Martin Charnin

Date of Death: July 06, 2019 (84)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Martin Charnin BIO

Martin Charnin is perhaps best known for conceiving, directing, and writing the lyrics for the hit Broadway musical Annie.

Charnin began his career as an actor, playing the role of "Big Deal" in the original production of West Side Story, both on Broadway and on tour.

He then began writing music and lyrics for Off-Broadway and cabaret revues, as well as nightclub performances for the likes of Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson, Leslie Uggams, and more.

His first time writing lyrics for a Broadway musical was Hot Spot in 1963, which starred Judy Holliday.

In the 1970s, Charnin worked in television where he conceived, produced, wrote, and directed, six variety specials. He won an Emmy in 1971 for his work on "Annie, The Woman in the Life of a Man." He won two primetime Emmy Awards the following year for "S'Wonderful, S'Marvelous, S'Gershwin."

Charnin's Broadway directing debut was in 1973, when he conceived and directed the revue Nash at Nine.

Annie premiered at the Goodspeed Opera House in 1976. Charnin is credited as creator, lyricist, and director of the show, which then transferred to Broadway for 2,327 performances. He won the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Director and Outstanding Lyrics, as well as the Tony Award for Best Original Score.

Charnin went on to direct many U.S. companies of Annie, as well as West End productions, and productions in Australia and Amsterdam. He also directed the 20th anniversary production on Broadway, the 30th anniversary production which toured the U.S. in 2004, and the 2014 national tour.

Following the success of Annie, Charnin wrote lyrics for, and directed, a wide variety of shows and revues on Broadway. For a full list of Charnin's credits, view his page on BroadwayWorld here.

Charnin was artistic director of Showtunes!, a theatre company in Seattle, Washington, that resurrects lesser-known musicals, and celebrates the work of composers such as Richard Rodgers and Irving Berlin.

Martin Charnin Photos

Martin Charnin STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1960
Big Deal

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1959
Waiter

Performer (Standby)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1957
Big Deal

Snowboy (Understudy)

Martin Charnin Productions

 
[West End, 2017]
Lyricist
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2014]
Director and Lyrics
 
[US Tour, 2005]
Director
 
[Regional (US), 2004]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Director
 
[West End, 1998]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Director
 
[Regional (US), 1990]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1978]
Director
 
[US Tour, 1984]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1982]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Director
 
[West End, 1978]
Director
 
[West End, 1978]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1977]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1973]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1968]
Director
 
[New York, 2003]
Director

Writing

Lyricist
Lyricist
Sketches
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Sketches
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Conceiver
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist

Martin Charnin Videos

Martin Charnin News


WICKED, ANNIE, and More Set For Broadway in Peoria 2024-25 Season

The American Theatre Guild has announced its 24–25 Season for the Peoria Civic Center. The Broadway in Peoria Series will include several Broadway touring productions. Learn more here!

Lied Center Announces BEETLEJUICE, BACK TO THE FUTURE And More for the 2024-2025 Glenn Korff Broadway Series

Back to the Future, Beetlejuice, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Dear Evan Hansen, and a two-week run of huge show yet to be announced will make up the 2024-2025 Glenn Korff Broadway Series! New season packages go on sale to the public on February 27, 2024 at 11am

Spotlight: ANNIE at Charleston Gaillard Center

Annie comes to Charleston, SC

SIX, BEETLEJUICE, and More Headline Broadway in Birmingham 2024-25 Season

Broadway in Birmingham has announced its 2024-2025 season, including Chicago, Annie, Six, Les Miserables, Beetlejuice, and Tina - The Tina Turner Musical.

Interview: Stefanie Londino talks playing Miss Hannigan in ANNIE

By telephone recently from a tour stop in her hometown of New Brunswick, N.J., Londino talked about Miss Hannigan and more.

What Broadway Shows Are On Tour Across North America For The 2024/2025 Season? - A Complete Guide

Looking for a show to see in a city near you? Check out our guide of current and upcoming Broadway tours, and learn about each production.

& JULIET, MJ THE MUSICAL and More Set for Hippodrome Theatre 2024/2025 Broadway Series

The new 2024/2025 Hippodrome Broadway Series has been revealed! See which shows are featured, and learn how to purchase tickets.

ANNIE Comes to the State Theatre New Jersey Next Month

State Theatre New Jersey presents an all-new tour of the iconic Tony® Award-winning musical ANNIE for four performances in February.

ANNIE and STOMP Come to Playhouse Square

Playhouse Square announced that single tickets for the upcoming engagements of ANNIE and STOMP will go on sale Friday, January 12th.

HIROSHI-ME-ME-ME by Natalie Menna to be Presented at Theater for the New City This Month

HIROSHI-ME-ME-ME, written by Natalie Menna, is coming to Theater for the New City this month. Learn how to purchase tickets!

How Often Do Actors Go On to Write Musicals?

This time, the reader question was: What is the history of theatre actors who later wrote musicals as well? 

Review: ANNIE at Shea's Buffalo Theatre

That famed comic strip red head Little Orphan Annie has returned to town just in time to celebrate Christmas in Buffalo. Charles Strouse's blockbuster musical ANNIE is touring the country again and the show will play at Shea's through December 23rd.

Review: ANNIE at Rochester Broadway Theatre League

Though it’s not necessarily a Christmas show in the way that “A Christmas Carol” or “It’s a Wonderful Life” are, “Annie” captures many of the essential elements of the Christmas season: friendship, love, optimism, and hope for the future. There is possibly no more prominent feel-good story than “Annie”, and the touring production currently on stage at Rochester’s West Herr Auditorium Theatre is, as you would expect, heartwarming from top to bottom.

ANNIE National Tour to Play Wilmington's Playhouse on Rodney Square

Leapin’ Lizards!  The Grand will welcome an all-new tour of the iconic Tony Award®-winning musical ANNIE, which will play The Playhouse on Rodney Square. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Musical Classic ANNIE To Play Keller Auditorium, May 14 �" 19, 2024

​​​​​​​Leapin' Lizards!  Broadway in Portland announced today that an all-new tour of the iconic Tony Award-winning musical ANNIE will play Keller Auditorium from May 14 – 19, 2024.

Student Rush And Lucky Seat Tickets Available For ANNIE At Fox Theatre

Get exclusive deals on tickets for ANNIE at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Student Rush and Lucky Seat lottery available. Don't miss this beloved Broadway show!

Review: ANNIE at Folketeatret

The iconic red curls and indomitable spirit of little orphan Annie once again graced the Norwegian stage in a heart-warming production that captured the essence of optimism and resilience. The latest rendition of 'Annie' at the Folketeatret proved to be a delightful and nostalgic journey for both long-time fans and newcomers to this classic musical.

MY FAIR LADY, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and ANNIE Go on Sale This Week at Miller Auditorium

The multiple Tony Award-Winning Lerner & Loewe musical My Fair Lady, the 50th Anniversary Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, and everyone's favorite orphan Annie, all part of Miller's Zhang Broadway in West Michigan Series, will be available to the public beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10.

Review: JOSHUA HENRY - AN EVENING OF BROADWAY AND SOUL at Venetian Room

What did our critic think of JOSHUA HENRY - AN EVENING OF BROADWAY AND SOUL at Venetian Room? Bay Area Cabaret opened its 2023/24 season with Tony-nominated (Carousel, The Scottsboro Boys, Violet) and Grammy Award-winning artist Joshua Henry who presented his take on retro-soul and R&B to an enthusiastic audience.

A Class Act NY Performs ANNIE JR. Next Month

 A Class Act NY, the award-winning acting studio, will present four performances of ANNIE JR in New York City the weekend of November 11 and 12. 

Martin Charnin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Martin Charnin has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

Martin Charnin has not appeared in the West End

Martin Charnin has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "The First" and also received a nomination for Best Direction of a Musical for the same show. Charnin was recognized for his work as Outstanding Director - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Annie" and also received a nomination for Outstanding Lyrics for the same production. "Annie" itself won the award for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, Charnin received a nomination for Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for his work on "Annie".

Martin Charnin has won several awards for his work in the Broadway show "Annie." He received the Outstanding Director - Musical award from the Drama Desk Awards, as well as the Outstanding Lyrics award from the same organization. Additionally, "Annie" was recognized as the Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards.

Martin Charnin has written 19 shows including Fallout (Composer/Lyricist), Hot Spot (Lyricist), Zenda (Lyricist), Ballad for a Firing Squad (Lyricist), La Strada (Lyricist), Two By Two (Lyricist), A Celebration of Richard Rodgers (Lyricist), Nash at Nine (Conceiver), Annie (Lyricist), By Strouse (Lyricist), I Remember Mama (Lyricist), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Lyricist), The First (Bookwriter), Upstairs at O'Neals' (Conceiver), The No-Frills Revue (Composer/Lyricist), Annie 2 (Lyricist), Winchell (Lyricist), Annie Warbucks (Lyricist), Robin Hood (Lyricist).

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