HPU 'Puts on a Happy Face' for Charles Strouse Showcase
by Taylor Higgins
"It's a Hard Knock Life." "Tomorrow." "Put on a Happy Face."
If you grew up in the U.S., you can probably sing the music of Charles Strouse forward, backward and with your eyes closed.
Strouse, a Broadway legend best known and cherished
for the classics “Annie” and “Bye Bye Birdie,” will give audience members
a once-in-a-lifetime performance at a showcase this week to celebrate his life
and career on the High Point University stage.
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| Charles Strouse is a three-time Tony winning composer. Photo credit: High Point University |
“Charles Strouse has touched the life of almost every
American in the last half century,” said Scott MacLeod, assistant professor of
music at HPU. “It is a tremendous opportunity for our students, faculty, staff and the
High Point community alike to work with a true legend of the Broadway stage.”
One of the most successful musical theatre composers in
history, Strouse will share personal stories, performances and tributes from
his life and career onstage and in cinema. Tuesday night's performance will also include some of Strouse’s musical theatre scenes
performed by HPU students.
At 85 years old, Strouse has written scores for more than 30 stage musicals, including 14 Broadway productions. He has also composed for five Hollywood films, including “Shrek 2.” A three-time Tony Award winner, two-time Emmy winner and two-time Grammy winner, his song “Those Were the Days” still pilots every episode of “All in the Family.”
With hundreds of productions licensed annually, his musicals are among the most popular of all time, produced by regional, amateur and school groups all over the world.
"When I teach, the students say, 'How can you work three or four years on a show, and then it flops? How do you recover from that?'" Strouse said in a 2008 interview with NPR, a tribute to his 80th birthday. "The only answer is, you've done your best, and it didn't work – what's next?"
At 85 years old, Strouse has written scores for more than 30 stage musicals, including 14 Broadway productions. He has also composed for five Hollywood films, including “Shrek 2.” A three-time Tony Award winner, two-time Emmy winner and two-time Grammy winner, his song “Those Were the Days” still pilots every episode of “All in the Family.”
With hundreds of productions licensed annually, his musicals are among the most popular of all time, produced by regional, amateur and school groups all over the world.
"When I teach, the students say, 'How can you work three or four years on a show, and then it flops? How do you recover from that?'" Strouse said in a 2008 interview with NPR, a tribute to his 80th birthday. "The only answer is, you've done your best, and it didn't work – what's next?"
In
addition to the showcase, the Songwriters Hall of Fame Member and wife
Barbara will be instructing a series of workshops and master classes on
the HPU campus, where they will be offering their expertise to theater
and performance arts students.
According to MacLeod, this is an experience that does not come along every day.
“This is a rare opportunity for students and faculty alike to work with a living legend, and we are so honored to host the Strouses,” MacLeod said. “Charles is a wonderful entertainer and person, and I know that this is going to be an evening that students and community members will remember for years to come.”
Strouse's unlikely journey to HPU began last summer, when he selected junior Ashley Seibeniechen as his intern. In this position, she had the opportunity to assist the acclaimed composer in writing, composing, interviews and workshops.
Seibeniechen then extended an invitation for MacLeod to come visit her in New York and meet the acclaimed legend -- an offer MacLeod could not refuse. Thanks to this union, High Point students and community members alike will have the opportunity to reap from the knowledge and expertise Strouse will share.
According to MacLeod, this is an experience that does not come along every day.
“This is a rare opportunity for students and faculty alike to work with a living legend, and we are so honored to host the Strouses,” MacLeod said. “Charles is a wonderful entertainer and person, and I know that this is going to be an evening that students and community members will remember for years to come.”
Strouse's unlikely journey to HPU began last summer, when he selected junior Ashley Seibeniechen as his intern. In this position, she had the opportunity to assist the acclaimed composer in writing, composing, interviews and workshops.
Seibeniechen then extended an invitation for MacLeod to come visit her in New York and meet the acclaimed legend -- an offer MacLeod could not refuse. Thanks to this union, High Point students and community members alike will have the opportunity to reap from the knowledge and expertise Strouse will share.
"I'm a very lucky man," Strouse said in the same NPR interview. "I love composing. I love it, and if I'm not composing, if I don't have a new project or something, I'm rather at a loss of what to do."
The showcase comes just months before the highly anticipated Hollywood remake of “Annie,” starring Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and Rose Byrne. The comedy-drama, produced by Will Smith and Jay-Z, is the third screen adaptation of Strouse’s 1977 hit.
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