Broadway Song Lyrics Trivia Quiz

Answer: Merrily We Roll Along

From the song "Our Time." "Merrily We Roll Along" is about three characters who start out as high school friends and we witness their friendship gradually dissolve as they go through different experiences in their lives. Chronologically, the story is told backwards, so at the end of the show we hear this song that marks the beginning for these character, as they graduate from high school and express their hopes and dreams for the future.

Answer: Floyd Collins

From the song "How Glory Goes." This musical is based on the true story of a Kentucky man who was trapped inside a cave. The title character Floyd Collins sings this song at the conclusion of the show, when he realizes he will not survive long enough to be rescued and is about to die. "How Glory Goes" explores his different ideas about what he thinks heaven might be like, or if it in fact exists at all.

Answer: A Chorus Line

From the song "Nothing." "A Chorus Line" tells the stories of performers undergoing an unconventional audition process in order to win spots in the "chorus line" of a new show. The characters talk about their varied experiences with performing and in this song Diana Morales describes her early encounter with a difficult acting teacher, in a class where no matter how hard she tries she still feels "nothing."

Answer: Once on This Island

From the song "The Human Heart." This musical is set on a tropical island where there are virtually "two different worlds;" the poor peasants live on one side of the island and the wealthy upper-class people live on the other. The story focuses on a young woman named Ti Moune and how the gods intervene in her life to allow her to cross the class boundaries to be with the man that she loves.

At one point the gods sing about how she has all of the characteristics that make her "part of the human heart."

Answer: Big River

From the song "Muddy Water." "Big River" is based on Mark Twain's story of Huck Finn and in this song Huck and Jim seek a means of escape by riding a raft down the Mississippi River. Huck hopes to get away from his abusive father and all of the well-intentioned but overbearing people who try to intervene in his life, while Jim is a runaway slave who is attempting to gain his freedom.

Answer: Jekyll and Hyde

From the song "Someone Like You." This musical is a retelling of the well-known story of mild-mannered Dr. Jekyll who transforms into the monstrous and murderous Mr Hyde. The character of Lucy is involved with both men, although she does not know they are one and the same, and she dreams about being rescued from her sad and difficult existence by someone like Jekyll, in whom she can confide and trust.

Answer: Songs for a New World

From the song "Stars and the Moon." "Songs for a New World" is not a traditional musical with a single plotline, but instead it consists of a series of self-contained songs about non-related characters. This beautiful narrative song is sung by a woman who rejected offers of heartfelt but simple gifts, and chose instead a glamorous life filled with material goods.

In the end she realizes that the lifestyle is not all that she had hoped it would be and while she has everything money can buy, she has ultimately lost part of herself and is not truly happy.

Answer: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

From the song "Brotherhood of Man." This comedy chronicles the way that a lowly window-washer manages to successfully climb the corporate ladder by using his natural charm, and by following the guidelines in a book about how to succeed in business. At the end of the show the protagonist J. Pierrepont Finch is almost fired, but as usual manages to fast-talk his way out of the situation by appealing to his boss'-as well as his co-workers'- sense of brotherhood, in this rousing 11 o'clock number.

Answer: Pippin

From the song "No Time at All." Pippin is loosely based on the character of the legendary Charlemagne's son, and in this show his story is recounted by a troupe of performers. Pippin is on a quest to find himself and his "corner of the sky," and in this song he turns to his grandmother Berthe for help, who advises him to go out and enjoy the pleasures of life.

Answer: Kiss Me Kate

From the song "Always True to You in My Fashion." "Kiss Me Kate" is about the on-stage and off-stage antics of actors putting on Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew." The flirtatious actress Lois Lane promises to Bill that although her attention may sometimes wander, she is always true to him, in her way.

Answer: Company

From the song "Another Hundred People." This show is all about the difficulties of relationships in general, and marriage in particular. The main character Robert has problems with commitment and remains single while witnessing the joys and pains of marriage through social encounters with his friends, who are five married couples.

The character Marta sings about how complicated it is to meet people and maneuver the dating scene in such a bustling city.

Answer: Seussical

From the song "Notice Me Horton." This musical combines many of Dr. Seuss's best-loved stories and characters into one show, and primarily focuses on Horton's (as in "Horton Hears a Who") attempt to save the tiny planet of Who that is floating on a spec of dust. Horton's next-door neighbor Gertrude McFuzz is devoted to Horton, even though he is too concerned with his spec of dust to notice her, but she tireless follows him to help him in his quest and she believes in him when no one else does. She only hopes that if she tries hard enough he will eventually notice her, the way she noticed him.

Answer: Marie Christine

From the song "Way Back to Paradise." "Marie Christine" takes the classic mythological story of Medea and sets it in 1890's New Orleans. The title character can work powerful magic with voodoo and she refuses to be submissive to men, or anyone for that matter.

In this song she tells the young Lisette that by being cunning and wise, women can regain their place in "paradise" that they lost when they were thrown out of Eden.

Answer: A New Brain

From the song "Sailing." "A New Brain" was inspired by the composer's own struggle with a brain tumor and how it affected his life and his work. In this haunting ballad, the main character's lover sings about his passion for sailing and expresses his affection for the ailing protagonist.

Answer: Side Show

From the song "I Will Never Leave You." Based on the real life conjoined twins and vaudeville performers Daisy and Violet Hilton, this musical explores the obstacles and prejudices that the sisters must endure. All they hope for is to live ordinary lives and "be like everyone else," and both desire to be loved as individuals. Even though they lament the fact that is difficult for anyone to love them because they are considered "freaks," they seek solace in the fact that they will always have each other and will never be alone.

Answer: Parade

From the song "All the Wasted Time." This musical is based on a historical incident, when in the 1860's in Georgia, Leo Frank was framed for the murder of a young girl named Mary Phagan. Anti-Semitism played a large role in why he was targeted and while all of the community was against Leo Frank, his wife remained loyal to him and worked on his behalf to try to clear his name. Both Frank and his wife eventually realize that they did not fully appreciate each other while they had the chance to, and this song expresses the love they discover after so many years of uncertainty between them.

Answer: Rent

From the song "I'll Cover You." The popular "Rent" is a modern rock musical adapted from the story of Puccini's opera "La Boheme." It tells the stories of bohmeian artists who are living in New York City and dealing with the challenges of love, life and the ravaging effects of AIDS.

The characters that sing this duet, Collins and Angel, both suffer from the disease, but have found love and comfort in each other.

Answer: Into the Woods

From the song "On the Steps of the Palace." "Into the Woods" blends classic fairy tale figures with a few new characters and intertwines all of their stories together. This more mature fairy tale shows that there is not always a happy ending and one cannot always get what he or she wishes, or more accurately,that the characters should be careful what they wishes for because they might actually get it. Cinderella is not thoroughly charmed by her prince and runs from him, but when he sets a trap and she finds herself stuck on the steps of the palace, she must contemplate what she really wants and what she should do.

Answer: Babes in Arms

From the song "I Wish I Were in Love Again." This comic song is from the classic Rodgers and Hart show "Babes in Arms" and is often performed in concerts and revues. The song explains that even though the character is through with the hassle and worry of a complicated relationship, her life is so much duller that she wishes she were in love again.

Answer: The Secret Garden

From the song "Hold On." This musical is based on the children's novel of the same name and is about a young girl named Mary Lennox who goes to live with her reclusive uncle after she becomes an orphan. Her bleak life is transformed by the discovery of a secret garden, along with the discovery of new friends.

She wants to share her new-found magic with her uncle and help him to reconnect with his family, but he still remains emotionally isolated and tortured by grief over the death of his beloved wife, so much so that he cannot even bear to see his son. Mary's chambermaid and confidante Martha encourages Mary not to give up hope and assures her that everything will turn out right if she just holds on to what she knows is true.