I find that with a lot of shows, the Act. 1 endings have some of the best songs and scenes in the whole show. What is your favorite scene/song and what show is it from? What do you like in finales- a loud, exciting song that leaves you pumped or a real cliffhanger?

I'd have to go with "I'd Give My Life For You" from "Miss Saigon". It just goes through so many emotions. Just when you think it ends on somewhat of a hopeful note, the last two minutes of the song just drag the whole thing into pure and utter hopelessness. The way the people in the background tell her that she has no chance....god, it practically made me shit my pants the first time I heard it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjUBxDUFZco

Links are appreciated.

(oh, and if this is in the wrong forum, do tell me.)

Has to be Defying Gravity from Wicked since its one off my favorite songs so far. But I also enjoy "Where Do I Go Now?" from Hair since its a totaly different song and says a lot off how it is to find that youre sub culture is on the downhill and youre soon gonna facing a new reality. Short Memory from Cats is also a great song but thats more cause of I love Memory and I always feel so sad about how Griz is being treatend.

The Golden Apple. Leading up to this scene, Helen, who married Sheriff Menelaus of Angel's Roost, Washington, while Ulysses and the other soldiers were off fighting the Spanish American War, agrees to go with traveling salesman Paris in his hot-air balloon back to his town of Rhododendron. Menelaus discovers them escaping, and reminds the soldies of their vow to protect Helen. The mob demands vengeance on Rhododendron, and the soldiers depart after Ulysses consoles his patient wife Penelope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHiRXSrbemQ

Does really anything measure up to the greatest Sondheim Act 1 finales? Like Everything's Coming Up Roses, A Weekend in the Country, A Little Priest and Sunday?

If you don't like Sondheim (or just aren't all that crazy about him), then not really.

Sorry, my mistake. I mistook the topic to mean the best act one fines, not everyone's random favourites.

Those I mentioned are also my favourites, in addition to being some of the very best.

The Soliloqui from Carousel is also pretty unbeatable, either way.

The Mikado.

One Day More-Les Miserables
All I Ask of You Reprise- Phantom of the Opera*If the chandelier is actually falling in a faster speed then Broadway*
Sunday- Sunday in the Park With George
On the Street Where You Live- My Fair Lady
If I Can't Love Her- Beauty and the Beast
A Little Periest- Sweeney Todd

Never been more impacted by an Act 1 Finale than Ragtime. 'Til We Reach That Day.

One Day More from Les Miserables is an obvious one. Most of my favorite shows don't have intermissions, haha.
Oh, Anything Goes from Anything Goes. I saw Kathleen Marshall's choreography of the number with Sutton this summer and it was more thrilling than One Day More. It kinda blew my mind. I've never been happier or smiled bigger while in an audience.
Also, Everything's Coming Up Roses from Gypsy, 'cause duh.