Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love

"Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love" is a song from the musical ''A Chorus Line''.

Production

This song, just like all others in the musical ''A Chorus Line'', was devised from the audio of real life dancers, recounting their experiences.

Synopsis

The official website of Marvin Hamlisch explains that in this song, "The conversation turns to sex, puberty. All reminisce about their circumstances growing up".

Composition

''Talkin' Broadway'' wrote "The musical is still innovative in the way it melds song, dance and dialogue into a single piece of art: "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love" envelops the audience as it incorporates full songs, brief melodies, and single spoken lines with almost constant movement."

Analysis

''Musicals 101'' analyses this song:

Critical reception

''New City Stage'' wrote that "the brilliance of ''A Chorus Line'' has always been in the undeniable synergy of all its creative elements. Case in point: the show’s fifteen-minute "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love" number, better known as the 'Montage' since it actually consists of musical numbers within numbers, monologues, lyrical fragments and all-out dance sequences." The ''LA Times'' describes the number as "dazzling". ''Hi-Def Digest'' wrote "arguably the show's most exuberant song, "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love", sa clever, catchy celebration of adolescent agony". ''Florida Theatre On Stage'' wrote "Another memorable stretch was the extended fever dream of internal monologues about adolescence "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love". Besides the perfect staging and performances, it highlighted the fluid lighting design by Paul Black (including considerable backlighting) and split-second calls of stage managers Brandy Demil and Michael J. Iannelli." ''The New York Times'' wrote "Driven by the rush of Mr. Bennett’s dynamic choreography, the mesh of story and songs is wonderfully seamless, especially in extended montages like the frenetic opening, "I Hope I Get It", and "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love", a complex salute to the million and one pains of growing up." ''RecordOnline'' wrote: "Most impressive might have been the wondrous "Montage Part 1: Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love". The ensemble packed great energy into this number, which sheds the innocence from the stage and turns the dancers into professionals."

References

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Songs about teenagers
Songs from A Chorus Line
1975 songs
LGBTQ-related songs