Theatrical Songs of the 1960s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Kids

Charles Strouse composed the music and Lee Adams wrote the lyrics for "Bye Bye Birdie". Running for 607 performances on Broadway, "Bye Bye Birdie" may have been inspired by a a short story "Dream Man" as well as the early career of Elvis Presley. A popular rock and roll star is being inducted into the army and he is symbolically saying farewell to a chosen fan, Kim MacAfee.

Her parents, Harry and Doris MacAfee, express their frustration with the current generation of teenagers in "Kids".

Answer: Brotherhood of Man

"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" ran for 1,417 performances and featured songs written (music and lyrics) by Frank Loesser. The musical was inspired by the 1952 Shepherd Mead book of the same name. J. Pierpont Finch attempts to rise high in the ranks of corporate America by following the advice of the book. Finch--declaring that the staff of the company where he works (World Wide Wicket) is like a family to him--leads the staff in the song "Brotherhood of Man".

Answer: Everybody Ought to Have a Maid

The musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" was inspired by the comic plays of the Roman playwright, Plautus. Stephen Sondheim wrote the songs (music and lyrics) for the show which ran 964 performances. The story focuses on a young Roman's hopes to marry his true love and the attempt of his slave to gain his freedom.

In the song "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid", the slave (Pseudolus), another slave (Hysterium), their owner (Senex), and the owner's neighbor (Marcus Lycus) expound on the pluses of having domestic help.

Answer: Pine Cones and Holly Berries

Meredith Willson wrote the songs (lyrics and music) for "Here's Love" which was based on the 1947 film "Miracle on 34th Street". The musical ran for 334 performances in its initial Broadway run. A man claiming to be Santa Claus encounters a young girl and her single mother.

The song "Pine Cones and Holly Berries" is sung in counterpoint with "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" (written independently in 1951 by Willson). Willson also wrote the book for the show (just as he had done for his greatest hit--"The Music Man").

Answer: Tradition

"Fiddler on the Roof" was based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem. The poor, Jewish milkman Tevye and his family live and try to survive in the Eastern European village of Anatevka. The musical opens with a full cast number ("Tradition") interspersed by Tevye's explanation of the role that tradition plays in the lives of the people in the village. Jerry Bock composed the music and Sheldon Harnick wrote the lyrics.

At the time the musical closed on Broadway, its 3,242 performances held the record, which lasted for nearly ten years.

Answer: The Impossible Dream

Joe Danton wrote the lyrics and Mitch Lee composed the music for "Man of La Mancha". In its original Broadway run, the show ran for 2,328 performances. While imprisoned, Miguel de Cervantes--with help from other prisoners--tells the story of the mad knight "Don Quixote". (The musical was inspired by Cervantes' novel "Don Quixote" rather than being an exact reproduction).

The song "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)" is sung by Don Quixote. The song has been covered by a number of singers including Jack Jones, Jim Nabors, and Robert Goulet.

Answer: We Need a Little Christmas

Jerry Herman wrote the songs (lyrics and music) for "Mame". In its initial Broadway run, the show ran for 1,508 performances. The storyline of the show can be traced back to the 1955 novel "Auntie Mame", by Patrick Dennis. Mame, a wealthy woman with an unconventional lifestyle, finds things change when she becomes guardian to her orphaned nephew.

The song "We Need a Little Christmas" is an attempt by Mame and others to find some distraction from the problems of the Great Depression. Over four decades after the show opened, Kimberly Locke's cover of "We Need a Little Christmas" went to Number 19 on the US Adult Contemporary chart in 2007.

Answer: Now's the Time

"Hallelujah, Baby!" ran for 293 performances in its initial Broadway run. The show featured music composed by Jule Styne and lyrics written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden. The plot of the show was ambitious: to present the fight of African Americans to gain equal treatment in the United States during the 20th century.

The song "Now's the Time" was sung by the character of Georgina late in the second act and reprised by the cast at the end of the show. The part was played by Leslie Uggams, who would win the 1968 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.

Answer: I'll Never Fall in Love Again

"Promises, Promises" is based on the 1960 film "The Apartment". The show ran for 1,281 performances in its original Broadway run. "Promises, Promises" featured music composed by Burt Bacharach and lyrics written by Hal David. In the show, Chuck allows his superiors at work to use his apartment whenever they need a location for a romantic tryst.

In the second act, Chuck and his would-be love interest Fran sing "I'll Never Fall in Love Again". A cover of "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" by frequent Bacharach interpreter Dionne Warwick would reach Number Six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Answer: The Lees of Old Virginia

"1776" is a musical retelling of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The songs (music and lyrics) were written by Sherman Edwards. The show lasted 1,217 performances in its initial Broadway run. In the show, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin attempt to convince Richard Henry Lee to acquire Virginia's advocacy of American independence.

Their success is reflected in their song "The Lees of Old Virginia". An interesting fact is that between "The Lees of Old Virginia" and the next song, "But Mr. Adams", over 30 minutes passes on stage without any music sung or played.