Memorable Songs from Broadway Musicals Quiz

Answer: Guys and Dolls

Actress Vivian Blaine, Miss Adelaide in the Broadway show, performed this light-hearted song when "Guys and Dolls" first appeared on stage in 1950. In the stage production, Adelaide and a female chorus performed the song as part of a nightclub act. Lyricist Frank Loesser wrote the tune and received a Tony Award for his efforts. "A Bushel and a Peck" did not appear in the screen version which starred Blaine, reprising her role as Miss Adelaide.

Doris Day recorded her perky version of this song in 1950.

Answer: The Music Man

Meredith Willson, who grew up in Iowa where the story takes place, created the music and lyrics to this lively musical. Robert Preston appeared on the Broadway stage and in the film version as fast-talking con man, Harold Hill. Although Hill is not a musician, he plans to sell musical instruments and uniforms to the parents of students in a school band. Once he receives the money he plans to skip town. Plans change when he meets and falls for the town librarian.

Sung by Hill, "Ya Got Trouble" warns parents of the dangers of young boys getting in trouble without an activity to keep them busy. In this case, that activity is participating in a boys' marching band.

Answer: Sweeney Todd (The Demon Barber of Fleet Street)

This delectably macabre musical first appeared on Broadway in 1979. It won a Tony Award for 'Best Musical' as well as an Olivier Award for 'Best New Musical'. Len Cariou first played the role of Sweeney Todd on Broadway. Angela Lansbury played the role of Todd's partner in crime, Mrs. Lovett. Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics and music.

The character of the vengeful barber, Sweeney Todd, was based on a series of stories known as penny dreadfuls, popular in England during the Victorian Era. The lyrics from "A Little Priest" refers to the duo's plans to murder a priest and serve him in a meat pie. It's inferred in the lyrics that a priest is "not as hearty as bishop, perhaps, but then not as bland as curate, either".

Answer: Hamilton

The multi-award-winning "Hamilton:The Musical" debuted off-Broadway in 2015 and met with immediate success. Music and lyrics were written by Linn-Manuel Miranda who performed the role of the main character, Alexander Hamilton, America's first Secretary of the Treasury. What makes this musical unique is that it's entirely performed in rap style.

The catchy song, "My Shot", has a dual meaning. Even at a young age, Hamilton was politically ambitious. Intelligent and well-educated, he was a strong advocate for the American revolutionary cause. One could say that Hamilton wanted a shot at making a difference.

Shot number two is more literal. Vice-President Aaron Burr and Hamilton were known to have had an acrimonious relationship. When Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel, the latter accepted. Unfortunately for Hamilton, he was shot and killed by Burr as a result.

Answer: A Chorus Line

The music for "A Chorus Line" was composed by wunderkind Marvin Hamlisch. Edward Kleban wrote the lyrics. The musical first appeared on Broadway in the summer of 1975.

The plot follows three young women, each struggling in life, who audition for a Broadway show. Anyone who has ever auditioned for a stage performance, myself included, understands the mixture of intense feelings that goes with the audition process. "At The Ballet" symbolizes the moments of happiness, no matter how fleeting. As the lyrics suggest, "Everyone is beautiful at the ballet".

Answer: The Fantasticks

With music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones, this long-running musical premiered off-Broadway in 1960. Actor/singer Jerry Orbach played the role of El Gallo, the Narrator who sings the memorable "Try to Remember", inviting the audience to "try to remember" the happy moments in their lives.

The story-line follows two young people, Luisa and Matt, who live next door to each other and fall in love despite, or perhaps because of, their bickering fathers.

Originally opening off-Broadway with a small budget, "The Fantasticks" ran from 1960 until 2002.

Answer: Brigadoon

Lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe collaborated on this ethereal musical which opened on Broadway in 1947. David Brooks, Lee Sullivan, Marion Bell and Pamela Britton starred in the original production.

Take a Scottish village, Brigadoon, that appears once every one hundred years, a love that blossoms between a Scottish lass and a visiting New Yorker who chooses to stay in Brigadoon rather than return to New York, and the result is the premise of the musical. "Almost Like Being in Love" is sung by David Brooks and Marion Bell in their roles of the lovers Tommy and Fiona.

Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse starred in the film version.

Answer: Gypsy

Based on the life and career of striptease dancer Gypsy Rose Lee and her overbearing mother, Rose, the original Broadway production opened in May 1959. The role of June was based on Lee's sister, Hollywood actress June Havoc. Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics and Jule Styne composed the music.

The musical was nominated for for eight Tony Awards but didn't win any. I saw the film version and loved it. "Everything's Coming Up Roses", sung by Ethel Merman in the original production, is bright and cheery. Although it is upbeat, on a deeper level it masks the hardships and disappointments experienced in the world of show business.

Answer: Damn Yankees

Debuting on Broadway in 1955, this popular Broadway production, a modern take on Goethe's "Faust", has won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Richard Adler and Jerry Ross wrote the music and lyrics for the show.

Based on the novel, "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant", the story follows a baseball fanatic who'll do just about anything to have his favorite team, the Washington Senators, beat their rival, the New York Yankees. That anything means selling his soul to the devil. "You Gotta Have Heart", or just "Heart", is sung by members of the Senators team in an effort to boost morale.

Answer: The Pajama Game

Based on the book "7½ Cents", written by by Richard Bissell with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, this lively musical opened on Broadway in 1954 with Janice Paige as the union leader, Babe, and John Raitt as the union manager, Sid. Choreographed by Bob Fosse, who would go on to have a spectacular career, the musical won rave reviews.

The plot centers around a pajama factory and the workers who feel they deserve a raise. Despite the turmoil of labor strikes and general dissatisfaction felt by the union members, a love affair develops between Babe and Sid. The song,"7½ Cents", reflects the amount of the raise union members are asking for.

Doris Day and John Raitt, reprising his role as Sid, starred in the movie version of the musical.