History of Musical Theater Exam 2

Q: Which musicals were key predecessors to Oklahoma!?

A: Cabin in the Sky (1940), Pal Joey (1940), and Lady in the Dark (1941).

Q: What is Cabin in the Sky about?

A: It tells the story of Little Joe, who dies and is destined for hell but is given a second chance at redemption through his wife Petunia’s love.

Q: Why is Cabin in the Sky historically important?

A: It helped move musicals toward integration by blending dance, music, and story into a seamless, cinematic flow.

Q: Who was the key creative force behind Cabin in the Sky?

A: George Balanchine, who directed and choreographed the show.

Q: What innovation did George Balanchine introduce?

A: The role of the director/choreographer and using dance to drive the story rather than just entertain.

Q: How did Balanchine use dance differently?

A: He combined ballet with Black American dance styles and choreographed the entire show, including scene changes, for fluid storytelling.

Q: What is Pal Joey about?

A: It follows Joey Evans, a morally flawed nightclub performer who manipulates others to get ahead.

Q: Why is Joey Evans significant in musical theatre history?

A: He was Broadway’s first anti-hero—unlikeable, manipulative, and not redeemed.

Q: What made Pal Joey controversial for its time?

A: It featured morally questionable characters, including a sexually aggressive married woman.

Q: How did Pal Joey contribute to the integrated musical?

A: It incorporated dance into storytelling and included an early version of the dream ballet.

Q: What is Lady in the Dark about?

A: It follows Liza Elliot, a woman struggling to make decisions, explored through dream sequences.

Q: What was innovative about Lady in the Dark?

A: Musical numbers only occurred during dream sequences, exploring the character’s psyche.

Q: How did Lady in the Dark influence Oklahoma!?

A: It inspired the use of psychological storytelling, especially seen in the Dream Ballet.

Q: Why is Oklahoma! considered groundbreaking?

A: It fully integrated music, dance, and story, setting the standard for modern musicals.

Q: How did Oklahoma! break traditional musical openings?

A: It began quietly with a single singer instead of a big ensemble number.

Q: What structural innovations did Oklahoma! introduce?

A: Songs grew naturally from dialogue, and song climaxes matched scene climaxes.

Q: What is the plot structure of Oklahoma!?

A: It uses a main plot (Curly and Laurie) and a parallel comic subplot (Ado Annie and Will Parker).

Q: What was new about humor in Oklahoma!?

A: It was based on character and situation rather than jokes or gags.

Q: What was unusual about the ensemble in Oklahoma!?

A: They appeared later in the show and wore realistic, modest costumes.

Q: What major “first” did Oklahoma! achieve in recording?

A: It was the first Broadway musical to have an original cast recording.

Q: Who composed the music for Oklahoma!?

A: Richard Rodgers.

Q: Why was Richard Rodgers important?

A: He helped transition musical theatre from jazzy entertainment to story-driven works.

Q: Who wrote the lyrics and book for Oklahoma!?

A: Oscar Hammerstein II.

Q: What was Hammerstein’s major contribution?

A: Integrating lyrics and story to create emotionally driven, cohesive narratives.

Q: Who choreographed Oklahoma!?

A: Agnes de Mille.

Q: Why was Agnes de Mille’s choreography revolutionary?

A: She used dance to develop character and advance the plot.

Q: What was unique about de Mille’s dancers?

A: Each dancer had a fully developed character and storyline.

Q: What is the significance of the Dream Ballet in Oklahoma!?

A: It reveals Laurie’s inner thoughts and emotions through dance.

Q: How did de Mille treat movement in her choreography?

A: Every movement had meaning and contributed to storytelling.

Q: How did Oklahoma! influence future musicals?

A: It established the integrated musical format that dominated for over 20 years.

Q: What is an American book musical?

A: A form of musical theatre where songs, dance, and dialogue are fully integrated into the story to advance plot and develop characters.

Q: What are the key elements of a book musical?

A: Music, lyrics, dialogue (book), dance, and staging all work together to tell a cohesive story.

Q: What is an integrated musical?

A: A musical in which all elements (songs, dance, dialogue) are woven into the narrative rather than existing as separate entertainment.

Q: Why is Oklahoma! important to musical theatre?

A: It created the model for the integrated musical and launched the Golden Age of Broadway.

Q: What did Agnes de Mille contribute to Oklahoma!?

A: She integrated dance into storytelling and explored characters’ psychological depth through choreography.

Q: What is the Golden Age of musical theatre?

A: A period where musicals achieved strong integration of story, music, and dance, with high artistic quality.

Q: Name the nine Broadway musicals by Rodgers and Hammerstein.

A: Oklahoma!, Carousel, Allegro, South Pacific, The King and I, Me and Juliet, Pipe Dream, Flower Drum Song, The Sound of Music.

Q: What is unique about the opening of Carousel?

A: It begins with an extended ballet (The Carousel Waltz) instead of an overture.

Q: What themes does Carousel explore?

A: Abuse, class bias, redemption, and moral complexity.

Q: What is Allegro about?

A: A doctor who loses his identity and values while pursuing success in the city.

Q: Why is Allegro significant?

A: It is considered an early step toward concept musicals.

Q: What awards did South Pacific win?

A: 10 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize.

Q: What themes are central to South Pacific?

A: Racism, prejudice, and acceptance.

Q: What is the main theme of The King and I?

A: Cultural understanding and overcoming bias.

Q: What is significant about The Sound of Music?

A: It was the final collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Q: Why are cast recordings important?

A: They preserve musicals and made shows like Oklahoma! widely accessible.

Q: What was the first musical to have an original cast recording?

A: Oklahoma!

Q: What is On the Town about?

A: Three sailors exploring New York City during a one-day leave.

Q: Who were the key creators of On the Town?

A: Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and George Abbott.

Q: What was Leonard Bernstein known for?

A: Blending classical music with jazz and musical theatre styles.

Q: What are some shows composed by Leonard Bernstein?

A: On the Town, Wonderful Town, Candide.

Q: What was Jerome Robbins known for?

A: Directing and choreographing musicals using unique movement styles tied to character and setting.

Q: Name major works by Jerome Robbins.

A: West Side Story, Gypsy, Fiddler on the Roof.

Q: Why was George Abbott important?

A: He was a highly influential and prolific Golden Age director and mentor.

Q: What inspired West Side Story?

A: Romeo and Juliet and gang conflicts in New York City.

Q: What is Annie Get Your Gun about?

A: A strong woman who ultimately sacrifices independence for love and marriage.

Q: Why is Annie Get Your Gun significant?

A: It reflects post-WWII gender roles and was a major commercial success.

Q: Who were Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe?

A: A successful songwriting team behind major Golden Age musicals.

Q: Name three major Lerner and Loewe musicals.

A: Brigadoon, My Fair Lady, Camelot.

Q: What is Brigadoon about?

A: A magical Scottish town that appears once every 100 years.

Q: Why is My Fair Lady important?

A: It was one of the most financially successful musicals ever.

Q: What does Camelot symbolize?

A: Idealism and hope, often linked to the Kennedy era.

Q: Why is Gypsy considered important?

A: It is often called one of the greatest musicals of the Golden Age.

Q: What is Gypsy about?

A: The story of stage mother Rose and her daughter Gypsy Rose Lee.

Q: What is Guys and Dolls known for?

A: Its unique structure with two equally important plotlines and memorable songs.

Q: Who was Frank Loesser?

A: A composer/lyricist known for Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Q: Who was David Merrick?

A: A powerful and controversial Broadway producer known for bold publicity stunts.

Q: What was Meredith Willson known for?

A: Writing music, lyrics, and book for The Music Man.

Q: What is The Music Man about?

A: A con artist who reforms after falling in love in a small town.

Q: Why did Golden Age musicals become more popular?

A: Due to integrated storytelling and the rise of cast recordings making them widely accessible.