Musicals In Other Words Trivia Quiz

Answer: Angel

"Angel" is a 1978 Broadway musical written by Gary Geld and Peter Udell. The cast includes Don Scardiono and Fred Gwynne. This musical only ran for five days on Broadway. but it was enough for Francis Sternhagen (best known for playing Ma Clavin on "Cheers") to be nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Answer: Annie Get Your Gun

"Annie Get Your Gun" was written by Irving Berlin. The original Annie was played by Ethel Merman. Other Annies include: Doris Day and Bernadette Peters. "Annie Get Your Gun" is about the life of Annie Oakley the world's greatest sharp shooter, and her relationship with Frank Butler another great sharp shooter.

Answer: Babes in Toyland

"Babes in Toyland" was written by Victor Herbert and Glen MacDonough. "Babes in Toyland" is known more for its beautiful costumes and music than for the plot itself. A Toymaker brings his toys to life, and they all kill him. Alan is charged with killing the man and found guilty. Right before they are about to hang him, he's found innocent.

Answer: Cat and the Fiddle

"Cat and the Fiddle" was an operetta written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach in 1938. Victor is playing the fiddle for his supper, but feeling he's being cheated he goes to see songwrite Shirley who just game from Brussels. She's not interested, but he's persistent and she finally gives in writing songs for him, as well as falling in love with him.

Answer: Damn Yankees

"Damn Yankees" was written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The original Lola was played by Gwen Verdon on Broadway. In 1994 Bebe Neuwirth (Lilith on "Cheers") played the part. Ray Walston played Applegate in the original Broadway cast as well as the movie.

Answer: Guys and Dolls

"Guys and Dolls" was written by Frank Loesser. The original cast included: Robert Alda, Sam Levene, Vivian Blaine, Isobel Bigley and Stubby Kaye. Frank Sinatra played Nathan in the movie version, and Sky Masterson was played by Marlon Brando. In the revival cast in 1992, Nathan was played by Nathan Lane and Adelaide was played by Faith Prince.

Answer: White Christmas

"White Christmas" was written by Bing Crosby. Unlike the others which have all been on stage, this one is purely a movie musical. "White Christmas" is not the show the song "White Christmas" was written for. It was originally written for "Holiday Inn". The song was such a hit, they made the song title into the movie, "White Christmas".

Answer: West Side Story

"West Side Story" was written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. "West Side Story" is based on "Romeo and Juliet" and tells the tragic story of two gangs: the Jets and the Sharks. Maria's brother, Bernardo, is a Shark, and Tony is a Jet. Maria and Tony fall in love, but their relationship is doomed when after Bernardo kills Riff, Tony kills Bernardo.

He plans to turn himself in, but Maria tells him they can go away. They plan to do so, but then Chino finds Tony and kills him.

Answer: Woman of the Year

"Woman of the Year" was written in 1981 by John Kander and Fred Ebb. Kander and Ebb also wrote "Chicago", "Cabaret", "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and several other great shows. The musical is based on the movie starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

It is the story of Tess Harding who marries Sam Craig. Sam is a powerful man, but Tess quickly becomes successful herself and this threatens Sam. In fact, she is more successful than he is and soon she is "woman of the year".

Answer: Little Me

"Little Me" was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. The original cast includes Sid Caesar, Nancy Andrews and Virginia Martin. "Little Me" is the story of Belle, a girl who wants to prove she is good enough to marry a rich man. By the time she proves she is good enough, he is no longer rich, but it turns out she's in love with him anyways.

Answer: Me and Juliet

"Me and Juliet" is a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. The 1953 cast included Isabel Bigeley, Bill Hayes, Joan McCracken and Ray Walston. This story is about a love triangle between a singer in a chorus, an assistant stage manager and an electrician.

Answer: Nine

"Nine" was written by Maurey Yeston. The 1982 original cast included Raul Julia, Karen Akers, Liliane Montevecchi, and Anita Morris. "Nine" is the story of Guido Contini. Guido is torn between a wife and a mistress and wanting to find the perfect star for his movie.

Answer: Raisin

"Raisin" was written by Judd Woldin and Robert Brittan in 1973. "Raisin" is based on "A Raisin' in the Sun". "Raisin" is about a poor black family and their struggle for survival.

Answer: Rent

"Rent" was written by Jonathan Larson. "Rent" tells the story of Mark, whose girlfriend, Maureen, recently dumped him for another woman, Joanne. His friend Roger, whose girlfriend killed herself after informing him that they had AIDS. Mimi, a drug addict who also has AIDS and finds her way into Roger's heart. Collin's a teacher who is gay and has recently meant and fallen in love with Angel.

They also both have AIDS. Then there is Benny who used to be good friends with them all as well, but has forgotten what he always believed to be "a lap dog" to Muffy.

The theme of this show: "No day but today."

Answer: Urinetown

"Urinetown" was written by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis. The original off-Broadway cast includes: John Cullum, Ken Jennings, Nancy Opel, Hunter Foster, Jennifer Laura Thompson and David Beach. "Urinetown" is the futuristic story of a world in which toilets are controlled by corporations and people are forced to pay to go to the bathroom.