vaudeville or burlesque - i have been asked about this a lot lately......

Main Entry: vaude·ville
Pronunciation: \ˈvȯd-vəl, ˈväd-, ˈvōd-, -ˌvil; ˈvȯ-də-, ˈvä-, ˈvō-\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from Middle French, popular satirical song, alteration of vaudevire, from vau-de-Vire valley of Vire, town in northwest France where such songs were composed
Date: 1827
1 : a light often comic theatrical piece frequently combining pantomime, dialogue, dancing, and song
2 : stage entertainment consisting of various acts (as performing animals, comedians, or singers)
— vaude·vil·lian \ˌvȯd-ˈvil-yən, ˌväd-, ˌvōd-; ˌvȯ-də-, ˌvä-, ˌvō-\ noun or adjective

Main Entry: 1bur·lesque
Pronunciation: \(ˌ)bər-ˈlesk\
Function: noun
Etymology: burlesque, adjective, comic, droll, from French, from Italian burlesco, from burla joke, from Spanish
Date: 1667
1 : a literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation
2 : mockery usually by caricature
3 : theatrical entertainment of a broadly humorous often earthy character consisting of short turns, comic skits, and sometimes striptease acts
synonyms see caricature
— burlesque adjective
— bur·lesque·ly adverb