This musical is about show business, and the characters are typical of Broadway’s glitter without being types. “What is it that we’re living for?” sing the impoverished “gypsies,” the Broadway dancers in Act 1—and the answer? “Applause, Applause.” These lyrics state simply the motive of all the characters in the play, and this song is repeated periodically to remind us of the theme of the show. “Applause” tells the story of Eve, Margo Channing’s biggest fan, but Eve isn’t happy until she is able to emulate her in every single way—stooping to steal her friends, her fiancé, and her standing as Broadway’s biggest star.
