theory: songs that put me to sleep

I have been reading the eleven o'clock number posts, which reminds me of a theory I have long had about certain numbers in musicals.

Often times what people think of as the eleven o'clock number puts many audience members to sleep. I believe there are many numbers in musicals which come towards the end of the show which don't quite live up to their potential. These are numbers that are often solo number, many times by the big star, that are supposed to be big and emotional, but instead put the audience to sleep.

Examples thereof:

"I'll forget you" from "The scarlet Pimpernell"
"I don't care Much" from "Cabaret"
"It Hurts to be Strong" from "Carrie"
"I Know where I've Been" from "Hairspray"
"I Know the Truth" from "miss Saigon"
"Flagmaker" from "Songs for a New World"
"Where am I going" from "Sweet Charity"
"I Guess I'll Miss the man" from "Pippin"

And others. I'd appreciate help in refining my so-called theory. I think some of these songs might work with the right perfrormers, but often because of miscasting and/ or poor staging, completely fall through. Then again, it could be the songs themselves, like with "Miss Saigon." Love the show. Hate that song.

What do you think?

"Love Sneaks In" from DRS.

I can barely keep my eyes open during that song.

I Know the Truth is the alternate version of Now That I've Seen Her -- right?

I like that song...

ANd I like I Don't Care Much also...

What exactly is your theory here? There are as many killer 11 o'clock numbers as so called ones that don't work....

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hey, i ADORE the leo butz, but i have to agree with you on "nobody needs to know." it's a gorgeous song and i love it, but in the show, this is the point where my eyelids start to get heavy. actually, when i'm listening to the CD, i can't listen to it at night if i'm driving. lol. besides, he is in a BED when he's singing it. lol. so, like i said....LOVE the song. just would put me to sleep.

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"I Don't Care Much" - Cabaret

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GOODNESS! i LOVE "i know where i've been." it's an amazing showstopper that really stands out in a show completely full of "peppy" upbeat songs. it gave me chills when i saw it.

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Actually its the opposite for me. If Im tired and falling asleep the loud numbers put me to sleep. I know whenever I heard Defy Gravity I tend to get sleepy but I dont know why.

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First, if Nobody Needs To Know puts you to sleep, you're just not paying attention to the show.

Second, a show that lasts for just over an hour can't REALLY have an 11:00 number.

Third, I have a much bigger problem with OPENING the show with such a downbeat number (I'm Still Hurting) rather than having a quiet, emotional number (which isn't REALLY all that quiet what with the the clanging bells) sandwiched between two rather upbeat songs...

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"Let's Walk" from Light In The Piazza. zzzzzzzzzzz

I love I'm Still Hurting -- I think the entire score is brilliant - but if you're going to complain about something, that seems a more legitimate complaint to me than that Nobody Needs To Know is a sleeper song.

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