Singing Along the Great White Way (1975-1999) Quiz

Answer: Chicago

Based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins about real-life crimes on which she had reported, 'Chicago' opened on Broadway in 1975, and ran until 1977. The original production was choreographed by Bob Fosse, who also co-wrote the book with Fred Ebb (who was responsible for the lyrics - a lot of multi-tasking in the show). While it was considered a success, the 1996 revival was even more successful, becoming, in 2014, the longest running American musical on Broadway. At the time, only 'The Phantom of the Opera' had a longer run.

The song 'All That Jazz' opens the show, with Velma Kelly inviting the audience to join the proceedings that are about to unfold. The tone sets us squarely in the Jazz Age, and prepares us for the satirical approach to the ins and outs of the prison system that will follow.

Answer: A Chorus Line

As the title suggests, this is the story of a number of performers auditioning for parts in the chorus line of an upcoming show, exploring their backgrounds and reasons for being there. It was amazingly successful, winning nine Tony Awards, and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Audiences loved it, too - it became the longest-running Broadway show (at the time), until it was surpassed by 'Cats' in 1997.

The song 'What I Did for Love' is near the end of the show, a response to the dancers being asked what they will do when they can no longer dance, after one of them has been taken to hospital after injuring himself during a dance routine. With music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, it has been covered by many singers, including Elaine Paige, Bing Crosby, Jack Jones, Johnny Mathis, Petula Clark and Shirley Bassey.

Answer: The Rocky Horror Show

This satirical take on B-grade science fiction and horror movies of the '50s and '60s had book, lyrics and music by Richard O'Brien - a real tour de force. It originally opened in London in 1973, with the Broadway production following in 1975. The Broadway production only lasted for 45 shows, but the 1975 adaptation of the show into a film that became a cult hit ensured its impact, and there have been numerous revivals around the world.

'The Time Warp' is performed several times during the show, and includes a dance which audiences traditionally perform along with the actors. Come on, you know how it goes:

"It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right;
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight,
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane.
Let's do the time-warp again,
Let's do the time-warp again."

Answer: Annie

The character of Little Orphan Annie first appeared in a comic strip in 1924, and became the focus of this show, with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics from Martin Charnin, which opened in the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre) in 1977. Productions around the world have given any number of talented youngsters the chance to strut their stuff, including Andrea McArdle in the original Broadway show. Her performance led to her becoming the youngest actor ever nominated for a Tony Award as Best Lead Actress in a Musical, at the age of 14.

The song 'Tomorrow' is one of the standout numbers, encapsulating as it does the heroine's determined optimism in the face of all the difficulties she faces. It was not originally written for this show, but was planned to be used in a musical version of 'Flowers for Algernon' (the story which formed the basis for the 1968 movie 'Charly'). During the out-of-town tryouts, it was felt that the show needed an extra bit of musical oomph, and 'Tomorrow' proved to be just what was needed.

Answer: Evita

This musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice follows the life of Eva Perón, from her early life through her rise to political power through a string of liaisons that culminated in her becoming the second wife of Juan Perón, who becomes president of Argentina with her assistance. Actually, it starts with her death, and the narrator (Ché, generally identified as Ché Guevara) then takes us through the events in chronological order. The show was originally conceived as a 1976 concept album (with Julie Covington singing the title role), the success of which led to a West End production in 1978 featuring Elaine Paige and a Broadway version in 1979 in which Patti Lupone played Eva. Many who haven't seen the show will have seen the 1996 movie starring Madonna.

Eva sings 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' early in the second act, as Eva realises that her initial goal of achieving fame and wealth has been replaced by a sense of responsibility for the people of the country that has just elected her husband president. The music is almost identical (but at a slower tempo) to that of 'Oh What a Circus', which Ché sings near the start of the show as part of his introduction.

Answer: Les Misérables

'Les Mis', as it is colloquially known, especially by those who are not sure how to pronounce the French title correctly, opened in Paris with music from Claude-Michel Schönberg. The original French lyrics were by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, and the English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. It opened in London in 1985, and on Broadway in 1987, where it ran until 2003, and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Numerous regional and international revivals (not to mention the 2012 movie adaptation) have given audiences around the world a chance to familiarise themselves with the story of Jean Valjean, Fantine and her daughter Cosette, and the fellow Parisians with whom their lives are entangled.

Fantine sings 'I Dreamed a Dream', a reflection on the manner in which her life has deteriorated from what she had expected it to be - she has just lost her factory job, and is about to be forced into a life of prostitution to support herself and her child. The haunting number has been covered by many performers, perhaps the most famous of these being Susan Boyle, who sang it as her audition piece for the television show 'Britain's Got Talent'.

Answer: Cats

T. S. Eliot may have written the original poems on which these feline characters are based, but it was Andrew Lloyd Webbers' music and Gillian Lynne's choreography that really brought them to life under the direction of Trevor Nunn. 'Cats' opened in the Wes End in 1981, and on Broadway in 1982, and in both cities had a record-breaking run after success at both the Laurence Olivier Awards and the Tony Awards. The Jellicle cats who are featured include the immaculate Bustopher Jones, the once-glamorous Grizabella, the notorious criminal Macavity, Gus the theatre cat, the young tom Mr. Mistoffelees, Skimbleshanks the railway cat, and the tribe's leader, Old Deuteronomy.

'Memory' is sung by Grizabella several times. She first sings it (in a shortened version) near the end of the first act, when she is seen to be too old and infirm to dance at the Jellicle Ball. Later, it is her appeal to be one of those selected to go to the Heaviside Layer. Elaine Paige originated the role in the West End (and reprised it in the 1998 movie adaptation), while Betty Buckley took it on for Broadway. It has been covered by almost every singer considered to be a contemporary adult singer/crooner, including Barbra Streisand and Barry Manilow.

Answer: The Phantom of the Opera

Andrew Lloyd Webber makes another appearance, this time providing the music for 'Phantom', and co-writing the book with Richard Stilgoe, who also co-wrote the lyrics with Charles Hart. Based on a novel by Gaston Leroux, the show follows a beautiful young opera singer (Christine Daaé) whose career is promoted by a mysterious musical genius who lives under the Paris Opera House. The show opened in the West End in 1986 and on Broadway in 1988. The part of the Phantom was played in both productions by Michael Crawford, an actor who had previously been known primarily for his physical comedy (and performance of his own stunts) in portraying the character of Frank Spencer on the television show 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. Turned out he had quite a voice, and was a skilled dramatic actor!

The Phantom sings 'The Music of the Night' early in the show, as he tries to persuade Christine to join him, after he has lured her to his underground lair. As has been the case for many of the songs in this quiz, it has been covered repeatedly. One of the more interesting cover versions was that of Sarah Brightman (the classical singer who was married to Andrew Lloyd Webber when she premiered the part of Christine in both the London and New York productions) - as well as being transposed to suit a soprano voice, it has some slightly changed lyrics to suit the gender of the singer.

Answer: Rent

This rock musical from Jonathan Larson is (very loosely) based on Puccini's opera 'La Bohème', which tells the love story of the poor young artists Rodolfo and Mimi, ending with her death from tuberculosis. 'Rent' is set in the East Village of New York, not the bohemian quarter of Paris, and the deadly disease being faced is HIV/AIDS. Mark (who narrates the show) and Roger live upstairs from Mimi; all three of them are HIV-positive, as are a number of their friends. They are all struggling to come to grips with this fact, trying to work out how to live a meaningful life when faced with a death sentence. Following workshop and off-Broadway productions, the show opened on Broadway in 1996, and ran until 2008. It won numerous awards, including Tony Awards for Best Musical; Jonathan Larson, who had died suddenly just before the off-Broadway opening, won Tonies for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.

'La Vie Bohème' is sung, in two parts separated by a romantic duet between Roger and Mimi, near the end of the first act. It is a response to Benny (their landlord and former friend who is demanding the rent they cannot afford) telling the group that bohemianism is dead. Defiantly, they list all the icons of their lifestyle which represent their values.

Answer: The Lion King

Unusually, this musical was based on an earlier movie, the 1994 animated Disney musical film of the same name. Elton John provided the music, and Tim Rice the lyrics for the songs, performed onstage by a combination of actors in animal costumes and giant puppets. It opened on Broadway in 1997. The show followed young Simba, a lion prince whose uncle Scar kills his father, King Mufasa. Scar then plans to kill Simba, but the youngster escapes and flees into the desert, having been convinced that he was responsible for his father's death. As an adult, Simba returns to claim his rightful place.

'The Circle of Life' is only one of the very singable songs in this show. It is performed at the opening of the show, as Mufasa presents his newborn son to the other animals; the reprise at the end demonstrates the return to normalcy. Other readily-recognised songs from 'The Lion King' include 'I Just Can't Wait to be King' (an attitude which earns Simba a rebuke from his father), 'Hakanu Matata' (in which Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog, who had saved Simba in the desert, show him their way of life) and 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' (after Simba meets Nala again, and is beginning to realise he must return to the Pride Lands).