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"Happy Birthday, Wanda June" Trivia Quiz

"Happy Birthday, Wanda June" is Kurt Vonnegut's only published play. If you haven't read or seen the play, this might be a difficult quiz.

A multiple-choice quiz by UVcatastrophe. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
UVcatastrophe

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
89,622

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
307

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Kurt Vonnegut originally wrote the play "Happy Birthday, Wanda June" under this title. Hint

Persephone

Me and Wanda Too

Gertrude

Penelope

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. This classical play inspired Kurt Vonnegut because the homecoming seemed "cruelly preposterous". Hint

Antigone

Oedipus Rex

The Iliad

The Odyssey

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Question 3 of 10

3. The play opened at the Theater de Lys. It later moved to this theater because of an off-Broadway actors' strike. Hint

the Edison Theater

the Banneker Theater

the Franklin Theater

the Vonnegut Theater

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. The play received mixed reviews even though Vonnegut considered the actors to be superb. How many times was the play performed? Hint

142

326

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. The name of the play has significance because it appeared on this prop in the play. Hint

a poster

a birthday cake

a banner

a character's forehead

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. How many ghosts appear in the play? Hint

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. This cartoon character's distinctive laugh is featured in the play at the beginning of Act Two, Scene Three. Hint

Popeye the Sailor Man

Tony the Tiger

Mighty Mouse

Woody Woodpecker

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. One of the central characters is based on Ernest Hemmingway's love for poaching. He returns after an eight year adventure in South America. What is his name? Hint

Herb Shuttle

Norbert Woodly

Colonel Looseleaf Harper

Harold Ryan

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Which suitor of Penelope does she choose to marry? Hint

Colonel Looseleaf Harper

Harold Ryan

Herb Shuttle

Norbert Woodly

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Finally, what is the last novel Kurt Vonnegut published before putting out the play "Happy Birthday, Wanda June"? Hint

Slapstick

Cat's Craddle

Sirens of Titan

Slaughterhouse-Five

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Kurt Vonnegut originally wrote the play "Happy Birthday, Wanda June" under this title.

Answer: Penelope

It was never produced under the name Penelope. Kurt Vonnegut's reason for the play's failure was that "it was a lousy play".

2. This classical play inspired Kurt Vonnegut because the homecoming seemed "cruelly preposterous".

Answer: The Odyssey

One of the central characters, Harold Ryan, was modeled as a modern- day Odysseus.

3. The play opened at the Theater de Lys. It later moved to this theater because of an off-Broadway actors' strike.

Answer: the Edison Theater

Vonnegut rewrote parts of the play even after it had been performed many times. He couldn't satisfy himself easily.

4. The play received mixed reviews even though Vonnegut considered the actors to be superb. How many times was the play performed?

Answer: 142

The show opened on October 7, 1970 and closed on March 14, 1971.

5. The name of the play has significance because it appeared on this prop in the play.

Answer: a birthday cake

The cake was made for a little girl named Wanda June. It was never picked up at the bakery because she was hit by an ice cream truck.

6. How many ghosts appear in the play?

Answer: 3

The ghosts are Wanda June, Major Siegfried Von Konigswald, and Mildred. They do not appear in the plays very often and mainly advance character development.

7. This cartoon character's distinctive laugh is featured in the play at the beginning of Act Two, Scene Three.

Answer: Woody Woodpecker

The laugh is followed by a pistol shot and a voice that says "you got me pal".

8. One of the central characters is based on Ernest Hemmingway's love for poaching. He returns after an eight year adventure in South America. What is his name?

Answer: Harold Ryan

He spent his time looking for diamonds the size of cantaloupes.

9. Which suitor of Penelope does she choose to marry?

Answer: Norbert Woodly

Dr. Norbert Woodly is a pacifist who chooses to defend himself with words rather than violence.

10. Finally, what is the last novel Kurt Vonnegut published before putting out the play "Happy Birthday, Wanda June"?

Answer: Slaughterhouse-Five

"Slaughterhouse-Five" is most likely his famous book. He decided to work on the play because he needed a change of pace.

Source: Author UVcatastrophe

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bullymom before going online.
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