Rags
Closing: August 23, 1986Rags - 1986 Broadway History , Info & More
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by Sidney Paterra - Feb 28, 2026
It’s… Hairspray! BroadwayWorld is taking a look back at what the cast of this beloved musical has been up to since the show first graced the Broadway stage!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 15, 2025
Charles Strouse, 96, the celebrated and multi-award-winning American film, television, and Broadway musical composer, died at his home in New York City on May 15.
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 11, 2022
The Wick Costume Museum has undergone a dramatic high-tech transformation, resulting in a stunning new venue, rechristened The Museum Club at The Wick. The completely renovated space will feature immersive video experiences, historic costume displays, dining, and entertainment. The Gala Grand Opening is Friday, September 16, and includes an intimate concert by Christine Andreas.
by Julie Musbach - Jun 4, 2018
On June 7, 2018, Charles Strouse, the Tony Award-winning composer of Annie, Bye Bye and Applause, and some of the most popular music from the last 60 years of Broadway, film and television, turns 90. To mark the occasion, a year-long celebration of events, including tributes, concerts, revivals and international productions, will take place across the United States and around the world.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 27, 2018
What do Jay-Z, Kobe Bryant, Archie Bunker, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ed Koch, Bart Simpson, Bruce Campbell, Bonnie and Clyde, and J-Lo have in common? The answer: Charles Strouse (and his hit songs)!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2016
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).
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 16, 2015
On Saturday, September 12, 2015, William V. Madison, author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (University Press of Mississippi, 2015), hosted a musical tribute to the late singing actress as part of Metropolitan Room's GONE TOO SOON series, produced by Joseph Macchia. Directed by three-time MAC Award-winner Peter Napolitano, The Music of Madeline Kahn, with music director Jeff Cubeta on piano, featured friends & colleagues of the comic legend, as well as performers who have been inspired by her.
by BWW News Desk - Sep 12, 2015
Tonight, September 12, 2015, William V. Madison, author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (University Press of Mississippi, 2015), will host a musical tribute to the late singing actress as part of Metropolitan Room's GONE TOO SOON series, produced by Joseph Macchia.
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 9, 2015
On Saturday, September 12, 2015, William V. Madison, author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (University Press of Mississippi, 2015), will host a musical tribute to the late singing actress as part of Metropolitan Room's GONE TOO SOON series, produced by Joseph Macchia. Directed by three-time MAC Award-winner Peter Napolitano, The Music of Madeline Kahn, with music director Jeff Cubeta on piano, will feature friends & colleagues of the comic legend, as well as performers who have been inspired by her.
by BWW News Desk - Sep 2, 2015
On Saturday, September 12, 2015, William V. Madison, author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (University Press of Mississippi, 2015), will host a musical tribute to the late singing actress as part of Metropolitan Room's GONE TOO SOON series, produced by Joseph Macchia. Directed by Peter Napolitano, THE MUSIC OF MADELINE KAHN will feature several friends & colleagues of the comic legend, including her co-stars from Richard Rodgers' Two by Two, Walter Willison and Joan Copeland, with Lawrence Leritz, guest star on 'Cosby'. They will be joined by performers from theatre, cabaret & opera who have been inspired by Kahn, including Ann Harada (Avenue Q, "Smash"). Jeff Cubeta serves as music director.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2015
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).
by Nicole Rosky - May 28, 2015
In honor of the 2015 Tony Awards, BroadwayWorld brings you a look back at this year's nominees in previous stage roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theaters. Check out photos below!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2013
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).
by BWW News Desk - Apr 30, 2013
TimeLine Theatre Company, dedicated to presenting plays inspired by history that connect to today's social and political issues, announces that The How and the Why by Sarah Treem (Netflix's House of Cards, HBO's In Treatment), directed by Keira Fromm and starring Janet Ulrich Brooks and Elizabeth Ledo, will be the third production of its 2013-14 season.
by BWW News Desk - Jun 16, 2012
According to The Day, Broadway star Terrence Mann has returned to the University of Connecticut's Connecticut Repertory Theater to participate in its Nutmeg Summer Series. He ends his run as the lead in CRT's Man of La Mancha today, June 16, and is set to direct the theatre's The Pirates of Penzance in July.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2012
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).
by BWW News Desk - Feb 10, 2012
Tennessee Shakespeare Company, the Mid-South's professional classical theatre, features legendary Broadway composer Charles Strouse in performance for its Third Annual Valentine's Gala on Friday, February 10 at 6:00 pm at Germantown Performing Arts Centre.
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 9, 2012
Tennessee Shakespeare Company, the Mid-South's professional classical theatre, features legendary Broadway composer Charles Strouse in performance for its Third Annual Valentine's Gala on Friday, February 10 at 6:00 pm at Germantown Performing Arts Centre.
by Jessica Lewis - May 19, 2011
Writer Damon Runyon invented Broadway - and Broadway invented the American Musical! Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will open its 2011 Nutmeg Summer Series with the classic American musical, Guys and Dolls based on Runyon's comic tales of Broadway running June 2-12 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre (Lower Jorgensen).
by Walter McBride - Dec 22, 2010
As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, two time Tony Award nominee and Broadway favorite Marcia Lewis passed away December 21 in her home in Nashville, Tennessee. The beloved, 72 year old character actress lost a battle to both brain and lung cancer. Lewis is survived by her husband, Fred Bryan.
by Robert Diamond - Dec 21, 2010
Two time Tony Award nominee and Broadway favorite Marcia Lewis passed away on, December 21 in her home in Nashville, Tennessee. The beloved, 72 year old character actress lost a battle to both brain and lung cancer. Lewis is survived by her husband, Fred Bryan.
Broadway Beat has given us a special 'in memory' tribute clip of the star from her 1992 club act at Eighty-Eight's from the Broadway Beat Archives.
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 21, 2010
wo time Tony Award nominee and Broadway favorite Marcia Lewis passed away this morning, December 21 in her home in Nashville. The beloved, 72 year old character actress lost a battle to both brain and lung cancer.
by Eddie Varley - Sep 8, 2008
Audience Rewards and The Drama Bookshop hosted an exclusive discussion and book signing with Charles Strouse, with very special guest interviewer Lin-Manuel Miranda, on Friday, September 5th, at the Drama Bookshop (250 West 40th Street, New York, NY.)
by BWW News Desk - Jul 18, 2008
On July 10th, Barnes & Noble Lincoln Center hosted Legendary Broadway/film/TV composer Charles Strouse (Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, Annie, 'All in the Family,' Bonnie & Clyde) at the piano in conversation with columnist and author Steven Suskin (Playbill, Variety, Second Act Trouble).
Rags History
Other Productions of Rags
| 1986 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 1991 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
| 1996 | London Fringe |
London Revival London Fringe |
| 1999 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
| 2001 | London Fringe |
London Revival London Fringe |
| 2006 | New York |
New York Concert New York |
| 2017 | East Haddam, CT (Regional) |
Goodspeed's Revival East Haddam, CT (Regional) |
Videos