My Favourite Musicals Trivia Quiz

Answer: Wicked

Adapted as a musical by Stephen Schwartz from the Gregory Maguire novel, 'Wicked' follows the story of the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) before she gained notoriety.

'Popular' is sung by Glinda (the Good Witch of the North) to Elphaba as she explains the benefits of being liked.

I was lucky enough to see the first run in the West End with Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba on Broadway and in San Francisco.

Answer: Jersey Boys

'Jersey Boys' is from the genre of musicals known as jukebox. This means rather than using original songs, popular songs which were released in the charts are used.

'Jersey Boys' tells the story of the band The Four Seasons from their origin up until being inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The musical is portrayed in four sections, each narrated by a different band member and named after the seasons. Tommy DeVito narrates Spring, Bob Gaudio is Summer, Nick Massi takes over in Fall and Frankie Valli finishes up in Winter.

Again, I have been privileged enough to see the musical with John Lloyd Young, who originated the role of Frankie Valli on Broadway and in the film adaptation released in 2014.

Answer: Hairspray

Based on the 1988 film of the same name, the songs from 'Hairspray' were written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The film was remade in 2003, starring John Travolta and Christopher Walken as Tracy's parents.

The story is about 'pleasantly plump' Tracy Turnblad who just wants to dance and be famous and then is cast on a local television show which airs after school.

'Cooties' is sung by Amber Von Tussle as her talent in the 'Miss Teenage Hairspray' pageant aired on the show. It's implied that the song is about Tracy.

Answer: Mamma Mia

'Mamma Mia' is another jukebox musical, but the songs are linked by an original story which was written by Catherine Johnson.

The story is of Sophie and Donna, a mother and daughter living on a Greek island. Sophie is getting married but wants to invite her father, even though she has no idea who she is. After reading her mother's diary she discovers that there are three possibilities so she invites them all to the wedding.

A film adaptation, starring Amanda Seyfried as Sophie and Meryl Streep as Donna, was released in 2008. This musical has introduced the music of ABBA to a whole new generation. My niece, who was born the same year that the film was released, now loves the music of ABBA, and 'Lay Your Love on Me' is one of her favourite songs to sing from it.

Answer: The Lion King

Another musical based on a film, 'The Lion King' was first a Disney animated feature, released in 1994. The musical debuted in 1997.

The story of 'The Lion King' is based on Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet', with an evil uncle trying to usurp the throne from its rightful heir.

The musical's costumes are amazing, the actors are all transformed into the animals they are portraying using a mixture of props, accessories and make up. These efforts won the productions a Tony Award in 1998 for Best Costume Design.

Answer: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Based on the story of Joseph and his coat of many colour from the Bible, the music and lyrics were created by the famous collaborators Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Jacob has twelve sons, though he shows favouritism towards Joseph which incenses anger in the other sons. They conspire to sell Joseph into slavery and lie to their father that he has been killed.

Some more name dropping from me... I saw this production once with Phillip Schofield in the title role and again with Jason Donovan. It was also my first school production, where I played Potifer - the cruel slave owner who sends Joseph to jail.

Answer: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' was adapted from the film and novel of the same name. The novel was released in 1964 and the film followed in 1968, adapted for the screen by Roald Dahl with music and lyrics by the Sherman brothers who also wrote the score for 'Mary Poppins' (1964).

The story follows eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts and his two children. The children become attached to an old racing car in a scrapyard, which their father buys for them. He makes up stories for their entertainment about the car flying. The song 'Truly Scrumptious' is sung to the eponymous daughter of a large sweet company owner and love interest of Caractacus.

I first saw this musical as a Christmas treat, with Jason Donovan playing Caractacus Potts and Stephen Gateley as the terrifying Childcatcher.

Answer: A Chorus Line

'A Chorus Line' is set during an audition for backing dancers for a Broadway theatre show. Throughout the musical, you get to know the characters and their back stories.

One of these is Val, who sings 'Dance: Ten; Looks: Three' about how she saw the feedback from the directors of an audition who scored her dancing perfectly but her looks very low. To rectify this she undergoes plastic surgery which changes her success in the industry hugely.

Answer: The Wiz

'The Wiz' is a R'n'B musical adaptation of the classic story 'The Wizard of Oz' by L.Frank Baum.

'Ease on Down the Road' is akin to the song 'We're Off to See the Wizard' from the 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz': after each character is introduced the main cast all get together and sing this song. It was released as a duet between Diana Ross and Michael Jackson who starred in the 1978 film adaptation as Dorothy and the Scarecrow.

I saw the street dance adaptation of this, with the songs remixed, and it was great to have another version which appealed to the younger generation.

Answer: My Fair Lady

'My Fair Lady' was based on the play 'Pygmalion' written by George Bernard Shaw. It stars Professor Henry Higgins as a speech therapist, who makes a bet with another gentleman that he cannot turn cockney flower girl Eliza into a proper lady within six months. He realises after he has won the bet that he has fallen in love with her.

The last name dropping of the quiz - when the musical was revived in 2001, I saw the run with Martine McCutcheon, who famously portrayed Tiffany in 'Eastenders', playing Eliza Doolittle.