Warning: This article contains spoilers for Wicked!
After seeing the memorable group numbers inWicked: Part 1, one song ranks among the best ensemble scenes in movies based on Broadway musicals, raising the question of what other songs fall into that category. When it comes tonotable Broadway musicals, Wicked is one of the best-known and longest-running shows, giving the movie adaptation a built-in audience. Unsurprisingly, the show became a hit with audiences thanks to the acting, visual effects, and the music.
Like the stage show, theWicked movie’s soundtrackincludes a mix of solos, duets, and group numbers that allow various actors in the cast to shine. The songs with the biggest appeal include “Defying Gravity” and “ Popular” – which feature the twoWickedmain characters. However,some of the best moments in Wicked and other Broadway musical adaptations include groups singing and dancing rather than individuals.These scenes often showcase the best elements of the movie –including the choreography, cinematography, and acting – with each piece of the puzzle falling together to make a beautiful picture.
In the 1961 movie adaptation of West Side Story, the song “Gee, Officer Krupke” is played off as comedic relief, but the 2021 version elevates the song with the acting, choreography, and cinematography. The West Side Story actors bring simmering anger and hostility to their vocals and acting, making the social commentary more powerful.
Adding to the scene’s success, the choreography makes perfect use of the set pieces, with the characters slightly altering the direction of the benches to create a therapist’s office, a prison, and a judge’s quarters within the same room. This goes back to the roots of Broadway shows, where many set pieces will serve multiple purposes. To maintain the musical theater feel,the scene also uses mostly wide shots with few cuts, which makes it feel more like watching a stage show.
“It’s The Hard-Knock Life” from the 1982 version of Annie is a masterpiece group number even without considering the fact that the actors involved in the scene are all children – which makes it even more incredible. In almost every moment of this scene,the dancers perform gymnastic and acrobatic moves like double cartwheels, backflips, layouts, and swinging off the lights.Every child’s timing is impeccable, especially when flipping onto the beds sequentially.
Annie(2014)
Annie Live!(2021)
Even when they aren’t doing acrobatics, the kids give off a tired and frustrated energy that perfectly fits the song’s message. Ultimately, the actors, dancers, and acrobats are the heart of this musical number, making it one of the best group performances in a movie based on a Broadway musical.
There’s a level of truth to the cliché that “acting is reacting,” and the excellent group performance in “Ya Got Trouble” provides a perfect example of this. Watching the scene from the 1962 movie The Music Man, the choreography isn’t ornate and complicated, like some of the best group numbers. Instead, most of the choreography involves raising and lowering hands, crouching down, and pointing at the right time.
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Wicked’s biggest cameos fit neatly into the film and bring back two stars who will always have a major connection to the original Broadway musical.
However,the characters’ shocked and horrified facial reactions to Robert Preston’s Harold Hill are hilarious.It’s entertaining to see the residents of River City, Iowa buy into the mass hysteria created by a fast-talking conman. Luckily, this scene will be available for generations to come as the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry.
Newsies’ history is just as complicated asWicked’s connection to The Wizard of Oz. Newsies: The Broadways Musical is a 2017 movie recording of the 2011 Broadway musical based on the 1992 Disney movie based on the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899. Though the 2017 movie has multiple phenomenal group numbers, “Seize the Day” takes the cake because of the incredible choreography and performance.
The dance style in this number fuses together musical theater dance with ballet and jazz, throwing in a dash of gymnastics as well. Rather than having them in sync the entire time, the dancing switches back and forth between staggered moves, multiple different routines happening at once, and unison dancing. This makes the scene where they are all united even more impactful, solidifying the song’s message of “all for one, and one for all."
Fiddler on the Roofis widely regarded as one of thebest musicals of all time, and unsurprisingly the opening number ranks among the best group numbers in a movie based on a Broadway musical. The “Tradition” scene from Fiddler on the Roof immediately sets the tone for the film by using a mixture of establishing shots of the village of Anatevka, the synagogue, and the characters.
Wicked Subtly Set Up Part 2’s Big Fiyero Twist With Musical Change
The 2024 Wicked movie may have subtly set up the big Fiyero twist in Part 2 by changing a detail from the original musical, adding to one subplot.
The scene might not use much traditional dance choreography, but each action, like the cutting of the meat and the kneading of the dough, is perfectly timed with the music. Tevye also serves as a strong focal point for the number, thanks to Chaim Topol’s incredible performance. By the end of the group number, there’s a strong understanding of Fiddler on the Roof’s culture and main characters.
Chicagois a brilliant musical with a stellar soundtrack, and “Cell Block Tango” is the best group number thanks to the incredible choreography, lighting, cinematography, humorous lyrics, and powerful vocals. The music immediately draws the viewer in because the sounds are diegetic, such as the dripping water, footsteps, and fingernails tapping. The closeup shots of the characters are enticing, setting the sensual tone of the song. Each character does tango moves while telling their portion of the story through movement just as much as words.
The red scarves and lighting are used strategically to show the turning point where each character becomes murderous. The humorous lyrics can be attributed to lyricist Fred Ebb, but the actors’ execution of the lines makes them even funnier than they would have been otherwise. Ultimately, every part of the “Cell Block Tango” scene comes together to form a memorable scene.
Some of the actors in the movie adaptation of Les Misérables may not be the most technically skilled singers, but “One Day More” still lands among the best group numbers in a movie based on a Broadway musical. Much of the credit must go to Claude-Michel Schönberg, Herbert Kretzmer, Alain Boublil, and Jean-Marc Natel – the geniuses who wrote the song. It’s hard to hear any rendition of “One Day More” without feeling emotional. However, the success of this particular version primarily comes from the passion and emotion that the actors put into their performances.
The acting in this sequence makes up for the musical shortcomings, adding to the sense of urgency and justice that the song calls for. By the end of the song, the tension has built for the impending battle. The cinematography and editing also play a role in the strength, effectively balancing Les Misérables’ large cast. Each singer has a closeup so they can express their fear, anger, and sorrow, bringing together an epic battle cry.
It’s impossible to put together a list of musical “bests” without including something starring Barbra Streisand – the first EGOT winner,a coveted achievement that Cynthia Erivo could gain afterWicked. Luckily, her song “Put On Your Sunday Clothes” fromHello, Dollywins its place among the best group numbers because of more than just the iconic actor. One of the best parts of “Put On Your Sunday Clothes” is that it starts as a sung conversation between two young men and grows to the point that almost every member of Yonkers is singing, making the number a massive affair.
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Broadway is home to many of the greatest stage production of all time, some of which got fantastic film adaptations.
The scene also has fantastic choreography, starting from the moment when the Yonkers citizens go down the street towards the train station and ending with them leaving for New York City. The costumes also feel luxurious, with pops of color that mesh perfectly together.
The song “La Vie Boheme” has become an anthem for outcasts, LGBTQ+ people, and theater kids alike. However, the Rent scene is just as influential as the song itself. The sequence involves a bunch of misfits bursting out in song and disrupting the social norm in a restaurant, a physical manifestation of the song lyrics.
In an interview withEntertainment Weekly, the cast revealed that the filmmakers didn’t want the choreography to look polished and perfect, a decision that actually enhances “La Vie Boheme.” With everyone doing slightly different moves, the scene feels much more like a spontaneous moment of joy and rebellion among friends, making it more emotionally impactful. The actors also give incredible performances, which isn’t surprising considering the Broadway cast reprised their roles for the movie.
Musically, “Masquerade” is far from the best song in The Phantom of the Opera, but it’s high on the list when considering the accompanying scene. Costume designer Alexandra Byrne shows off her incredible skill with the intricate designs, which include dresses, capes, suits, and masks. The costumes lean into the time period while adding elements that almost feel inspired by jesters and circus performers.
The song also thrives due to the perfectly executed ballroom dance choreography, which has a theatrical flair. This is particularly noteworthy when everyone is dancing in unison halfway through the song. The set design also has a grandiose feeling, which is perfect for the story.
