Scene Notes
Test your Chicago The Musical knowledge!
Posted on 02/04/2019
It is time to get excited for Chicago The Musical to come to State Theatre New Jersey. Chicago is the number one longest-running American Musical in Broadway history. Here is some Chicago trivia to test your knowledge of this razzle-dazzle smash. (Scroll down to the bottom of each section for the answers)
PART ONE: THE SONGWRITERS-KANDER AND EBB
1. John Kander and Fred Ebb, who wrote the great songs for Chicago, also wrote the original music and lyrics for Funny Lady, the sequel to the film Funny Girl. What popular actress starred in both?
2. The team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, who wrote the terrific songs for Chicago, also provided the music and lyrics for the musical Woman of the Year. What famous actress starred in Kander and Ebb’s Woman of the Year on Broadway?
3. Chicago songwriters John Kander and Fred Ebb also wrote the musical The Happy Time. Name the actor who won a Tony Award® for his role in this Kander and Ebb Broadway musical. Hint: this actor played Lancelot in Camelot. Who is the actor?
4. Chita Rivera has starred in three John Kander/Fred Ebb musicals. Name one.
5. Liza Minnelli made her Broadway debut in this Kander and Ebb musical. Name the musical.
6. The acclaimed Chicago songwriters John Kander and Fred Ebb wrote this hit song recorded by both Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra. Name the song and the film it is from.
7. Liza Minnelli won a Best Actress Oscar® for what Kander and Ebb musical?
8. Chicago songwriters John Kander and Fred Ebb began their partnership with a hit song entitled “My Coloring Book.” This song became a hit thanks to the singer who recorded it. Who is the singer?
9. Chicago songwriters John Kander and Fred Ebb have written many hit Broadway shows and many hit songs. In their partnership, who writes the words?
10. Lyricist Fred Ebb co-wrote the script for the smash hit Chicago with what legendary showman?
11. Chicago songwriters John Kander and Fred Ebb have garnered three Tony Awards® for their Broadway scores. Name one of their Tony Award®-winning scores.
12. What two John Kander/Fred Ebb collaborations have won Tony Awards® for Best Musical?
13. Name one of the two Oscar®-winning films that Chicago composer John Kander wrote the musical score for?
14. Chicago lyricist and co-book writer Fred Ebb is a native of what major U.S. city? Hint: he wrote a song about his hometown and Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli both made it famous.
15. Chicago composer John Kander wrote the dance arrangements for this legendary Broadway show starring Ethel Merman and directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Hint: Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics to Jules Styne’s music.
ANSWERS
Q1 Answer: Barbra Streisand
Q2 Answer: Lauren Bacall
Q3 Answer: Robert Goulet
Q4 Answer: Chicago, The Rink, or Kiss of the Spiderman
Q5 Answer: Flora, The Red Menace
Q6 Answer: “New York, New York” from the Martin Scorsese film of the same name
Q7 Answer: Cabaret (film version)
Q8 Answer: Barbra Streisand
Q9 Answer: Fred Ebb; John Kander writes the music
Q10 Answer: Bob Fosse
Q11 Answer: Cabaret, Kiss of the Spider Woman, or Woman of the Year
Q12 Answer: Cabaret and Kiss of the Spider Woman
Q13 Answer: Kramer vs. Kramer or Places in the Heart
Q14 Answer: New York, New York
Q15 Answer: Gypsy
PART TWO: CHICAGO CO-AUTHOR OF BOOK, ORIGINAL DIRECTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER - BOB FOSSE
16. Bob Fosse, Chicago’s original co-author and original director/choreographer, has the distinction of winning three of show business’s highest awards all in the same year, 1973. He won a Tony® for what Broadway show?
17. In 1973, Bob Fosse won an Oscar® for directing what movie?
18. In 1973, Bob Fosse won an Emmy® for directing and choreographing what TV special?
19. Bob Fosse began his professional stage career in what appropriate city?
20. Bob Fosse co-authored/ directed and choreographed the original Broadway production of Chicago for this famous performer? Hint: she was also his third wife.
ANSWERS
Q16 Answer: Pippin
Q17 Answer: Cabaret
Q18 Answer: Liza with a Z
Q19 Answer: Chicago, Illinois
Q20 Answer: Gwen Verdon
PART THREE: CHICAGO’S CHOREOGRAPHER - ANN REINKING
21. The thrilling Chicago dances were staged by Ann Reinking using what famous choreographer’s style?
22. What classic Bob Fosse musical film did Ann Reinking co-star in? Hint: it has the same title as the opening number in Chicago.
23. Ann Reinking, Chicago choreographer, performed in the original 1975 production. She took over from what stage legend?
ANSWERS
Q21 Answer: choreography in the style of Bob Fosse
Q22 Answer: All That Jazz
Q23 Answer: Gwen Verdon
PART FOUR: CHICAGO’S ORIGINAL SOURCE
24. The Broadway musical Chicago is based on what 1926 play?
25. What famous director staged the original production of the satirical comedy that the Broadway musical production of Chicago is based on? Hint: He lived to be over 100 years old.
26. The story of Chicago has been filmed twice, once in 1928 as a silent film version and then again in 1942. What was the name of the 1942 film?
27. Who played Roxie Hart in the 1942 film version?
28. Maurine Dallas Watkins, the author of the original play Chicago had how many hit Broadway plays after Chicago?
29.Maurine Dallas Watkins, the author of the original play Chicago, studied with the same legendary playwriting teacher as Eugene O’Neill and George Abbott. Name this famous writing teacher. Hint: He taught at Yale University.
30. Why did it take original director/choreographer Bob Fosse 13 years to secure the rights to make the play Chicago into a musical?
ANSWERS
Q24 Answer: Chicago by Maurine Dallas Watkins
Q25 Answer: Mr. George Abbott
Q26 Answer: Roxie Hart
Q27 Answer: Ginger Rogers in the title role.
Q28 Answer: None. Her only other Broadway play was entitled Revelry, and it ran a modest 48 performances.
Q29 Answer: George Pierce Baker
Q30 Answer: The original playwright, Maurine Dallas Watkins, never wanted to let anyone have the rights. It wasn’t until her death in 1969 that the rights to her play Chicago were released by her estate.
PART FIVE: FILM & INTERNATIONAL
31. Before the Academy Award®-winning film of Chicago was released, there was another film released, entitled Roxie Hart. Who starred as Roxie in this film?
32. Who played Roxie and what actress played Velma in the Academy Award®-winning film?
33. How many Academy Awards® did the film win?
34. What popular German cabaret singer originated the role of Velma in the Award-winning production in London?
35. Richard Gere played the role of Billy Flynn in the film, Chicago. What current TV star was the original Billy Flynn when the show opened on Broadway in 1975? Hint: Stars in Law and Order.
36. What hip-hop/rap artist played the coveted role of Matron Mama Morton in the film?
37. Who did the honors of directing and choreographing the Academy Award®-winning film?
ANSWERS
Q31 Answer: Ginger Rogers
Q32 Answer: Renee Zellweger – Roxie; Catherine Zeta-Jones – Velma
Q33 Answer: Six
Q34 Answer: Ute Lemper
Q35 Answer:Jerry Orbach
Q36 Answer:Queen Latifah
Q37 Answer:Rob Marshall
