Broadway Musicals Match Up Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nine

The musical "Nine" was based on the movie "8½" (1963) by director Federico Fellini. It's about a film director named Guido, the various women in his life, and his inability to write a script for his current movie project. "Be On Your Own" is sung by his wife Luisa, who has had enough and forcefully lets him know that she's done with their marriage, and he can go off and do as the title of the song says.

Answer: Hair

When it was first produced in the late 1960s, "Hair" was controversial, both for its hippy counter-culture message and for instances of on stage nudity. Looking back over the decades, it seems much less so to this observer, who now finds "Good Morning Starshine" to be a rather uplifting, happy song.

Answer: Jesus Christ Superstar

First performed in the early 1970s, "Jesus Christ Superstar" is a rock opera, written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, that follows Jesus and his disciples in the last days of His life. Also included in the group is Mary Magdalene, and it is she who sings the rather lovely "I Don't Know How to Love Him", acknowledging her somewhat troubling feelings for Him.

Answer: Dreamgirls

"Dreamgirls" first hit Broadway in 1981, and competing recordings of "One Night Only" play a large part in the plot. The story follows a girl group comprising Effie, Deena, and a few others, who eventually split with Effie, recording the song in one style and Deena in another (with backup from the Dreams). They do eventually reconcile.

Answer: Follies

With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "Follies" is a Broadway musical about Broadway. A formerly grand theatre is about to be demolished, and former members of the cast of the Follies once performed there reunite in their old place of work. One of them, Sally, realises that she's still in love with Ben, even though both are now married to others, all of whom are at the reunion. Sally is moved to sing "Losing My Mind" by this state of affairs.

Answer: Sunset Blvd

Based on the 1950 movie of the same name, "Sunset Boulevard" (or Blvd) is about Norma Desmond, a former movie star who has delusions of returning to fame and stardom in a film made from a screenplay she has written. It is called "Salome" and she pitches it to young Joe Gillis, a screenwriter who has stumbled into her world in the song of the same name.

Answer: Miss Saigon

"Miss Saigon" is an updating of the opera "Madama Butterfly", now set in Vietnam during the war years of the 1970s. Chris is an American marine who has an affair with young Vietnamese girl Kim, who has his baby. Trouble is, Chris has a wife, Ellen, back in the States. "I Still Believe" is sung by both women, though they are continents apart, about their faith in Chris.

Answer: Evita

Another Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, "Evita" follows the life of Eva Peron from the 1930s until her death in 1952. Her influence on Argentina's leader, Juan Peron, first as mistress and later as wife, forms much of the story. In order to take up her position, she first dismisses the character known only as Peron's mistress, who then sings "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" whilst contemplating her situation.

Answer: Annie Get Your Gun

Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun" tells the story of sharpshooter Annie Oakley falling in love with her fellow star of the Wild West Show, Frank Butler. When she points out to him that "I'm a girl", Frank sings about his ideal mate, who is sweet and soft and nothing at all like buckskin-clad, rough and ready Annie.

Answer: Funny Girl

"Funny Girl" is about Broadway star Fanny Brice, who rises to stardom despite her unconventional looks (think Barbra Streisand, who plays Fanny both on Broadway and in the movie version). As a teen she ignores the warnings of her elders and displays her confidence in herself and her talent by singing "I'm the Greatest Star" - and believing it!

Answer: Tommy

The Who's rock opera "Tommy" was first produced in San Diego, before reaching Broadway in 1993. The stage version was based on the 1969 concept album. It's a fairly bleak tale, about a boy so badly abused as to be rendered essentially catatonic (except when he's playing pinball).

His parents have finally accepted the state of things when they sing "I Believe My Own Eyes", but then things change.

Answer: Hello, Dolly!

"Hello, Dolly!" is about matchmaker Dolly Levi and the people who surround her. "Before the Parade Passes By" was a late addition to the score of the musical, when it was decided that a big number was needed to finish Act I. It is performed by Dolly and the entire Company.

Answer: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and words by Tim Rice, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is based on the Biblical story of Joseph and the coat of many colours. "Any Dream Will Do" is sung by Joseph at the very beginning of the story, and we soon learn that he has the ability to interpret dreams.

This brings him trouble, at first, and then is his salvation and by the end of the play he sings the same song to bring the story to a close.

Answer: Into The Woods

"Into the Woods" with words and music by Stephen Sondheim, is based on a number of fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm, intertwined by a story of a Baker and his wife who want children. "No One Is Alone" is sung near the end of the second (final) act, by Cinderella, Little Red (Ridinghood), Jack (of Beanstalk fame), and the Baker as they reflect on what has happened along the way.

Answer: Chess

With music by the male half of ABBA, and an assist from Tim Rice, "Chess" is set during a Cold War-era chess tournament, between an American grandmaster and his Soviet counterpart. There's also a girl, of course. "One Night in Bangkok" is sung by the American, Freddie, and the ensemble of singers, and describes different aspects of the city and how it isn't really a good venue for chess.