Term of the Day: rope line

rope line--barricade outside a stage door that allows fans to ask for autographs from a Broadway actor while providing a measure of crowd control. Originally was a rope, but is usually a metal barrier set up by theater security.

Term of the Day: rank smell of self pity

rank smell of self pity-- when self pity lurks beneath the rage and violence. "During one of old carpenter's screaming tantrums on deck, I caught a whiff of the rank smell of self pity under the cursing and violence."

Term of the Day: a trouser role

a trouser role--where an actress is dressed in male clothes and plays a male character. Also known as a pants role or a breeches role. Often done in the opera, to have a woman play a young man or boy, to sing soprano. 

Overheard Stagehand Line #45: twisting the knife

"I didn't stab that nasty old carpenter in the back, but the next time I see him, I will gladly twist the knife."

Term of the Day: "...the gayest tribute: a Broadway musical!"

"Tammy Faye Bakker...is getting the gayest tribute a person can have: a Broadway musical!" New York Times, November 19, 2024. A feature on "Tammy Faye," a musical written by Elton John about the evangelical preacher and gay icon Tammy Faye Bakker. Due to lukewarm reviews and poor ticket sales, the show posted its closing notice the same day the Times feature came out.

Term of the Day: Mean Girls on Broadway

Mean Girls on Broadway-- life never transcends high school. There is a middle-aged woman stagehand who routinely attacks other women and young male stagehands. "The woman stagehand attacked another woman for wearing red lipstick to a load-in. It seems like a case of 'Mean Girls on Broadway.'" Should be used with both sexes.

Overhead Stagehand Line #46: "intelligence is not a family trait"

"Watch that young head...though intelligence is not a family trait, he is cunning and deadly."