(a) Drag-and-drop from the right to the left, or (b) click on a right
side answer box and then on a left side box to move it.
Questions
Choices
1. Barnum (1980)
I Can't Make This Movie
2. Dreamgirls (1981)
The Colors of My Life
3. Nine (1982)
I Am What I Am
4. La Cage aux Folles (1983)
You're Nothing Without Me
5. The Rink (1984)
Disneyland
6. Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1985)
Children Will Listen
7. Smile (1986)
Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go
8. Into the Woods (1987)
When I Get My Name in Lights
9. Legs Diamond (1988)
We Can Make It
10. City of Angels (1989)
I Am Changing
Select each answer
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Barnum (1980)
Answer: The Colors of My Life
"Barnum" featured music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Michael Stewart. The music is based on the life and career of showman Phineas Taylor Barnum. The original Broadway run was for 854 performances. The song "The Colors of My Life" contrasts the philosophies of Phineas (Jim Dale, who won the Tony Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical) with his bright colors and excitement with that of his wife Charity (Glenn Close) with more peaceful colors and calmness.
2. Dreamgirls (1981)
Answer: I Am Changing
The plot of "Dreamgirls" is inspired by the music and history of the Supremes and similar Motown musical acts. Lasting for 1,521 performances on Broadway, the musical featured lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger. The character of Effie sings the song "I Am Changing", describing a desire to leave behind the mistakes of her past. (Released as a single, the song reached Number 22 on the US Black Singles chart.) Jennifer Holliday, who played the part of Effie, would win the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical.
3. Nine (1982)
Answer: I Can't Make This Movie
Based on the Frederico Fellini film "8 1/2", "Nine" ran for 729 performances on Broadway. Both the music and lyrics for the songs were written by Maury Yeston. The movie director, Guido Contini, faces a midlife crisis as he approaches his 40th birthday.
He (portrayed by Raul Julia) sings the song "I Can't Make This Movie" near the end of the show. "Nine" won the Tony Award for Best Musical.
4. La Cage aux Folles (1983)
Answer: I Am What I Am
Based on an earlier non-musical play of the same name, "La Cage aux Folles" had music and lyrics written by Jerry Herman. The plot introduces a young man who has become engaged to a young woman. The problem? His father is in a long-term relationship with another man.
Her father is an extremely conservative politician. Albin (George Hearn), one member of the homosexual couple, sings the song "I Am What I Am" near the end of the first act, stating his pride in himself.
5. The Rink (1984)
Answer: We Can Make It
John Kander composed the music and Fred Ebb wrote the lyrics for "The Rink". Lasting only 204 performances on Broadway, the musical was set at a soon-to-be-demolished roller rink on Coney Island. The rink was owned by Anna (Chita Rivera), who has an estranged relationship with her daughter Angel (Liza Minnelli). One of Anna's songs in the first act is "We Can Make It". Chita Rivera would win the Tony Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.
6. Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1985)
Answer: Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go
Roger Miller wrote both the music and the lyrics for "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", based on the classic Mark Twain novel. It ran for 1,005 performances on Broadway in its initial run. In the song "Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go", Huck finds that he is torn between two friends: Mary Jane and Jim.
The musical as a whole was a smash at the Tony Awards, winning seven and being nominated for three more.
7. Smile (1986)
Answer: Disneyland
In "Smile", the song "Disneyland" was performed by Dorial Hudson (played by Jodi Benson), describing the location of the first beauty pageant she saw on television. The musical as a whole follows the story of a group of contestants at a fictional beauty pageant.
The musical was unsuccessful, only lasting for 48 performances on Broadway in its original run. The music was composed by Marvin Hamlisch and the lyrics were written by Howard Ashman. It was based on the 1975 movie "Smile".
8. Into the Woods (1987)
Answer: Children Will Listen
Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for "Into the Woods" which provides an interesting interpretation and interlinking of several classic fairy tales. The musical ran for 765 performances on Broadway. The song "Children Will Listen" is part of the finale sequence of the show and provides the "moral" so to speak of the show. Important characters in the show include Jack (of Beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and the Big Bad Wolf. "Into the Woods" won the Tony Award for Best Score.
9. Legs Diamond (1988)
Answer: When I Get My Name in Lights
Peter Allen wrote the music and lyrics for "Legs Diamond" as well as starring in the title role on Broadway. The musical was inspired by the life and career of the real-life mobster and only lasted for 64 performances. (The show actually had more preview performances than official ones.) The song "When I Get My Name in Lights" is sung by Jack at the opening of the show, indicating his hope for fame.
10. City of Angels (1989)
Answer: You're Nothing Without Me
"City of Angels" featured music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by David Zippel. The show crossed between reality and fiction with its story of an author, Stine (Greg Edelman), and his character, the detective Stone (James Naughton). The two confront each other near the end of the first act in "You're Nothing Without Me" and each claims to be the important one in the relationship. "City of Angels" ran for 879 performances on Broadway in its initial run.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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