Ten Lyrics for Ten Musicals Trivia Quiz

Answer: Annie

'Annie' is based on the comic strip about the little red-haired orphan of the same name. 'It's a Hard Knock Life' is sung by Annie and the other girls at the orphanage, about the hardships they face there. It is prompted by Miss Hannigan, the evil director of the orphanage, ordering the girls to clean it up after Annie tries to escape. Annie later escapes by hiding in a laundry basket. Jay-Z sampled the song for 'Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)', a parody of which appears in 'Austin Powers: Goldmember'.

Answer: Kiss Me, Kate

'Kiss Me, Kate' is a modern take on William Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew', and was written by Cole Porter. The musical is based around a production of 'The Taming of the Shrew' and the relationships between the actors. 'Too Darn Hot' is sung by Paul, the assistant of Fred (the lead actor who plays Petruchio) and other members of the company on their break.

In the film, it is sung by Lois Lane (Ann Miller), who plays Bianca.

Answer: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' is based on the Biblical story of Joseph. 'Potiphar' is in a '20s style and is about Joseph's life in the house of Potiphar, an Egyptian captain of the guard who buys Joseph as a slave, and is so impressed with Joseph that he rises up the ranks. During the course of the song, Potiphar's wife repeatedly hits on Joseph, but Joseph turns her down.

She tries to strip Joseph and unfortunately for him, Potiphar walks in on them and is so angry with Joseph that he has him thrown in prison.

Answer: West Side Story

'West Side Story' is a retelling of 'Romeo & Juliet', relocated to New York, about a rivalry between two gangs: the white American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks (the Capulets). Maria (played by Natalie Wood in the excellent film version), Juliet's counterpart, sings 'I Feel Pretty' while daydreaming about a date with Tony, Romeo's counterpart, unaware that he has killed her brother Bernardo.

Her friends Francisca, Consuelo, Rosalia and Estella tease her, saying she has gone crazy.

Answer: Jesus Christ Superstar

'Jesus Christ Superstar' is a '70s rock opera based on the life of Jesus. Pontius Pilate sends Jesus to King Herod, and Herod asks Jesus to perform miracles for him, such as walking on water (see the above quote) or turning water into wine. Jesus refuses, and eventually Herod gets tired of him and orders him to get out.

Answer: Les Miserables

'Les Misérables' is based on the book of the same name by Victor Hugo, set during the French Revolution, and tells the story of the convict Jean Valjean and the relentless police inspector Javert. 'Do you Hear the People Sing?' is one of the most well-known songs from the musical, and is sung by a group of students, led by the revolutionary Enjolras, who is later shot dead by Guardsmen.

It has been adopted by various protest groups in real life, such as a group of Turkish protestors during the Gezi Park protests in 2013, who added their own verse in Turkish.

Answer: cats

'Cats' is based on TS Eliot's book of poems, 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats', and is about a group of cats known as 'Jellicle Cats', led by Old Deuteronomy. The musical is set at the Jellicle Ball, where one cat will be chosen to be sent to the Heaviside Layer, a sort of cat heaven, and be reborn. Bustoper Jones is a fat black and white cat who carries a giant spoon, and likes to frequent restaurants and gentlemen's clubs around London.

He was played by James Corden in the 2019 film version.

Answer: The Phantom of the Opera

'The Phantom of the Opera' is based on the book by Gaston Leroux, and tells the story of Christine Daae, a young soprano who attracts the attentions of a mysterious man living beneath an opera house. Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny and Christine's childhood friend, sings 'All I Ask of You' with her as a duet, in which they declare their love for each other.

A version sung by Sarah Brightman and Cliff Richard was released as a single in 1986.

Answer: Evita

'Evita' is based on the life of Eva Péron, the second wife of Argentinian president Juan Péron. Madonna played Evita in the 1998 film version, while Jonathan Pryce played Péron and Antonio Banderas played Ché, a narrator figure. 'Péron's Latest Flame' is sung by Ché, with input from both upper-class Argentinian citizens (see the lines above) and soldiers.

The upper classes look down on Eva for her working-class background, while the soldiers believe Eva is using Péron and slept her way to the top.

Answer: Chess

'Chess' is a collaboration between Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, formerly of Abba. It is about a chess tournament during the Cold War, between Anatoly, a Russian grandmaster, and Freddie, an American grandmaster. The most famous song from the musical is 'I Know Him So Well', with the most well-known version being the one sung by Elaine Page (as Florence, Freddie's ex-girlfriend, who leaves him for Anatoly) and Barbara Dickson (as Svetlana, Anatoly's ex-wife). 'One Night in Bangkok' is sung by Freddie, who is acting as a commentator for a tournament in Thailand at which Anatoly is aiming to defend his title.