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Quizzes > Music

Broadway Trivia: Test Your Musical Theater IQ

Quick, free quiz to test your musical theater trivia knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: George GallyUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style Broadway icons on dark blue background promoting free scored trivia quiz on iconic musicals and theater lore

This Broadway trivia quiz helps you check your knowledge of hit shows, classic songs, and stage legends, with instant scoring as you go. Want more theater fun? Try Broadway trivia questions, take a musical theatre trivia quiz, or play guess the musical to keep the curtain up.

In The Phantom of the Opera, what city is the opera house located in?
New York
Paris
Vienna
London
The Phantom of the Opera is set in the Palais Garnier, the historic opera house in Paris. This iconic setting was chosen by Andrew Lloyd Webber to heighten the story's gothic romance atmosphere and to anchor it in a real, grand European landmark. The Parisian backdrop provides a sense of elegance and mystery that defines the show. .
Who wrote both the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical Hamilton?
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Jonathan Larson
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Stephen Sondheim
Lin-Manuel Miranda is the creator of Hamilton, writing both its music and lyrics. He drew inspiration from Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton and fused hip-hop, R&B, and traditional musical theater styles. Miranda's work earned him a Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony Awards. .
The Broadway musical The Lion King is based on the animated film by which studio?
Pixar
DreamWorks
Disney
Studio Ghibli
The Lion King musical adapts Disney's 1994 animated film of the same name. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, it brings the story of Simba, Nala, and the Pride Lands to life with innovative puppetry and staging. This Broadway version has become one of the highest-grossing shows in history. .
In Cats, which character serves as the wise leader and judge of the Jellicle tribe?
Rum Tum Tugger
Grizabella
Mr. Mistoffelees
Old Deuteronomy
Old Deuteronomy is portrayed as the respected elder who presides over the Jellicle Ball and decides which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer. His name reflects his authoritative but benevolent nature. This character often closes the show with a sense of hope and renewal. .
The rock musical Rent was inspired by which Giacomo Puccini opera?
Madama Butterfly
Tosca
Turandot
La bohème
Rent transposes Puccini's La bohème to late-20th-century New York City, focusing on artists struggling with poverty and illness. Jonathan Larson modernized the story and themes while maintaining the opera's emotional core. Both works explore love, loss, and friendship against the backdrop of bohemian life. .
As of 2024, which is the longest-running show in Broadway history?
Wicked
A Chorus Line
The Phantom of the Opera
Cats
The Phantom of the Opera surpassed Cats in 2006 to become Broadway's longest-running show, with over 13,000 performances. Directed by Harold Prince, its lavish production and memorable score have attracted audiences since 1988. It remains an enduring fixture at the Majestic Theatre. .
Which Broadway musical features the song 'Seasons of Love'?
In the Heights
Dear Evan Hansen
Next to Normal
Rent
'Seasons of Love' is the signature song from Rent, reflecting on measuring life in love rather than time. It appears in the first act as a choral piece and reprises in the finale. The song has become an anthem beyond the show for celebrating life and community. .
Which musical opened on Broadway in 1969 featuring the song 'Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In'?
Tommy
Hair
Godspell
Jesus Christ Superstar
Hair is a rock musical that premiered on Broadway in 1968 and ran into 1969, featuring the counterculture anthem 'Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In'. It broke new ground with its themes of war, peace, and social revolution. The show's music and free-spirited presentation defined an era. .
Who choreographed the original Broadway production of West Side Story?
Agnes de Mille
Jerome Robbins
Bob Fosse
Gower Champion
Jerome Robbins created the groundbreaking choreography for West Side Story, blending ballet and jazz to tell the tale of rival street gangs. His work set a new standard for integrated dance in musical theater. Robbins also co-directed the original production. .
Which performer originated the role of Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked?
Sutton Foster
Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth
Lea Michele
Idina Menzel first played Elphaba when Wicked opened on Broadway in 2003. Her powerful vocals and nuanced performance established the character's depth. Kristin Chenoweth originated the role of Glinda in the same production. .
Les Misérables is primarily set in which city?
London
Marseilles
Paris
Versailles
Les Misérables unfolds against the backdrop of early 19th-century Paris, focusing on events like the June Rebellion of 1832. Key locations include the streets of Paris and the barricades of the student uprising. The setting underscores the show's themes of justice and redemption. .
In which musical does the character Tevye appear?
Fiddler on the Roof
My Fair Lady
Cabaret
Oliver!
Tevye is the central character in Fiddler on the Roof, a dairyman living in Imperial Russia. He famously addresses the audience through soliloquies, sharing his faith and values. The show explores tradition, family, and change. .
Which Stephen Sondheim musical features the characters George and Dot?
A Little Night Music
Company
Sunday in the Park with George
Into the Woods
Sunday in the Park with George centers on artist George Seurat and his fictional companion Dot. The musical explores artistic creation and personal relationships, mirroring Seurat's pointillist painting 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.' Sondheim's score and Lapine's book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1985. .
Which Broadway production holds the record for the most Tony Awards won by a single show?
War Horse
South Pacific
The Producers
Hamilton
Mel Brooks's The Producers won 12 Tony Awards in 2001, a record for any production. Its satirical take on Nazi Germany and show-business gone awry resonated with critics and audiences alike. The show's success reinforced Brooks's status as a comedic genius. .
Who starred as Annie in the original Broadway production of Annie?
Sutton Foster
Lilla Crawford
Alyson Hannigan
Andrea McArdle
Andrea McArdle, at age 10, originated the role of Annie when the show opened on Broadway in 1977. Her performance earned her a Tony nomination and set the standard for all subsequent Annies. McArdle's rendition of 'Tomorrow' remains iconic. .
Which musical was the first to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama?
Porgy and Bess
Oklahoma!
South Pacific
Of Thee I Sing
Of Thee I Sing, a political satire by George and Ira Gershwin with book by Kaufman and Hart, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1932. It was the first musical to receive this honor, recognized for its witty critique of American politics. The award acknowledged the show's innovation and social commentary. .
In what year did A Chorus Line premiere on Broadway?
1975
1977
1980
1972
A Chorus Line opened at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway on July 25, 1975. Directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, it focused on dancers auditioning for a Broadway show. The production won nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. .
Who wrote the book for Fiddler on the Roof?
Arthur Laurents
Jerome Lawrence
Joseph Stein
Neil Simon
Joseph Stein crafted the book for Fiddler on the Roof, adapting Sholem Aleichem's stories about Tevye the Dairyman. His script balances humor, tradition, and tragedy, contributing to the show's universal appeal. Stein's work earned him a Tony nomination. .
The original 1981 Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along closed after how many performances?
58
231
102
16
Merrily We Roll Along, despite its renowned creative team of Sondheim and Prince, closed after just 16 performances in 1981. Its reverse chronology and darker tone confounded audiences and critics. The show has since been re-evaluated and revived successfully. .
Which soprano originated the role of Christine Daaé in the Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera?
Sarah Brightman
Julie Andrews
Rebecca Luker
Kerry Ellis
Sarah Brightman, married to composer Andrew Lloyd Webber at the time, created the role of Christine Daaé in the original Broadway production. Her crystal-clear soprano helped define the character's purity and vulnerability. Brightman's portrayal set a high standard for future performers. .
Who played Roxie Hart in the original 1975 Broadway production of Chicago?
Patti LuPone
Liza Minnelli
Chita Rivera
Gwen Verdon
Gwen Verdon originated Roxie Hart in Chicago's 1975 production, bringing her renowned dance talents to Bob Fosse's choreography. Verdon's performance was instrumental in launching the show's cult status despite its initial mixed reviews. She remains synonymous with the role. .
Which show held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical before The Phantom of the Opera took the title?
Les Misérables
Wicked
Cats
A Chorus Line
Cats was Broadway's longest-running show from 1997 until The Phantom of the Opera surpassed it in 2006. Its unique staging, elaborate costumes, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's score captivated audiences for over 7,400 performances. The show's success demonstrated the power of spectacle in musical theater. .
Which original Broadway cast recording was the first to be certified gold by the RIAA?
Oklahoma!
The Sound of Music
South Pacific
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady's 1956 original Broadway cast album was the first to be certified gold by the RIAA, recognizing over 500,000 sales. The success of the recording expanded the reach of Broadway music to mainstream audiences. Its popularity set a benchmark for future cast albums. .
Who wrote the libretto for the original 1935 production of Porgy and Bess?
Lorenz Hart
DuBose Heyward
Oscar Hammerstein II
Langston Hughes
DuBose Heyward authored the libretto for Porgy and Bess, adapting his own novel Porgy. George and Ira Gershwin composed the music and lyrics, but Heyward's text provided the foundation. His contribution was vital to the opera's narrative authenticity. .
Who choreographed the original dream ballet sequence in the 1943 Broadway musical Oklahoma!?
Jerome Robbins
Michael Kidd
Agnes de Mille
Bob Fosse
Agnes de Mille revolutionized musical theater with the dream ballet in Oklahoma!, integrating dance into storytelling. Premiering in 1943, her choreography provided psychological insight into Laurey's character. This sequence is often credited with establishing the modern dance-musical format. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Broadway Musical History -

    Gain insights into the origins and evolution of landmark shows, enabling deeper appreciation when playing this broadway trivia game.

  2. Identify Iconic Songs and Lyrics -

    Recognize signature melodies and famous lines from top musicals, strengthening your recall for any broadway quiz challenge.

  3. Recall Characters and Plot Details -

    Memorize key characters and story arcs from beloved productions to excel in this broadway musical quiz and other quizzes about musicals.

  4. Analyze Theater Trivia and Lore -

    Evaluate fun facts, production anecdotes, and award histories to impress friends and master broadway quizzes.

  5. Apply Strategy to Improve Your Score -

    Use quiz-taking techniques and insights to boost accuracy and timing in this scored Broadway trivia game.

  6. Explore New Musicals -

    Discover lesser-known shows and hidden gems that expand your theater repertoire beyond the brightest Broadway spots.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Historic Milestones in Broadway Musical History -

    From Show Boat's groundbreaking 1927 debut to Oklahoma!'s revolutionary book structure in 1943, the Golden Age set the standard for modern productions. Use the mnemonic "BOOW" (Boat, Oklahoma, West Side Story, Wicked) to recall major landmarks when tackling a broadway trivia game (Oxford Companion to the Theatre).

  2. Iconic Broadway Composers -

    Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber each reshaped the Broadway soundscape with timeless scores. Remember the memory phrase "Really Sweet Works" to quiz yourself on R (Rodgers), S (Sondheim), W (Webber) during a broadway musical quiz (The Broadway League archives).

  3. Navigating Tony Awards Trivia -

    The Tony Awards honor excellence across 26 categories annually, including Best Musical and Best Score, with eligibility tied to a seven-month production window (Antoinette Perry Awards guidelines). A handy tip: focus on the "Big Six" - Best Play, Best Musical, Best Revival, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Score - as these often appear in broadway trivia game questions.

  4. Broadway Theater Landmarks -

    Theaters range from the intimate Helen Hayes (599 seats) to the expansive Gershwin Theatre (1,933 seats), context that can inform venue-based trivia (The Broadway League). Link each theater to its famous premieres - like Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre - to boost recall in broadway quizzes and quizzes about musicals.

  5. Musical Formats and Conventions -

    Distinguishing a book musical (narrative-driven) from a concept musical (theme-driven) is crucial for quizzes about musicals and broadway quiz shows (Journal of Musical Theatre Studies). Use the acronym "BCR" (Book, Concept, Revue) to classify shows swiftly during any broadway musical quiz session.

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