The scene: Backstage at the Richard Tucker Gala.
The situation: Diva X is onstage, singing music from the opera _________, a role for which Diva Y (also on the bill) is famous. Diva Z is among the onlookers while Diva Y “holds court.”
[The guests chatter.]
Diva Y: Silence! What’s that music!
Diva Z: Why, that’s a scene from _________.
Diva Y: __________? Who on earth is singing that?
Diva Z: Oh, that’s Diva X!
Diva Y: Diva X? Is Diva X actually singing _________?
Diva Z: Well, yes, but, you know, it’s only an excerpt, not the whole role . . .
Diva Y: [interrupting] Never mind, my dear. That was a rhetorical question.
Cher Public