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Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 90 general entries. We are selecting 30 for display.
Special Topics
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 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Alphabetical Musicals
| In the Sondheim musical Assassins, who encourage Lee Harvey Oswald to shoot JFK? | Musicals Quiz - A
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Other presidential assassins. An odd musical that celebrated the people who assassinated (or tried to assassinate) American presidents, 'Assassins' is a typically uncommercial Sondheim show, nonetheless popular with his fans and the critics.
| Speaking of Kander and Ebb... 'And the World Goes Round' was a compilation show of their music. The title comes from one of their songs, but from which film? | Musicals Quiz - A
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New York, New York. The song was originally sung by Liza Minnelli, who frequently worked with Kander and Ebb. She starred in the stage musicals 'Flora, the Red Menace', 'The Act' and 'The Rink' and played Sally Bowles in the film version of 'Cabaret'.
| Which actress first starred in 'The Act', with a score by Kander and Ebb? | Musicals Quiz - A
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Liza Minnelli. By the end of her run in the show, Minnelli ended up miming to her own recordings of the songs. Not exactly an audience pleaser!
The other three ladies mentioned have all created roles in Kander and Ebb musicals. Chita Rivera starred in 'Chicago', 'The Rink', 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' and 'The Visit'. Gwen Verdon also starred in 'Chicago'. Kander and Ebb also provided songs for Streisand's film 'Funny Lady', the sequel to 'Funny Girl'.
| Which song was added to 'Annie Get Your Gun' many years after its first appearance in an attempt to mirror the success of 'You're Just in Love' from 'Call Me Madam'? | Musicals Quiz - A
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An Old Fashioned Wedding. 'You're Just in Love' was a big smash for Ethel Merman, so when she was to recreate her role in 'Annie Get Your Gun', Irving Berlin tried to repeat the success with another contrapuntal duet. It's a good song, but not a patch on the number from 'Call Me Madam'.
| 'Ain't Misbehavin' was a successful show compiling songs by which legendary musician? | Musicals Quiz - A
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Waller. This was an early example of a show built around songs not originally written for the theatre, in this case using the songs of Thomas "Fats" Waller. Shows of this kind became very popular at the turn of the 21st century, with examples such as 'Mamma Mia'/'Momma Mia' (Abba), 'The Boy From Oz' (Peter Allen), 'We Will Rock You' (Queen) and many more both on Broadway and the West End.
| 'Aspects of Love' is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's less successful shows. Which former James Bond was originally cast in the show? | Musicals Quiz - A
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Roger Moore. Roger Moore proved not to be up to the task in the end and was replaced.
| 'Anyone Can Whistle' was an early Stephen Sondheim musical which played for less than a week on Broadway. Which song was cut from the show, but recorded anyway, becoming one of Sondheim's most popular compositions? | Musicals Quiz - A
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There Won't Be Trumpets. 'Anyone Can Whistle' was the second of Sondheim's shows to reach Broadway, and its failure could have been the end of his musical career. Luckily, his next three shows (six years later) were all either critical or financial successes, being 'Company', 'Follies' and 'A Little Night Music'.
| 'Avenue Q' was a popular new musical to open on Broadway in 2003. What is unusual about the show? | Musicals Quiz - A
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Most of the characters are puppets. 'Avenue Q' is inspired by 'Sesame Street', but offers life guidance on more adult topics than the TV show does. Song titles include 'Everyone's a Little Bit Racist' and 'What Do You Do With a BA in English?' (a question I've often asked myself). There is also (of course) a "word of the day" song. The word? Schadenfreude!
| According to the song from the musical 'Carousel' by Rodgers and Hammerstein, what is bustin' out all over? | The Jay Quiz
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June. 'June is Bustin' Out all Over' is sung by Nettie Fowler as the characters celebrate spring (although June is summertime in America, where the show is set).
| Rodgers and Hart's musical about a financially strapped circus premiered in 1935. What is the name of this musical? | The Jay Quiz
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Jumbo. The song 'There's a Small Hotel' was originally written for 'Jumbo', but Rodgers and Hart pulled it out before opening night and saved it for their 1936 musical 'On Your Toes'.
Passion. This 1994 Stephen Sondheim musical is based on the film 'Passione d'Amore', which was based on the novel 'Fosca' by Igino Tarchetti. Set in 19th century Italy, the story tells of Fosca, an ugly woman who is in love with Giorgio, a sailor. The role of Fosca was originally performed by Donna Murphy.
| Two different musicals, the same name. The first premiered in 1928 and was by Cole Porter. The second is a 2003 musical by Jon English. What is its name? | Peter Piper Picked This Quiz
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Paris. Cole Porter's musical 'Paris' was his first Broadway hit. It included his well known song 'Let's Do It'.
Jon English's Australian musical 'Paris' is based on the mythology of the Trojan War.
| Which woman was the first to play Christine in the original Australian production of 'The Phantom of the Opera'? | Peter Piper Picked This Quiz
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Prior . Marina Prior was the first Australian Christine, playing opposite Anthony Warlow as the first Australian Phantom. She has played many leading roles in Australian musical theatre, including Maria in 'West Side Story' and Lily in 'The Secret Garden'. Her professional theatrical debut was playing Mabel in 'The Pirates of Penzance in 1984.
'Iolanthe' and 'Utopia, Limited'. Phyllis is a character from 'Iolanthe', an operetta all about fairies. Phantis is a character from 'Utopia, Limited', an operetta about a princess who travels to Britain to learn about civilised society.
| 'Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage' is a song from which musical? | My Quirky Quiz
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The Boy From Oz. 'The Boy From Oz' is an Australian musical. It was the first ever Aussie musical to reach Broadway, premiering in New York in 2003. The original Australia production starred Todd McKenney as the legendary singer/songwriter Peter Allen, and the original Broadway production starred 'X-Men' actor Hugh Jackman in the leading role.
| The song 'Questions and Answers (The Three Bs)' is from which show? | My Quirky Quiz
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On Your Toes. The songs is from 'On Your Toes' by Rodgers and Hart. They also collaborated on shows such as 'The Boy From Syracuse', 'Pal Joey' and 'Babes in Arms'.
| The song 'Quiet Night' comes from which Rodgers and Hart show? | My Quirky Quiz
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On Your Toes. 'On Your Toes' contained a ballet in it that was, for the first time in musical comedy history, a direct component of the plot.
| In 'Sweeney Todd', the song 'Johanna' is reprised a couple of times. In the second act, what is the reprise called? | My Quirky Quiz
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Johanna Quartet. Stephen Sondheim's opera 'Sweeney Todd' is a tale of a murderous barber, who kills his clients, and then gives the bodies to the baker, Mrs Lovett, who uses the meat in her pies.
| The reprise of the song 'Tonight' from Leonard Bernstein's 'West Side Story' is also sometimes referred to as what? | My Quirky Quiz
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Quintet. Although there are more than five characters singing in the song, it is sometimes referred to as the 'Quintet' because there are five separate vocal parts: Maria, Tony, Anita, The Sharks and The Jets.
| A Gilbert and Sullivan operetta had its world premiere in 1887, and it was alternatively titled 'The Witches Curse'. On opening night, how was the more common title for the operetta spelled? | Roll Up For The Best 'R' Quiz In Town
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Ruddygore. Although the show is now known as 'Ruddigore', on its opening night it was spelled 'Ruddygore'. However, after opening night the 'y' was changed into an 'i'. This was just one of several changes to the show.
'The Desert Song' and 'The Baker's Wife'. 'The Baker's Wife' is a musical by Stephen Schwartz and Joseph Stein. 'The Desert Song' was written by Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel. Hammerstein also wrote the lyrics, and the music was composed by Sigmund Romberg.
Reginald. 'Patience', by Gilbert and Sullivan, is the story of two poets who are both in love with the same milk maid.
Rackstraw. Ralph (pronounced Raif) Rackstraw is the hero of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'H.M.S. Pinafore'. He is a sailor on board Captain Corcoran's ship. He has the misfortune of loving the Captain's daughter, Josephine, but they can never be together because she is of a higher social rank than he...or is she?
John Hinckley, Jr. and Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme. 'Assassins', by Stephen Sondheim (book by John Weidman) examines the men and women who attempted to assassinate U.S. presidents.
| 'Unsettled Scores' was recorded by which popular musical theatre performer on the 'Songs from 'Whistle Down the Wind' CD? | Uh-oh, it's the 'U' quiz
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Michael Ball. Michael Ball recorded this song from 'Whistle Down the Wind' by Andrew Lloyd Webber'. Some of the other artists featured on this CD are Donny Osmond, who sings 'When Children Rule the World' and Boyzone, who sing 'No Matter What'. 'Unsettled Scores' is sung by The Man in the musical.
Song and Dance. Although not included in the original London production, 'Unexpected Song' was written for the original Broadway production starring Bernadette Peters as Emma.
| In the operetta 'The Merry Widow', how is Valencienne related to Baron Zeta? | Very Vivacious Quiz
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She is his wife. Franz Lehar's operetta tells the tale of Hanna Glawari, a rich widow, who seeks a husband. Depending on which edition of the libretto you read, Hanna is sometimes called Anna Glawari or Sonia Glaward. Perhaps the most noteable song from the show is the gorgeous aria 'Vilia'.
Valjean. Jean Valjean is the lead character of 'Les Miserables', which is one of the most successful and longest-running musicals of all time. It is based on Victor Hugo's novel of the same name, and is about a man who steals and then eventually redeems himself. Some of the most popular songs are 'Bring Him Home', 'On My Own' and 'Castle on a Cloud'.
| Who played the role of Ray Heatherton in the original 1937 Broadway production of 'Babes in Arms'? | Very Vivacious Quiz
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Val Lamar. 'Babes in Arms' contains many memorable songs by Rodgers and Hart, including 'Where or When', 'My Funny Valentine' and 'The Lady is a Tramp'.
| Who composed extra music for 'Victor/Victoria' when it was transformed into a Broadway musical from the movie version? | Very Vivacious Quiz
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Frank Wildhorn. Henry Mancini composed the original songs for the movie. After he died, Frank Wildhorn composed extra music for the stage version. The title role was played by Julie Andrews in both the movie and the stage production.
Very Warm For May. 'Very Warm For May' contains lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Jerome Kern.
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