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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Act 1, Scene 5, Dan sings at work that things have been good at home for what period of time?

2. Who played the character of Henry in the original Broadway cast of Next to Normal?

3. What is the name of the protagonist's daughter in Next to Normal?

4. What song does Diana, Natalie and Gabe sing in Act 1, Scene 7?

5. What song does Dan sing as he tidies up in Act 1, Scene 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the subject and style of the song "Superboy and the Invisible Girl"? Who sings it?

2. What music opens Act 1, Scene 2? What does Natalie sing about in this song?

3. What songs are sung by the doctor and Gabe in Act 1, Scene 9? What do they describe?

4. What new doctor does Diana see in Act 1, Scene 8? What is revealed about her medical history?

5. What is symbolized in Gabe's comment "I own you," in Act 1, Scene 8? What is revealed in this scene regarding his character?

6. What irony can be seen by the reader or audience member in the character of Gabe?

7. What does the song "I'm Alive" relate to in Act 1, Scene 8?

8. What do the members of the Goodman family sing about in the song "Just Another Day" in Act 1, Scene 1?

9. How is the Goodman family portrayed in the first scenes of Act 1?

10. How is Gabe different as a character from the others in Act 1, Scenes 1-3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the setting of Next to Normal. What are the time and place in which the action takes place? How is the setting evoked in the music?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the character of Henry in the narrative and the motif of drug use. How does Henry's character differ from the characters of the Goodman family?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the musical elements, structure and terms in Act 1, Scene 1. How are the music and dialogue intercut and what effect does this have on the reader/audience?

(see the answer keys)

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