PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PRODUCERS CIRCLE: BROADWAY MEDIA: "APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE": A SALUTE TO CHARLES STROUSE {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media’s Producers Circle series. This evening honors composer and lyricist Charles Strouse. Host Pat Mitchell offers opening remarks and comments on Strouse’s upcoming memoir, “Put On a Happy Face: A Broadway Memoir.” She then welcomes Strouse to the stage, as well as theater critic Peter Filichia. Later in the evening, Andrea McArdle, who originated the title role in Strouse's "Annie" on Broadway, joins the panel.
The discussion touches on such topics as: Strouse discovering his aptitude for music as a child; receiving a conservatory scholarship at age fifteen; what defines a “Strouse melody”; the “bounce and optimism” of Strouse's songs; his collaborations with lyricist Lee Adams and how they met; the “marriage-like” relationship between a composer and a lyricist; balancing work and a personal life; the unpredictable factors that determine whether a show succeeds or fails; how songs sometimes “live on” even if the musical flops; how Strouse’s music contrasts with current tastes; if songs should “advance the plot” in musicals; "All American" proving to be Strouse's "sophomore jinx" on Broadway; how "Bye Bye Birdie” became an immediate hit on Broadway, despite a negative New York Times review; Strouse’s friendship with -- and erroneous career advice to -- Dick Van Dyke, who originated the role of Albert in "Bye Bye Birdie" on Broadway, and recreated it in the film version; the long-term cultural significance of “Birdie”; Strouse's track record of getting younger audiences interested in theater; Strouse’s work in scoring the film “Bonnie and Clyde,” and his clashes with actor/producer Warren Beatty; his work in scoring the film “The Night They Raided Minsky’s” and the ongoing struggle to create a stage adaptation; his friendship with television producer Norman Lear, who asked that he write the theme song for “All in the Family;” the groundbreaking nature of "All in the Family" and confusion over the theme song’s lyrics; the Broadway show “Applause” and the experience of working with star Lauren Bacall; Bacall’s apprehension about singing onstage; the "monster success" of the musical “Annie,” aided by Martin Charnin's lyrics and Thomas Meehan's book; the process of McArdle being cast as "Annie”; the less-successful 1986 show “Rags” and Strouse’s belief in its “melting pot” music; his love of New York City and songs written on the subject; and an 80th birthday wish to Strouse from the audience.
Clips featuring Strouse’s appearances and work are interspersed throughout the program, including: Strouse accepting the best score award for "Annie" at the 31st Annual Tony Awards (1977); an interview with Strouse and Chita Rivera, who originated the role of Rosie on Broadway in "Bye Bye Birdie," on “Playboy After Dark” (1969); Van Dyke singing "Put on a Happy Face" in the 1963 film version of “Bye Bye Birdie”; Strouse and Sammy Davis, Jr. performing "Stick Around" from “Golden Boy" on "WCBS American Musical Theatre” (1964); Adams discussing his collaborations with Strouse on "WCBS American Musical Theatre" (1965); Strouse performing "Once Upon a Time" from "All American" on “The Song Writers: An Evening With Charles Strouse” (1982); scenes from the 1967 film “Bonnie and Clyde”; Muppet characters singing "Ten Terrific Girls" from “The Night They Raided Minsky’s" on "The Muppet Show" (1979); Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton singing the theme song for the unaired pilot of “All in the Family” (1971), then called “Those Were the Days” (1969); Bacall singing "Welcome to the Theatre" in a TV adaptation of “Applause” (1973); and Reid Shelton, who originated the role of Daddy Warbucks in "Annie," performing with McArdle, who sings "Tomorrow", followed by Danielle Brisebois as Molly and "the orphans" singing "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," followed by Dorothy Loudon as Miss Hannigan, Robert Fitch as Rooster, and Barbara Erwin as Lily singing "Easy Street" on the 31st Annual Tony Awards (1977).
Strouse also performs three of his songs on stage: “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and “NYC,” both from “Annie” and sung with McArdle; and “My City” from 1985's "Mayor: The Musical."
Cataloging of this program has been made possible by Verizon Communications.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: June 2, 2008 Monday 6:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:27:54
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:92320
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Pat Mitchell … Host
- Charles Strouse … Guest
- Peter Filichia … Guest
- Andrea McArdle … Performer
- Lee Adams
- Lauren Bacall
- Warren Beatty
- Danielle Brisebois
- Martin Charnin
- Sammy Davis, Jr.
- Barbara Erwin
- Robert Fitch
- Norman Lear
- Dorothy Loudon
- Thomas Meehan
- Carroll O'Connor
- Chita Rivera
- Reid Shelton
- Jean Stapleton
- Dick Van Dyke