By Strouse - 1977 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 9

Going into its third smash year, with over 575 blockbusting performances under her belt, this production of ANNIE, a new incarnation of the 1977 Tony Award®-winning original, continues to be met with standing ovations and effusive reviews!

The Orpheum Theatre Group has announced that the U.S. National Tour of ANNIE, now in its third smash year, will play December 13-18 at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Memphis. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original.

After touring the production to over 100 cities across the nation and recently overseas to Jakarta and Singapore, Troika Entertainment LLC is pleased to announce the casting for the 2016-2017 season.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment presents the first show of its 2016-2017 season, the Los Angeles premiere production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell, musical direction by Dennis Castellano, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Glenn Casale.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that individual tickets for the U.S. National Tour of ANNIE go on sale to the public Friday, September 9.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment will present the first show of its 2016-2017 season, the Los Angeles premiere production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell, musical direction by Dennis Castellano, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Glenn Casale.

History- actual 20th century events and the theatre's own story and legacy - became the joint focus of Maine State Music Theatre's second Peek Behind the Curtain talkback, held on July 7 at the Curtis Memorial Library. The panel examined the characters and forces that formed the basis for MSMT"s thrilling production of Evita, now playing at the Pickard until July 16, and also took several excursions into MSMT's history, which forms the basis of a new retrospective exhibition, MSMT Past, Present, and Future, which serendipitously celebrated a gala opening that same date. Moderated by Broadway World's Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold, the panel featured the three stars of the Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical, Kate Fahrner, Matt Farcher, and Nat Chandler, as well as the Artistic Directors of two of the areas leading theatres, MSMT's own Curt Dale Clark and the Good Theater's Brian P. Allen.

Happy Birthday, Charles Strouse! Strouse's first Broadway musical was the 1960 hit Bye Bye Birdie, with lyrics by Lee Adams, who would become his long time collaborator. Following this was Golden Boy (1964, also with Adams), starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman (1966, based on the popular comic strip) which introduced the song 'You've Got Possibilities' sung by Linda Lavin. In 1970, Applause (starring Lauren Bacall, with book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and lyrics by Adams) won Strouse his second Tony Award. In 1977, Strouse adapted another comic strip for the stage, creating the hit Annie, which garnered him his third Tony Award and two Grammy Awards. Other Strouse musicals include Charlie and Algernon (1979), Dance a Little Closer (1983, with lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner), Rags (1986), Nick & Nora (1993), and An American Tragedy (1995, with lyrics by David Shaber).

Today in 1977, Annie opened at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre), where it ran for 2377 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.

Today in 1997, Annie opened at the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre), where it ran for 239 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre). It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.

According to the Washington Post, the national touring cast of ANNIE got heckled this week at DC's National Theatre. The heckler attended the show Tuesday night, and is said to have yelled, 'That was terrible!' from his seat, following the number 'We'd Like to Thank You Herbert Hoover.' There were no reported reactions from the cast or the other audience members during the incident.

Leapin' lizards! With more than 400 performances under her belt, the new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will play the National Theatre for one week only, March 15 - 20, 2016. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic 1977 Tony Award-winning original.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that the U.S. National Tour of ANNIE, now in its second smash year, returns to the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph) for a limited one-week engagement, November 9-13, 2016. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original.

Leapin' lizards! With more than 400 performances under her belt, the new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will play the National Theatre for one week only, March 15 - 20, 2016. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic 1977 Tony Award-winning original.

BroadwayWorld has just learned that after touring ANNIE to 41 cities across the nation, Troika Entertainment, LLC has announced select new lead cast members for the 2016 leg of the tour.

The new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will play the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Providence tonight, December 29, 2015 - January 3, 2016.

The iconic 1977 Charles Strouse musical ANNIE opened last night at Shea's Buffalo to a large, appreciative audience. After the most recent Broadway revival that failed mostly due to a poor heavy handed directorial concept, Annie's original lyricist, Martin Charnin, chose to direct his version of this new National tour.

The new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will play the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Providence December 29, 2015  - January 3, 2016. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original.

Brooklyn's newly restored Kings Theatre (1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY) will present the all-new U.S. tour of the beloved musical Annie in a limited 16 performance only engagement at the venue this holiday season, December 15 - 27, 2015. Tickets are on sale now. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of Annie is a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original.

Brooklyn's newly restored Kings Theatre (1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY) will present the all-new U.S. tour of the beloved musical Annie in a limited 16 performance only engagement at the venue this holiday season, December 15 - 27, 2015. Tickets are on sale now. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of Annie is a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original.

The Playhouse on Rodney Square will kick off its new Broadway in Wilmington series with the new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE this week, December 1-6, 2015.

The show's lyricist and original director's touring production will be the first major theatre event in Brooklyn's newly restored Kings Theatre.

The Playhouse on Rodney Square will kick off its new Broadway in Wilmington series with the new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE December 1-6, 2015. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production is a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original. Tickets are $40-$90 and may be purchased by calling The Playhouse Box Office at 302.888.0200 or online at ThePlayhouseDE.org. Discounts are available to children ages 12 and under.