vaudeville
Old variety shows
Vaudeville was a type of American theatrical entertainment popular from the 1880s through the 1930s, featuring a variety of unrelated acts—comedy, song, dance, acrobatics, magic, trained animals—on a single bill.
The format emphasized broad appeal and family-friendly content.
My grandfather performed on the vaudeville circuit.
The word now evokes nostalgic, old-timey showmanship.
Valve controlling liquid flow
- softshoeQuiet stage dancing
- cakewalkEffortless task or promenade
- hoofingDancing vigorously
- buck-and-wingVigorous solo tap
Ceremony host
- impresarioConcert or opera organizer
- trouperDependable theatrical veteran
- hooferSlang for professional dancer
- soubrettePert stage servant role
blackface · minstrel · monologist · headliner · understudy · ensemble · troupe
Exaggerated physical humor
- shtickPerformer's signature gimmick
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
- clowningPlayful comic behavior
pratfall · deadpan · timing · double-take · mugging · one-liner · patter · stooge
Closed electrical pathway
- playhouseMiniature structure for children
- varietyState of being diverse
- revueMusical variety entertainment
- billAmount owed, written
headliner · big-time · small-time · Keith · Albee · marquee · footlights · proscenium
Multi-object thrower-catcher
- acrobatAgile circus performer
- ventriloquistOne who speaks for puppets
- magicianPerformer of illusions
- illusionistPerformer of visual deception
contortionist · mime · tightrope · unicycle · strongman · quick-change · sharpshooter · fire-eater
Coin-fed entertainment machine
- gaslightDistort someone's reality
- lyceumVenue for public discourse
- ChautauquaItinerant lecture circuit origin
Syncopated piano genre
- dittyShort, simple song
- croonerSoft-voiced romantic vocalist
- barbershopHair-cutting establishment
- ukuleleSmall Hawaiian stringed instrument
honky-tonk · ballad · medley · singalong · orchestra-pit
tap
Valve controlling liquid flow
buck-and-wing · shuffle · hoofer · adagio · breakaway
emcee
Ceremony host
- impresarioConcert or opera organizer
- trouperDependable theatrical veteran
- hooferSlang for professional dancer
soubrette · blackface · minstrel · monologist · headliner · understudy · ensemble · troupe
slapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
- shtickPerformer's signature gimmick
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
clowning · pratfall · deadpan · timing · double-take · mugging · one-liner · patter · stooge · hokum
circuit
Closed electrical pathway
- playhouseMiniature structure for children
- varietyState of being diverse
- revueMusical variety entertainment
bill · headliner · big-time · small-time · Keith · Albee · marquee · footlights · proscenium · wings
juggler
Multi-object thrower-catcher
- acrobatAgile circus performer
- ventriloquistOne who speaks for puppets
- magicianPerformer of illusions
illusionist · contortionist · mime · tightrope · unicycle · strongman · quick-change · sharpshooter · fire-eater · trampolinist
nickelodeon
Coin-fed entertainment machine
- gaslightDistort someone's reality
- lyceumVenue for public discourse
- ChautauquaItinerant lecture circuit origin
ragtime
Syncopated piano genre
- dittyShort, simple song
- croonerSoft-voiced romantic vocalist
- barbershopHair-cutting establishment
ukulele · honky-tonk · ballad · medley · singalong · orchestra-pit
vaudevilletragedy
Disastrous or sorrowful event
Greek tragedy · Shakespearean tragedy · melodrama · opera · grand opera
vaudevillelegitimate theater
Live dramatic stage productions
straight play · three-act play · repertory theater · monodrama
vaudevillehigh art
Culturally elevated creative works
legitimate theater · art house · avant-garde theater · classical theater · opera
- vaudeville actStaged entertainment in revues
- vaudeville theaterVenue for variety shows