Why Are You Wearing That? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Curly in "Oklahoma!"

Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" opened on Broadway for the first time in March 1943, with Drake as cowboy Curly, Joan Roberts as love interest Laurey, and Celeste Holm as Ado Annie. The setting was rural Oklahoma in the early 20th century, just before the territory achieved statehood. Memorable songs included "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'", "The Farmer and the Cowman", and the title song. Subsequent performers of Curly have included John Raitt, Howard Keel and Hugh Jackman, as well as Gordon MacRae in the 1955 movie version.

The incorrect choices all made their Broadway debuts after 1943, and none involved cowboy attire.

Answer: South Pacific

Based on James Michener's "Tales of the South Pacific" and set during WWII, this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical had some understandably sad moments. Comic relief was provided by the character of Luther Billis, played originally by McCormick, and his turn as Honey Bun during the "Thanksgiving Follies" put on by the sailors and nurses. Ensign Nellie Forbush (Martin) dressed as a sailor and sang about "Honey Bun" while Billis cavorted in costume. Ezio Pinza as Emile de Becque performed "Some Enchanted Evening" and Juanita Hall as Bloody Mary belted out "Bali Ha'i", amongst other performances.

"On the Town" involved sailors in New York, none of them women, and debuted before "South Pacific". The other two choices were much later arrivals on Broadway.

Answer: So Peter Pan can fly

The Broadway musical "Peter Pan" was based on J.M. Barrie's play of the same name, and Mary Martin starred not only in the original Broadway production, in 1954, but in several subsequent televised versions. It became traditional for a woman to play Peter. Both Martin and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook won Tony Awards for their performances. Songs included "I'm Flying" and "I Won't Grow Up" amongst others.

The three incorrect choices are female characters from the musical, though Tinker Bell appears on stage as nothing more than a flicker of light and tinkling music.

Answer: Maria in "The Sound of Music"

Although fans of the 1965 movie version of "The Sound of Music" will always think of Julie Andrews as Maria, it was Mary Martin who created the role in the original Broadway run in 1959, with Theodore Bikel as Captain von Trapp. The production, the last collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Besides the title song, numbers included "Do-Re-Mi", "Edelweiss" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain".

"The Flying Nun" was a television series (1967-70) starring Sally Field, and not a musical at all. The other two incorrect choices were musicals, but didn't reach Broadway until many years after 1959.

Answer: Annie in "Annie"

Based on the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie", the musical "Annie" first hit Broadway in 1977, with McArdle replacing Kristen Vigard in the title role after a week of performances. Both actresses were in their early teens, but Vigard was deemed to be giving too 'sweet' a performance. The curly red hair and red dress were lifted directly from the depiction of Annie in the comic strip. Songs included "It's the Hard Knock Life", "Tomorrow" and "You're Never Fully Dressed without a Smile".

None of the three incorrect choices reached Broadway until at least two decades after "Annie's" original run.

Answer: Grizabella in "Cats"

Grizabella was The Glamour Cat, who was past her prime and looking a bit the worse for wear, and feeling rather sorry for herself too. Buckley was in the original Broadway cast of "Cats", though the role was famously played by Elaine Page in the original West End (London) production. Grizabella performed the song "Memory" as she looked back on her youth and happier days.

Both Nala and Joey did not appear on Broadway until years after 1982, and Sandy has most often been portrayed by a real dog, and not by a human actor.

Answer: Mask

Michael Crawford was the Phantom in both the original West End cast and the original Broadway cast, performing in the distinctive white mask that seemed molded to one side of the character's face. Sarah Brightman appeared as Christine in both of those productions. Musical numbers included "The Music of the Night" and "The Phantom of the Opera".

Of the other suggested costume accessories, one might perhaps use a crown for a production of "Spamalot" and the title character of "Dear Evan Hansen" wears a cast on his arm.

Answer: The Book of Mormon

Rannells and Gad were playing Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, two young missionaries who had been sent to Uganda as part of their service as members of the Church of Latter Day Saints. The production won a number of Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Rannells and Gad were Tony-nominated, but did not win.

The cast of "Damn Yankees" would most likely have worn baseball uniforms (at least some of them) and many in "Oklahoma!" would have worn cowboy garb.

Answer: Jack Kelly in "Newsies"

"Newsies the Musical", to give its full title, debuted on Broadway in 2012, having been based on the musical movie "Newsies" (1992). Both were based on a real strike by newsboys in New York City in 1899. Songs by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman included "Seize the Day" and "The Bottom Line".

Price, as we have seen, would have worn a short-sleeved white shirt with black tie, and Cable would have been in uniform. Ravenal, as a riverboat gambler would have been lavishly attired.

Answer: Gander, Newfoundland

The airliner that landed at Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, piloted by Beverley Bass (Colella) was one of many to land there on September 11th, 2001 and their story was told in the musical "Come From Away", along with the stories of the local people who made the crews and passengers welcome in their small community. Songs included "Welcome to the Rock" and "Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere".

Members of the cast played multiple roles, and besides Broadway "Come From Away" has been staged in Toronto, Seattle and Washington, D.C.