Charles Strouse in the House
The other day, I woke up and found myself humming songs from Annie (it may have had something to do with the use of “Tomorrow” in an insurance commercial), and realized that I adore so many of his melodies. Though he has had an up-and-down career on Broadway, his music is always infectious and the highlight of a show. I spent the better part of the day singing his songs while I cleaned the house, and then asked my readers on Twitter what some of their favorite Strouse songs are. I enjoyed listening to the ones you sent me and decided to make up a playlist of my favorite Charles Strouse songs. Hopefully, you will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed yours.
“But You Go On”
Annie Warbucks
Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Annie Warbucks (1993) was the long-awaited sequel to the musical Annie (1977), coming after the disastrous tryout of Annie 2: Miss Hannigan’s Revenge. Annie Warbucks, which played Off-Broadway, continued the story of the plucky orphan whose optimism won over a crotchety millionaire and helped to shape government policy. The finest song in the agreeable score was “But You Go On,” sung by a con-artist hoping to win sympathy (and Daddy Warbucks).
“Lot of Livin’ to Do”
Bye Bye Birdie
Lyrics by Lee Adams
My first professional acting job was in a summer stock production of Bye Bye Birdie, playing Harvey Johnson in the chorus, so I have a deep affection for this ditty. “Lot of Livin’ to Do” is a vibrant song, full of youthful energy. Sung by a pack of awestruck teens who are following their teen idol Conrad Birdie for a night on the town, the exuberant number personifies what it means to be young and looking for life.
“Dance a Little Closer”
Dance a Little Closer
Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
A very short run on Broadway aside, Dance a Little Closer (1983) was a musical adaption of the popular play Idiot’s Delight that featured a score with much to recommend. On the verge of nuclear Armageddon, several guests find themselves held up in the Alpine Barclay Palace Hotel on New Year’s Eve. The musical takes a close look at a handful of characters who are faced with oblivion. The title song, however, is a lovely, intimate number that celebrates the most-wonderful of life’s moments.
“Children of the Wind”
Rags
Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
If you want to get caught up in a melody of epic sweep and lyrics of sheer poetry, “Children of the Wind” from Rags (1986) is a must-listen. Rags tells the story of a handful of immigrants trying to make a life for themselves in the Melting Pot of the New World. It’s the America we grew up being told about, where the “tired, poor, and tempest-tossed” were taking us up on our offer for a chance at a better life. “Children of the Wind” is their anthem. Better yet, take a trip to visit the Goodspeed Opera House this fall for their revival of this powerful and unyielding musical.
“Is There Anything Better Than Dancing?”
Nick & Nora
Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr.
I spent a few years chronicling the creation of this short-lived musical based on the Thin Man stories, a murder mystery solved by the titular couple Nick and Nora Charles. Every article, clipping, photo and review, carefully pasted in a scrapbook. Those of you who remember the Thin Man movies starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, remember the chemistry between this mismatched pair of husband and wife sleuths. “Is There Anything Better Than Dancing?” from Nick & Nora is the couple’s first number together, a lilting and elegantly intimate song that exhibits their playful marriage.
“But Alive”
Applause
Lyrics by Lee Adams
It’s a shame that the musical Applause (1970), based on the Hollywood classic All About Eve, was not permitted to use the phenomenal screenplay from the film as the basis for the musical’s book. Instead, returning to the original short-story, Applause found its buoyancy in its groovy Strouse and Adams score. Margo Channing, an aging star plagued with insecurity, decides to go for a night on the town, ending up at a gay bar where she is celebrated like the worshipped diva that she is. “But Alive” is a song that explodes with thrusting melody and jubilant lyrics.
“Colorful”
Golden Boy
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Clifford Odets play Golden Boy seemed like an unlikely property for becoming a musical, but somehow Strouse and Adams saw the possibilities. With Sammy Davis, Jr. in the lead and the main character becoming an African-American, doors opened for telling an old story in a (then) contemporary way. Golden Boy (1964), for all the possibility that the story of a black boxer in the 1960s could become a laden show, the musical had a sense of humor while still retaining its edge. “Colorful” is a perfect example of a song that is both pointed and laced with levity.
“You’ve Got Possibilities”
It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Raise your hands: how many of you knew that there was a musical based on this comic book hero? Long before Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Strouse and Adams tackled the world of comic books and turned Superman into a musical. It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman (1966) was not a hit, but it certainly yielded some fun songs, none better than “You’ve Got Possibilities.” The song was introduced by Linda Lavin (who would go on to an illustrious career in theatre and television) showing her knack for delicious comedic delivery. The song is the perfect marriage of performer and song.
“Little Girls”
Annie
Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Who hasn’t wanted to play Miss Hannigan (male or female) in a production of Annie (1977)? The syrupy optimism of the title character is offset by the devilishly delightful villains of the piece? The song is a character actress’s dream, a chance to be big, bold, and just a little bit campy, keeping the show in balance. Strouse’s melody conjures a broken woman, teetering on the edge, plotting to rid the world of the chirpy little moppets who terrorize her days and nights. Though I prefer Carol Burnett’s drunken rendition in the film version, Dorothy Loudon is equally madcap in her exasperated one.
“An English Teacher”
Bye Bye Birdie
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Most people know “Put on a Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie, and it is a great song, but I’ve always been more intrigued by “An English Teacher,” the song that sets up the whole premise of the show. Rosie, the long, put-upon assistant to manager and songwriter Albert Peterson is frustrated with his devotion to the music business (which isn’t paying bills) and the star he manages, Conrad Birdie (who is soon to depart for the Army), so she dreams of a life where is an English teacher and she is his happy wife. The song is full of character development, economically giving us a lot of information about her, Albert, and their situation. It also has a catchy melody that sticks with you.
“Rags”
Rags
Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
If “Children of the Wind” is the anthem to America in Rags, the title song is a stirring diatribe against it. Bella, fed up with the New World that her father has dragged her to, relays her frustration to him, citing the myth that is the “Land of the Free” where they are “Free just like everyone else to wear rags.” The song is full of palpable anger and intense emotion. If you have the opportunity, try to listen to the Judy Kuhn and Dick Latessa version of “Rags.” It is guaranteed to make you a fan of the show (and blow your mind with Kuhn’s vocal pyrotechnics.
“Welcome to the Theatre”
Applause
Lyrics by Lee Adams
The world of theatre has its anthems, “Give My Regards to Broadway” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business” come to mind, but for my money, “Welcome to the Theatre” from Applause truly paints the picture. Margo Channing, watching a young upstart usurp her career, sings this number that is equal parts bitter and envious. She welcomes the ingénue to all the things to hate about the theatre, but resolves in the end that “You’ll love it so.” Theatre can be a daunting, disheartening business, but those who have made it their career known that it is worth all the sacrifice.
“Once Upon a Time”
All American
Lyrics by Lee Adams
A much subtler side of Charles Strouse comes through in “Once Upon a Time” from the musical All American. Listen closely as this gentle number quietly unfolds. It is the perfectly understated love song, with a hypnotic melody and enchanting lyric. Though All American (1962), a musical about an immigrant professor who comes to America to teach at a university, didn’t run for very long, the song “Once Upon a Time” became its one standout song.
“Those Were the Days”
From the TV Show All in the Family
Lyrics by Lee Adams
If you grew up in the 1970s, or love classic television, you are aware of the groundbreaking show All in the Family. What you may or may not know is that Charles Strouse and Lee Adams wrote the iconic theme song “Those Were the Days.” Set in the turbulent 1970s, the song found the two lead characters, Archie and Edith Bunker (Caroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton) sitting around a piano and pining for a simpler time. It may not be a showtune, but it is a terrific song.
“Easy Street”
Annie
Lyrics by Martin Charnin
I do love my villains in musicals, especially when three great comedic foils are given such a vulgar and trashy voice. Miss Hannigan, her con-artist brother Rooster, and his lady-friend Lily hatch a scheme to extort money from the millionaire Oliver Warbucks by pretending to be the orphan Annie’s long, lost parents. What fun it is to revel is their song “Easy Street,” a jazzy, bluesy romp where they imagine the fruits of their wickedness.
