Put on a Happy Face: A Broadway Memoir
by Charles Strouse
Book Summary Information
Author: Charles StrouseEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-07-01
ISBN: 1402758898
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: Union Square Press
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9781402758898
- Condition: USED - LIKE NEW
- Notes:
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Book Reviews of Put on a Happy Face: A Broadway Memoir
Book Review: A Slice of Broadway
Summary: 4 Stars
If, like me you are a showholic, this book is a must! It's not often that composers produce a `memoir' but here's a fascinating, gossipy journey down fifty years of Broadway musicals. For, amongst many others, Charles Strouse provided the music for the `60s hits 'Bye, Bye Birdie', the first rock `n roll musical (which confirmed stardom on Dick Van Dyke and Chita Rivera), 'Golden Boy' (for Sammy Davis Jnr); in the `70s 'Applause' (for Lauren Bacall and surely ripe for revival) - and of course, the almighty 'Annie' (with Martin Charnin). He also provided scores for the films 'Bonnie and Clyde' and 'The Night They Raided Minsky's'.
All the agonies of producing a Broadway show from gestation through to opening night are narrated with wit and feeling. Along the way he also punctures a number of legendary egos, whilst having nothing but praise for compatriots such as Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green.
Strouse started as a serious composer before teaming up with Lee Adams, his most regular lyricist. After various small-scale works, they eventually came up with 'Birdie', followed by the college musical 'All American' - starring the legendary dancer Ray Bolger and spawning the standard ballad `Once Upon a Time'. They also wrote 'It's a Bird ... It's a Plane ... It's Superman', though ahead of its time and not a hit, still has a great score.
A string of less successful, but well-crafted shows followed, three of which opened in London: the handsomely mounted ensemble piece 'I And Albert' (based on the life of Queen Victoria) directed in 1972 by John Schlesinger, and a few years later, 'Flowers For Algernon' from the film 'Charly' with a tour de force performance from the pre-Phantom Michael Crawford. There was also a children's opera based on a Hans Andersen tale, 'The Nightingale', at the Lyric Hammersmith in 1982 starring a young Sarah Brightman.
Now eighty, and despite the disappointment of flops such as 'Rags' and 'Nick and Nora'Strouse seems as enthusiastic about composing as ever. Whilst we can't be sure there'll be another Annie, I wouldn't put it past him! Highly recommended! Put on a Happy Face: A Broadway Memoir,
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