Sunday, March 17, 2013

160 Quiz Answer


The answer to this week’s quiz question is “Chicago,” the longest-running American musical in Broadway history; in its film version it was an Academy Award-winner.

The character who inspired my little scenelet was a good-natured but simple husband, known as “Mr. Cellophane,” whom nobody pays attention to.  In fact, he spends most of the play trying to make his wife, Roxie, take interest in him or even acknowledge his existence. 


(Also for Three-Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "J" is for "Jeffrey")
Here’s this week’s Berownial quiz question.  I wrote the following scenelet, which may possibly suggest to you a famous American musical, a smash hit on the stage and on the screen.

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is: name the musical.

(Here's an iconic scene: the office of a psychoanalyst.)
Dr. Holzmann:  “Just sit back and relax.  No, we don’t use the couch; that’s an old cliche about psychoanalysis.”

Jeffrey:  “I guess it’s another old cliché that some patients don’t quite know why they’re in a psychoanalyst’s office, because I’m afraid that’s my case.”

“Well, obviously something has been bothering you.”

“You think you can cure me?”

“Ah, well, as you may know that’s terminology we don’t use.  No, I won’t ‘cure’ you.  Together we can discuss possible problems and perhaps I can create some insight for you so you can work toward resolution of the problems.”

“Actually, I guess I’m here mostly because of my – er - situation.   You see, it’s out there, always.  It makes me edgy, bothers me all the time.”

“Okay.  Let’s start with that.”

“I don’t know quite how to describe it.”

“The letter you wrote seemed to indicate that you’re upset that you’re not more successful in life, that you should be more important, more respected.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s one way of putting it.  But it’s more fundamental.  Way back when I was a kid I was never lithe and lively; I was always off to one side, never taking part in the games, or the parties, that other kids enjoyed.”

“And the other kids made fun of you?  Taunting?  That kind of thing happens a lot.”

“No, it’s even more basic than that.  The problem was, not that they made fun of me; they just didn’t care.  They seemed not to know I was there.”

“But surely now that you’re a grown man you can forget about such things; it was all so long ago.”

“But it’s the same today!  That’s the real problem.  I’m forty-three years old and it’s not that folks give me a hard time.  They just don’t care.  That’s why I keep thinking about cellophane.”

“I don’t – I don’t make the connection.”

“Well, when I was a kid cellophane was kind of new to me.  I had a big sheet of it at home and I thought they should have named me after it – because everybody seemed to look right through me, just as you can look through cellophane, as though I wasn’t there.”

“That’s interesting.”

“And that’s my life today!  People walk right by me and never seem to know I’m there.”

(Also submitted to Sunday Scribblings)


 


 

33 comments:

DCW said...

It seems a toss-up between Tommy and Stop the World - I Want to Get Off.

I'll go with the former.

Tess Kincaid said...

Wild guess...Brigadoon?

naturgesetz said...

This isn't a guess, but I wanted to share that when I got to the part about not joining in games I thought of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." It's not a musical, though, as far as I know. I'm not really familiar with too many musicals, so I'll probably have to take a pass this time.

Kathe W. said...

I am totally stumped! Happy St Patricks Day!

Roger Owen Green said...

Chicago. And I GOT it BEFORE the extra clue. Cellophane was key...

Old Egg said...

This sounds like "Chicago" and the husband is of course the Cellophane man.

Josie Two Shoes said...

I do not know the answer, but have a feeling when you tell us, I will know the musical... my memory recall appears to be mush these days!

Berowne said...

I'm pleased to report that there's a tunnel at the end of the light. In other words, we have a couple of winners: both Old Egg and Roger Owen Green have coughed up the correct answer.

Wayne Pitchko said...

without any answers....it is alllll about the ????....thanks for this

Sharp Little Pencil said...

Berowne, too bad you used the WORD "cellophane" instead of "shrink wrap," because this screamed CHICAGO. I like your use of a secondary character. Thanks, hon! Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.com/2013/03/18/life-cycling/

Berowne said...

Sharp Little Pencil proves she is a SHARP little pencil; she gave us the right answer.

Anonymous said...

Haven't got a clue. But I never watch musicals.

21 Wits said...

Ah, your added clues work! Chicago (musical) and dear Mr. Cellophane!

Kathe W. said...

thanks for the hints- it's Chicago!!!

Altonian said...

From the point of view of performance success, I can only think of 'The Phantom of the opera', but that didn't win an oscar. So if it isn't that, I don't know.

Berowne said...

Kathe W and Karen S have also given us the right answer. Congrats

Altonian said...

I'm annoyed with myself - you clearly said American musical, and P.O.T.O. is British. Fool, Leigh!
In that case my second attempt must be CHICAGO!

Berowne said...

Altonian has thought it over and on second thought has come up with the correct answer. Congratulations...

Lyn said...

Longest, plus Academy? How about "Chicago"? And Roxie? Say yes, please!!

Sharp Little Pencil said...

Wow, I'm honored that I was the first to answer correctly. I actually have seen the original, "Roxie Hart," starring Ginger Rogers. Pales in comparison to the visual and musical feast created by Bob Fosse and the songwriters, Kander and Ebb. Thanks, Berowne! Amy

George S Batty said...

late this week but I'lltake a shot at "Chicago"

Berowne said...

Lyn, as we knew she would, has the correct answer, as does gsb. Congrats, both!

Ginny Brannan said...

Am really not too good at such things, but my guess would be "Chicago."

Leslie: said...

All I can think of is "The Invisible Man."

Leslie
abcw team

Berowne said...

Ginny Brannan say she's "not too good at such things," but came up with the right answer anyway.

kaykuala said...

Chicago the Musical - just a wild shot, Berowne!

Hank

Berowne said...

News flash: kaykuala has just come up with the right answer. Who's next?

Jae Rose said...

Crikey this is a hard one..i just love the scene as it is - almost don't need to know the connection..The invisible man is all that springs to mind..not sure if that was a play originally - if it was i guess it would be hard to produce! or easy as one less actual actor required..

Sheilagh Lee said...

I haven't a clue

izzy said...

Oooh how about the invisible rabbit?
Harold ? No that wasn't a musical- but I love the scenes w/ Teddy Roosevelt- Poison ---Ummm- Jimmy Stewart ! I do believe & Cyanide!

Reader Wil said...

I have not the foggiest idea! It looks interesting though. But then again I don't know many American musicals .
You write well!
Wil, ABCW Team.

Silent Otto said...

I would have said - " Life is Beautiful"- sorry im late !

Tumblewords: said...

I fit right in, it feels.

 
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