Broadway in the 1970s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Applause

"Applause" (1970) and Lauren Bacall both had strong ties to Hollywood. The musical is based on the 1950 film, "All About Eve". It tells the story of aging actress Margo Channing (Bacall) and her perfidious protege Eve Harrington.

Ms. Bacall appeared in a minor part in a Broadway straight play in 1942, before finding fame (and Humphrey Bogart) in the movies. After her husband's passing in 1957, she returned to Broadway, starring in the straight plays "Goodbye Charlie" (1959) and "Cactus Flower" (1965) before essaying a musical role.

Ms. Bacall was followed in the part of Margo by Anne Baxter, also in her first Broadway musical. Ms. Baxter had played the young Eve in the 1950 movie. Anne Baxter was replaced by Arlene Dahl, a film actress who last appeared in a Broadway musical in 1945.

The original cast included Broadway veterans Len Cariou and Lee Roy Reams, but Ms. Bacall won the Tony.

Answer: Follies

"Follies" (1971) tells the story of former performers in the fictitious Weisssmann Follies (think Ziegfeld) of the 1920s and 1930s. The veterans and their spouses gather for a reunion just before demolition of the theatre (and a marriage or two).

"Follies" had a superb creative team, but a difficult history. Producer David Merrick pulled out of the project. Composer-lyricist Stephen Sondhein recruited Harold Prince - who agreed to produce and direct in exchange for Sondheim's working on the musical "Company". Michael Bennett also choreographed both shows. Despite playing 522 performances and winning seven Tony Awards, the initial production of "Follies" lost its entire investment. Revivals in 2001 and 2011 fared somewhat better.

Answer: Jesus Christ Superstar

"Jesus Christ Superstar" (Broadway 1971) seemed to be music in search of a play. It was performed in several unauthorized amateur stage versions and as an "authorized" concert before its Broadway debut. The show opened on Broadway before the West End - despite its distinctly British origin with composer Andrew Lloyd Weber and lyricist Tim Rice.

The original Broadway production received mixed reviews and no Tony Awards. Even the composer didn't like it. Andrew Lloyd Weber was given the Drama Desk Award as "Most Promising Composer" in 1972, a portent of things to come.

Answer: Barry Bostwick

Barry Bostwick enjoyed a long and successful career on television and in film, but he got his start on the stage - more precisely, as a circus performer prior to starring on Broadway.

Although John Travolta is associated with the role of Danny from the 1978 movie, he only appeared in the Broadway musical as a replacement for a minor character. Richard Gere and Patrick Swayze played Danny in the West End production of "Grease."

In the original musical, the female lead was named "Sandy Dombrowski." For the movie, the character became an exchange student named "Sandy Olsen" to suit the casting of Australian performer Olivia Newton-John.

When "Grease" closed in 1980 after over 3,300 performances, it was the longest-running Broadway musical to date.

Answer: A Little Night Music

"A Little Night Music" (1973) was the decade's third collaboration between composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim and director Harold Prince, following "Company" (1970) and "Follies" (1971).

Ingmar Bergman's 1955 movie "Smiles of a Summer Night" wasn't a musical. "Night Music" was - at least on stage.

In 1977, "Night Music" was remade as a movie. Broadway's Len Cariou, Hermione Gingold and Laurence Guittard reprised their roles under Hal Prince's direction, but they were joined by distinctly non-singing actresses Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Rigg. Several of the songs were reduced to background music. Jonathan Tunick received an Academy Award for "adapting" Stephen Sondheim's score. Some Broadway fans would use a different word.

Answer: Ben Vereen (the "Leading Player")

Ben Vereen graduated from the legendary High School of Performing Arts in New York City (see the movie "Fame"). He followed his Tony-winning performance as Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar" with the lead role - though not the title role - in "Pippin."

This was the first Broadway musical to advertise on American television using a brief scene from the play. The ad featured Mr. Vereen, two chorus dancers and the tagline, "You can see the other 119 minutes of Pippin live at the Imperial Theatre, without commercial interruption."

Answer: Jerry Orbach

Though known to millions for his television work, Jerry Orbach (1935-2004) was a brilliant singing stage actor. He originated the role of El Gallo in the very long-running off-Broadway musical "The Fantasticks". He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in "Chicago", one of eleven nominations for the show.

However, the original production failed to win a single Tony. The 1995 revival fared much better: six Tonys, including James Naughton for the role of Billy Flynn.

Answer: A Chorus Line

The characters in "A Chorus Line" (1975) were drawn from taped discussions with Broadway chorus performers, several of whom were chosen for the original cast.

The original production ran for a then-unprecedented 15 years, with numerous cast changes. A remarkable number of "Chorus Line" alumni became choreographers and directors, including Wayne Cilento, Baayork Lee, Robert LuPone, Thommie Walsh, Christopher Chadman and Ann Reinking.

Answer: Annie

The three characters - friends of the fictional Daddy Warbucks - aid in Annie's search for her parents' identity and her adoption.

Thirteen year old Andrea McArdle was selected from the chorus to replace another performer in the title role of "Annie" prior to the show's opening. She and somewhat older castmate Dorothy Loudon (Miss Hannigan) were both nominated as Best Leading Actress in a Musical; Ms. Loudon won the Tony.

Answer: The Act

Most fans know Liza Minnelli is the daughter of Judy Garland. She's also the goddaughter of Ira Gershwin.

Ms. Minnelli's first Tony Award was conferred for her performance in "Flora, the Red Menace" (1965). In 1974, she received special Tony "for adding lustre to the Broadway season" for her limited engagement in "Liza". She appeared briefly as a replacement in the role of Roxie Hart in "Chicago" in 1975, before starring in the Kander & Ebb book musical, "The Act" (1977). She continued appearing on Broadway in the 1980s, 1990s and into the new millenium. In 2009, Ms. Minnelli received a special Drama Desk award as "a beloved musical theater icon, for her enduring career of sustained excellence." Ira Gershwin and Judy Garland would have been proud.

Answer: Luther Henderson

Composer-arranger Luther Henderson (1919-2003) adapted the songs of Fats Waller (and others) for this celebration of African-American music of the 1920s, '30s and '40s. He contributed his talents to dozens of Broadway shows, including "Flower Drum Song" (1958), "Funny Girl" (1964), "No, No Nanette" (revival 1971) and "Jelly's Last Jam" (1992). Mr.

Henderson orchestrated several works by family friend Duke Ellington, and wrote over 100 arrangements for The Canadian Brass. And he also played the piano.

Answer: Mandy Patinkin

"Evita" was always about Eva Peron, but the role of Che underwent several changes. Book and lyrics author Tim Rice originally intended to include a narrator named "Che" but did not identify him as the historical figure Che Guevara. Director Harold Prince encouraged Mandy Patinkin to associate the two. The Broadway production was fairly explicit in that regard; the 1996 movie and some later revivals were less specific.

Mandy Patinkin received the Tony Award as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for this role, besting castmate Bob Gunton (Juan Peron). The role was Mr. Patinkin's first appearance in a Broadway musical. Thereafter, he performed in ten Broadway productions through 2012 - all of them musicals or vocal concerts.

Answer: Oscar Jaffee

The plot for this screwball comedy about conniving but fictional producer Oscar Jaffee originated with an unproduced play, "Napoleon of Broadway", written by an associate of the very real Broadway impresario David Belasco. Writers Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur adapted it as the straight play "Twentieth Century" (1932). The film script, with some tinkering by Preston Sturgis, provided the perfect part for an aging John Barrymore.

Broadway veterans Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote the books and lyrics for the 1978 musical, winning a Tony Award - along with Kevin Kline (Best Featured Actor) and John Cullum (Best Actor). It was Mr. Cullum's second Best Actor nod of the 1970s, after "Shenandoah" (premiere 1974).

Answer: Sweeney Todd

"Sweeney Todd" (1979) was nominated in nine categories and won eight Tonys. The creative team reflected the internationalization of Broadway musical theater - or theatre? Five-time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Lovett) was born in Britain, but moved to New York at the age of 15 to study acting. Book author Hugh Wheeler was also British by birth. Len Cariou (Sweeney) and Victor Garber (Frederick) are Canadian.

At least composer Stephen Sondheim, with eight Tony Awards, was born on the West Side of New York.

Answer: A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine

The first act of "Hollywood / Ukraine" is a tribute to Hollywood musicals of the 1930s, showcasing Tommy Tune's innovative choreography. The number "Famous Feet" featured what he called the "ankle stage" - a high catwalk revealing the dancers only from the knees downward. The second act is based very loosely on the Anton Chekhov story "The Bear", as it might have been performed by the Marx Brothers.

Although the show is gloriously American in content, it opened in the UK in 1979 before moving to Broadway with a new cast in 1980. Feet across the sea?

After winning the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for "Seesaw," Tommy Tune moved into direction and choreography - or all three. In "My One and Only" (1983), he served as star, co-director and choreographer, winning Tony Awards as both Best Actor and Best Choreographer. Famous Feat!