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Social Critique, Musically Trivia Quiz

Musical theater productions are not all shallow happiness. Here are a few songs, some light and some dark, that are more a social critique.

A multiple-choice quiz by mlcmlc. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
mlcmlc

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
339,008

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
657

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The assassins band together to lament their fates with which song?

"But it didn't fix the stomach
And you've drunk your final Bud,
And it didn't help the workers
And it didn't heal the country
And it didn't make them listen
And they never said, 'We're Sorry'" Hint

Everybody's Got the Right

Something Just Broke

Unworthy of Your Love

Another National Anthem

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. With which of these songs does Edward Rutledge effectively halt the discussion of whether or not slavery should end?

"Who sails the ships out of Boston
Ladened with bibles and rum?
Who drinks a toast to the Ivory Coast?
Hail Africa, the slavers have come
New England with bibles and rum." Hint

Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve

Sit Down, John

But, Mr. Adams

Molasses to Rum

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What dirge does Joanne sing when she becomes disgusted with the disapproving looks that she's getting?

"And here's to the girls who play wife--
Aren't they too much?
Keeping house but clutching
A copy of 'Life',
Just to keep in touch." Hint

Ladies who Lunch

Another Hundred People

Sorry-Grateful

Being Alive

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. When Reno Sweeney is elated because she is sure that she will soon be Lady Oakleigh, what ditty does she sing?

"The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today,
And black's white today,
And day's night today,
When most guys today
That women prize today
Are just silly gigolos." Hint

Anything Goes

You're the Top

I Get a Kick Out of You

It's De-Lovely

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which of these is a number from a 1968 revue: "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris"?

"And, oh, how they sing
The middle class are just like pigs
The older they get, the dumber they get
The middle class are just like pigs
The fatter they get, the less they regret." Hint

Marathon Madness

Desperate Ones, Desperate

Jackie, I Am

The Middle Class

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What number does J. Bowden Hapgood sing to Fay Apple trying to convince her to destroy all of the Cookies' records?

"Everybody says don't walk on the grass,
Don't disturb the peace,
Don't skate on the ice." Hint

Everybody Says Don't

Anyone Can Whistle

There Won't Be Trumpets

The Cookie Chase

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Emile asks why there is such prejudice. Which of these songs is Cable's reply?

"You've got to be taught
Before it's too late
Before you are six or seven or eight
To hate all the people
your relatives hate
______________________" Hint

This Nearly Was Mine

Bloody Mary

You've Got to be Carefully Taught

Bali Ha'i

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Annie has escaped the orphanage. When she finds Hooverville, what do the folks sing to express their discontent?

"In ev'ry pot he said "a chicken"
But Herbert Hoover he forgot
Not only don't we have the chicken
We ain't got the pot!" Hint

Easy Street

You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

Tomorrow

We'd Like to Thank You Herbert Hoover

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What anthem does Joe sing to the river?

"Colored folks work on de Mississippi,
Colored folks work while de white folks play,
Pullin' dose boats from de dawn to sunset,
Gittin' no rest till de judgement day." Hint

Make Believe

Cotton Blossom

Ol' Man River

Life Upon the Wicked Stage

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Two waitresses believe that quick-serve caffeine is the cause of today's troubles. What number do they sing?

"No one's ever casual and nonchalant,
No one waits a minute in a restaurant,
No one wants a waitress passing pleasantries
Like 'How're you, Miss?'
'How're you, Sir?'
'May I take your order please?'
The trouble with the world today is plain to see,
Is everything is hurry up." Hint

70, Girls, 70

Old Folks

Coffee in a Cardboard Cup

Boom Ditty Boom

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The assassins band together to lament their fates with which song? "But it didn't fix the stomach And you've drunk your final Bud, And it didn't help the workers And it didn't heal the country And it didn't make them listen And they never said, 'We're Sorry'"

Answer: Another National Anthem

"Assassins" is presented in revue format with each song created in the the style the era currently depicted. Nine of the characters attempt the assassination of a US President, some are successful. This song is about the futility of what the assassins have accomplished.

2. With which of these songs does Edward Rutledge effectively halt the discussion of whether or not slavery should end? "Who sails the ships out of Boston Ladened with bibles and rum? Who drinks a toast to the Ivory Coast? Hail Africa, the slavers have come New England with bibles and rum."

Answer: Molasses to Rum

"1776", a musical which brings to life some of the founding fathers of the United States, is not historically correct in all instances, one of which is this dramatic song. Regardless, the show includes humor, adversity and triumph.

3. What dirge does Joanne sing when she becomes disgusted with the disapproving looks that she's getting? "And here's to the girls who play wife-- Aren't they too much? Keeping house but clutching A copy of 'Life', Just to keep in touch."

Answer: Ladies who Lunch

This role was originated on Broadway by Elaine Stritch when "Company" opened in 1970. A documentary was created while recording the original cast album for this show. It was intended as a pilot of a larger series, but production stopped after this pilot was created.

4. When Reno Sweeney is elated because she is sure that she will soon be Lady Oakleigh, what ditty does she sing? "The world has gone mad today And good's bad today, And black's white today, And day's night today, When most guys today That women prize today Are just silly gigolos."

Answer: Anything Goes

There is more than one libretto of "Anything Goes". In the original, 1934 version, this is sung by Reno Sweeney. Ethel Merman starred in this show, the first of five Porter shows for her.

5. Which of these is a number from a 1968 revue: "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris"? "And, oh, how they sing The middle class are just like pigs The older they get, the dumber they get The middle class are just like pigs The fatter they get, the less they regret."

Answer: The Middle Class

Jacques Brel was a singer, songwriter, actor, and director. When he moved to Paris in 1954, he paid the rent by giving guitar lessons. The songs span many moods and emotions; the music is evocative and thought provoking.

6. What number does J. Bowden Hapgood sing to Fay Apple trying to convince her to destroy all of the Cookies' records? "Everybody says don't walk on the grass, Don't disturb the peace, Don't skate on the ice."

Answer: Everybody Says Don't

The Sondheim show "Anyone Can Whistle" opened on Broadway in 1964, but closed after nine performances. It was also the first stage musical role for Angela Lansbury.

7. Emile asks why there is such prejudice. Which of these songs is Cable's reply? "You've got to be taught Before it's too late Before you are six or seven or eight To hate all the people your relatives hate ______________________"

Answer: You've Got to be Carefully Taught

"South Pacific" premiered in 1949, and brought racism and prejudice front and center to the musical stage. There was much controversy about the show and this song in the original production because people thought it went too far. Today there is much controversy about the show and whether it goes far enough.

8. Annie has escaped the orphanage. When she finds Hooverville, what do the folks sing to express their discontent? "In ev'ry pot he said "a chicken" But Herbert Hoover he forgot Not only don't we have the chicken We ain't got the pot!"

Answer: We'd Like to Thank You Herbert Hoover

Annie was based on the "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip by Harold Gray. The original Sandy was found at a pound by a 19 year old William Berloni and trained for the stage performances. This was to be only the first animal he worked with on the stage.

9. What anthem does Joe sing to the river? "Colored folks work on de Mississippi, Colored folks work while de white folks play, Pullin' dose boats from de dawn to sunset, Gittin' no rest till de judgement day."

Answer: Ol' Man River

It's amazing to me that "Show Boat" premiered in 1927. I found several sites which praised the musical for being the first to integrate the songs with the plot. This song was written for Paul Robeson, but because of his other commitments, Jules Bledsoe originated the role. Robeson did perform the role in other productions

10. Two waitresses believe that quick-serve caffeine is the cause of today's troubles. What number do they sing? "No one's ever casual and nonchalant, No one waits a minute in a restaurant, No one wants a waitress passing pleasantries Like 'How're you, Miss?' 'How're you, Sir?' 'May I take your order please?' The trouble with the world today is plain to see, Is everything is hurry up."

Answer: Coffee in a Cardboard Cup

The Kander and Ebb musical "70, Girls, 70" only had a 35 day run in 1971. Ostensibly about thieving seniors, the true theme is really about enjoying life to the fullest. This song was also included in the review "And the World Goes 'Round".

Source: Author mlcmlc

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
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