Theatre Final
What percent of Broadway box office revenue comes from musicals? A. 60 B. 35 C. 25 D. 80
80
The Renaissance was characterized by which of the following? A. a renewed interest in classical (Greek and Roman) civilization B. the vigorous revival of monastic scholasticism C. the repudiation of the discoveries of the New World D. a celebration of oriental cultures, especially India
A renewed interest in classical (Greek and Roman) civilization
The high point of stylistic realism is best exemplified by A. Anton Chekhov. B. August Strindberg. C. Henrik Ibsen. D. George Bernard Shaw.
Anton Chekhov.
Which of the following is NOT a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber? A. Jesus Christ Superstar B. Cats C. Evita D. Avenue Q
Avenue Q
A well known New York critic is A. Neil LaBute. B. Bernard Shaw. C. Ben Brantley. D. Charles NcNulty.
Ben Brantley.
This playwright, born in Germany in 1898, emerged from World War I as a dedicated Marxist and pacifist, and consolidated his theories about drama into a body of plays that include The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny and The Good Person of Szechuan. A. Antonin Artaud B. Konstantin Stanislavsky C. Herbert Hauptmann D. Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht
The "medieval era" describes the period of history A. Between the sack of Constantinople and the building of Chartes cathedral B. Between the death of Aristotle and the birth of William Shakespeare C. Between the fall of Rome and the coming of the renaissance D. Between the first Crusade and the invention of the printing press
Between the fall of Rome and the coming of the renaissance
Which full-length black musical comedy challenged the old custom of white actors' "blacking up", was written and performed by African Americans (some in white face), and employed the emerging ragtime musical syncopations of early black revues? A. Bob Cole's A Trip to Coontown (1898) B. Victor Herbert's Babes in Toyland (1903) C. George M. Cohan's Little Johnnie Jones (1904) D. J. Leubrie Hill's Darktown Follies of 1914
Bob Cole's A Trip to Coontown (1898)
Who raised dance to a new level of prominence when he developed a new choreographic style—quick, jerky moves that suddenly segue to slow, sinuous come-ons; bumps and grinds; costumes of white gloves and black bowler hats—in a series of musicals that he directed and choreographed, among them Dancin' and Chicago? A. Tommy Tune B. Rudolf Nuryev C. Michael Bennett D. Bob Fosse
Bob Fosse
Which of the following musicals was conceived and directed by George C. Wolfe, choreographed by Savion Glover, and offers a capsule history of racial injustice in America? A. Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk B. Dreamgirls C. Babes in Toyland D. Rent
Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk
Which play exemplifies the genre of political satire? A. Sartre's No Exit B. Caryl Churchill's Serious Money C. Jarry's Ubu Roi D. Maeterlinck's The Intruder
Caryl Churchill's Serious Money
The liturgical trope Quem Quaeritis A. celebrates the visit of the three Marys to the tomb of the crucified Christ. B. celebrates the baptism of John the Baptist. C. enacts the birth of Christ and a visitation by angels. D. enacts the visitation of the three Magi to Christ on the feast of the Epiphany.
Celebrates the visit of the three Marys to the tomb of the crucified christ
What kind of theatre puts on plays for their own enjoyment and is considered amateur? A. Regional Theatre B. Off-Off Broadway C. Summer Stock D. Community Theatre
Community Theatre
The word kabuki A. derives from kabuku, meaning "askew", and refers to a style of behavior that might today be called "punk". B. derives from kabu, meaning "intoxicated", and refers to the drugs used by men and women during the performance to achieve a state of enlightened consciousness. C. derives from the word kab kab, an onomatopoetic word reflecting the sound of wooden sandals on a stage and an allusion to the origin of the kabuki in the eleventh century vogue of extreme footwear. D. means "fan" and refers to the central prop in Kabuki theatre, used by men and women alike as a vehicle to express a range of emotions and passions.
Derives from kabuku, meaning "askew", and refers to a style of behavior that might today be called "punk".
The ancient Greek god of fertility, wine, agriculture, and sexuality was A. Apollo. B. Athena. C. Mercury. D. Dionysus.
Dionysus
The name of the American corporation that has infiltrated theatres and has bottomless financial resources is A. Broadway Produces B. Disney C. Samuel French Publishers D. Heinz
Disney
The public form of play analysis following a production is called A. dramatic criticism. B. literary criticism. C. semiotic criticism. D. post structural criticism.
Dramatic criticism
The central creed of the Romantic Theatre was A. Style above all B. Expression of the individual C. Wit D. Eroticism
Expression of the individual
T/F Alan Ayckbourn's plays, exemplifying comedies of contemporary manners, have failed to reach popularity beyond their cult following.
False
T/F America does not embrace community theatre and looks down on it.
False
T/F Artistic quality has nothing to do with honesty or whether we, as an audience feel anything from the production.
False
T/F Generally the playwright is more intelligent and better informed than the members of the audience.
False
T/F Kabuki consists of only one categtory: history plays.
False
T/F Medieval mystery plays were performed only in Latin
False
T/F Musical theatre evolved initially as a revolt against other forms of theatre, particularly realism.
False
T/F Realist drama attempts to break through the limitation of language and character in order to arrive at an insight into a greater metaphysical cosmos.
False
T/F The Royal era was characterized by the targeted audience of peasants, farmers and lower class citizens who enjoyed the outdoor ambience of the theatre.
False
The founding playwright of the realist era was A. Henrik Ibsen. B. August Strindberg. C. Mario Tinburgen. D. Anton Chekhov.
Henrik Ibsen.
Theatre can be seen as entertainment A. in all cases. B. only when it conforms to strict cultural definitions of "pleasure". C. only when it amuses and is humorous. D. only when it contains wit, activities, or spectacles that grip us.
In all cases
Which of the following musicals does NOT explore race and/or ethnic relations? A. George C. Wolfe's Jelly's Last Jam B. Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific C. Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's Caroline, or Change D. Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun
Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun
Which of the following is true about the age of "isms"? A. It covers many different ideological tenets such as futurism, dadism, expressionism, surrealism, etc. B. This is a word that meant actors were fully present on stage. C. Realism was at the head of the list. D. The theatre world (directors and playwrights) all agreed on one concept only.
It covers many different ideological tenets such as futurism, dadism, expressionism, surrealism, etc.
Which of the following statements correctly characterizes the major development of the musical form in roughly the first third (1900-1920) of the twentieth century? A. It marked the age of the great musical comedy. B. It marked the age of the musicalimprovisation. C. It marked the age of the contemporary opera. D. It marked the decline of the musical.
It marked the age of the great musical comedy.
Which production had the most violent premiere in theatre history, such that the audience shouted, hissed, threw things, shook fists at the stage, and fought duels after subsequent performances? A. Jarry's Ubu Roi B. Brecht's Mother Courage C. Artaud's Conquest of Mexico D. Shaw's Major Barbara
Jarry's Ubu Roi
Which drama, whose name means "story play", originated in rural villages in the province of Kerala in the seventeenth century and is based on any of thousands of stories from two great Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata? A. sakuntala B. natyasastra C. kathakali D. shivanu
Kathakali
Which American orchestral conductor and composer left a considerable mark on the musical's golden age with his On the Town, about World War II sailors on leave in Manhattan? A. Jerome Kern B. W. S. Gilbert C. Leonard Bernstein D. Stephen Sondheim
Leonard Bernstein
Why is the theatre in a unique position to force and focus public confrontation about social issues? A. Playwrights' politics have usually been the main reason they write plays in the first place. B. The theatre has traditionally served as the best medium to transmit a direct statement on an issue, thus convincing the audience of a specific point of view in an aggressive manner. C. Most productions do not act as propaganda but present the issues in all their complexity as food for thought and as such focus public debate, stimulate dialogue, and turn public attention and compassion to important issues. D. The theatre has never been historically connected with government institutions and therefore has nothing to do with social issues or government decisions.
Most productions do not act as propaganda but present the issues in all their complexity as food for thought and as such focus public debate, stimulate dialogue, and turn public attention and compassion to important issues.
What theatre type is a highly ceremonial musical and dance drama, of which the 240 texts produced today were written by members of a single family five hundred years ago, and whose lines were designed to be sung rather than spoken? A. kyogen B. kabuki C. no D. bunraku
No
Is musical theatre a form of antirealist theatre similar to expressionism and theatre of the absurd? A. Yes, because major writers of musicals produced impassioned manifestos in their program notes. B. No, because musical theatre, while seemingly antirealist, does not derive from a rebellion against verisimilitude but has aesthetics unique to its own performance. C. No, because musical theatre belongs to the tradition of realism in representation, especially in terms of emotional depth and precise character development. D. Yes, because the antirealist traditions shared common playwrights, common playing spaces, and common politics.
No, because musical theatre, while seemingly antirealist, does not derive from a rebellion against verisimilitude but has aesthetics unique to its own performance.
Professional theatres operating on significantly reduced budgets and located primarily in New York neighborhoods, some very near actual Broadway theatres became collectively known in the 1950s as A. Broadway. B. Off-Broadway. C. The Other Broadway. D. The Great White Way.
Off-Broadway.
What kind of sexualized, audacious, political, and scatological comedy was considered fit material for translation or publication only in recent times? A. old comedy B. modern comedy C. commedia dell'arte D. renaissance comedy
Old comedy
Playwrights of the Romantic era include all of the following EXCEPT A. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. B. Friedrich von Schiller. C. Victor Hugo. D. Pedro Calderón.
Pedro Calderón
Which of the following is TRUE of performance art? A. Performance art honors the traditional conventions of drama. B. Performance art is primarily conceptual without having a clear narrative, character development or structure, but can be arresting and provocative. C. There is a clear plot in performance art. D. The performers always act in character, never as themselves.
Performance art is primarily conceptual without having a clear narrative, character development or structure, but can be arresting and provocative.
Which of the following does NOT exemplify the Broadway trend toward revival? A. Audiences are still interested in seeing another production of Waiting for Godot (Beckett). B. International plays are often considered for Broadway productions. C. the restaging of modern plays and American musicals from the golden era of the 1940s to 1960s Star-studded revivals are very popular right now. D. Plays which dramatize the life of the ancient playwrights account for fifty percent of the productions on Broadway.
Plays which dramatize the life of the ancient playwrights account for fifty percent of the productions on Broadway.
The professional scholar A. is content to repeat the opinions or discoveries of others. B. writes from his or her own intuition. C. seeks fresh insights from a body of literature while working within accepted methodologies. D. depends entirely upon received opinions and public consensus.
Seeks fresh insights from a body of literature while working within accepted methodologies.
Which of the following is NOT an example of a play that makes the theatre a matter in the play itself? A. Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead B. Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author C. Shakespeare's Hamlet D. Sophocles' Oedipus The King
Sophocles' Oedipus The King
Historically, traditional drama began when A. spoken drama was introduced into shamanistic rites. B. rituals began to use theatrical elements like costumes and properties. C. whole tribes of audiences began to gather to hear storytellers relate their tales. D. dramatic competitions were introduced in Athens.
Spoken drama was introduced into shamanistic rites
Which artist (b. 1930), credited with changing the face of the American musical, developed a new style featuring disturbing plots, an ironic tone, and sophisticated, intricately rhymed lyrics? A. Stephen Sondheim B. Graham Wilson C. Peter Brook D. Peter Shaffer
Stephen Sondheim
An example of verbatim theatre, where the play consists of real-life speeches and interviews, would be A. Bent. B. Stuff Happens. C. The Invention of Love. D. Hair.
Stuff Happens.
Founded by Luis Valdez in 1965, which contemporary Chicano theatre was created to dramatize the farm workers' situation in California? A. Carmina Burana B. Teatro Campesino C. Teatro Milagro D. Teatro la Raza
Teatro Campesino
Which of the following is NOT true of Broadway performances? A. A new play rarely premieres on Broadway, and despite high ticket prices, most new plays on Broadway are in fact financial failures. B. Broadway producers await new plays whose worth is proven in the subsidized European (chiefly English) theatre or on the not-for-profit regional stage. C. Only the star-studded revival or Tony Award-winning new musical is likely to be bankable. D. The "Great White Way" has offered breakthrough teaching and acting positions through government-funded mentorships and apprenticeships.
The "Great White Way" has offered breakthrough teaching and acting positions through government-funded mentorships and apprenticeships.
This theatre, formed by Joseph Chaikin in 1963, combined social improvisation with Brechtian techniques and used character as a vehicle for direct interaction with audiences. A. The Open Theatre B. The Teatro Campesino C. New Lafayette Theater D. The Women's Collective
The Open Theatre
The most comprehensive and detailed theatrical treatise of the ancient world, detailing analyses of dramatic texts, the theatre building, acting, staging, music, and even theatre-company organization, is A. the Sanskrit Natyasastra, or "treatise on theatre" (begun in the second century a.d.). B. Kalidasa Kundalini, the Zen of drama (written in Indonesia in 11 b.c.). C. Tan Tien, the handbook of the Peking Opera (transmitted orally for hundreds of years but written down by Portuguese priests in the twelfth century a.d.). D. the Kabuki Nehru, written for directors and actors in Japan in 2000 b.c.
The Sanskrit Natyasastra, or "treatise on theatre" (begun in the second century a.d)
The musical that Susan Stroman directed, which sensitively tells the true story of young black southern men—some of them just boys—who were falsely accused and convicted of raping two white women on a train, used a simple set design, and staged in the format of a minstrel show is called A. Avenue Q. B. Contact. C. The Scottsboro Boys. D. Caroline, or Change.
The Scottsboro Boys
Which of the following is consistent with the symbolist opposition to realism? A. In order to subvert realism, symbolist writers attempted to draw characters more true to life than reality. B. The symbolists did not dispense with realism by enhanced it with antirealist styles which followed no single belief. C. In order to assault the dimensions of lived reality, symbolist drama fostered the use of miniature by plays-within-the- plays acted by puppets. D. In protest against realistic set and stage design, symbolist sets did away with all props and furniture on the stage.
The symbolists did not dispense with realism by enhanced it with antirealist styles which followed no single belief.
Rome's greatest contribution to the theatre was A. Their improvement on the form of tragedy B. The introduction of a chorus C. Their architecture and modifications of the theatre space D. Poetic manuscripts
Their architecture and modifications of the theatre space
T/F A drama critic is a person who makes a living by publicly writing a dramatic analysis about a performance or a play text.
True
T/F Although American artists are largely protected from direct censorship by the U.S. Constitution's first amendment, government funding is subject to approval by local and national legislators who sometimes balk at funding the work of certain artists.
True
T/F Avant-garde means, literally, "the major assault" or "shock troops".
True
T/F Disney has worldwide recognition for its wildly popular musical productions such as The Lion King, Tarzan, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast.
True
T/F Miss Saigon became a global megahit with its climax featuring a helicopter descending onto the roof of the American Embassy to rescue fleeing diplomats.
True
T/F Performers in Chinese opera are adept at singing, speech, mime, acting, and acrobatics.
True
T/F Scholarly dramatic criticism is itself a literary art, of which works by Aristotle, Goethe, Shaw, and Nietzsche have outlasted their presumed subjects and helped shape our vision of life.
True
T/F Shakespeare festivals, which began in the Great Depression and which now exist in every state, originated with summer stock productions.
True
T/F The excesses of Romanticism gave rise to melodrama and grand opera.
True
T/F The extremity in artistic representation that responded to the social change of the sixties and the seventies took a number of forms, including plays that feature urination, bold profanity, and total nudity.
True
T/F The first of the choreographer-directors, trained in both ballet and acting, was Jerome Robbins, who staged such works as The King and I and West Side Story,
True
T/F The theatre where Chekhov collaborated with Konstantin Stanislavsky is the Moscow Art Theatre.
True
T/F The variety of theatre introduced in the 1960's that denotes semi-professional or even amateur theatre in the New York./Manhattan area, often in church basements, YMCAs, coffeehouses, etc. is commonly known as Off-Off- Broadway.
True
T/F Two Roman comic playwrights are Plautus and Terrence.
True
In Mandarin, Chinese Opera is called xiqu, which means A. "sung celebration of life". B. "grateful blessings from the samisen". C. "tuneful theatre". D. "presented hours of joy"
Tuneful theatre
The constructivist who broke with Stanislavsky's style of realist performance to create a nonrealist "biomechanical" style of acting and direction was A. Francois Medvedev. B. Mikhail Bakhtin. C. Bertolt Brecht. D. Vsevold Meyerhold.
Vsevold Meyerhold.
Which of the following musicals retells the story of Romeo and Juliet with a contemporary Polish American as Romeo and a contemporary Puerto Rican American as Juliet? A. Fiddler on the Roof B. On the Town C. West Side Story D. Guys and Dolls
West Side Story
Which of the following is NOT true of the role of women in the history of drama? A. Until the seventeenth century, women were virtually unrepresented in the theatre. B. Several contemporary women theatre artists have garnered prestigious awards, such as the Pulitzer and Macarthur. C. Women currently represent one-third of all U.S. directors. D. Women are more under-represented today in theatre than at any point since the 1650s.
Women are more under-represented today in theatre than at any point since the 1650s.
An audience member's aesthetic sensibility and response is A. consistent with all those individuals within the same national culture. B. consistent with all those individuals with the same ethnic and economic background. C. generally determined by educational background. D. a composite of many individual reactions and therefore entirely subjective.
a composite of many individual reactions and therefore entirely subjective.
Which movement was based in the idea that, although humans search for some meaning or purpose in human life, they are met with a world that is fragmented, unorganizable and chaotic, making the effort futile? A. expressionism B. modern realism C. absurdism D. theatre of cruelty
absurdism
What description best characterizes the Borderlands Theatre? A. spectacle-heavy entertainments that typically transfer to Broadway B. bilingual productions for the local Mexican-American community with minimal staging and has no permanent home of their own. C. disciplined and mannered pieces lasting upward of ten hours D. raw, boundary-pushing work filled with violence and graphic sexuality, oftentimes meeting unified protest by the community
bilingual productions for the local Mexican-American community with minimal staging and has no permanent home of their own.
Scholarly critics generally write A. detailed, comprehensive, and rigorously researched articles without the deadline or space limitations of newspapers. B. without concern for the published opinions of other critics and scholars. C. erudite apologia for their own biases. D. historical surveys that strictly avoid aesthetic judgments.
detailed, comprehensive, and rigorously researched articles without the deadline or space limitations of newspapers.
Dramatic criticism usually appears in all the following forms EXCEPT A. production reviews in newspapers or periodicals. B. reactions to the play posted on blogs and online magazines. C. director's notes in a program. D. scholarly articles or books on dramatic literature.
director's notes in a program.
What word fits the definition of "that which holds the attention"? A. suspense B. entertainment C. tension D. anxiety
entertainment
This type of drama, in vogue in Germany during the first two decades of the century, featured shocking and gutsy dialogue, boldly exaggerated scenery, piercing sounds, bright lights, and an abundance of primary colors. A. impressionism B. theatre of cruelty C. expressionism D. dada
expressionism
Realist theatre A. has had a lasting effect on modern theatre. B. is actually quite non-realistic: it calls for a symbolic representation of reality that conveys the feeling of reality more precisely. C. was short-lived as a movement. D. arose from nostalgia for ancient Greek aesthetics
has had a lasting effect on modern theatre.
Eastern European directors created a theatre of ancient plays produced with A. no interest from the community at all. C. hidden, often subversive meanings clear to audiences, but lost on the government. D. adaptions that rackled the local governments.
hidden, often subversive meanings clear to audiences, but lost on the government.
Katie Mitchell made her name with what kind of productions? A. highly controversial, politically charged versions of classics B. stylized and lightweight comedies C. gigantic musical spectacles using pop music D. exact verbatim retellings of historical events, such as the Gettysburg Address
highly controversial, politically charged versions of classics
If you were to join a discussion about macaronic drama, you would be chatting about plays that A. feature a cast of actors from both the East and West. B. emphasize the far-reaching power of capitalism. C. include real food being cooked onstage, oftentimes served to audiences. D. include speeches in different languages.
include speeches in different languages.
One convention of the realist theatre is that dialogue A. represents conversation. B. is conversation. C. reveals philosophical truths. D. symbolizes abstract ideals.
is conversation.
A play's ability to connect with audience members on a personal level the fact that the best plays A. focus on the theatrical personnel who put on the play itself. B. have no connection at all with individual needs or desires. C. link up with our deepest musings and help us to put our unconnected ideas into some sort of order or philosophy. D. do not involve individual struggles, but reflect solely on group ponderings.
link up with our deepest musings and help us to put our unconnected ideas into some sort of order or philosophy.
Which type of drama fits the following description: the theatre becomes a part of the content of play production, not merely the vehicle. A. impressionism B. metatheatre C. expressionism D. theatre of cruelty
metatheatre
Which genre, introduced in the golden age of the musical, is characterized by increasingly serious plots and sophisticated musical treatments? A. musical comedy B. musical sitcoms C. musical drama D. cabarets
musical drama
Which movement, whose development was independent of realism, based its aesthetics on nature, particularly on humanity's place in the (Darwinian) environment and tried to create life itself on stage? A. naturalism B. scientism C. romanticism D. mesmerism
naturalism
What form does professional dramatic criticism take? A. panel discussions among members of the audience following a performance B. group sessions between actors, directors, and producers C. academic seminars at fringe festivals D. newspaper and television news reviews, scholarly works, theatre websites, online blogs and journals
newspaper and television news reviews, scholarly works, theatre websites, online blogs and journals
When did musical theatre begin to evolve as a specific genre of its own? A. at the end of the Restoration B. over the past 150 years of western dramatic history C. in the middle ages, when the theatre moved away from the church steps D. theatre went from outside to inside with acoustic abilities
over the past 150 years of western dramatic history
The artist Karen Finley, who had her NEA grant revoked after she smeared her naked body with chocolate was working in the genre of A. puppet performance. B. performance art. C. dance-theatre. D. dangerous theatre.
performance art.
Which movement can be interpreted to signal "the death of isms" in our contemporary age? A. idealism B. surrealism C. postmodernism D. dada
postmodernism
Thematically speaking, the trend for musicals in the twenty-first century has been toward the A. serious, cynical, and even grim, such as gang violence and exploitation of scandal and sexual anomalies. B. comedic yet politically engaged. C. splashy, spectacular, and purely entertaining. D. chamber musical that requires only a few performers and minimal sets.
serious, cynical, and even grim, such as gang violence and exploitation of scandal and sexual anomalies.
Which of the following is the newspaper critic's principal job qualification? A. dramatic expertise B. skilled at articulating their impressions immediately through their writing ability C. playwriting or directing experience D. willingness to attend performances
skilled at articulating their impressions immediately through their writing ability
A member of the audience may see a play from five different critical perspectives. What are five perspectives? A. social significance, human significance, artistic quality, relationship to theatre itself, and entertainment value B. tragic, comic, satiric, ironic, and tragicomic C. pastoral, ironic, idyllic, epic, and lyric D. thematic, characterological, spectacular, intensity and dramaturgical
social significance, human significance, artistic quality, relationship to theatre itself, and entertainment value
In Six Characters in Search of an Author, Pirandello uses the theme of the theatricality of human existence to show A. that everyday life is beset by the eternal confusion between appearance and reality. B. that appearances, are always what they seem to be. C. the ultimate authority of truth is in confusing the audience. D. that appearance is shallow yet exciting.
that everyday life is beset by the eternal confusion between appearance and reality.
Which type of critic expresses thoughts with precision, clarity, and grace, through the careful building up of ideas, a presentation of evidence, logical argument, the use of helpful analogy and example, and a clear style of expression? A. the observant critic B. the articulate critic C. the inquisitive critic D. the eager critic
the articulate critic
Which type of critic holds the theatre to its highest possible standards and cuts against the inherent danger in drama to turn toward pure entertainment or sensationalism? A. the observant critic B. the informed critic C. the audience pleasing critic D. the demanding critic
the demanding critic
From a practical standpoint, theatre may be considered a "conservative" institution because it conserves A. a unified ideology and political point of view. B. the history and conventional way of working as a theatre. C. the pro-government sentiment of its time. D. the moral attitudes of an elite group of people.
the history and conventional way of working as a theatre.
