opening night
First public showing
Opening night is the first public performance of a theatrical production, concert, or other show.
It carries special significance—critics attend, reviews are written, and the cast celebrates or commiserates afterward.
The term extends to any debut event: opening night of the new restaurant, opening night jitters.
An opening night crowd tends to be enthusiastic, often packed with supporters.
First public appearance
- first performanceInaugural public showing
- inauguralFirst in office
- maidenUnmarried young woman
- unveilingAct of first revealing
world premiere · launch · kickoff · showtime · marquee · spotlight · standing ovation · curtain call
Fabric hung for privacy
- stageRaised performance platform
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- performanceCarrying out a task
- actorsThose playing roles
playbill · orchestra pit · footlights · spotlight · backstage · greenroom · costumes · makeup
State of eager enthusiasm
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- jittersNervous agitation
stage fright · adrenaline · tension · apprehension · cold feet · sweaty palms · restlessness · edginess
debut
First public appearance
- first performanceInaugural public showing
- inauguralFirst in office
- maidenUnmarried young woman
unveiling · world premiere · launch · kickoff · showtime · marquee · spotlight · standing ovation · curtain call · reviews
curtain
Fabric hung for privacy
- stageRaised performance platform
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- performanceCarrying out a task
actors · playbill · orchestra pit · footlights · spotlight · backstage · greenroom · costumes · makeup · director
excitement
State of eager enthusiasm
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
jitters · stage fright · adrenaline · tension · apprehension · cold feet · sweaty palms · restlessness · edginess · worry
red carpet
Ceremonial welcome flooring
- black tieFormal evening dress code
- champagneEffervescent celebratory wine
- receptionAct of receiving guests
celebration · glamour · elegance · gowns · tuxedos · after-party · toast · VIP · paparazzi · celebrity
- theaterplays, stage, play, onstage, acting
- art exhibitsgallery tours, art gallery, gallery walls, gallery space, exhibition
- operaopera, aria, arias, soprano, tenor
- community theatercommunity theater, regional theater, repertory company, volunteer actors, artistic director
- Playwritingscript, dialogue, first draft, revision, rewrite
- theater jargonbackstage, center stage, curtain call, downstage, dress rehearsal
opening nightclosing night
Last scheduled performance
final performance · last night · final curtain · farewell performance · swan song
opening nightdress rehearsal
Complete practice performance
rehearsal · final rehearsal · tech rehearsal · preview · run-through
open, night, opening, opened, opens, opener, reopen, openers, reopening