Beautiful/Inspirational end of act Chorus - who invented?

There is a bit of a trend/now cliche of having a beautiful/inspirational chorus number at the end of acts or shows. For example, Seasons of Love in RENT, Purple Summer in Spring Awakening, Light in next to normal, the epilogue in the revised Carrie, who lives, who dies in Hamilton, you will be found in Dear Evan Hansen etc (I’m sure there are more). Was Sondheim the first example and/or inspiration for this with ‘Sunday?’ (I know at least in the case of you will be found Sunday is cited as inspiration in their table book).

TotallyEffed said: "Seasons of Love is at the beginning of Act 2. :)



I’d imagine a lot of musicals would want to end on an inspirational note, long before Sunday in the Park."

The "You'll Never Walk Alone" erasure for me. haha (not that it was the first either)

nasty_khakis said: "TotallyEffed said: "Seasons of Love is at the beginning of Act 2. :)



I’d imagine a lot of musicals would want to end on an inspirational note, long before Sunday in the Park."

The "You'll Never Walk Alone" erasure for me. haha (not that it was the first either)"

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” is a beautiful song, but does not end either act.

Edit: I’m an idiot, there is a reprise of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at the end of act 2.

Updated On: 7/28/22 at 01:05 PM

I wouldn't say it's a trend, given that it at least dates back to Carousel, which is among the earliest "musicals." It's just often the case that the end of an act dramatically calls for that type of music.

Gypsy

lucas_glenn said: "I have always loved “Till We Reach That Day” from Ragtime."

So envious for anyone who heard this live - the revival closed before I could see it!

The idea of having a big beautiful chorus number at the end of an act is not a new cliche. It is commonly seen in operas and it’s called a finaletto.


Sondheim was greatly inspired by operas which is why it is commonly seen in his work. Also, Jonathan Larson and Lin Manuel Miranda’s works are greatly influenced by Sondheim so we see finalettos in many of their shows/films. They’re a great tool to summarize conflict(s) before intermission/end of the act.

GlindatheGood22 said: "I'm trying to think of shows in which neither act ends in a big choral number. The only one which leaps to mind is Company, but I'm sure there must be more."

West Side Story has the quietest endings to both acts I can think of.