Charles Strouse

Over the course of an incredibly diverse and successful career, New York-born composer Charles Strouse's musical star has shone very brightly over Broadway, Hollywood, televison, pop and concert music for 45 years. The much-honored Strouse is best known for his legendary Tony-winning Broadway musicals, Bye Bye Birdie (1960), Applause (1970) and Annie (1977). A number of songs from those shows have become tried and true American standards, particularly "Put on a Happy Face" from "Tomorrow" from Annie.

First attracting notice with the 1958 girl group hit, "Born Too Late" by the Poni-tails, Strouse went on to achievement in motion pictures (scores for Bonnie and Clyde and The Night They Raided Minsky's) and TV (the theme from All in the Family, "Those Were the Days"), as well as the theater. In addition to the aforementioned Broadway productions, Strouse musicals also include Golden Boy (which starred Sammy Davis, Jr.); It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman; Dance a Little Closer (with lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner); Charlie & Algernon; Rags and Nick and Nora. An off-Broadway hit, Mayor, for which Strouse wrote musicals and lyrics, was a popular musical look at the life of Mayor Edward I. Koch of New York. Strouse has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. These include induction in to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and the Theatre Hall of Fame. His lifetime of achievement in the theater has been celebrated with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rogers Award and a special honor from The American Theatre Wing.