I was taught in college that an 11 O'Clock number was at first literally at 11 O'Clock and that the purpose it served was to rejuvinate the audience and basically wake them up right before all of the resolution of the show. Usually 2nd or 3rd to last number. Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat was the poster child for it (was what I was told) and the epitome of it - which cracks me up because so many people are saying a factor is that it's the star, but the number that's supposedly the perfect example of an 11 o'clock number was NOT sung by the star (ps. hahaha, so funny that someone said marry the man today was more-so than this one when it's the song most commonly referenced as a great example of what an 11 o'clock number is).
We had to do some listenings for this class as well and other ones I found that the prof. agreed were in that genre included We Beseech Thee from Godspell and Ain't It Good from Children of Eden. (if you think about those, they're a little random, but upbeat and just before we see how everything turns out; also both second or third to last songs)
Basically pulls audience out of all of the conflicts and things htat have been going on in act two, gets them to tap their toes a bit, get their blood pumpin again so that they're revitalized just before the resolution of all the conflicts/finale etc.
I was also told this was generally an upbeat - I didn't really hear of any that were ballads because we were told that would be part of the conflict, or falling action - not in every instance but like I said, the closest thing to a 'ballad' that was given as an example was Rose's Turn...and I'd hardly call that a ballad.
As someone else just mentioned, not every song that falls in that slot in every musical qualifies as an 11 o'clock number. It's a genre (I was taught) not something every musical has necessarily.
If I show you the darkness I hold inside, will you bring me to light?
Updated On: 2/12/06 at 01:45 AM