I don't think it has to do with direction. it is clear from the original book, which is excellent, that half the song is actually sung at the party to a group of admiring young men who lose interest half way through, and the other half is sung as "just a sung thought". The number is set up early in the book when Carlotta has a few lines about how men want to know about her until she actually starts telling them. (the script is at the office so I can't quote exactly). I consider it to be one of the finest musical theatre "set ups" for a subsequent song. Simply brilliant. Though, well, maybe not, since I guess the audience does not usually make the connection. Ah well.
