As they arrived at the Recreation Center Ballroom, which had been transformed into a movie theatre lobby, the lively, melodic strains of the tune “That’s Entertainment” provided background music.
Players were attending the first-ever production of the Broadway Playhouse Club’s entertainment trivia show, produced and directed by club members Pamela Monk and Elaine Morrison. A cast and crew of many club members adeptly aided them.
Twenty tables, each seating six team members, held placards assigning their team names. Stylists, Lyricists, Producers, and Directors competed against Emmys, Tonys, and Oscars. The winning teams were rewarded with prizes and bragging rights for their excessive knowledge of all things theatrical.
There were five rounds of questions in categories that included movies, theater, dance, music, and television. Each round had three questions, some multiple choice, and others you know it, or you don’t. There was also a bonus question in each round in which you could wager all or none of your points, depending on the certainty of the answers.
As the players munched on the provided popcorn and candy, they pondered their answers to such questions as “What was the name of Hop-Along Cassidy’s horse?” “Who was the first host of the Tonight Show?” and “Which famous dancer directed the movie Hello Dolly?” They were also asked to name the chipmunks in “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” and their human leader.
The inability to correctly answer some of the questions provided an opportunity for some frustrated responses, including “Where’s the porta potty?” to “We struck out.” and “Go Hawks.”
At the contest’s end, the Composers took top honors, with the Announcers and Stylists coming in at second and third place.
Here is a suggestion … you might want to reread this article to familiarize yourself with the name of the overture that was used as entrance music. A question about it may well be one that will be used when entertainment trivia is held again this spring. Please don’t tell anyone about this tip.
