Musicals Trivia

140+ Best Musicals Trivia Questions & Answers

Mike Oberman

Updated: February 24th, 2025

Discover over 240 captivating trivia questions and answers about your favorite musicals! From Broadway classics to toe-tapping film adaptations, challenge your musical know-how with this entertaining collection.

General Musicals Trivia

Question: Which boulevard is so cool it got its own musical?

Answer: Sunset

Question: Calling all jazz aficionados and deep-dish lovers: Which sizzling American musical by Kander and Ebb takes its cue from a US city famous for more than just hot dogs?

Answer: Chicago

Question: Time to unleash your inner globe-trotter! What funky musical beat, born in Cameroon, will have you dancing like you're at the ultimate secret party?

Answer: Bikutsi

Question: Pop culture time warp: Which John, lighting up both Grease and Saturday Night Fever, still makes us bust out our best moves?

Answer: Travolta

Question: When the ultimate cool cat Frank Sinatra serenaded our hearts, which swingin’ musical style crowned him king?

Answer: Big Band

Question: Get your folk hats on! The 'Eisteddfod' isn’t a new binge-worthy series—guess which UK country hosts this legendary musical festival?

Answer: Wales

Question: Ready for a car-chasing, soul-stirring musical laugh riot? Which city stars in the hit musical comedy 'The Blues Brothers'?

Answer: Chicago

Question: Pop quiz time: If the cornet were in a rockin’ brass band, which instrument would be its inseparable sidekick?

Answer: Trumpet

Question: Hungry for nostalgia? Which musical serves up the delectable tune 'Food Glorious Food'?

Answer: Oliver

Question: Cue the spotlight and glitter—what dazzling musical makes us groove to the unforgettable tune 'All That Jazz'?

Answer: Chicago

Question: Step right up, trivia fans! Which classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical spins around like your favorite fairground ride?

Answer: Carousel

Question: Hold onto your cowboy hats! Which type of musical instruments does Massive Scar Era rock to bring out that wild, wild West vibe?

Answer: Western

Question: Riddle me this: Which musical genius dazzled European royalty, yet ended up as broke as a busted jukebox?

Answer: Mozart

Question: Time for a pop culture twist: Which fabulous Julie lit up the screen in 'Billy Elliott,' sending fans into a frenzy?

Answer: Walters

Question: Famous line alert! In which musical does a cheeky character challenge, 'Are you just going to stand there all day?' like it’s a dare to dance?

Answer: Grease

Question: Pop culture brain-teaser: Who was the lyrical mastermind behind the iconic musical 'West Side Story,' mixing street beats with timeless drama?

Answer: Sondheim

Question: Backstage trivia time! Which high-energy Broadway sensation strutted onto the scene in 1996, leaving us tapping our feet?

Answer: Chicago

Question: Let’s get groovy: In which vibrant city is the rebellious, iconic musical 'Hair' set, where every street corner feels like a stage?

Answer: New York

Musicals & Musical Artists Trivia

Question: The 'Mamma Mia' Musical is based around the music of which disco-loving, sequin-wearing Swedish supergroup?

Answer: ABBA

Question: In which musical do we hear the battle cry, 'Let's go kick some Hunny buns! Yee-ha!'—proving history class was never this fun?

Answer: Mulan

Question: Which 1960 musical follows a streetwise kid who accidentally stumbles into Fagin’s pickpocketing crew—talk about an unplanned career path?

Answer: Oliver

Question: What is the high-school musical comedy about McKinley High’s not-so-cool kids who turned singing in hallways into an art form?

Answer: Glee

Question: Around which pop band's legendary hits is the feel-good, singalong movie 'Mamma Mia!' based?

Answer: ABBA

Question: Who won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2012 for playing 'Guy' in 'Once'—proving even simple names can win big?

Answer: Steve Kazee

Question: On which band's music is the ultimate dancing-queen musical 'Mamma Mia!' based?

Answer: ABBA

Question: In the musical 'Annie,' what is the name of the scruffy but adorable dog who stole hearts almost as much as Annie did?

Answer: Sandy

Question: 'Walk The Line' strummed up the life story of which country music outlaw in black?

Answer: Johnny Cash

Question: The musical 'The King and I' is set in which dazzling kingdom where royal drama meets Broadway magic?

Answer: Siam

Question: David Essex’s 'Oh What A Circus' came from which musical that turned Argentina’s history into a theatrical masterpiece?

Answer: Evita

Question: Which Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, full of political drama and powerhouse ballads, first hit the stage in 1978?

Answer: Evita

Question: Which musical instrument is Elton John’s best friend—besides his iconic sunglasses?

Answer: Piano

Question: The movie 'Mamma Mia!' is based on the music of which legendary band, responsible for hits like 'Dancing Queen' and 'Super Trouper'?

Answer: ABBA

Question: The musical 'Mamma Mia' is practically a non-stop concert of hits from which 70s pop sensation?

Answer: ABBA

Question: Which Broadway smash won the Tony Award for 'Best Musical' in 1996 and made us all want to belt out 'Seasons of Love'?

Answer: Rent

Question: Which of these musical instruments is meant for plucking or strumming—perfect for a cowboy around a campfire?

Answer: Banjo

Question: What sort of musical instrument is a 'fiddle'—or what a violin prefers to be called at a barn dance?

Answer: Violin

Question: From which musical did the power ballad 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina' come—turning history into a theatrical tearjerker?

Answer: Evita

Question: Daddy Warbucks and the sneaky Rooster were characters in which 1976 musical about a little red-haired optimist?

Answer: Annie

Question: In which musical does the lead character say only 140 words—because who needs to talk when you can sing everything instead?

Answer: Evita

Question: Name the musical that began its West End run in 1981 and made feline philosophy a Broadway phenomenon?

Answer: Cats

Question: Elaine Paige’s hit 'Memory' comes from which musical, proving that even cats get nostalgic?

Answer: Cats

Question: Which musical features characters like Grizabella and Mr. Mistoffelees, making it the ultimate showdown between elegant and magical felines?

Answer: Cats

Question: What is the musical comedy about McKinley High’s less cool kids—who somehow made singing competitions cooler than football?

Answer: Glee

Music Terminology & Genres Trivia

Question: Which of these words can be reversed to reveal a musical instrument—because who doesn’t love a hidden surprise?

Answer: Abut (Tuba)

Question: Musical notes are made up using how many letters—because even music follows the alphabet?

Answer: 7

Question: What does the musical term 'adagio' indicate—slow and steady, like a sloth grooving to jazz?

Answer: Slow

Question: Which of these musical genres set the foundation for rock and roll, proving that the blues gave birth to the biggest rockstars?

Answer: Blues

Question: Sandi Patti is best known for which soul-stirring musical style that can shake up a Sunday morning?

Answer: Gospel

Question: What type of musical instrument sometimes has snares attached to it—no, not the kind that catch rabbits?

Answer: Drum

Question: What legendary musical instrument, strummed by legends and beginners alike, was first created in Spain in 1850?

Answer: Guitar

Question: What type of musical instrument is a 'fiddle'—or what a violin insists on being called when it's feeling rustic?

Answer: Violin

Question: What is the most famous song from the musical 'Cats'—the one that makes even non-cat lovers get misty-eyed?

Answer: Memory

Question: Which musical delivers the epic threat, 'I'm gonna hit you so hard it'll make your ancestors dizzy'—proving Disney musicals can be savage?

Answer: Mulan

Question: What musical instrument can be bass, electric, or Spanish—making it the ultimate chameleon of the music world?

Answer: Guitar

Question: What sort of musical instrument is a 'fiddle'—also known as a violin when it decides to wear a tuxedo?

Answer: Violin

Question: What is the musical comedy about McKinley High’s less cool kids—who somehow made show choir the hottest ticket in town?

Answer: Glee

Musical Shows Trivia

Question: Which musical boldly declares, "You can't just waltz out of a drive-in"?

Answer: Grease

Question: Which retro musical made that magic happen?

Answer: Grease

Question: As of 2009, which musical decided to keep the big screen at bay and never got its movie moment?

Answer: Spamalot

Question: What musical film raked in the cash to become the highest earner of them all?

Answer: Grease

Question: Which musical, starring Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, turned Broadway into a Hollywood party?

Answer: Chicago

Question: Which stage musical snagged Tony Hadley from Spandau Ballet for its lead role?

Answer: Chicago

Question: In which musical do you hear the hilarious line, "Don't be so British!"?

Answer: Cabaret

Question: Which musical gave us the unforgettable hit "You're The One That I Want"?

Answer: Grease

Question: Which musical dives into the political whirlwind of Argentina with flair?

Answer: Evita

Question: Which modern instrument—so angelic it seems to have descended from medieval times—is said to be based on the sackbut?

Answer: Harp

Question: What family does the Dulcimer belong to, if it were the star of a string ensemble?

Answer: String

Question: The quirky balalaika hails from which frosty, far-away land?

Answer: Russia

Question: Which musical takes center stage from John van Druten’s play "I Am a Camera"?

Answer: Cabaret

Question: Which musical shares its name with a US state known for twisters and open skies?

Answer: Oklahoma

Question: Which sultry musical set the stage for Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil' Kim, and Mya’s sizzling hit "Lady Marmalade"?

Answer: Chicago

Question: Which musical served up the hit "How To Handle a Woman"?

Answer: Camelot

Question: Which musical kicks off with "Money makes the world go around" to keep us spinning?

Answer: Cabaret

Question: What musical dazzles with showstoppers like "Popular" and "Defying Gravity"?

Answer: Wicked

Question: Which show originally gave us "You'll Never Walk Alone" before it became Liverpool’s anthem?

Answer: Carousel

Question: Which Off Broadway spoof kept us laughing about modern musicals almost non-stop from 1982 to 2010?

Answer: In Trousers

Question: In which musical do we groove to the iconic tune "all that jazz"?

Answer: Chicago

Question: What’s the title of the musical version of "Oliver Twist"?

Answer: Oliver!

Question: Which jazzy instrument is Louis Armstrong famous for making sing?

Answer: Trumpet

Question: From which musical does Liverpool FC’s "You'll Never Walk Alone" originate?

Answer: Carousel

Question: Which urban jungle is the backdrop for the musical "Rent"?

Answer: New York

Musicals & Movies Trivia

Question: Starting with the earliest, can you put these musicals in the correct order of their grand opening?

Answer: Chicago

Question: Which musical film had Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, and Catherine Zeta-Jones stealing the spotlight?

Answer: Chicago

Question: Which "D" is actually a musical instrument that’s been plucked and strummed for centuries?

Answer: Dulcimer

Question: Which musical strutted away with eight Oscars and enough glamour to light up Broadway?

Answer: Cabaret

Question: Which of these is not a musical film, no matter how much we wish for a jazz-hands war sequence?

Answer: Platoon

Question: Which movie featured both Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones bringing the glitz and scandal?

Answer: Chicago

Question: The 60s hit "You'll Never Walk Alone" didn’t start in stadiums—what musical first made it famous?

Answer: Carousel

Question: David Essex jump-started his career in which stage musical? (Hint: It’s got some divine inspiration!)

Answer: Godspell

Question: In which sleepless city does Rent tell its unforgettable tale of love, art, and unpaid bills?

Answer: New York

Musical Instruments Trivia

Question: What stringed sensation is the Tambura?

Answer: Mandolin

Question: Which elegant instrument did Stephane Grappelli make sing?

Answer: Violin

Question: What instrument bridges Eric Clapton’s bluesy riffs and Brian May’s cosmic solos?

Answer: Guitar

Question: Into which family does the bassoon groove?

Answer: Woodwind

Question: What type of instrument is a Dulcimer? (Hint: It’s got a seriously stringy personality!)

Answer: String

Question: Which masterpiece did the legendary Stradivari family craft?

Answer: Violin

Question: Which country gifted us the quirky, triangular balalaika? (Think icy winters and epic vodka toasts!)

Answer: Russia

Question: What style of instruments does the Massive Scar Era band typically rock? (Bonus: It’s got a Western vibe!)

Answer: Western

Question: Which instrument can have a letter added to its beginning to form a whole new sound?

Answer: Lute

Question: A “kit” might sound like a cool gadget, but which classic instrument is it an archaic form of?

Answer: Violin

Question: In musical shorthand, what does “vc” secretly stand for? (Hint: It carries some deep cello vibes!)

Answer: Cello

Question: Which enchanting instrument did Ravi Shankar master?

Answer: Sitar

Question: Which ancient instrument does Lebanese crooner Assi El Hellani rock?

Answer: Oud

Question: Which instrument did the elder Smothers Brother pound out on? (Drum roll, please!)

Answer: Drums

Question: What instrument does Elton John tickle his ivories on?

Answer: Piano

Question: The virtuoso Segovia is forever linked with which stringed wonder?

Answer: Guitar

Question: Which magical instrument proudly represents Ireland on the Royal Standard?

Answer: Harp

Question: Which instrument comes in bass, electric, or Spanish flair?

Answer: Guitar

Question: Which instrument did Bartommelo Christofori invent? (Hint: It’s the one that makes hearts sing!)

Answer: Piano

Question: Which iconic instrument is known for rocking a whopping 88 keys?

Answer: Piano

Question: Which instrument did the famous Sherlock Holmes finesse with style?

Answer: Violin

Question: Which instrument is synonymous with virtuoso Julian Bream’s legendary performances?

Answer: Guitar

Question: Into which family does the flashy, fanfare-worthy trumpet belong?

Answer: Brass

Question: Which soulful instrument is the signature of virtuoso Julian Lloyd Webber?

Answer: Cello

Question: Which instrument strums its way onto the new 1p and 50p coins issued in 2008?

Answer: Harp

Question: When someone says “fiddle,” which classic instrument are they really talking about?

Answer: Violin

Miscellaneous Music Trivia

Question: Which rock musical made its debut in 1998, telling the story of a genderqueer rock star with an "angry inch"?

Answer: Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Question: Which country gave the world Romantic era composer Umberto Giordano (and a whole lot of pasta)?

Answer: Italy

Question: In 1985, Cheb Mami found his musical groove in which city, also known for its croissants and fashion?

Answer: Paris

Question: In which year did Haidy el-Baroudi officially become part of the Egyptian Musical Professions Syndicate (fancy name, right)?

Answer: 2011

Question: Which song from the 1980 musical 'Fame' won a Best Original Song Oscar, making everyone want to dance on cars in the street?

Answer: Fame

Question: Ravi Shankar mesmerized the world by playing which musical instrument that even George Harrison couldn’t resist learning?

Answer: Sitar

Question: Which of these West End musicals has been clawing its way to success for decades?

Answer: Cats

Question: Julian Lloyd Webber is famous for playing which musical instrument (hint: it’s like a giant violin with a deep, dramatic soul)?

Answer: Cello

Question: Who was the more famous musical partner of David Ball in the early 80s (think 'Tainted Love')?

Answer: Marc Almond

Question: Which musical style is Art Blakey most famously associated with, often featuring snazzy drum solos and smoky jazz clubs?

Answer: Jazz

Question: What 1980 film is set at New York's High School of Performing Arts, where students dream big and break into song at any moment?

Answer: Fame

Question: Complete the title of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, 'Tell Me On A....' (hint: it's the day Garfield hates)?

Answer: Sunday

Question: Which musical instrument can be either upright or grand, perfect for both elegant concerts and dramatic "I quit" moments in movies?

Answer: Piano