Broadway Musicals of the 19th Century Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A king has lost the ability to laugh

Answer: "Prince Ananias" (1894)

King Boniface of Navarre is no longer able to laugh. A traveling theatrical troupe performs "Prince Ananias" for him. The ineptness of the title character is able to bring laughter from the King. The music was composed by Victor Herbert and the libretto was written by Francis Nelson. The operetta ran for over 300 performances on Broadway in the 1890s.

2. Set in Germany, a wealthy noble wishes to marry a commoner

Answer: "The Black Crook" (1866)

Some scholars consider "The Black Crook" the first ever musical with a combination of music, dance, and spoken dialogue. Charles Barris wrote the book for this musical, which included a large number of songs from outside sources. Theodore Kennick was the lyricist and Thomas Baker, Giuseppe Operti, and George Bickwell wrote the music.

Its run of 474 performances was a Broadway record at the time. Set in northern Germany, Count Wolfenstein seeks to marry a lovely village girl. The "Black Crook" of the title is an evil sorcerer who assists the count.

3. A woman hopes to inherit money from her father's friend

Answer: "The Belle of New York" (1897)

"The Belle of New York" would only run for 64 performances on Broadway, but 674 performances in the West End of London. Hugh Morton wrote the book and lyrics. Gustave Kerker composed the music. The titular belle is a young woman who works for the salvation army. Wealthy Ichabod Branson, finding that she is the daughter of his friend, proposes willing her his fortune rather than his own wasteful son, Harry.

In 1921, the show would be significantly rewritten as "The Whirl of New York".

4. A woman flees to Egypt to avoid an unwanted suitor

Answer: "The Casino Girl" (1900)

Interestingly, the term "casino girl" refers to a chorus girl from New York's Casino Theatre and not an employee or guest at a gambling casino. The show premiered at the actual Casino Theatre and ran for almost 100 performances. The "chorus girl" is anxious enough to avoid the romantic pursuit of an English earl that she relocates to Egypt and adopts a secret identity. Eventually, during the course of the musical she decides that she loves the earl after all and decides to marry him.

The music was composed by Ludwig Engl�nder, Will Marion Cook, Will Accooe, Harry Truman MacConnell and Arthur Nevin, with lyrics by Engl�nder, Cook and MacConnell, and a book by Harry B. Smith and Arthur Nevin.

5. Set in Hungary, a young woman finds it difficult for her and an officer to be married

Answer: "The Fortune Teller" (1898)

"The Fortune Teller" had a libretto by Harry B. Smith and music composed by Victor Herbert. It ran for 40 performances at Wallack's Theatre. The woman, an heiress, is studying ballet. She wants to marry the captain of a cavalry unit, but is being forced to marry a count. When the titular "Fortune Teller" is mistaken for the heiress, hijinks ensue.

6. Set in the Philippines, a man tries to regain his sweetheart

Answer: "Panjamdrum" (1893)

Running for over 100 performances, "Panjandrum" had music composed by Woodson Moore and lyrics written by J. Cheever Goodwin. A torredor is trying to regain the love of his former sweetheart. Complications ensue when the two plus her friend are captured by a "savage" tribe.

It was set in the Philippines. At least one performance was given for the then-Mayor of New York and a visiting member of the Spanish Royal Family.

7. A misunderstood conversation leads to confusion

Answer: "The Telephone Girl" (1897)

The titular "telephone girl" was a telephone operator who overhears a conversation between her boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend. Hijinks ensue. The musical was generally panned by critics but loved by audiences. Gustave Kerker composed the music and Hugh Morton (C.M.S. McLellan) wrote the lyrics. The musical debuted at the Casino Theatre on Broadway.

8. A statue comes to life and then turns back to stone

Answer: "Adonis" (1884)

Edward E. Rice and John Eller wrote the music for "Adonis", while William Gill and Henry E. Dixey wrote the book. The show had an amazing 603 performance run on Broadway. The titular Adonis is a statue that is brought to life. He spoofs several then-famous personalities before deciding that he wishes to be turned back into stone since he finds human ways uncomfortable.

The "Adonis", a sherry and vermouth cocktail, was named after the show.

9. One man's death is connected to another man's death

Answer: "The Merry Monarch" (1890)

J. Cheever Goodwin composed the music and Woolson Moore wrote the book for "The Merry Monarch". Its initial run was only for 47 performances because the theatre had a contractual obligation to another show. "The Merry Monarch" would go on the road and then return to Broadway for additional performances.

It was an adaptation of the French opera, "L'�toile". A fortune teller has predicted that the titular king will die within 24 hours of the death of a condemned man.

10. A widow in San Francisco helps young couples to find love

Answer: "A Trip to Chinatown" (1891)

Charles H. Hoyt wrote the book and lyrics and Percy Gaunt composed the music for "A Trip to Chinatown". The musical ran for 657 performances, which set a then-new record on Broadway. Several young couples go sightseeing in San Francisco's Chinatown (then as now one of the largest in the United States).

They are assisted in their attempts at romance by a widow. Some compare "A Trip to Chinatown" with "Hello, Dolly!"

Source: Author bernie73

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ponycargirl before going online.
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Questions		Choices
1. A king has lost the ability to laugh		"The Telephone Girl" (1897)
2. Set in Germany, a wealthy noble wishes to marry a commoner		"Panjamdrum" (1893)
3. A woman hopes to inherit money from her father's friend		"The Casino Girl" (1900)
4. A woman flees to Egypt to avoid an unwanted suitor		"The Merry Monarch" (1890)
5. Set in Hungary, a young woman finds it difficult for her and an officer to be married		"Prince Ananias" (1894)
6. Set in the Philippines, a man tries to regain his sweetheart		"The Black Crook" (1866)
7. A misunderstood conversation leads to confusion		"The Belle of New York" (1897)
8. A statue comes to life and then turns back to stone		"A Trip to Chinatown" (1891)
9. One man's death is connected to another man's death		"Adonis" (1884)
10. A widow in San Francisco helps young couples to find love		"The Fortune Teller" (1898)

Broadway musical shows didn't begin with "Rent" or "Oklahoma" or even "Show Boat". See if you can identify these late 19th century (1866-1900) musicals by their plots.