From Where do I Know that Song? Quiz

Answer: 'Les Miserables'

These haunting lyrics come from Fantine's lament 'I dreamed a dream', as she contemplates her current plight and how it has come about. The musical 'Les Miserables' is closely based on the 1862 novel of the same name by French author and poet, Victor Hugo. The musical was a collaboration between Claude-Michel Schönberg (music), and Herbert Kretzmer (lyrics) and focusses on the redemption of prisoner Jean Valjean.

It was first performed in 1980 (in French); five years later, producer Cameron Mackintosh and the Royal Shakespeare Company presented the musical in London. Despite initial poor reviews from critics, it quickly became extremely popular with the public and has earned numerous awards including 8 Tony Awards (and 4 other nominations) in 1987. A film version of the musical was made in 2012 which also received numerous commendations including 3 Academy Awards in 2013, including for Best Supporting Actress for Anne Hathaway, who played and sang the role of Fantine.

Answer: 'The Lion King'

Tim Rice wrote the lyrics for 'Circle of Life' with Sir Elton John providing the lyrics. As Mufasa - the original "Lion King" in this story - explains to his son (and future king) Simba, all life is in balance; predators eat prey but then the decaying bodies of the predators provide sustenance for the grasses that feed that prey. The Lion King was originally a very successful 1994 animated Disney movie. The stage musical version of the film was first performed in Minnesota in July 1997 and then opened on Broadway a few months later. By 2014, 'The Lion King' had become the top earning box office film and musical theatre production up to that time. Other well-known songs include 'Hakuna Matata' and 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight?'

'The Lion King' won six Tony Awards in 1998, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Julie Taymor), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), and Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson). The original Broadway cast recording of 'The Lion King' won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 1999.

Answer: 'Rent'

These lyrics are from the poignant song 'Seasons of Love' which encapsulates the central message of the musical - embracing love and cherishing every moment in the face of mortality. Written by Jonathan Larson, 'Rent' is set in the East Village, New York City during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 90s. Seasons of Love' is an ensemble piece sung by the entire cast and is one of the feature songs of the musical.

The story is told through the eyes of narrator, Mark. Tragically, Jonathon Larson passed away the night before the musical's off-Broadway premiere in February 1996. Due to its success, it moved to Broadway two months later and played over 5,000 performances before closing in 2008. 'Rent' also had extended and highly successful seasons in theatres in many countries.

It garnered accolades including a Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1996.

Answer: 'Jesus Christ Superstar'

'I don't know how to love him' is sung by the character Mary Magdalene, who is trying to reconcile her love for this enigmatic human male, Jesus, with a recognition that he is so much more than merely human. The musical focusses on the last week of Jesus Christ, his relationships with the key people around him including Mary Magdalene and the traitor Judas Iscariot, and his other disciples, while exploring the machinations leading up to the crucifixion. This musical was the third collaboration between lyricist Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber who composed the music (assuming that 'The Likes of Us', written together in 1965, but not appearing until 2005 is counted as their first). 'Jesus Christ Superstar' premiered on Broadway in October 1971, where it won Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Ben Vereen's portrayal of Judas Iscariot; since then the musical has been played to great acclaim on many stages around the world.

Directed by Norman Jewison, the film adaptation was released in 1973, retaining the rock opera format and following the same storyline as the stage musical. Yvonne Elliman portrays Mary Magdalene, reprising her role from the original Broadway production.

Answer: 'Chicago'

The music for 'Chicago' was composed by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb, using a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1975. 'All that Jazz' incorporated the lyrics in the question here was the opening number for the musical and set the scene of the roaring (19)20s in the eponymous city. The storyline is based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins surrounding the murder trials of two women. The musical character of Roxie Hart is based on Beulah Annan, while Belva Gaertner was depicted as Velma Kelly. Both women were acquitted in sensational trials and led to the perception that women in this city could literally get away with murder at that time. The original Broadway run lasted two years and then was revived in 1996 when it became extremely successful, winning 7 Tony Awards including for Best Revival of a Musical. Similarly, the musical opened in London's West End in 1979 and played approximately 600 times before closing. It was also very successfully revived in 1997, earning the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production that year.

Directed by Rob Marshall, the 2002 movie version of the musical starred Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma, Renee Zellweger as Roxie and Richard Gere as their smooth and duplicitous lawyer, Billy Flynn. The movie was highly successful both commercially and with the critics, winning 6 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress (Zeta-Jones), while being nominated in 7 other categories.

Answer: 'Grease'

The lyrics 'We go together like ramma lamma lamma ka dinga da dinga dong" are from the song 'We Go Together' featured in the musical, and subsequent film, 'Grease'. The song (and the musical) was written by Jim Jacobs, John Farrar and Warren Casey and performed as the final song of the first of two acts by the combined boy's group (the T-birds) and the girl's group (the Pink Ladies). 'Grease' is set in the late 1950s at the fictional Rydell High School. The musical's title references the rebellious subculture at that time known as the 'greasers', showcased here as the T-birds, led by main character Danny Zuko. The main female character, Sandra (Sandy) Dombrowski eventually becomes part of the Pink Ladies with the romance between Danny and Sandy being a major plotline.

The nonsensical refrain 'ramma lamma lamma ka dinga da dinga dong' deliberately adds a sense of fun and spontaneity to the lyrics and is meant to embody the carefree spirit of the characters and the era in which the story is set.

The musical was first performed on stage in Chicago in 1971 before appearing on Broadway in 1972 and the West End (London) in 1973. The movie version was released in 1979, directed by Randal Kleiser and starred Olivia Newton-John as Sandy and John Travolta as Danny. Some changes were made to the story line (Sandy was now an Australian immigrant) and the song list was modified. The huge popularity of the movie resulted in subsequent changes in the revived stage shows.

Answer: 'Cats'

The lyrics are from the song 'Memory' featured in the musical 'Cats'. The song was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Trevor Nunn based on T.S. Eliot's poetry collection 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats'. The musical premiered in the West End in London in 1981 and opened on Broadway in 1982. It introduced the concept of a song cycle, in which each song focuses on a different cat character.

'Memory' is sung by Grizabella, a former glamor cat who has fallen on hard times. The song is a pivotal moment in the show, as Grizabella reflects on her past, longing for a return to happier moments and seeking redemption. Its haunting melody and emotional depth have made it one of the recognizable songs in musical theater. Its powerful lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and hope, emotionally resonating with audiences everywhere.

'Cats' has won several awards, including the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 1981 and Best Actress in a Musical for Elaine Paige, who originated the role of Grizabella. The musical also won 1983 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Betty Buckley as Grizabella), and Best Costume Design. The original Broadway cast recording of 'Cats' also won the Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1983.

Answer: 'Hamilton'

'The ten-dollar founding father without a father' are words from the opening song, 'Alexander Hamilton', in the musical 'Hamilton'. The musical was created by Lin-Manuel Miranda and made its Off-Broadway debut in New York City in February 2015 before transferring to Broadway later that year. The musical tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's Founding Fathers, and combines various musical genres, including hip-hop, R&B, and traditional show tunes, to bring Hamilton's life and legacy to the stage.

It follows Hamilton from his humble beginnings as an immigrant orphan in the Caribbean to his rise as a key figure in American history, exploring his role in the American Revolution, the writing of the U.S. Constitution, and his work as the first Secretary of the Treasury. The story delves into Hamilton's relationships with other historical figures including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and his nemesis in a fatal duel, Aaron Burr.

'Hamilton' has received numerous accolades including receiving a record-breaking (to that time) 16 nominations at the 2016 Tony Awards, ultimately winning 11 awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical. The original Broadway cast recording won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2016. 'Hamilton' was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2016, recognizing its exceptional achievement in the field of theater. London's West End production in 2017 received a record number (to that time) of 13 Olivier Award nominations, winning 7 including Best New Musical, Outstanding Achievement in Music (Lin-Manuel Miranda), and Best Actor in a Musical (Giles Terera as Aaron Burr).

Answer: 'Fiddler on the Roof'

'If I Were a Rich Man' is perhaps the most popular and well-known song from the musical 'Fiddler on the Roof'. The musical, with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and a book by Joseph Stein, premiered on Broadway in 1964. It is based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem and follows the life of Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman living in the fictional village of Anatevka in Tsarist Russia. The story explores the traditions, challenges, changing social dynamics and persecution of the Jewish community in the early 20th century.

'If I Were a Rich Man' is performed by Tevye, who daydreams about how his life would be different if he were wealthy and his aspirations for a better life for himself and his family. The memorable melody and humorous lyrics are a poignant counterpoint to the harsh realities of their life.

The record-setting 3,242 performances of 'Fiddler on the Roof' which opened on Broadway in September 1964, held the title of the longest-running Broadway musical for almost ten years.
The musical won nine Tony Awards in 1965, including Best Musical, Best Composer and Lyricist (Bock and Harnick), and Best Book of a Musical (Stein). It also received a special Tony Award for becoming the longest-running musical in Broadway history at that time. The musical was turned into a 1971 movie, directed by Norman Jewison and starred Chaim Topol as Tevye. Topol also performed the role over 3,500 times on stage, including in front of me (and the rest of the audience) at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne in 1998!

Answer: 'Chess'

'One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster' is from the song 'One Night in Bangkok' featured in the musical 'Chess'. The musical, with music from ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and lyrics by Tim Rice, premiered on London's West End in 1986. The storyline revolves around a politically charged chess match between American grandmaster, Freddie Trumper, and his Soviet counterpart, Anatoly Sergievsky. Set during the Cold War era, the musical explores the tensions and rivalries between the two superpowers, both on and off the chessboard. The plot also delves into the complex love triangle involving Freddie, Anatoly, and Florence Vassy, a Hungarian-born refugee.

Despite mixed reviews from critics, the musical gained popularity due to its memorable music and the involvement of the ABBA song writing duo. It ran for nearly three years, closing in 1989, and later became a Broadway production in 1988. The song 'One Night in Bangkok' was released as a single and became a global hit for Murray Head in 1984, reaching number 1 in Australia, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands and Canada (Adult Contemporary) and number 3 on the US Billboard Chart amongst many others. This was a rare example of the song preceding the musical.