An Alphabet of Musicals: S-Z Trivia Quiz

Answer: South Pacific

All these productions have appeared on both the stage and on film, but "South Pacific" appeared a good ten years before any of the others, making its Broadway debut in 1949. "The Sound of Music" first appeared on Broadway in 1959. Interestingly, despite their successes as film musicals, both "Singin' in the Rain" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" did not hit the stage until the early 1980s.

Answer: Starlight Express

"Starlight Express" is a rock musical, following the story of a boy whose toy train set comes to life. It is well known for being performed on roller skates. The remaining options are also musical productions: "Starmania" is a French rock opera by Michel Berger from the late 1970s and early 1980s; "Starmites" is a sci-fi late 1980s off-Broadway production; and "Starship" is also a sci-fi story, making its off-off-Broadway debut in 2011.

Answer: Yes

"Titanic: a new musical" was first performed on Broadway in April, 1997 (the film was released in December the same year). It was a success, running for over 800 performances on Broadway, telling much of the story from the perspective of the ship's crew.

Answer: The Unsinkable Molly Brown

"The Unsinkable Molly Brown" made its Broadway debut in 1960; the remaining options were first performed in the 21st Century. "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" is a fictional account of the life of Margaret (Molly) Brown, a real life survivor of the Titanic sinking. Perhaps its best known song is "I Ain't Down Yet", the musical's opening song about Molly's quest to find love, which takes on deeper (and more literal) meaning as the production develops.

Answer: True

Andrews played Victoria is an impoverished young singer who dresses up as a man named Victor in order to play a female named Victoria! When Andrews took a break from production in 1997 she was replaced by Liza Minelli, but never returned to the role due to her well-publicised complications following throat surgery.

Answer: 1903

"The Wizard of Oz" has its origins in a book written by L. Frank Baum and first published in 1900. It is a popular story for musicals, and has been performed in many different forms, including the 1939 film, 1942 Broadway version, and 1987 West End production.

The 1903 Broadway musical, advertised as "Fred R Hamlin's Musical Extravaganza", introduced a new character known as King Pastoria II, who is attempting to win the throne of Oz back from the Wizard. It also introduced Imogene the cow as Dorothy's animal companion in place of Toto the dog.

Answer: Words and Music

Coward, the well-known English playwright, produced this revue in its entirety, including its music, lyrics and occasional sketches. It included songs such as "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" and "Mad About the Boy".

Answer: Xanadu

The original "Xanadu" film (and its soundtrack) has become a cult classic despite poor reviews at the time. The Broadway show used this as a platform to become a success very quickly, running for over 500 performances in its original Broadway production.

Answer: False

Also known as "The Merryman and His Maid", this 1888 production was in fact the eleventh collaboration for the pair (they went on to make three more musicals afterwards). Gilbert and Sullivan's first successful collaboration was "HMS Pinafore" in 1878. "The Yeoman of the Guard" is set in the Tower of London in the 16th Century.

While containing some humour, it is perhaps the darkest of the pair's productions, focusing on troubled relationships of two main couples.

Answer: Zootopia

"Ziegfeld Midnight Frolic" was an annual Broadway Revue from 1917 till the early 1920s. The Ziegfeld Follies, the inspiration for several Broadway revues, musicals and musical films, were created by Florenz Ziegfeld and based on French performances known as the Folies Bergère. "Zombie Prom" made its Off-Broadway debut in 1993; while "Zenda", based on the Anthony Hope novel "The Prisoner of Zenda", was performed on Broadway in 1963.