Glossary

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A telephone number for local directory assistance; also known casually as “information.

411 was in operation in NYC from 1930 through 2023.'“

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On April 21, 1960, Brasília was founded by Brazil’s then-president Juscelino Kubitschek (1956 - 1961) to replace Rio de Janeiro as the country’s capital. The chartering, construction, and completion of Brasília was part of Kubitschek’s “fifty years of prosperity in five” campaign promise.

Many federal employees were forced to move to Brasília after its completion, being publicly considered a sterile “modern utopia.”

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Acapulco is a major resort town on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and gained notoriety in the 1940s through the 1960s as a getaway for Hollywood elites and millionaires.

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Edward Albee (1928 - 2016) was a three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright whose works married American realism and elements of absurdism. Well-known works include The Zoo Story‍ (1959), ‍Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962), and A Delicate Balance (1966).

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The Alvin Theatre, now known as the Neil Simon Theatre, is one of many Broadway theaters in New York City’s Theater District. It opened its doors in 1927 and was renamed in 1983.

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Anemones are a biological classification of flowering plants, most commonly known as “windflowers.”

Anemones also refer to “sea anemones,” or sedentary sea creatures whose appearance resembles that of flowers. Sea anemones are often brightly colored, with some species having fluorescent properties.

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W. H. Auden (1907 - 1973) was a British-American poet whose work spanned poetry, prose, and drama. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1947 for his narrative poem The Age of Anxiety, the title of which would come to describe the “modern Era.”

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Honoré de Balzac (1799 - 1850) was a French novelist and playwright whose work would influence significant writers through the 20th century. In addition to his large body of work, he is also remembered for his rapid writing pace and regularly writing from 1 - 8am every morning.

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Bechstein is a German piano manufacturer founded in 1853. The company has been regularly producing pianos since, with the exception of 1945 - 1948 during World War II.

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Leonard Bernstein (1918 - 1990) was an American composer, conductor, and humanitarian. In addition to his body of classical work he also wrote several musical theatre scores, including On the Town (1944), Wonderful Town (1953), and West Side Story (1957).

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The 1960 presidential election was held on November 8, 1960, with Democrat John F. Kennedy and running mate Lyndon B. Johnson narrowly winning over Republican Richard Nixon and his running mate Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.

“Dicky” refers to Richard Nixon, whose approval rating was lower than incumbent Dwight D. Eisenhower, to whom Nixon served as Vice President.

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(ba-FOH-la), noun; “something that is conspicuously successful, a hit.”

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Slang referring to upper military hierarchy.

A 1956 piece in Time Magazine titled “National Affairs: A Shine for the Brass” refers to senior officials in President Eisenhower’s Cabinet has his “brass.”

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Maria Callas (1923 - 1977) was an Greek-American soprano who is remembered as one of the most influential oepra singers of the 20th century.

Callas had an affair with Aristotle Onassis from 1959 through 1968. Onassis would go on to marry Jacqueline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s widow on October 20, 1968.

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A cease-fire in the Vietnam War via the Paris Peace Accords went into affect on January 27, 1973. However, the United States would not officially leave Vietnam until 1975.

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Central Park West is a stretch of 8th Avenue in Manhattan alongside the western edge of Central Park.

Notable residences in 1968 include The Dakota, the San Remo, the El Dorado, the Beresford, the Langham, Orwell House, the Century, Harperly Hall, and the Majestic.

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(kuh-RIZ-muh), noun; “a special magnetic charm or appeal”

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(kah-sir-EYE), noun; variant spelling of Yiddish “chazerei.”

“anything of little value, junk; garbage”

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The Colony Club was founded in 1903 as a women-only social club in New York City. While men were later allowed to be admitted as guests, only women can hold membership.

Members included women in the Roosevelt, Astor, and Rockefeller families.

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Communion wine is wine created to be used during Communion, or the celebration of the Eucharist in church services. While ABV can vary, it is often lower than wine available for general consumption.

Children often begin consuming Communion wine between the ages of 8 and 10, with some denominations beginning even younger.

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Hello, Dolly! opened on Broadway in 1964, and is based upon The Matchmaker (1954) by Thornton Wilder. Music and Lyrics were written by Jerry Herman, with a book by Michael Stewart.

The original production opened to positive reviews, with most critics citing Carol Channing’s portrayal of the titular character as key to the show’s success.

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Variation on the French “fermez la bouche,” translating to “close your mouth.”

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Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway in 1964, and is based upon “Tevye the Dairyman” (1894) and other short stories by Sholem Aleichem. Music and Lyrics were written by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, respectively, with a book by Joseph Stein.

The original production was generally well-received, running for 3,242 performances before closing in 1972.

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A type of film written following standardized narrative archetypes in an effort to ensure a movie’s commercial success. Authorial intent in formula films would be sacrificed in order to appease studio creative executives.

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Funny Girl opened on Broadway in 1964, and is a semi-biographical telling of the life and career of follies and Broadway star Fanny Brice. Music and Lyrics were written by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, respectively, with a book by Isobel Lennart.

The original production opened to positive reviews, with most critics highlighting Barbra Streisand’s portrayal of Fanny Brice.

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Gestalt psychology is a theory developed in the early 20th century that operates under the assumption that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Gestalt therapy was developed with the assistance of the founders of Gestalt psychology. This method of psychotherapy gained notoriety in the 1940s-50s, and was officially written about in Gestalt Therapy (1951) by Fritz Perls, Ralph Hefferline, and Paul Goodman.

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Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and city on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.

Gibraltar opened its first marina in 1961, quickly making it a frequent stop by yachts and cruise lines.

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John Gielgud (1904 - 2000) was an English actor and director who would come to earn an EGOT in 1991.

He is often considered to be one of the two greatest actors of his generation, alongside Laurence Olivier.

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Giselle is a romantic ballet in two acts with music by Adolphe Adam. It was first performed in France in 1841, and quickly found international popularity with stagings across Europe, Russia, and the United States.

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Greenwich Village is a neighborhood on the Lower West Side of Manhattan, commonly associated with bohemian living and origins of the modern LGBTQ+ movement in the first half of the 20th Century.

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The “gross percent of the billing clause” refers to a contractual agreement where one party agrees to pay another a determined percentage of gross revenue generated by a service or product.

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Jascha Heifetz (1901 - 1987) was a Russian-American violinist who is oft remembered by music critics as one of the best violinists of all time.

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Someone “touching the hem of [their] garment” expresses one's respect or reverence for someone else.

This originally is an allusion to the Bible story of a woman who was healed by Jesus after she touched the hem of his garment.

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“Ike” is the nickname for Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States who served from 1952 - 1960.

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“In the sticks” generally refers to being “in the country, far from towns and cities.

“Murder ‘em in the sticks” likely refers to their future show doing well out-of-town.

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An intercom is a two-way electrical communication device, invented in the 1930s.

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Iodine is a chemical compound with several practical properties, including as an antiseptic liquid used for disinfecting minor wounds.

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Irving Berlin (1888 - 1989) is a Russian-Jewish immigrant who wrote over 3,000 songs in his lifetime. His music is a significant portion of the Great American Songbook, including “God Bless America,” “White Christmas,” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

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Bobby: Robert F. Kennedy (1925 - 1968), served as U.S. Attorney General from 1961 - 1964

Jackie: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy (1929 - 1994), First Lady to John F. Kennedy

Jack: John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963), President of the United States from 1961 - 1963

Ethel: Ethel Kennedy (1928 - 2024), wife of Robert F. Kennedy and sister-in-law of John F. Kennedy; founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights

Teddy: Edward “Ted” Moore Kennedy (1932 - 2009), brother of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy; Senator from Massachusetts from 1962 - 2009

Pat: Patricia Kennedy Lawford (1924 - 2006), sister of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy, and sister-in-law of Jackie Kennedy; worked in television/film and assisted with her brothers’ political campaigns

Eunice: Eunice Kennedy Shriver (1921 - 2009), sister of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy; philanthropist who founded the Special Olympics

Peter: Peter Lawford (1923 - 1984), husband of Patricia Kennedy and brother-in-law of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy; English-American actor who was a member of the “Rat Pack”

Jean: Jean Kennedy Smith (1928 - 2020), sister of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver; served as Ambassador to Ireland from 1993 - 1998

Joan: Virginia Joan Kennedy (1936 - 2025), first wife of Ted Kennedy; American socialite and classical musician

Stephen: Stephen Edward Smith (1927 - 1990), husband of Jean Kennedy Smith; political strategist for John F. Kennedy

Sargent: Robert Sargent Shriver Jr. (1915 - 2011), husband of Eunice Kennedy; helped run JFK’s 1960 presidential campaign, ranked lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy

Joe: Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. (1888 - 1969), patriarch of the Kennedy family; senior official in the administration of Theodore Roosevelt

Rose: Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890 - 1995), wife of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.; American socialite and philanthropist

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Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev (1894 - 1971) was the leader of the then Soviet Union known for his denunciation of Joseph Stalin and presence during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962

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Akira Kurosawa (1910 - 1998) was a Japanese filmmaker with a definitive, distinct style who is considered to be one of the most influential figures in cinema history

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Leontyne Price (1927 - ) is an American singer who is considered to be the first African-American soprano to achieve international acclaim.

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Lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe were a musical thetare writing duo who wrote nine musicals between 1942 - 1960 and again from 1970 - 1972. Notable works include Brigadoon (1947), My Fair Lady (1956), and Camelot (1960).

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Brand name of chlordiazepoxide, a medication for anxiety and insomnia and treatment for those going through withdrawal from alcohol and other substances.

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“Lonely at the top” has been included in several quotations from notable figures throughout history, including:

“It’s lonely at the top, so you better know why you’re there.” - John C. Maxwell

“It’s only lonely at the top if you forget all the people you met along the way and fail to acknowledge their contributions to your success.” - Harvey Mackay

“It’s lonely on the top when there’s no one on the bottom.” - Rodney Dangerfield

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Look magazine (1937 - 1971) was a general interest publication that prioritized high-quality photographs and photojournalism.

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Margot Fonteyn (1919 - 1991) was a British ballerina who spent the majority of her career with the Royal Ballet.

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Abraham Beame (1906 - 2001) was the 105th Mayor of New York City from 1974 - 1977.

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A “meistersinger” was a member of a German guild for unaccompanied art songs in the 14th through 16th centuries.

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Brand name of meprobamate, an anti-anxiety medication that provides a minor tranquilizing effect.

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Likely a colloquial variation on “mush,” or a command to a racing dog sled team charging them to keep running forward.

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My Fair Lady opened on Broadway in 1956, and is based upon Pygmalion (1913) by George Bernard Shaw. Music was written by Frederick Loewe and Lyrics and the Libretto were written by Alan Jay Lerner.

The original production opened to widespread critical acclaim and ran for 2,717 performances.

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3D movies grew significantly in popularity after their installation in movie theaters in the 1950s.

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The 1960 presidential election was held on November 8, 1960, with Democrat John F. Kennedy and running mate Lyndon B. Johnson narrowly winning over Republican Richard Nixon and his running mate Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.

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Oleg Cassini (1913 - 2006) was a Russian-Italian fashion designer who was well-known for being Jacqueline Kennedy’s personal stylist, creating “the Jackie look.”

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An “option agreement” is a contract that rents the rights of a source material to a prospective film producer.

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During her time as First Lady, Jaqueline Kennedy led many White House renovations. This included the remodeling of the State Dining Room, painting the walls bone white.

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The Panama Canal is an artificial major waterway created in 1914.

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The Paramount Pictures Corporation, often shortened to Paramount, is a film studio founded in 1912 and is the sixth-oldest studio still in operation.

Paramount has a long history of contracting actors and other artists to work exclusively with the studio, with contracts often lasting several years.

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The “peace march” refers to the 1967 March on the Pentagon, an anti-war demonstration against the Vietnam War. It was one of the first major protests against the Vietnam War, with over 100,000 attendees.

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“The Pill” is the colloquial name for oral contraception, first approved for use in the United States in 1960.

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Likely a combined reference to the myth of Midas, the nature of platinum as a metal, and platinum record classification .

In Greek mythology, Midas is a king who wishes that everything he touches turns to gold.

Pure platinum is an incredibly rare metal in the Earth’s mantle, with higher quantities naturally found on the moon and in asteroids.

An album or single reaches “platinum” status upon the selling of 1 million units.

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Popular Science magazine was founded in 1872, intended to disseminate scientific information to the everyman.

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(pr-OW), noun; the bow of a ship

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A punchboard is a game board containing slips of paper that are punched as a form of gambling

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Maurice Ravel (1875 - 1937) was a French composer, conductor, and pianist, recognized as France’s greatest living composer in the 1920s and 30s.

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Redbook is an American women’s fashion magazine founded in 1903.

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Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II were an iconic musical theatre writing team whose shows are often credited with ushering in musical theatre’s “Golden Age” in the 1940s and 50s.

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10 states in the United States passed container deposit legislation, providing refundable deposits on certain types of recyclable beverage containers.

The first “bottle bill” was passed in 1971, and continued through 2002.

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The Sherpa people are an ethnic group native to the mountains of Nepal, India, and Tibet. The Sherpa are often associated with mountaineering, working as climbing guides in the Himalayas.

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(sAWt), noun; “a habitual drunkard”

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Sputnik I, commonly shortened to Sputnik, was the first artificial Earth satellite sent into space by the Soviet Union.

Sputnik began its mission October 4, 1957, and ended on October 26, 1957.

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Igor Stravinsky (1882 - 1971) was a Russian composer whose music had a dissonant avant-garde lean. He is remembered as one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century.

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Roe v. Wade was a landmark decision made by the Supreme Court on January 22, 1973 that legalized abortion in the United States.

Roe v. Wade’s ruling was overturned by Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24, 2022.

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The Surgeon General of the United States is the leading national spokesperson on matters of public health.

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Synanon, originally known as Tender Loving Care, was a religious movement founded in 1958 by Charles E. Dederich, Sr. in Santa Monica, CA. It was founded originally as a rehabilitation center, and grew into a cult.

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Tammany Hall was an American political organization founded in 1789 and active through 1967. It was based in New York City, and was the political home base of the Democratic party in New York.

“Tammany politics” likely is a general reference to the corrupt actions of a political organization.

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Renata Tebaldi (1922 - 2004) was an Italian soprano, considered to be one of the great opera singers of the 20th Century. She primarily played dramatic roles, and was notably called la voce d’angelo (“the voice of an angel).

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Electronic telegraph; also referred to as a teletypewriter or teleprinter

Teletype would often be used for real-time communication across distance and data processing

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Trancas is a geographic area in northwest side of Malibu. It contains Trancas Valley National park, and is considered more secluded than the surrounding areas.

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True Romances was a pulp romance magazine with syndication beginning in 1923 and spanning through at least the mid-1970s.

Issues would contain a wide range of romantic fiction, ranging from short stories to book-length narratives.

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The Twist was a social dance craze beginning in 1959, continuing through the early/mid 1960s. The dance itself was inspired by the rise in rock n’ roll music, and was also considered controversial by some cultural critics of the era.

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“The Tunnel” refers to the Lincoln Tunnel, a 1.5 mile long tunnel underneath the Hudson River connecting Weehawken, New Jersey and Midtown Manhattan.

The initial iteration of The Tunnel opened in 1937, with its full version open in 1957.

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California’s San Fernando Valley, known commonly as “The Valley,” is an urbanized valley that contains the areas of Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, and the majority of Los Angeles.

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Valparaíso and its surrounding metropolitan area are the second-largest in Chile, making it a major site of commerce in the mid-20th Century.

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The “Vapors” is a physical and mental condition with symptoms of dizziness, fainting, and mood instability. This is often attributed to women in the 18th and 19th centuries who feel faint or feel they are about to faint.

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Galina Vishnevskya (1926 - 2012) was an acclaimed Russian soprano who was named a People’s Artist of the USSR in 1966.

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Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) was an Italian composer and impresario of Baroque music. His “Four Seasons” concerti is commonly considered one of his most popular works.

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Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987) was an American artist whose works spanned the mediums of painting, filmmaking, photography, and performance art. He often used consumer items as icons in his pieces, and is credited with popularizing the phrase “15 minutes of fame.”

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“a crucial dividing point, line, or factor;” used to describe a turning-point moment

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(z-ear-OX); Xerox is an American corporation known for selling printers and other digital document products. By the 1960s, Xerox began cornering the market on copiers and printers.

“Xerox” has now become a synonym with “photocopy,” becoming a generic trademark.