preface; introduction; lead in (to a joke, question, etc.); lead up; payment in advance (by bank transfer); swinging (one's body) forward
(formal) announcement; unveiling; introduction; debut
garden; orchard; park; place; world; environment
stage (of a theatre, concert hall, etc.); stage performance; stage production; setting (of a story); scene; sphere (of activity)
drama; play; powerful drug
actor; actress; player; performer
(software) update; upgrade (to a new version); upgrade (to a device, product, etc.); improvement
having both wisdom and courage
empty; void; vain; fruitless; lifeless
to be forced to do or experience something (against one's will); to be forced to do something because one has no other choice
obstruction; prevention; hindrance; check; blocking; stopping
pair; couple; antithesis; counter for items that come in pairs; counter for sets (of clothes, small furniture, utensils, etc.)
to lower the curtain; to come to an end
manners; courtesy; etiquette
to give a round of applause; to applaud
half a lifetime; half one's life; one's life so far
scriptwriter; playwright; scenario writer
United States men's Olympic basketball team
second division; secondary division
work (film, book); production; creation; turning (something) out
cool; stylish; good-looking; fashionable; sexy
person in charge (of an area of work, etc.); person responsible; contact (person)
theatre-going; theater-going
coupling; shipping; pairing of characters in a romantic relationship (in fan fiction, manga, etc.)
personality cult; cult of personality
serving (of food); helping; chilled soba served on a dish (often on a wicker basket or in a shallow steaming basket) with dipping sauce
performance (of a play, opera, etc.); staging; presentation
feel uncomfortable; ill at ease; not feel at home
betterment; improvement; kaizen (Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement)
immunity; immunization; immunisation; being hardened (to); being unaffected (by); being accustomed (to)
exchange (of words, views, punches, cups, etc.); give-and-take; reply; answer; response
on the occasion of; at the time of
the deceased; the departed; old friend; longtime acquaintance
fictitious; imaginary; fanciful; aerial; overhead
to dig up; to unearth; to uncover
deep regret; great sorrow; bitter grief
one's party piece; parlor trick; hidden talent
treating someone like a child
will not do; do not; does not