Headstones (solution)
by Sarah Anderson and Greg Clark
Each headstone’s epitaph describes a character that died in a musical. The number of crosses indexes into their name, and the letters get ordered by start year of the musical (as indicated by the birth date blank).
b. 19
Came back and gave a star as a gift;
The good deed got me to heaven, nice and swift!
The good deed got me to heaven, nice and swift!
BILLY BIGELOW
(Carousel) 1945 -> W
(Carousel) 1945 -> W
b. 19
My fiancee’s mother had a grand plan
That fell through when I went to spy on Japan.
That fell through when I went to spy on Japan.
JOSEPH CABLE
(South Pacific) 1949 -> E
(South Pacific) 1949 -> E
b. 19
I brought my lover to be the royal next bride;
Then I ran away, and somehow I died.
Then I ran away, and somehow I died.
LUN THA
(The King and I) 1951 -> L
(The King and I) 1951 -> L
b. 19
Held the boy hostage, over the river;
I was so bad I made most cops quiver!
I was so bad I made most cops quiver!
BILL SIKES
(Oliver!) 1963 -> L
(Oliver!) 1963 -> L
b. 19
Went on a honeymoon with my new wife;
Fell off a mountain and lost my life.
Fell off a mountain and lost my life.
BEAUREGARD JACKSON PICKETT BURNSIDE
(Mame) 1966 -> E
(Mame) 1966 -> E
b. 19
I was his only son; it was the greatest loss
That they tried and found me guilty, and put me on the cross.
That they tried and found me guilty, and put me on the cross.
JESUS CHRIST
(Jesus Christ Superstar) 1971 -> S
(Jesus Christ Superstar) 1971 -> S
b. 19
The summer night gives three smiles, my friend;
As the third one happened, I went to my end.
As the third one happened, I went to my end.
MADAME ARMFELDT
(A Little Night Music) 1973 -> T
(A Little Night Music) 1973 -> T
b. 19
My wild husband left me here;
Now he’s the name that thousands cheer!
Now he’s the name that thousands cheer!
CHARITY BARNUM
(Barnum) 1980 -> H
(Barnum) 1980 -> H
b. 19
You’ve heard about my memories; don’t mourn.
I’ve been chosen to go to the next layer, and be reborn.
I’ve been chosen to go to the next layer, and be reborn.
GRIZABELLA
(Cats) 1982 -> E
(Cats) 1982 -> E
b. 19
I was a young artist, painting was fun;
But I lost my lover, and died at 31.
But I lost my lover, and died at 31.
GEORGES SEURAT
(Sunday in the Park with George) 1984 -> A
(Sunday in the Park with George) 1984 -> A
b. 19
My poor, tormented daughter caused a scene at the prom;
I stabbed her to save her soul, in a fleeting moment of calm.
I stabbed her to save her soul, in a fleeting moment of calm.
MARGARET WHITE
(Carrie) 1988 -> T
(Carrie) 1988 -> T
b. 19
In the end, Aurora gave me a kiss,
But it’s my cellmate whom I will most miss.
But it’s my cellmate whom I will most miss.
LUIS ALBERTO MOLINA
(Kiss of the Spider Woman) 1993 -> R
(Kiss of the Spider Woman) 1993 -> R
b. 19
Style and rhythm, I had it in spades;
Then I died, a victim of AIDS.
Then I died, a victim of AIDS.
ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD
(Rent) 1996 -> E
(Rent) 1996 -> E
The indexed letters spell WELLES THEATRE. Orson Welles founded the Mercury Theatre and voiced its radio productions, so the final answer is MERCURY.