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PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: "PUT ON A HAPPY FACE": A SALUTE TO CHARLES STROUSE {LONG VERSION}

Summary

One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media’s Paley After Dark series. Held at The Paley Center in Los Angeles, this evening honors composer and lyricist Charles Strouse, whose award-winning works include “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Annie.” Host Rebecca Faez (Director of Administration, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks before introducing moderator Robert Hofler (senior editor, Variety magazine). Hofler briefly outlines his personal experience with Strouse’s works before showing a clip of Strouse winning the Tony Award in 1977 for “Annie.” He then welcomes Strouse to the stage. Actress Bonnie Franklin joins them onstage later in the conversation.

The discussion touches on such topics as: Strouse’s experience studying with composer Aaron Copland as a teenager; how he finds Copland’s work to be unique and “moving”; his own insecurities and reactions to bad reviews of his work; his mother’s depression and eventual hospitalization; his friendship with songwriter Cy Coleman and how Coleman’s confrontation style inspired him; his association with lyricists, including Alan Jay Lerner; his occasional artistic disagreements with different writers; controversial social content in his works, such as racial themes and gay characters, and the hate mail he received in response; the “drastic” changes from his 1960 musical “Bye Bye Birdie” to the 1963 film of the same name; his initial objection to the casting of Ann-Margret as Kim in the film; his dislike of the title (changed from “Let’s Go Steady”) and the title song; his 1962 musical “All American”; a debate about a song-and-dance number immediately following a tense, violent moment in “Golden Boy”; the 1970 musical “Applause” and its altered ending and surprising audience reaction; the reasons behind changing the title of “Applause” from that of its original source, the film “All About Eve”; his work in scoring the 1967 film “Bonnie and Clyde” and a brawl with producer/actor Warren Beatty over a musical disagreement; working with tempestuous playwright Arthur Laurents; his work on the show “All in the Family” and how the opening sequence was inspired by his mother’s piano-playing; Franklin’s memories of performing in “Applause” with Lauren “Betty” Bacall; Strouse’s admiration of Bacall’s assertive, strong personality; Bacall’s fear of singing in public and inexperience with performing music; Franklin’s experience of performing at the Tony Awards; a bad review of “Annie” taken to heart by Strouse and changes made to the show as a result; director Mike Nichols’ involvement and financial investment in “Annie” and Strouse’s desire to credit him; the importance of choosing one theatre venue over another for the show; children’s interest in Strouse’s work; his friendship with eccentric operatic singer Teresa Stratas and her involvement with his 1986 show “Rags”; acquiring a “tough skin” and handling disappointment at unsuccessful productions; his work on the 1968 film “The Night They Raided Minsky’s”; his daughter’s upcoming marriage; the reasons behind the failure of “A Broadway Musical” in 1978; and his experiences in facing challenges and setbacks, including the death of original “Minsky’s” director Mike Ockrent.

Clips featuring Strouse’s work are interspersed throughout the program, including: the 31st Annual Tony Awards (1977); the 24th Annual Tony Awards (1970); the 41st Annual Tony Awards (1987); “Playboy After Dark” (1969); “Bye Bye Birdie” (1963); “Golden Boy WCBS American Musical Theatre” (1964-5); “The Song Writers: An Evening With Charles Strouse” (1982); “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967); “The Night They Raided Minsky’s The Muppet Show” (1979); the unaired pilot of “All in the Family” (1971), then called “Those Were the Days”; “Alice in Wonderland, or What’s A Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This?” (1966); and “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile” (1987).

Strouse also performs a few songs on stage, including: “Put On A Happy Face” from “Bye Bye Birdie”; and “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and “Tomorrow” from “Annie.”

Details

  • NETWORK: N/A
  • DATE: January 26, 2009 6:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:52:02
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:93857
  • GENRE: Seminars
  • SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
  • SERIES RUN: N/A
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Rebecca Faez … Host
  • Robert Hofler … Moderator
  • Charles Strouse … Guest
  • Bonnie Franklin … Guest
  • Ann-Margret
  • Lauren Bacall
  • Warren Beatty
  • Cy Coleman
  • Aaron Copland
  • Alan Jay Lerner
  • Arthur Laurents
  • Mike Nichols
  • Mike Ockrent
  • Teresa Stratas