Charles Strouse, the American composer of such Broadway musicals as Bye Bye Birdie (1960), Applause (1970), and Annie (1977), passed away last Thursday, May 15, at his home in Manhattan. He was 96.
A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Strouse studied composition with Arthur Berger, David Diamond, Aaron Copland, and Nadia Boulanger. It was Boulanger who urged Strouse to cultivate his talent as a composer for the musical theater.
At the end of an interview, Strouse gave a touching impromptu performance of his most iconic hit, Tomorrow from Annie. The song’s lyrics are by Martin Charnin.
Bye Bye Birdie, a comedy which centers around late 1950s Rock and Roll teenage culture and the post-war generation gap, includes hit songs such as Put On a Happy Face. Here is the musical’s dazzling Entr’acte:
Wonderful composer. I knew him a bit in the late 70’s and 80’s when he led the ASCAP Music Theater Workshop. A kind and warm man and very smart. Thanks. You have linked the overture but said it’s the Entr’acte…
Wonderful composer. I knew him a bit in the late 70’s and 80’s when he led the ASCAP Music Theater Workshop. A kind and warm man and very smart. Thanks. You have linked the overture but said it’s the Entr’acte…