LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Show Queen |
by Kenn Harris |
The Boys on the Boards
Our quiz today is dedicated to those wonderful guys who played leading roles in Broadway musicals. Come on, fellas (and gals), show us what you know! 1. Neither backstage petulance, onstage flatulence, or a memorable gaffe involving a hairpiece caught on a rising chandelier could dim the luster of this sexy Brit. Who was he? 2. These two guys didn't own a sequin between them, but they made Broadway historyand were damned good in a 1983 musical that portrayed gay life as warm and joyous. Name the actors, the show, and its author. 3. While wife-beating may not really be a fit subject for musical comedy, this fondly remembered baritone from the Bronx applied his hand to where it did the most good to co-star Patricia Morison nightly for yearsand she loved it. This dedicated musical star also dabbled in Shakespeare, and had a leading role in the most notorious Shakespearean production of the post-war generation. Who is the star whose wife-whacking was also based on the Bard, and what was his big Shakespearean coup? 4. This British Shakespearean must have devoutly wished that he was playing in the "M" Play, for which he was justly famous, rather than this musical (starting with a "T") he performed for a season on Broadway. In spite of bad reviews, the show ran six months and has a cult following today. It also has a song title which its young lyricist and composer used to better advantage in their next attraction. Name the star, the show, the composer and lyricist, and the song title. 5. A pop sensation, now married to a starlet as famous for the size of her derriere as for her talent, appeared in a terrible and tasteless musical by a beloved NYC born songwriter. No one was amused. Name the show, composer, star, and buttockacious spouse. 6. The son of a great Hollywood legend, this affable but moderately talented bloke did manage to star in musicals with two great leading ladies of the 1950s and the greatest singer (to many) of the 60s. Name the ladies, the male star, and the trio of musicals involved. 7. Drunken and drugged out behavior forced this international star to cancel many performances of this mega-hit show. When he did show up, though, he was Wonderful. Name the unreliable star and the show. 8. Although his singing voice is often compared to a backed up drainpipe, this wonderful actor received the Tony for appearing (in drag, yet) for a hit musical that is still running. Name the star and the show. 9. There's a legend that this highly talented star had to change his name from Penis van Lesbian IV before he could snare the lead in a famous satirical show about rock singers. Who am I talking about? 10. This actor, while a very young man, shared the Broadway stage with a rising female star and a future First Lady! Soon, he went on to oversee dozens of wives and courtesans. Name him, the show, and his future hit. Answers: 1. Rex Harrison, in My Fair Lady. He is rumored to have treated Julie Andrews deplorably during rehearsals, and farted lustily on an infamous night in the scene where he proclaimed his manners fine (I can't even watch the film version of that scene!). One enchanted evening, Sexy Rexy's wig got lifted by a rising chandelier in the "Ball" scene. Live theatre is wonderful! 2. Straight guys Gene Barry and George Hearn played lovers Georges and Albin in Jerry Herman's blockbusting La Cage Aux Folles based upon the popular film. 3. Alfred Drake, and the show Kiss Me, Kate, based upon The Taming of The Shrew. He also created Curley in Oklahoma!, and starred in Kismet. As for that Shakespeare play, Drake played Claudius opposite the Hamlet of one Richard Burton in 1964now that was a night out! 4. The Shakespearean was Maurice Evans, Tenderloin was the one-season show, Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock (famed later for Fiddler) were the authors. The song title that came back as the heartbreaking first act finale to She Loves Me was "Dear Friend." 5. The show was Capeman, written by Paul Simon. It starred Marc Anthony, who is married to Jennifer "Latush" Lopez. 6. The star was Sydney Chaplin and the gals were Judy Holliday (Bells Are Ringing) Carol Lawrence (Subways Are For Sleeping), and Miss Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl. 7. Sammy Davis, Jr., in Golden Boy. (Also known for Mr. Wonderful) 8. Harvey Fierstein, in Hairspray. 9. Dick van Dyke! Hahahah! 10. Yul Brynner starred in Lute Song, played with Mary Martin and Nancy Davis, who later changed her name to Reagan. Brynner, of course, created the role of King Mongut in The King And I. Kenn Harris is a NYC theatre and music critic and author of the biography of opera diva Renata Tebaldi, and The Ultimate Opera Quiz Book. Kenn is both an opera devotee and big time collector of original cast albums from Broadway and around the world. And he loves to dish. Contact him at kharris106@nyc.rr.com |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 05 May 16, 2008 |