Musical Theater Quiz

1. A new stage musical builds its story around previously released popular songs by one artist. Which category most directly describes it?

2. A melody from Act I returns in Act II with altered lyrics that reveal how a character’s outlook has changed. What is this most likely called?

3. The orchestra continues with an energetic instrumental section while the ensemble performs extended choreography and no one sings. What is this section most likely called?

4. In traditional musical-theater terminology, what is an “eleven o’clock number”?

5. A show presents nearly its entire story through continuous songs and musical passages, with little separate spoken dialogue. Which description fits it best?

6. In Cabaret, the Kit Kat Club is located in which city?

7. Which writer composed both the music and lyrics for Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd?

8. West Side Story reimagines the central conflict of which Shakespeare play?

9. A performer waits offstage, is not normally part of the ensemble, and is assigned to cover one principal role. Which role best fits that description?

10. Who composed the music for Les Misérables?

11. Which Rodgers and Hammerstein musical premiered on Broadway in 1943 and features the song “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’”?

12. A creative-team member writes the melodies and harmonies, while a collaborator supplies the words sung by the characters. What is the first person’s role?

13. Who created the musical Hamilton and originated its title role on Broadway?

14. A reviewer praises a musical’s “book” for making the characters’ choices and the transitions between songs feel coherent. What is the reviewer discussing?

15. Before the curtain rises, the orchestra plays a sequence introducing several melodies that will return later in the show. What is this passage?

16. During rehearsals, someone designs the movement for a large ensemble dance sequence and teaches the steps to the cast. Who is primarily responsible?