Charles Strouse Extravaganza

[Maryann]

Posted: 5/13/04 at 3:20pm

Was anyone else at Monday's Charles Strouse salute at Merkin Hall. wow what a show.


What a weekend! First the glorious production of BYE BYE BIRDIE at City Center, and then Monday night at Merkin Concert Hall - as part of BROADWAY CLOSE UP - "CHARLES STROUSE: 'WELCOME TO THE THEATRE' an all star salute to him.

It opened with Penny Fuller as singing from APPLAUSE "Welcome to the Theatre" having played Eve Harrington in that production many years back, on Broadway, what a grand way to open the show, She then took on the hosting duties - "How Lovely to Be A Woman'" was sung by Jeff Loeffelhotz dressed as one and to end it pulling off the wig, - followed by Nora Mae Lyng - with "Kid" done straight.

Lyrics by Lee Adams - Out came Anita Gillette, who 45 years ago played the ingenue in ALL AMERICAN directed by Josh Logan and told tales of him.... she opened with "Night Life" which she sang in the show 4, in a nighties and fuzzy slippers and then when into a song she never got to sing in the show and loved "Once Upon A Time" Listening to those lyrics it is so today, and a tear Jerker. She sang beautifully as ever, and who would think all those years went by. From IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S SUPERMAN, Laura Marie Duncan - "You've Got Possibilities" and from GOLDEN BOY - Jerry Dixon sang "Night Song" beautifully. Ending with two more songs from APPLAUSE - "One of a Kind" a duet with Maree Johnson (a talented lady from OZ who is now living here) and as last minute replacement Tom Andersen who fit the bill 100% and the two were magic together. Penny Fuller returned to sing "ONE HALLOWEEN."

Taking Alan Jay Lerners last collaboration before his death, - DANCE A LITTLE CLOSER which sadly closed opening night leaving a bevy of incredible songs - The ensemble singing "Dance a Little Closer", Maree Johnson "Another Life" "Never Would Have Worked" - Jerry Dixon, "There is Always One You Can't Forget. and "No Man is Worth It" sung by Laura Marie Duncan. These were just a few of the beautiful songs written for this show and if you can get the cd from this, it is a gem with Alan's last wife Liz Robertson, Len Cariou, the late George Rose, and Brent Barrett, it is chock full of great stuff.

Act two opened with songs from ANNIE WARBUCKS, the followup to ANNIE with "But You Go On" from about survival and carrying on heartfelt sung by Ann Morrison who has been away from NY for a long time and hopefully back, Rachel York with "Somebody's Gotta Do Something" sung by Jerry Dixon and "Somebody's Gotta Do Somethin" by Rachel York, This too was a flop but the CD is worth its weight in gold. - Ending this segment were three kids fro "The Broadway Kids" singing a medley for the mega hit ANNIE which included "It's a Hard Knock Life", "Tomorrow" and "Maybe."

We heard three wonderful gems from RAGS with words by Steven Schwartz "Blame It On a Summer Night" - Ann Crumb, "Three Sunny Rooms" a flirting duet sung by Nora Mae Lyng and Eddie Korbich, and "Children of the Wing, by Ann - this show too needs to be listened to.

Two songs from NICK AND NORA with lyrics by Richard Maltby "Class" with the heavenly voice of Tom Andersen, and you could hear a pin drop during this entrancing recitiation, followed by "Men" sung by Ann Morrison..

The final part go Charles Strouse out of his seat up to the stage - giving us a tease from his upcoming show with Lee Adams MARTY with Anne Torsiglieri on vocals "My Star" and treating us to the theme of ALL IN THE FAMILY
"Those Were the Days."

The entire cast assembled on stage for the finale which included the audience - "Put on a Happy Face".

It was an evening of evenings and one to remember with the calibre of performers on stage and the beautiful songs.

The only fault, the performers names were not introduced by name, I knew who they all were but did everyone?

A great job was done by the Artistic Director - Sean Hartley (an incredible composer himself, John Znidarsic the director who is also responsible for the montly "Songbook Series" the free concerts at the Donnell Library which introduces us to the further songwriters and gives us a sneak preview of stuff we will and have eventually heard on Broadway, and to the Musical director Richard Danley. I was seated across the aisle from Charles Strouse and watch the pride in his face was worth it's weight in gold.

A grand applause for a grand evening! Thank you. Maryann

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/13/04 at 7:10pm

Would love to hear all the songs he composed for Annie 2 & Nick & Nora plus his scores for The Night They Raided Minsky's & Marty