Musical Theatre (1901-1925) Trivia Quiz

Answer: Alan, Jane, Uncle Barnaby

Opening in 1903, "Babes in Toyland" ran for 192 performances on Broadway. Victor Herbert composed the music and Glen MacDonough wrote the libretto. Well-known songs include "March of the Toys" and "I Can't Do the Sum". In the operetta, Contrary Mary and Tom-Tom help orphans Alan and Jane escape the machinations of their evil Uncle Barnaby. Perhaps the best known adaptation of the show is the 1934 movie that included Laurel and Hardy in its cast (even though many of the songs were cut).

Answer: Con Kidder, Kid Conner, Burgomaster van Borken

Victor Herbert composed the music and Henry Blossom wrote the libretto for "The Red Mill". Opening in 1906, the show ran for 274 performances on Broadway. Con and Kid are two American vaudeville performers who have been travelling through Europe and find themselves in a inn in Holland.

They help a young woman escape from her father's plans for an arranged marriage. Well-known songs from the show include "Every Day is Lady's Day With Me" and "Because You're You".

Answer: Captain Warrington, Simon O'Hara, Lizette

In 1935, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy starred in a filmed version of "Naughty Marietta" that was based on the original 1910 operetta. On Broadway, the show had a run of 135 performances and featured a libretto by Rida Johnson Young and music by Victor Herbert. Captain Warrington, accompanied by his servant Simon, leads a group of soldiers into town to find wives among the "casquette girls", including Lizette. "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life" may be the best known song from the show's score.

Answer: Geraldine Van Dare, Jack Travers, Nina

"The Firefly" ran for 120 performances on Broadway with music by Rudolf Friml and a libretto by Otto Harbach. Geraldine, Jack, and Nina are involved in a love triangle that takes place in part onboard the yacht and at the estate of Geraldine's aunt and uncle.

A filmed version that featured much of the music but a different plot was released in 1937. Songs from the score include "Love Is Like a Firefly" and "He Says Yes, She Says No!"

Answer: Baron de Chantilly, Babiole, Jacques

Adolph Philipp wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the musical "Adele", which ran for 196 performances on Broadway. Songs from the score included "It's Love" and "Like Swallow Flying". During its Broadway run, the show played at the Longacre and Harris Theaters. Characters include the titular character of Adele, Baron de Chantilly, Babole, and Jacques.

Answer: Boris Strogoff, Tatiana, Ivan Dmitri

Running for 220 performances on Broadway, "Katinka" had music by Rudolf Friml and a libretto by Otto Harbach. Boris Strogoff is the Russian ambassador to Austria and is married the titular Katinka. Tatiana is Katinka's mother and Ivan Dmitri is Katinka's secret lover. Songs from the operetta include "Allah's Holiday" and "'Tis the End".

Answer: Matthew van Zandt, Ottilie van Zandt, Richard Wayne,

The musical "Maytime" had music by Sigmund Romberg and book/lyrics by Ruda Johnson Young (with additional lyrics by Cyrus Wood). Opening on Broadway in 1917, the musical ran for 492 performances. Songs from the musical include "In Our Little Home, Sweet Home" and "Will You Remember (Sweetheart)?" Ollie van Zandt is the daughter of a business owner and loves Richard Wayne, the son of the foreman, but their love is thwarted.

Answer: Blair Farquar, Otis Hooper, Rosalind Rafferty

Opening in 1920, "Sally ran for 570 performances (one of the longest in Broadway history at that point). The musical had a book by Guy bolton, lyrics by Clifford Grey, and music by Jerome Kern. The titular Sally poses as a famous ballerina and eventually rises to success. Blair Farquar, Otis Hooper, and Rosalind Rafferty are other characters. Songs from the musical include "The Night Time" and "On With the Dance".

Answer: Laura Lamb, Mrs. Garrity, Don Carlos

"Lollipop" ran for 152 performances on Broadway in 1924. The musical comedy had music composed by Victor Younamns, lyrics written by Zelda Sears and Walter de Leon, and a book written by Zelda Sears. Songs from the musical include "Love in a Cottage" and "Deep In My Heart". Laura Lamb (nicknamed Lollipop) is an orphan adopted by the wealthy Mrs. Garrity.

Answer: Jamison, Mrs. Potter, Henry W. Schlemmer

Music and lyrics for "The Cocoanuts" was written by Irving Berlin. The book was written by George S. Kaufman (with contributions by Morrie Ryskind). The musical ran on Broadway for 275 performances. Set at a Florida hotel, the musical starred the Marx Brothers. Jamison was played Zeppo Mars. Mrs. Potter was played by Marx Brothers associate Margaret Dumont.

Henry W. Schlemmer was played by Groucho Marx.