Single Favorite Musical Number

This is hard and, in many cases, may be a little arbitrary unless, like me, you have thought about it. I just find it fascinating to discover others' favorites.

What is your single favorite musical number of anything you have seen in the twentieth century. One runner-up okay.

-- Production Number: Mame; Runner up: Who's That Woman

-- Solo, Duet, etc.: Jennifer Holliday...And I am Telling You; Runner up: Angela Lansbury...Rose's Turn



What is your single favorite musical number of anything you have seen in the 21st centurey. Same guidelines.

-- Production Number: (Cheating) Put on Your Sunday Clothes; Runner-up: Alexander Hamilton

-- Solo, Duet, etc.: Nathan Lane...Betrayed; Runner up: Lea Michele: Finale Act 2 (from title song through Curtain down).

My answers are bolded.

"Solidarity" from BILLY ELLIOT will always be, in my opinion, one of the greatest and well-conceived numbers in a musical.

My.memory isn't very good these days but it was sung by a lady coming down a staircase in a red dress.

I don’t know that it’s my all-time favorite but the first thing that popped into my mind was “A Musical” from Something Rotten. The first time I saw that number I was laugh-sobbing in absolute delight.

I can still remember the day when I first watched “I’ll Cover You (Reprise)” from Rent decades ago… I was sobbing. True work of art.


I have two runner ups sorry -

When Big Alison, instead of just being the observer, became part of the narrative when her father, instead of asking Medium Alison if she wanted to drive, turned to her instead… as they sang “Telephone Wire”. Such a powerful scene from Fun Home.

When The Baker, with all his frustrations to a father he never knew , begins to sing.. “no more questions…please”. Never fails to make me sob like a baby from Into the Woods.

As for a solo number, in my opinion the best performance I have ever seen is from my Queen Audra with a magnolia on her head singing “God Bless The Child” and “Strange Fruit”. Truly one of Broadway’s greatest actresses of this generation.

Updated On: 12/4/22 at 02:59 AM

"Rose's Turn," especially as performed by Patti Lupone. I was going to say "sung," but "performed" is more accurate.

I think it’s hard to argue with “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” It’s infectious, hummable, danceable, and caps off the theme of the show perfectly.

The8re phan said: "My single favorite number is Sunday (act 1 finale) from the original Sunday in the Park with George.

My single favorite solo/performance - Patti LuPone's last "The Ladies Who Lunch" at Company's final performance on July 31, 2022........ Electrifying"

Patti got a very well-earned 3 minute standing O that show and sat there in her fur coat like a Queen.


For me “Rose’s Turn” will always be my pick.

Too many to pick just one, and I'm sure I'll change my mind, but at the moment, my heart says this (as performed by numerous people/no one in particular).