Original Broadway Cast of Curtains
Show People
[BELLING, spoken]
Wait a moment. You say that you're from... Homicide?

[CIOFFI, spoken]
Ah, well, yes. Based on preliminary autopsy, it's clear that Jessica Cranshaw was murdered

[BELLING, spoken]
And what are they going to do with her killer? I mean, does he get some kind of trophy or Pontiac convertible?

[CARMEN, spoken]
Listen people! With Georgia taking over the lead, we've got ourselves a real shot! The show is going on! What do ya say gang, are ya with me?

[RANDY, spoken]
Y'know, if we leave now, we could catch the last train back to Nеw York

(ALL speak at once)

[CARMEN, spoken]
STOP!

(sung)
It's clear that еveryone of you
Is in perfect physical condition
So the show must go on!

[RANDY, spoken]
Why?
[CARMEN]
Because, as old as time itself
There is a grand theatrical tradition
That the show must go on!

[MONA, spoken]
Forget it!

[CARMEN]
I got a contract
You signed a contract
Go read your contract
And I will count to ten
And then I'll sue you
Ah, yes, I'll sue you
And when I sue you
You'll never work again!

[HARV, spoken]
Excuse me, but who is the Equity representative?

[BAMBI, spoken]
I am
Mrs. Bernstein, as Equity deputy I must warn you that any further threats and you will be brought up on charges

[CARMEN, spoken]
Ah, shut up, Elaine!
[BAMBI, spoken]
The name is Bambi, mother

[CARMEN]
Alright!
Let's put it this way
For the backers' sake I'm asking your permission
To let the show go on!

[RANDY, spoken]
No!

[CARMEN]
The show must go on

[ROBERTA, spoken]
Not a chance!

[CARMEN]
The show must go on!

[HARV, spoken]
Why?

[CARMEN]
'Cause I say the show must go on!
[ALL, spoken]
Horse shit!

[CIOFFI, spoken]
I can't believe I'm hearing this! I won't believe it! Putting on a musical has gotta be the most fulfilling thing a person could ever hope to do! You people, you're all heroes to me!

(sung)
You're a special kind of people known as show people
You live in a world of your own
The audience paid plenty to sit there and clap
Hearing you sing, watching you tap

Did you know your dentist longs to be in show business?
Your window washer wants to be a star
And though your analyst may
Never couch it that way

[CARMEN, spoken]
Analyst, couch! Ha-ha!

[CIOFFI]
You don't know how lucky you are!
Some policemen and detectives dream of show business
They can't get arrested, but still
They sit around the station and fancy this life
They jeer Sherlock Holmes
And cheer Mack the Knife!

[CARMEN]
Ask your cleaning lady, "Don't you dream of show business?
To vocalize or stretch beside a barre?"

[CIOFFI]
Her affirmative shrug as she shampoos your rug

[CIOFFI AND CARMEN]
Lets you know how lucky you are!

[CIOFFI, CARMEN, AND OSCAR]
There's a special kind of aura 'round a show person

[OSCAR]
Just ask the next waiter you meet

[BELLING]
He walks in fifth position, his voice is just grand

[GEORGIA]
He gives you the check, you give him a hand!

[ALL]
If the boys in valet parking turned to show business
They could scalp a higher ticket for your car!

[OSCAR]
And my tree surgeon now
Started taking a bow
(spoken)
A bough, get it? B-O-U-G-H!

[ALL (except OSCAR) (sung)]
You don't know how lucky you are!

[ALL]
We're a special kind of people known as show people!
We live in a world of our own
Our days are tied to curtains
They rise and they fall
We're born every night
At half-hour call!

[JOHNNY, spoken]
Half-hour!

[ALL]
We can't picture being anything but show people!
Civilians find the whole thing quite bizarre!
But that hop in our hearts
When the overture starts
Helps us know how lucky we are!

[CARMEN, spoken]
Show people!

Show people!

Come on! Everybody!

[ALL, sung]
It's an honor and a joy to be in show business!
I feel that spotlight hit me and I'm gone!
At the last curtain call
I'm the envy of all
So I know the show must

[CARMEN]
Go on!

[ALL]
So thrilling! We're show people!

[CARMEN]
And on!

[ALL]
So willing! We're show people!

[CARMEN]
And on!

[ALL]
So thrilling that show people go on!