Cabaret/Broadway Definitions
The following is a glossary of Cabaret/Broadway words and phrases that have been translated into standard musician language:
- 5,6,7,8: really means: "1,2,3,4"
- Associate conductor: Non-blues-playin' rehearsal pianist who probably sleeps with the musical director
- Backphrasing: means: someone will be singing out of time.
- Broadway star: High strung, self-involved, over-paid, singer-dancer type who loves Judy Garland and Bob Fosse.
- Bus and truck: a bunch of people willing to play anywhere for lousy money.
- Choreographer: Person who sleeps with the musical director, producer, director, and some members of the cast. (also arranges dance routines)
- Chorus: aggregation of singer-dancer types who would love to be Broadway stars.
- Dance captain: military term used for a cat that yells: 5,6,7,8" at the chorus.
- English show: term used to identify an extremely pretentious broadway musical written by a very lucky British guy.
- Fabulous: means: this shit sounds real good.
- Half hour: means: you have 30 minutes to get high before the gig starts.
- House manager: out of work actor or actress that tells the maintenance man when to turn on the air conditioner in the theater.
- I need it bigger: means: play it loud and with no taste.
- Jazz 4 feeling: really means: bass walks in four but drums remain in two.
- Latin feel: means: play a lot of percussion instruments with no groove.
- Lighting designer: blind Cro-Magnon who owns at least two light bulbs.
- More European: means: hire an accordian player.
- Musical contractor: man who owns a musical instrument and calls the show "his".
- Musical director: Non-blues-playin' rehearsal pianist who probably sleeps with one of the producers.
- Pull back: means: drag.
- Push it: really means: rush.
- Show jacket: cheap embarrassing outerwear identifying you as one that just loves the theater.
- Sound designer: deaf Neanderthal who owns at least two microphones.
- Stage manager: uptight control freak that wears a Janet Jackson-type headset.
- We're a hit: means: a lot of gay people really like the show.