Grease - the original stage version Quiz

Answer: As I go travelling down life's highway

The school song opens the show, followed rapidly by a parody of it as sung by Danny, Rizzo and co. (which is where the 'dead skunk' lyric comes from). The other lyrics are from the 'Rydell Fight Song' and the title song introduced for the film version.

Answer: 1972

Although 'Grease' existed from 1970, it didn't reach Broadway until 1972, where it ran for many years, becoming the longest running Broadway show until 'A Chorus Line' (which opened in 1975) took over the crown. The movie version came out in 1978.

Answer: The Burger Palace Boys

The guys are known as the "Burger Palace Boys" because they spend so much time there. Their rivals are the "Flaming Dukes".

Answer: C, A minor, F and G seventh

The four chords which underscore the whole song are a reference to a common chord structure in late 1950s popular music. This song is one of several pastiches on various popular forms at the time, others including 'It's Raining on Prom Night', 'Mooning', 'Born to Hand Jive' and 'We Go Together'.

Answer: Jan

Jan tells him about a scientist who left a tooth in a glass of Coke, warning him that it dissolved within a week. This slightly odd conversation helps them along the way to realising that they are in love.

Answer: Sal Mineo

Sal Mineo, a popular, but now mostly forgotten, crooner of the time got a name check here. "No, no, no, no, Sal Mineo, I would never stoop so low!"

Answer: A car aerial

Roger's ineffectual weapon is soon outclassed by Kenickie's baseball bat. You can't help but wonder if he stole the aerial from Greased Lightning, Kenickie's prized car.

Answer: Freddy

Freddy Strulka is Marty's lover, and he sends her extravagant presents from around the world which she describes in her song 'Freddy, My Love'. Sonny Latierri is the Burger Palace Boy she ends up with, Vince Fontaine is the disc jockey who comes on to her at the high school dance, and Johnny Casino is the singer who performs 'Born to Hand Jive' in the same scene.

Answer: The radio

While sitting at home, dateless, Sandy hears this melancholy song on the radio and joins in. The voice on the radio is often sung by the actress who plays Cha Cha, the amazing dancer who wins the dance contest with Danny. Rizzo gets two solos of her own and joins in on various ensemble numbers. Poor old Miss Lynch is only scripted to sing in the 'Rydell Alma Mater'.

It has been known for a character in a musical to sing a duet with himself - in 'The Pajama Game', the leading man sings into a dictaphone and then joins in with himself as he plays the tape back.

Answer: Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey

Jacobs and Casey wrote the whole show, although various other writers contributed new songs for the film (including the Gibb brothers). Carol Hall wrote the successful musical 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas', and Rodgers and Hammerstein would be spinning in their graves at the notion of having written 'Grease'!

Answer: floor

"... all the cats are yelling, they're shouting for more!" This number is a clear pastiche of such hits as 'At the Hop'.

Answer: vomit

Not the nicest of songs, but rather amusing! The closest to vomit that the song comes is to say "If Mr Clean, Rydell, had seen Rydell, he'd just turn green and disappear!".

Answer: Chicago

Chicago saw the first performances of 'Grease', with an all-amateur cast, a greater emphasis on gang rivalry and interesting seating arrangements (the audience sat on sheets of newspaper).

Answer: Her record player

When asked why she came, she says "Because I was invited", and it transpires that this is only because she has a record player.

Answer: Mooning

'Mooning' is Jan and Roger's ridiculous love duet, aping the numerous love songs of the period which featured moons by changing the focus from the heavenly body to the human rump. 'Those Magic Changes' is the pop song Doody is learning on his guitar, 'Alone at the Drive-In Movie' is Danny's lament at losing Sandy (replaced in the film by the song 'Sandy') and 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do' is Rizzo's searing solo.

Answer: Barry Bostwick

All four men have played Danny at some point in their career, but Barry Bostwick was the first seen on Broadway.

Answer: Louis St. Louis

Louis St. Louis also wrote the song 'Sandy' for the film version and sung on several tracks for the film's soundtrack recording. Barry Gibb wrote the film's title song. And Paul Gemignani is a distinguished musical director.

Answer: All Choked Up

'All Choked Up' expressed Danny and Sandy's feelings at the show's climax, and its place was taken by 'You're the One That I Want' (which in my opinion sounds far less authentically 1950's, regardless of how good or bad a song it may be). 'Alone at the Drive-in Movie' was replaced by 'Sandy', 'Born To Hand Jive' was retained as the dance competition number in the film, and 'Those Magic Changes' is also heard briefly at the high school hop.

Answer: ripped at the seams

After describing the fun of their summer romance, Danny and Sandy then recall how it ends, but of course they can look back fondly on "those summer nights".

Answer: Greased Lightning

'Greased Lightning' is a surprisingly crude song, and the original lyrics are often censored. It's the "s" word in this song. Incidentally, Rizzo swears in 'Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee', but in Italian - the "f" word was probably a little too strong for a Broadway musical in 1972!