What is Vaudeville?
Stage entertainment offering a variety of short acts such as slapstick
turns, song-and-dance routines, and juggling performances. b.
A theatrical performance of this kind; a variety show. 2. A light
comic play that often includes songs, pantomime, and dances.
The word comes from an alteration of Old French vaudevire, occasional or topical light popular song, possibly short for chanson du Vau de Vire, song of Vau de Vire, a valley of northwest France, or perhaps dialectal vauder, to go + virer, to turn; see
New Vaudeville uses elements of Classic Vaudeville as tools to create full length productions.