Short Response
Explain why the era from 1943 to 1964 was characterized as "The Golden Age of the Broadway Musical."
The reasons that the years of this period could be characterized as the "Golden Age" is because the era produced show that were often at a superior level of artistic achievement (as GOOD as gold) and also that musicals during this period were valued by Americans as a central part of the culture (as PRECIOUS as gold).
Which of the following shows were NOT written by EITHER Kander & Ebb or Cy Coleman:
A) CABARET
B) SWEET CHARITY
C) BELLS ARE RINGING
D) ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
C) BELLS ARE RINGING (by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green)
COMPOSER of Shrek
Jeanine Tesori
Original STAR of Fiddler on the Roof
Zero Mostel
Set in Ancient Rome, this is the story of an enslaved person's quest to earn his freedom.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Characterize the political ideology of Fiorello LaGuardia and what relationship that ideology might have had with Fiorello's height. Finally, name the title and songwriters associated with the Broadway musical about this figure.
Fiorello LaGuardia was quite short -- 5'2" -- and his reputation was that he was always looking out for the proverbial "little guy." This means that his goal was to help the less powerful, the disenfranchised, and the "invisible" members of society. (The show is Fiorello! with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.)
Which of the following shows by Kander & Ebb does not include scenes in a jail cell?
A) CABARET
B) CHICAGO
C) KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN
D) THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS
A) CABARET
LYRICIST of She Loves Me
Sheldon Harnick
MUSIC DIRECTOR/ARRANGER/ORCHESTRATOR of Hamilton
Alex Lacamoire
Set in Anatevka, this is the story a dairyman.
Fiddler on the Roof
What are the "two worlds" that occurs in Kiss of the Spider Woman occurs in?
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN is set in a South American prison (interestingly, the speciXc country in South America is never identiXed.) This is a "real world" of the show. But a great amount of the show also occurs in a "fantasy world" inside the character of Molina's mind. That fantasy world is centered on a famous movie star Aurora, whom Molina adores. Her movies and her persona constantly Xll Molina's mind, allowing him to brie[y "escape" from his life in the prison. The one role in Aurora's body of work that Molina does not like is when she played 'The Spider Woman," a character who can kill with a kiss.
Which show by Michael John LaChiusa was written for Audra McDonald?
A) HELLO AGAIN
B) MARIE CHRISTINE
C) THE WILD PARTY
D) GIANT
B) MARIE CHRISTINE
COMPOSER-LYRICIST of Floyd Collins
Adam Guettel
COMPOSER-LYRICIST of Parade
Jason Robert Brown
Set all over the country, this is the story of ordinary Americans sharing their feelings about their jobs.
Working
Describe the reception of the original production of CHICAGO and compare it to the reception of the 1997 revival.
CHICAGO originally opened on Broadway in the same season as A CHORUS LINE and was hugely overshadowed by it. CHICAGO, it seemed, was ahead of its time, and the impact of its message was only modestly received. The 1990s revival, however, was precisely in synch with the times and its message connecting the justice system with celebrity culture resonated with meaning and authenticity. That revival has gone on to become the longest-running revival in Broadway history and was still ongoing at the time of last year's Broadway shutdown.
Which of the following Sondheim musicals was NOT directed by Hal Prince?
A) COMPANY
B) A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
C) PACIFIC OVERTURES
D) INTO THE WOODS
D) INTO THE WOODS (It was directed by its bookwriter, James Lapine.)
COMPOSER of Candide
Leonard Bernstein
COMPOSER-LYRICIST of Mack and Mable
Set in Kentucky, this is the story of a spelunker who becomes trapped and the media circus that erupts above him.
Floyd Collins
What iconic role did both Ben Vereen and Patina Miller play in a Stephen Schwartz musical? (Name the part) And what non-Schwartz character/show from theatre history is this role a descendant of? (Name the part and the show.)
Vereen and Miller both played the Leading Player in PIPPIN, each winning the Tony Award for their performances. The creation of this role was inEuenced by the Emcee in CABARET, who serves a similar function of interacting with both the audience and the characters onstage and delivering commentary on the action and thematic landscape of the show.
Which Stephen Schwartz show prompted its producer to steal sheet music from the orchestra pit to assure that a song was omitted from that evening's performance?
A) GODSPELL
B) PIPPIN
C) THE BAKER'S WIFE
D) WICKED
C) THE BAKER'S WIFE (The song was "Meadowlark" and the producer was David Merrick.)
COMPOSER of The Will Rogers Follies
Cy Coleman
Original DIRECTOR-CHOREOGRAPHER of West Side Story
Jerome Robbins
Set in Japan, this is the story of the era when the country began interactions and trade with the West.