You’re watching a musical, you’re near the end, and the main conflict still isn’t resolved. Then out of nowhere comes this gigantic, gorgeous song that serves as a vital turning point or epiphany for the main character, tipping the story toward its resolution.
That song is called an eleven o’clock number. It isn’t the finale, but it’s the song that drives home the heart of the story.
Why is it called an eleven o’clock number?
Back in the day, musicals started around 8:30pm. (Could you imagine an 8:30 curtain now? My old brain is asleep just thinking about it.) Because shows started that late, the big climactic song tended to land right around 11:00pm.
My top eleven favorite eleven o’clock numbers
So I want to share my top 11 eleven o’clock numbers. Before we start, a few honorable mentions:
- Ladies Who Lunch from Company
- No Good Deed from Wicked
- Legally Blonde from Legally Blonde
- Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat from Guys and Dolls
- Hold Me In Your Heart from Kinky Boots
- Words Fail from Dear Evan Hansen
- One Night Only from Dreamgirls
- Gimme Gimme from Thoroughly Modern Millie
Here are my personal top 11
11. What I Did For Love (A Chorus Line)
10. I Believe (The Book of Mormon)
9. Revolting Children (Matilda)
8. I Know Where I’ve Been (Hairspray)
7. Memory (Cats)
6. She Used To Be Mine (Waitress)
5. Home (The Wiz)
4. Back to Before and Make Them Hear You (Ragtime)
3. Last Midnight and No One Is Alone (Into the Woods)
2. Rose’s Turn (Gypsy)
1. I’m Here (The Color Purple)
What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments, and share this with the theater lover in your life.
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Much love. Good vibes. – Ky
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