PERFORMANCE
act something out
to perform an imaginary event as if one were in a play.Bill always acted his anger out by shouting and pounding his fists.The psychiatrist asked Bill to act out the way he felt about getting fired.
appear as something
to act a certain part in a play, opera, etc.Madame Smith-Franklin appeared as Carmen at the City Opera last season.The actor refused to appear as a villain in the play.
belt something out
to sing or play a song loudly and with spirit.When she's playing the piano, she really belts the music out.She really knows how to belt out a song.
out of character
inappropriate for the character that an actor is playing.Bill went out of character when the audience started giggling.Bill played the part so well that it was hard for him to get out of character after the performance.
pack them in
to draw a lot of people. (Informal.)It was a good night at the theater. The play really packed them in.The circus manager knew he could pack them in if he advertised the lion tamer.
play to the gallery
to perform in a manner that will get the strong approval of the audience; to perform in a manner that will get the approval of the lower elements in the audience.John is a competent actor, but he has a tendency to play to the gallery.When he made the rude remark, he was just playing to the gallery.
put something through its paces
to demonstrate how well something operates; to demonstrate all the things something can do.I was down by the barn, watching Sally put her horse through its paces.This is an excellent can opener. Watch me put it through its paces.
steal the spotlight and steal the show
to give the best performance in a show, play, or some other event; to get attention for oneself.The lead in the play was very good, but the butler stole the show.Ann always tries to steal the spotlight when she and I make a presentation.
tough act to follow
a difficult presentation or performance to follow with one's own performance.Bill’s speech was excellent. It was a tough act to follow, but my speech was good also.In spite of the fact that I had a tough act to follow, I did my best.
barnstorm
1.
in. to perform stunts in a biplane in small towns. (Presumably swooping around barns.)
When we used to barnstorm, everybody thought we were kooks.The old biplane we used to barnstorm with is the safest plane ever built.
2.
tr. & in. [for an entertainer] to perform in small towns for short engagements.
My great-uncle used to barnstorm Kansas and Oklahoma with his medicine show.He barnstormed for three years before his death.
bit
n. a small theatrical part. (From bit part.)I worked in bits for a year and then started selling used cars.It was just a bit, but I needed the money.
come on
in. to begin to perform well.In the second scene, the entire cast came on, and the audience loved it.The singer came on immediately. We knew we had a star.
gig
in. to play or perform. (Musicians.)I didn't gig at all last week. I'm getting hungry for a job.I'm happiest when I'm gigging.
kill
tr. to be very successful with an audience; to perform very well for an audience.She really killed them with that last joke.She killed them, and they died with laughter.
knock someone dead
tr. to put on a stunning performance or display for someone.She knocked us dead with her stunning performance.Go out on that stage and knock 'em dead, Sally.
milk
1.
tr. to attempt to persuade an audience to laugh or applaud.
Mitzy tried to milk the audience for applause.She went on milking the crowd for adulation long after they had demonstrated their appreciation.
2.
tr. to attempt to get recognition from an audience.
His performance was marred by an amateurish attempt to milk applause.If you're good, they'll let you know it. If not, don't milk cheers, applause, or laughter.
number
n. an act or performance; a performance specialty.Ann did her number and left the stage.I'll talk to you after my number.
one-man show
n. a performance put on by one person.It was a one-man show, but it was very entertaining.For a oneman show, it was very long.
one-night stand
n. a performance lasting only one night.The band did a series of one-night stands down the East Coast.You can't make a living doing one-night stands.
schtick and shtik
n. a routine or act that is the trademark of an entertainer, especially in vaudeville. (Yiddish.)His schtick was a trained dog and cat act.Their shtik is so old! Maybe nobody will remember whose it was.
spoof
1.
n. a parody.
The first act was a spoof of a Congressional investigation.The second act was a spoof of the first act.
2.
tr. to make a parody of someone or something.
The comedian spoofed the executive branch by sitting in a big chair and going to sleep.I like to spoof myself. It helps break the ice at parties.
street-casting
n. selecting amateurs to be performers or models.I do a lot of street-casting. Almost everybody can act a little.Street-casting is fun, and it's cheap.
throw-away
n. a comedian's quickly uttered one-line joke.He tossed off his best throw-away of the evening just as the curtain fell.She was an expert at the one-line throw-away.