Musicals: Was It On Stage, On Film, or Both? Quiz

Answer: On Film

In the film version of "Carousel," the story of Billy and Julie is told mostly as a flashback.

"Carousel" was Richard Rodgers' favorite musical of his own work.

Answer: On stage

The stage version of "A Little Night Music" takes place in Sweden. For the the film, the locale was shifted to Germany, where it was filmed.

Every song in "A Little Night Music" is written in 3/4 time, or a waltz.

Answer: On film

In the film version of "West Side Story," the members of the Sharks gang and their ladies argue about the merits of their new country in the song, "America." In the stage version, "America" is sung only by the ladies of the Sharks.

The original London production of "West Side Story" ran longer than the original Broadway version.

Answer: Both

The character of Che comments on the action in both the stage and film versions of "Evita."

"Evita" was the vehicle that turned Patti LuPone into a Broadway star.

Answer: On Stage

In the stage version of "Chicago," "Cell Block Tango" was performed before "When You're Good to Mama." In the film, "When You're Good to Mama" came first.

Bob Fosse had been trying to mount a musical version of "Chicago" since the 1950s. He had to wait until Maurine Watkins, the author of the source play, (also titled "Chicago"), passed away because she refused to give the rights for a musical version.

Answer: On Film

In the film version of "The Sound of Music," Max buys the children a puppet show, which they use to perform "The Lonely Goatherd." In the stage version, "The Lonely Goatherd" is sung by Maria and the children to calm their fears during a thunderstorm. ("My Favorite Things" occupies this spot in the film version.)

"The Sound of Music" was not especially factually accurate. For example, the von Trapp family escaped into Italy, not Switzerland.

Answer: On Stage

Mame became a manicurist in the stage version to earn money. In the film, she gets a job as a saleswoman in a department store, just like in "Auntie Mame," the source of the musical.

One of the first performers considered for the title role in the musical version of "Mame" was Judy Garland, but it was thought that performing eight times a week on Broadway might be too much of a strain for her.

Answer: On Stage

In the stage version of "Fiddler on the Roof," Perchik, the revolutionary, wears a beard, just like every Jewish adult male in Anatevka. In the film version, director Norman Jewison had the character appear unshaven to emphasize his break with Jewish tradition (which stipulates that Jewish men never shave.)

"Fiddler on the Roof's" first review was a critical drubbing from "Variety," the show business bible.

Answer: On Stage

In the stage version of "Paint Your Wagon," Ben Rumson's daughter married an Hispanic. In the heavily rewritten film version, Ben did not even have a daughter.

The London production of "Paint Your Wagon" starred Robert Howes and his daughter, Sally Ann Howes, which lead one theatre columnist to wag, "A plague on both your Howses!"

Answer: On stage

In the stage version of "Bye Bye Birdie," Albert is an English teacher. (Hence the opening number, "An English Teacher.") In the film, Albert is a chemist, which is part of a new story line. The film version of "Bye Bye Birdie" makes many changes from the stage show, including:

1. Albert's mother is married off
2. Kim is more sophisticated
3. A significant amount of the musical numbers, including "Kids" and "Put on a Happy Face," were moved to entirely different situations.


"Bye Bye Birdie" was one of the few Broadway musicals to spawn a sequel, "Bring Back Birdie." Like most musical sequels, "Bring Back Birdie" was not a hit.