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Composers and Lyricists Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles

Composers and Lyricists Trivia

Composers and Lyricists Trivia Quizzes

Without the words and music, we wouldn't have much of a musical! Do you remember who was responsible for all those tunes you were singing under your breath as you left the theatre?

95 quizzes and 1,330 trivia questions.

Sub-Categories:

Gilbert and Sullivan (15 quizzes)

Kander and Ebb (3)

Lloyd Webber, Andrew (43)

Rodgers and Hammerstein (9)

Sondheim (8)

Rodgers and Hart top quiz

Collection Quiz

10 Qns

Richard Rodgers worked with a number of lyricists to compose an array of memorable musicals. This quiz looks at his lengthy (1919-1943) partnership with Lorenz Hart.

Easier, 10 Qns, looney_tunes, Jun 10 24

Easier
looney_tunes editor

Jun 10 24
428 plays

Kander and Ebb or Rodgers and Hammerstein? popular trivia quiz

Classification Quiz

10 Qns

John Kander and Fred Ebb were a composer and lyricist team from 1962 until Ebb died in 2004. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II were a team from 1942 until Hammerstein died in 1960. Sort these musicals by the composer/lyricist team.

Very Easy, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Jan 11 25

Very Easy
Ilona_Ritter

Jan 11 25
374 plays

It's Webber or It's Not! great trivia quiz

Classification Quiz

10 Qns

Identify the Musical Creator!

With a more than fifty-year career on Broadway, Andrew Lloyd Webber is considered one of the musical theatre greats. Surely, if you're a fan, you can pick out which of these are his creations and which are not. Good luck!

Very Easy, 10 Qns, kyleisalive, Apr 03 23

Very Easy
kyleisalive editor

Apr 03 23
386 plays

Maestros Of The Musicals popular trivia quiz

Match Quiz

10 Qns

Match the 10 musicals on the right to the composers and lyricists who wrote them.

Easier, 10 Qns, darksplash, Nov 07 20

Easier
darksplash
Nov 07 20
340 plays

Another Opening, Another Show popular trivia quiz

Match Quiz

10 Qns

So many great songs came from musicals. In this quiz you are asked to match the musical with its writer or writers. Have fun!

Easier, 10 Qns, Bob9491, Aug 28 20

Easier
Bob9491
Aug 28 20
543 plays

Night and Day: A Cole Porter Quiz popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Cole Porter, both composer and lyricist, gave us many unforgettable songs which have lasted the tests of time. Hopefully this quiz will be delightful, delicious, and de-lovely.

Average, 10 Qns, mlcmlc, May 29 13

Average
mlcmlc

1092 plays

We Write the Songs popular trivia quiz

Match Quiz

10 Qns

In this quiz you are matching two musicals that share the same songwriter or songwriters.

Average, 10 Qns, bernie73, Aug 17 22

Average
bernie73

Aug 17 22
151 plays

Victor Herbert popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

From the late 1890s until World War One, Victor Herbert (1859-1924) was the pre-eminent composer of the American musical theater.

Average, 10 Qns, ignotus999, Nov 21 13

Average
ignotus999
172 plays

Cole Porter Lyrics

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

They've been heard on the Broadway stage and in movie theaters. They've been recorded by stars such Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, and Frank Sinatra. How closely have you been listening to the words?

Average, 10 Qns, chicagojanet, Jan 17 14

Average
chicagojanet
388 plays

10.

Gershwin: Name that Show

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

These songs are from George Gershwin Broadway shows. Do you know which song is from which show?

Average, 10 Qns, mlcmlc, Jan 02 11

Average
mlcmlc

792 plays

Quick Question

What was the name of Sullivan's only grand opera?

From Quiz "General G&S"

11.

ALW or Boublil-Shonberg?

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

I'll give you the name of a musical. You tell me if Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote it or Boublil-Shonberg.

Easier, 10 Qns, ladymacb29, Aug 24 09

Easier
ladymacb29 editor

1924 plays

12.

Men Who Make Broadway Musicals

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

See if you're able to recognize the great talents behind some famous Broadway musicals.

Average, 10 Qns, robert362, Jan 17 13

Average
robert362
1566 plays

13.

Boublil and Schoenberg Musicals

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Hello everyone! I'm back with another musical quiz, this time only on Boublil's and Schoenberg's work. But not only on the music, also a bit on the background. Enjoy!

Tough, 10 Qns, PearlQ19, Jun 28 13

Tough
PearlQ19

517 plays

14.

"Lord of the Dance" & "Feet of Flames"

Multiple Choice

15 Qns

This quiz is dedicated to Michael Flatley's original "Lord of the Dance," and "Feet of Flames" shows. Have fun and good luck!

Tough, 15 Qns, Aleris, Jan 17 12

Tough
Aleris
390 plays

15.

The Lyrics of Gershwin

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Ira Gershwin rules! (and George!) Just fill in the blanks!

Tough, 10 Qns, silk_rules, Aug 07 07

Tough
silk_rules
705 plays

16.

Sir Tim Rice, The Musical Lyric Legend.

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

So much is written about ALW, but what about his erstwhile partner and lyrical genius,Sir Tim? He's worked with many other writers other than ALW so see how you get on with one of the UK's best exports.

Tough, 10 Qns, Kwizling, Dec 06 08

Tough
Kwizling
538 plays

17.

Frank Wildhorn and His Musicals

Multiple Choice

15 Qns

A quiz on the composer of several wonderful musicals, including 'Jekyll and Hyde' and 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'.

Tough, 15 Qns, Lucy_Christine, Sep 11 14

Tough
Lucy_Christine
427 plays

Composers and Lyricists Trivia Questions

1. Where was Cole Porter born?

From Quiz Night and Day: A Cole Porter Quiz

Answer: Peru, Indiana

Cole was born on June 9, 1891, to Sam and Kate (nee Cole) Porter. His father was a druggist and his mother was a well educated daughter of a wealthy man. Being an only child, he was doted on and spoiled. Cole's musical training started early, and by the age of six he could play violin, and wrote his first music score by the age of ten.

2. Which show is the song "Boy Wanted" from? Hint: Ex-show girl elopes with society boy and his family is opposed.

From Quiz Gershwin: Name that Show

Answer: "A Dangerous Maid" -- 1923

This song was later included in the show "My One and Only" created in 1983 from previously released songs.

3. "I'm _______ all the day."

From Quiz The Lyrics of Gershwin

Answer: chipper

This is from the song 'I Got Rhythm' from 'Girl Crazy' - it was immortalised by Ella Fitzgerald.

4. The original "Lord of the Dance" performance (for the video) took place where?

From Quiz "Lord of the Dance" & "Feet of Flames"

Answer: Point Theatre, Dublin

The Point Theatre was also the site of the first "Riverdance" performance.

5. What year did Tim receive the 'kiss of steel', otherwise known as his knighthood?

From Quiz Sir Tim Rice, The Musical Lyric Legend.

Answer: 1994

Very well respected, great songwriter, Ambassador for England. The list is endless, However, find someone who bad mouthes him and you have found a liar.

6. When 'Jekyll & Hyde: Resurrection' was released in 2006, it was the ____ recording of the musical made available in the US.

From Quiz Frank Wildhorn and His Musicals

Answer: fourth

The 1990 concept album with Colm Wilkinson and Linda Eder, the 1995 double CD concept album with Anthony Warlow and Linda Eder, and the 1997 Original Broadway Cast Album with Robert Cuccioli and Linda Eder. In 2006 'Jekyll & Hyde: Resurrection feat. Rob Evan, Kate Shindle and Brandi Burkhardt' came out.

7. Which song includes the lines, "In olden days a glimpse of stocking was looked down as something shocking"?

From Quiz Cole Porter Lyrics

Answer: Anything Goes

"Anything Goes", "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "All That Jazz" all relish the decadence of modern times. "Thoroughly Modern Millie" is from the musical by the same name. "All That Jazz" was written by Kander and Ebb for the musical "Chicago". "So What" is from the musical "Cabaret".

8. Mistaken identity was a familiar plot device in Gilded Age operetta. Which Victor Herbert work features three major characters portrayed by the same performer?

From Quiz Victor Herbert

Answer: The Fortune Teller

"The Fortune Teller" (1898) was written for Broadway star Alice Nielson, who had formed her own production company. The title character is Musette, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Irma, an heiress and (conveniently) ballet student. Irma's twin brother Fedor is an Hungarian hussar. Miss Nielson played all three roles, a tradition followed in later revivals. Leading songs from "The Fortune Teller" include "Gypsy Love Song (Slumber On, My Little Gypsy Sweetheart)" and "Romany Life". The Hungarian setting seemed exotic to American audiences, but was familiar to Herbert from his performance career in central Europe before emigrating to the United States.

9. Cole Porter's first Broadway show, a flop, opened on March 28, 1916. Can you identify the show?

From Quiz Night and Day: A Cole Porter Quiz

Answer: See America First

While attending Yale, Cole had written the music and lyrics for several shows, and the show "See America First" was an effort created with several classmates. It was intended as a spoof of a production by George M. Cohan. The show opened at the Maxine Elliott Theatre on March 28, 1916, but it closed after 15 showings. The songs for this can be found at the Library of Congress, as well as many of his other compositions. From the song "See America First" "Of European lands effete, A most inveterate foe, My feelings when my camp I greet Are such as patriots know. Condemning trips across the blue As dollars badly dispersed, I hold that loyal men and true, Including in the category all of you, Should see America first, Should see America first."

10. Which show is the song "Fascinating Rhythm" from? Hint: Unlucky brother and sister trying to help each other rather than themselves.

From Quiz Gershwin: Name that Show

Answer: "Lady, Be Good" -- 1924

This was introduced by Cliff Edwards, Fred and Adele Astaire.

11. Michael Flatley did what show prior to "Lord of the Dance"?

From Quiz "Lord of the Dance" & "Feet of Flames"

Answer: Riverdance

Michael left "Riverdance" when told he could not have full creative power over the show.

12. For which Freddie Mercury song did Tim write the lyrics?

From Quiz Sir Tim Rice, The Musical Lyric Legend.

Answer: 'The Fallen Priest '

This track, scored by Freddie, appeared on the 1988 album 'Barcelona'.

13. The original French lyrics of the B and S musicals were written by Alain Boublil, but someone else translated them into English. Who NEVER did that job so far?

From Quiz Boublil and Schoenberg Musicals

Answer: Jim Steinman

Jim Steinman wrote the lyrics of Lloyd Webber's 'Whistle Down The Wind' and he composed 'Tanz der Vampire' ('Dance of the Vampires'), but he didn't translate for B and S. Kretzmer did 'Les Miz', Maltby Jr. 'Miss Saigon', and Stephen Clarke translated 'Martin Guerre'. together with Edward Hardy.

14. How many recordings of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' were released before the 'Encore!' album in 1999?

From Quiz Frank Wildhorn and His Musicals

Answer: two

The original concept album with Linda Eder, the Original Broadway Cast Album with Douglas Sills and Christine Andreas, and an Encore album that includes songs from the Broadway Cast album and songs from the revised version of the show.

15. Who regrets that she's unable to lunch today?

From Quiz Cole Porter Lyrics

Answer: Miss Otis

"Miss Otis Regrets" tells the story of a woman who strayed down in lover's lane. When she awoke and found her dream of love was gone, she got a gun and shot her lover down. The mob came and dragged her away and strung her on the old willow across the way. All of which is more than enough reason not to be able to keep a lunch appointment.

16. Despite his success on Broadway, no new stage works by Victor Herbert premiered between 1900 and 1903. Why the hiatus?

From Quiz Victor Herbert

Answer: He was conducting the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Victor Herbert attempted to balance composing with a career as a performer and conductor. He spent 11 seasons with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra as a solo cellist, guest conductor and assistant conductor. In 1898, he was appointed principal conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony, serving until 1904. The orchestra gained national standing under his baton, but he had little time to compose. In 1904, he left to found the Victor Herbert Orchestra. This allowed him to coordinate his composing with summer tours and concerts. Beginning in 1909, his orchestra - and Herbert himself as a solo cellist - made numerous recordings for the Edison and Victor companies.

17. Which show is the song "Someone to Watch Over Me" from? Hint: English bootleggers in prohibition America, girl falls for a married (or is he?) man.

From Quiz Gershwin: Name that Show

Answer: "Oh, Kay!" -- 1926

This song was introduced by Gertrude Lawrence.

18. 'I got the sun / Got the moon / Got the ____ ____ ___.'

From Quiz The Lyrics of Gershwin

Answer: Deep blue sea

This is 'I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' and it comes from 'Porgy and Bess'. It's one of the songs that was written by DuBose Heyward in partnership with Ira Gershwin.

19. Who plays the role of Saiorse, the Irish Colleen?

From Quiz "Lord of the Dance" & "Feet of Flames"

Answer: Bernadette Flynn

Bernadette is a six-time World Champion, seven-time All-Ireland Champion, and has quite a few other titles to boast. Michael has said dancing with Bernadette is like dancing with air.

20. For how many Disney musicals has Sir Tim written the lyrics?

From Quiz Sir Tim Rice, The Musical Lyric Legend.

Answer: 5

'Aladdin', 'The Lion King', 'Beauty and the Beast', 'King David' and 'Aida'.

21. 'The Return of Martin Guerre' was the novel on which they based 'Martin Guerre'. Several movies were also made concerning the theme. Can you name the one starring Richard Gere and Jodie Foster?

From Quiz Boublil and Schoenberg Musicals

Answer: Sommersby & Somersby

The difference between the movie and the musical - apart from names and places, of course - is that the real Sommersby is really dead. Martin is still alive and was just thought to be dead. There are some other movies as well, one starring Gerard Depardieu as 'Martin'.

22. Who did Frank Wildhorn hire to write the book and lyrics for 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'?

From Quiz Frank Wildhorn and His Musicals

Answer: Nan Knighton & Knighton

23. What activity brings back the sound of music so tender? (Even the palms seem to be swaying.)

From Quiz Cole Porter Lyrics

Answer: When they begin the Beguine

"Begin the Beguine" was introduced in the 1935 musical "Jubilee" but became popular after it was recorded by Artie Shaw and included in "Broadway Melody of 1940" and Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell danced to it. The other answers are lyrics from other musicals. "The Way You Look Tonight" was written by Jerome Kern; "On the Street Where You Live" was written by Lerner and Lowe. And "flying so high with some guy in the sky" is a lyric from "I Get a Kick Out of You", which was written by Porter.

24. After a three-year hiatus, Victor Herbert returned to the Broadway stage. Which operetta premiered on October 13, 1903?

From Quiz Victor Herbert

Answer: Babes in Toyland

The songs "Toyland" and "March of the Toys" - the real title; not "Wooden Soldiers" - remain holiday staples over a century later. The original plot of "Babes in Toyland" wasn't kid-friendly: a plan to murder a pair of orphan children; a Master Toymaker who designs killing machines; the deaths of two characters on stage. Subsequent revivals altered the plot while retaining the principal musical numbers. "Babes in Toyland" was inspired by the success of a stage-musical version of "The Wizard of Oz". (The 1939 movie "Oz" had an original score - nothing from the 1903 musical.) The 1903 "Oz" faded quickly, while "Babes" lives on.

25. Which show is the song "Summertime" from? Hint: A picture of 1920s African American life in Charleston, South Carolina.

From Quiz Gershwin: Name that Show

Answer: "Porgy and Bess" -- 1935

Oft cited as the most popular song from the show, this quickly became and has remained a standard. One web site lists more than 15,000 recordings.

26. Who played the role of Morrighan, the Temptress?

From Quiz "Lord of the Dance" & "Feet of Flames"

Answer: Gillian Norris

The fiery Gillian is third place finisher at the World Championships. She started dancing at age eleven but at first wasn't very interested in it. It wasn't until she began winning competitions that she began to like dancing. Michael has said that Gillian is the fire of the show.

27. "Godspell" and "Pippin" are by ...?

From Quiz Men Who Make Broadway Musicals

Answer: Stephen Schwartz

The others are all fine talents, but these two belong to Schwartz. ("Godspell" featured the popular "Day by Day".)

28. With which other 'Knight' did he compose 'The Lion King'?

From Quiz Sir Tim Rice, The Musical Lyric Legend.

Answer: Sir Elton John

The whole show took only two 'knights' to write...Sorry.

29. 'Miss Saigon' was based on Puccini's opera 'Madame Butterfly'. But the opera was based on a novel. Which one?

From Quiz Boublil and Schoenberg Musicals

Answer: Madame Chrysantheme

'Papillon' means 'butterfly' in French, but the original novel was called 'Madame Chrysantheme'. I made up the other novels - at least I don't know them if they exist.

30. According to "Night and Day," what does a voice within me keep repeating?

From Quiz Cole Porter Lyrics

Answer: You, you, you

"Night and Day" was written for the 1932 musical "The Gay Divorcee." Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance one of their most famous pieces to the song. It was one of Porter's biggest hits, and the 1946 Hollywood film about his life starring Cary Grant is titled "Night and Day." (FYI, the film is highly fictionalized...ignoring things such as Porter's homosexuality.)

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Last Updated Jul 05 2025 5:49 AM

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