Eleven O'clock numbers — Page 3

"I think many posters have the wrong idea of an 11 o'clock number. It is supposed to be the big number at the END of a show usually for the star."

I don't agree with that. "You'll Never Walk Alone" has always been considered an 11:00 number but doesn't come near the end nor is it sung by the star.

"What I Did For Love" is another example. Not at the end of the show and is sung by the ensemble.

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Updated On: 3/11/08 at 01:21 PM

Isn't it ironic that Stepehen Sondheim was involved in the writing of the greatest "11 o'clock number" of them all when he penned the lyrics for "Rose's Turn"?

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Again I guess its what you consider the 11 o'clock number. I think its a song before the end of the show that shows the characters change in heart or attitude, or is a realization....like in My Fair Lady, I'd consider Without Him the 11 o'clock number....

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I'm one that doesn't consider "Rose's Turn" an 11:00 number. To me, it's the finale. My guess is that it would be "Gotta Get A Gimmick"

I think an 11:00 number has to be memorable. It's the song that people leave the theater humming and the reason they want to buy the cast album. You can't hum "Rose's Turn".

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I think there's a distinct difference between an 11 o'clock number and the "turn" - the "turn" being a song that displays catharsis and realization (often, the "point" of the show) and the 11 o'clock number being an up-tempo song after the apex of a show (the golden mean) that, while it may mark the denoument, is distinguished by a lively tempo and its ability to reinvigorate an audience?
The 11 o'clock number should be up-tempo. At least that's how it was, originally. It had nothing to do with catharsis - thus, Ladies who Lunch would be thrown out as a possibility right off the bat, if we're going by the classic definition, that is. It's just too slow.

I think shows like Company have several "turns" but lack an 11 o'clock number. Modern shows don't need 11 o'clock numbers nearly as much as more classic pieces.

Of course it's all up to the listener - it's really a subjective thing.

Gee, Officer Krupke is also considered by most to be West Side Story's 11 O'Clock number.

Yes, I understand that. Krupke pretty much fits the textbook definition of an 11 O'Clock number - there's only one full musical number after it, it's a big, splashy number that jolts the audience in the middle of the second act, etc.

Updated On: 3/12/08 at 11:38 AM