Theatrical Songs of the 2000s Trivia Quiz

Answer: You Rule My World

"The Full Monty" musical was based on the 1997 film of the same title. The setting was moved from England to Buffalo, NY. David Yazbek wrote both the music and lyrics for the songs. "The Full Monty" ran for 770 performances on Broadway. The plot centers around a group of unemployed workers who perform a strip act at the local club as a way of raising money.

The song, "You Rule My World", is sung by two of the men, Dave and Harold.

Answer: Springtime for Hitler

Mel Brooks wrote the music and lyrics for "The Producers", which was based on his 1968 film of the same name. Two producers attempt to create a Broadway flop as a money-making venture. The musical ran for 2,502 performances on Broadway and was extremely successful at the Tony Awards, winning 12.

The song, "Springtime for Hitler", a part of the "show" that is being presented by the "Producers", was written by a crazed neo-Nazi.

Answer: Good Morning Baltimore

The song, "Good Morning Baltimore", opens "Hairspray" and introduces the character of Tracy Turnblad (Marissa Janet Winokur) and the city of Baltimore. "Hairspray" the musical was based on the 1988 film of the same name. Marc Sharman wrote the music for "Hairspray", and Sharman and Scott Wittman wrote the lyrics.

The musical ran for 2,642 performances in its original Broadway run. The plot revolved around a group of teenagers connected to the fiction "Corny Collins Show", and the eventual integration of the program. "Hairspray" would win eight Tony Awards.

Answer: Defying Gravity

Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel "Wicked", a retelling of the Wizard of Oz story from the point of view of the Wicked Witch of the West, was the basis for the musical. The show ran for 6,681 performances in its original run on Broadway. Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for the songs.

The song "Defying Gravity" is largely a solo for Elphaba (the Witch--portrayed by Idina Menzel) with Glinda (Galinda--portrayed Kristin Chenoweth) joining in to make it a duet. In the song, Elphaba sings about her discovery that the Wizard of Oz is not a heroic figure and vows to fight him.

Answer: Heart Behind These Hands

In "Brooklyn the Musical", Brooklyn is both a section of New York City and the name of the main character, a talented singer who is search of her long-lost father. The song, "Heart Behind These Hands", is sung by the City Weeds, a group of homeless musicians who help to provide the structure to the show.

The musical featured music and lyrics by Mark Schoenfeld and Barri McPherson. In its original Broadway run, "Brooklyn the Musical" ran for 284 performances.

Answer: Find Your Grail

"Spamalot" was a musical adaptation of the 1975 film, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". The musical ran for 1,575 performances on Broadway. Eric Idle and John Du Prez wrote the music, and Eric Idle wrote the lyrics. At its heart, "Spamalot" is a satirical retelling of the King Arthur legend.

In the song "Find Your Grail", the Lady of the Lake (Sara Ramirez) encourages King Arthur (Tim Curry) to continue on his quest. Sara Ramirez won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical.

Answer: Mama Who Bore Me

Duncan Sheik wrote the music, and Steven Sater wrote the lyrics for "Spring Awakening". The musical is based on an 1891 play of the same name by Frank Wedekind. A rather grim musical, the plotline follows the travails of young people as they navigate the challenges of adolescence.

The original Broadway run of the musical lasted for 859 performances. In the song, "Mama Who Bore Me", the character of Wenda laments about what her mother has not taught her, specifically what nowadays is called "the birds and the bees".

Answer: Deep Love

Mel Brooks wrote both the music and lyrics for the songs in "Young Frankenstein", based upon his 1974 movie of the same title. The musical ran for 484 performances in its initial rune on Broadway. The plot of the show is a satire of the Frankenstein story.

The song, "Deep Love", is sung by Elizabeth, the significant other of the titular Young Frankenstein. It is later reprised by the Frankenstein monster and the villagers. The musical won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

Answer: Big Bright Beautiful World

"Shrek the Musical" was largely based on the 2001 movie "Shrek", although some elements were drawn from its sequels. David Lindsay-Abaire wrote the lyrics, and Jeanine Tesori wrote the music. In the musical, Shrek is on a quest to rescue the imprisoned Princess Fiona.

The song, "Big, Bright, Beautiful World", is sung early in the musical by Shrek and his parents, extolling the virtues of life of solitude in the swamp. The original Broadway production lasted for 441 performances.

Answer: Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

The musical "American Idiot" was inspired by the 2004 Green Day album of the same name. The show lasted for 422 performances on Broadway. The music was composed by the band Green Day, and the lyrics were written by Green Day's front man, Billie Joe Armstrong.

The cast album would win a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. The musical focuses on a group of suburban youth. "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" was originally written for a 1997 Green Day album, and serves as the Company's "curtain call" music.