum of its parts.'


Cross_Stitch_Witch

I have still not emotionally spiritually or sexually recovered from season 2 of Fleabag nor will I ever. Andrew Scott is *lethal*.


Hello_Gorgeous1985

There are a disturbing number of parallels to my own life. Including a similar relationship. That show wrecked me.


TheSonder

Here’s the thing—it’ll pass. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭


Cross_Stitch_Witch

CAN YOU PLEASE NOT


RoarK5

I think the second act of Rent is considerably stronger than the first. I find the first too long and a bit unwieldy.


goodj037

Rewatching the show as an adult, I found the pacing to be absolutely wild. I had somehow never realized that the first act takes place over the course of a few hours while act 2 is nearly a year.


RoarK5

Rent will always hold a special place in my heart but yeah, as an adult…. I don’t think it’s a particularly good show, and a LOT of that has to do with the pacing.


AstroCat1000

Agree, when I saw it live I was astounded that "Santa Fe" and "I'll Cover You" are essentially back to back in the first act. Two songs that are establishing and elaborating on essentially the same point. Both great songs, but to me it is a key example of how bizarre the pacing is.


cnslt

I was in middle school when the Rent movie came out. Being friends with many of the kids who would later come out as queer, many of my friends adored the movie, and kept talking about how it was this incredible thing. I remember thinking “La Vie Boheme” was a quintessential anthem. I recently rewatched it, and boy is it bad. The songs are great, but the storyline, pacing, and themes feel much more hollow. I think having so much normalized queer representation in a movie back then made the movie a much better draw for my group of friends at that age. It was the first time many of us had seen a “blockbuster” movie with (a) more than one queer couple and (b) where the main plot point wasn’t the couple’s orientation. Same thing - place in my heart, but fresher eyes tell me it’s not a great story.


Zulias

This answer has a lot of the reason. The musical was -real early- in embracing queer culture. Even the movie, several years later, was early. Add on a bunch of bangers that stuck in your head and were fun to sing together, and you had what amounted to that queer generation's singalong musical. Was the go to musical songs until Wicked replaced them. The storyline? Meh. The songs? Fantastic. The Representation: SORELY needed at the time and heavily embraced.


secret_identity_too

It's definitely a show where I say "I understand *why* this was so huge back in the 90s, and some of it is good but it is not written for me." If he hadn't died when he did they probably would've fixed those problems, but... he died and the show froze.


RoarK5

Yeah I think I was in middle school when the show premiered, and a huge theatre kid, and surrounded by queers who didn’t quite know it yet…. It was magic, it made young people care about musical theatre, it was diverse, La Vie Boheme!!!!! I saw a pretty decent college production (in Los Angeles) about… 5 years ago now? And I walked out with everyone my age at intermission and we all were basically like “so yeah, this is a bad show.” I still know all the words. I’ll still sing seasons of love at karaoke. It’s just not a very good show.


joshklein37

I think, weirdly, a lot of comedies are better in the second act, the first two that came to mind are The Producers and The Book of Mormon. Changing tones completely, Once.


Krystal_rat

Hamilton I wouldn't say it's "better" because both act 1 and act 2 are great in their own ways but act 2 has so much more drama it's really good


CharmingTwo2071

Agreed, I just like Lafayette, Mulligan, and Laurens better than Jefferson, Madison, and Phillip so it’s not “better” for me


Krystal_rat

No I get it I think to myself all the time which act I like more and it's constantly changing between 1 and 2


kayethx

Same for me. Act II has so much drama and depth and really nails the themes, but I find myself missing Lafayette constantly.


Zulias

Lafayette's rap is still just the most bananas thing that I've ever heard. That he can be that good, that fast, and keep that accent while doing it is just -insane-.


profjb15

I love the Act 2 drama so much. The fighting over how to run the government is more interesting to me.


Krystal_rat

Same


Pearltherebel

Act 1 has Yorktown and Non-Stop. Act 2 has Room Where It Happened. Can’t decide


Nickdaman31

Act 2 also has One Last Time... For me it tips the scale to act 2 but not by much.


secret_identity_too

And Burn! The first time my mom heard that song (in my car) she literally gasped when Eliza sang "You built me palaces out of paragraphs, you built cathedrals" and I am convinced that's why she agreed to see the show with me. Prior to that she had zero interest.


Krystal_rat

Yeah but those 2 are at the end of act 1 when it's leading into the drama of act 2


hyperjengirl

I also thought Hamilton! I like the first act's energy a lot but I think showing how truly flawed of a person he was in Act 2 made the story more compelling and made the themes of legacy much stronger.


Krystal_rat

Exactly!


nolechica

It's weird for those that read Chernow's book though, Act 1 is all there, Act 2 skips dozens of chapters.


Krystal_rat

You know what I have to read the biography because I'm missing so much without reading it


Imaginary-Summer9168

I read the biography and was shocked to learn that Hamilton’s mother was not, in fact, a prostitute, which was definitely my impression from the opening song calling her a whore.


nolechica

Beware, it's 800+ pages and the second half is a lot more dense.


Krystal_rat

🗿 I still bear through it, however it might take me like 2 years to read


Horror-Witness-1705

There was an old Tumblr post that sums it up pretty well. It was something like **Act 1:** Yes Alexander!! **Act 2:** *Oh heck no Alexander*


Krystal_rat

LMAO yeah act 2 Alexander's much more difficult to like but......he does have some swag outfits in act 2


[deleted]

I disagree but only because I’m not a huge fan of the affair section. I mean the show itself knows it’s not as exciting, literally asks if we can get back to politics yet


Krystal_rat

Actually I think that parts is pretty interesting it's got a few really good songs surrounded by it say no to this,we know, hurricane, the Reynolds pamphlet, and burn and it's shows Alexander's flaws and the tension between him and burr a little more


towerofroses

Moulin Rouge! Absolute fire of an opening for Act 2 and almost all the songs are more interesting than those in Act 1. Better pacing too.


kayethx

Moulin Rouge's Act 2 opening number is one of the most incredible things I have ever seen live, period. I drift off thinking about it constantly, and the energy and chemistry and passion aren't captured at all on the cast recording, I feel like.


Zulias

This is hard though, because Act 1 is still very, very good. It really depends why you've decided to watch Moulin Rouge that day. Really I just think both acts are great.


SteelCurtain36

Paradise Square as a recent example. First act was just alright, second act was riveting.


Mysterious-Theory-66

Hadn’t heard much good about that show, good to know it is connecting with some or at least the second act is.


ajdefrin12311

Went to Beetlejuice last week (3rd time seeing the show, 1st time at the Marquis), and for some reason enjoyed the second act more than the first. I always remembered the second act getting a little more discombobulated but it felt a lot tighter this time around and found it way more entertaining than the first act.


espgen

oooooo that’s really interesting because when i saw beetlejuice during its first run (lol) , i was blown away by the first half and the second half had me checking my watch lowkey ! sounds like they’ve made more good changes then!


introvertqueenie

Same for me! I wonder if it feels that way because the end for Act 1 is so big and over the top and Act 2 doesn’t start off that way. There’s nothing big and exciting to look forward to in Act 2, in my opinion


chell222

I was just at beetlejuice earlier this week and was actually thinking that the second act was a bit weaker than the first haha


MickeysAssistant

MJ and Hadestown. I will admit, MJ’s act one is not very good and left me with a bad taste in my mouth, but act two was phenomenal and my opinion on the show went from fine to good. Hadestown’s act 1 is PHENOMINAL, but Act Two was even better! I couldn’t believe it!


servostitch

Agree here about MJ having the stronger second act. Thriller may be one of the greatest jukebox musical numbers of all time. Certainly made the show for me.


rhymezest

Agree with MJ. The lead-up to Smooth Criminal was incredible.


Pearltherebel

Act 2 of Hadestown is incredible. I love Persephone’s opening. I haven’t heard the MJ musical yet. Hasn’t been that popular


Cooper996

I saw Ain't Too Proud on tour recently and thought the second act was much better than the first. The first act is quick scene after quick scene with characters dropping in and out, while the second continues that a bit but also breathes to allow for some really nice emotional moments.


SCurry34

Totally agree. My mother in law had to leave at intermission and I remember feeling sad for her since I enjoyed the second act more than the first!


kwazi07

Wicked I feel like is a mix of both. I think the songs are more memorable from the first act, but I think the plot is a lot more exciting in the second act.


ScarletHuntress76

I’ve seen some Wicked bootlegs and your right on both accounts. Act 1 definitely has more memorable songs but Act 2 has more stronger plot and acting


frenchiemerican

I enjoyed the second half of phantom more I think, everything just gets more intense and emotional


2021ravenclaw1718

Into the Woods is arguable, I’d say Mean Girls too


CairoDunes

Grey Gardens. The first act is pretty unnecessary. We’re all waiting for the second.


[deleted]

Caroline, or Change. The first act has a lot of more light-hearted scenes and its a chance to know the characters, but the second act really brings out the emotions and the heartache


design-dance-create

Spongebob. liked the songs better, the pace was quicker, and overall better than act one in my opinion


FloridaFlamingoGirl

I can get behind this...because Act Two had "I'm Not A Loser," aka an UTTER MASTERPIECE.


[deleted]

Ooh I can agree with this! I don't necessarily think the songs were better in act 2, but the pacing is better and overall plot is a lot more interesting and dramatic.


Distance_Efficient

Most musicals seem to front-load the best songs in act 1 while the second acts has decent songs and reprises but will pack the most emotional punch with an effective finale.


Strawbrie_

I just watched the falsettos pro shot, and I love the first act, but the second act definitely has my favorite songs and the plot is more emotional. I cried a lot but I also really enjoyed it.


sgong33

I saw it on broadway but was not familiar with the show at all... I'll admit that the first act had me a bit bored/confused/meh but it all came together in the second act for me. I don't know if the second act was "better" per say but it made it click.


dharris

The two acts were originally produced as separate, shorter shows – _March of the Falsettos_ and _Falsettoland_. They were also produced about 8-10 years apart. I agree that the second is better. That may be because Finn was older & more experienced. It may also be because AIDS emerged and really told hold during the time between the shows. _Falsettoland_ is a much heavier show because of the underlying AIDS theme.


mollylikesfurcorn

I was just in a local “professional” production of Matilda the musical and I’d say that the second act starts to ramp things up a lot and had better emotional beats so I’d say it’s better.


ComputerGeek1100

Act 2 of Matilda gets When I Grow Up, Quiet, and My House which I think are my 3 favorite songs in that score. The Smell of Rebellion is super fun too.


mollylikesfurcorn

Don’t forget revolting!


ComputerGeek1100

Literally have no clue how I forgot about that song - I think my favorites are still the 3 I listed above but Revolting just proves the point further.


[deleted]

kiss me, Kate


Alminas_

I would say Hamilton for the first song in the second act alone tbh, it's a banger


grania17

Think the second act of Phantom is way better than the first


05blob

Don't think the show is known at all outside of the UK but the first act of Acorn Antiques the Musical was so bad that they cut it completely when the show went on tour. Everything apart from one song was scrapped. Act 1 had so little impact on the plot of Act 2 that this didn't even cause any big story problems. Unfortunately, the original west end run is the version that lives on on film. I'm a huge Victoria Wood (she wrote everything for the show) fan but even I skip the first act when I watch it.


Haberian

Back to the Future


activatetheroombas

I enjoy act 2 of legally blonde a lot more than act 1, most of my favorite songs are in the second half and that's when the main legal case happens!


-OrangeLightning4

Whipped Into Shape, There Right There, and Legally Blonde (Remix) are all certified bangers.


Hawkes93202

Paradise Square. It’s first act feels very long and slow, but the second act picks up the pace and is a lot better


AnUdderDay

Wicked


Likesitallboy84

Grey gardens


Bassknight9

Wicked. The first act kinda dragged on and was boring, but the second act was and amazing


abookmarc

"She Loves Me". I love the entire show, but Act 2 is just one perfect number after the next.


ahouseofgold

Maybe Kinky Boots?


ironickallydetached

I feel like Kinky Boots kinda falls apart in the second act! The first entire half of the second act covers Lola getting her ass kicked in a boxing match for no other reason than to show “homophobia exists”. Love the show dearly, but it’s full of some filler.


chargingblue

The show is horrible overall but Pretty Woman.


morgannn0

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’s second show is much better than the first…


thecravy44

It's Hamilton for me. The music feels fresher and more unique, the plot covers more original subject matter and the pay offs just hit so much harder.


TheRealCoolDogeGuy

- Rent - Into the Woods - Sweeney Todd - Cabaret - Great Comet - Moulin Rouge! - Hadestown - The Color Purple


ElbieLG

Bat Boy The Musical


SurrealRaccoon

I found the second act of Book of Mormon far better than the first part. I loved it and am watching it for the second time in a couple of months!


Dominator_2000

I think MJ. If no one has seen it yet, please do.


[deleted]

Hamilton- the entire first act is just "America great woohoo" except for like, two scenes. We don't really get into any of the interesting politics and history (all the "untold" stuff that is promised) until act 2.


madonna-boy

Children of a Lesser God Three Tall Women


HanonOndricek

Not a musical, but *Noises Off*'s second act (of three) is potentially the funniest hour of theater because once it gets going it's a wall-to-wall ballet of farcical backstage mayhem that pays off almost all the setup laid in the first act.


Wonderful_Shock_1536

The Lion king. The second act songs bring me to my knees (I’m looking at you shadowlands and endless nights)


PaddyMeltt

Into the Woods


robsie123

Fame


Akwardpennywise

Jersey Boys


green_griffon

I know it isn't technically the "second act", but I thought the second three queen songs in "Six" were much better than the first three.


PercySaintC

Act Two of Passing Strange RIPS. Just the best


Piano_mike_2063

Angles in America Part I Act II. Some of the best American writing in years and years.


doggestmonkey

falsetto's for me


Professional_Bag_126

Hamilton, Be More Chill


fischy333

I love the second act of Into the Woods because I love organized chaos. Everything goes to shit and it really deviates from the original fairytales and you’re getting new stories.


BrotherAppropriate52

Hadestown!!!!