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[flaming-tyger.livejournal.com]

cardinal-adjective  /ˈkɑrdnl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kahr-dn-l]
.of prime importance; chief; principal

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cardinal

According to her, the cardinal concern was getting the sets done for the show: there was still plenty of time to work on the acting.