Show People Lyrics

CHRISTOPHER
(spoken)
Wait a moment
You say that you are from homicide

CIOFFI
(spoken)
Ah, well, yes
Based on preliminary autopsy it is clear that Jessica
Cranshaw was murdered

CHRISTOPHER
And what are they gonna do with her killer
I mean does he get some kind of trophy or Pontiac
convertible

CARMEN
Listen people
With Georgia taking over the lead
We go ourselves a real shot
The show is going on
What do ya say gang, are ya with me?

MAN 1
You know if we leave now
We can make that last train back to New York

(cast starts to all talk at once)

CARMEN
(spoken)
STOP!

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

MAN 2
(spoken)
Why?

CARMEN
(sung)
Because as old as time itself
There is a grand theatrical tradition
That the show must go on

WOMAN
(spoken)
Forget it!

CARMEN
(sung)
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

MAN 3
(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
(sung)
A-right, let’s put it this way
For the backers they keep asking your permission
To let the show go on

MAN
NO!

CARMEN
The show must go on

WOMAN
NOT A CHANCE!

CARMEN
The show must go on

MAN
Why?

CARMEN
Cause I say the show must go on

Company
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
(sung)
You don’t know how lucky you are
Some policemen and detectives dream of show business
They can’t arrested, but still
They sit around the station and fancy this life
They jeer Sherlock Holes
And cheer Mack the Knife

CARMEN
Ask your cleaning lady, “Don’t you dream of show
business
To vocalize or stretch beside a bar?”

CIOFFI
Her affirmative shrug
As she shampoos your rug

CIOFFI & CARMEN
Let’s you know how lucky you are

There’s a special kind of aura
‘Round a show person

OSCAR
Just ask the next waiter you meet

CHRISTOPHER
He walks in fifth position
His voice is just grand

GEORGIA
He gives you the check
Ya 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

EVERYONE ELSE
You don’t know how lucky you are

COMPANY
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!

COMPANY
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

CARMEN
(spoken)
Show people

CARMEN
(spoken)
Come on!
Everybody

COMPANY
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
(sung)
GO ON!

COMPANY
So thrilling! We’re show people!

CARMEN
And on!

COMPANY
So willing! We’re show people!

CARMEN
And on!

COMPANY
So thrilling that show people

EVERYBODY
GO ON!

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