Put on a Happy Face: A Broadway Memoir - Tapa dura

"Charles Strouse is one of the most talented composers ever known to Broadway. His life in music makes for truly wonderful reading."--Mel Brooks (Book writer for "All-American, "1962) "Charles Strouse is an American treasure. "Put on a Happy Face" tells the remarkable story of his amazing life and achievements, with hefty doses of Charles' trademark humor and humility." --Carol Burnett (Miss Hannigan in the film version of "Annie, "1989) "I have vivid and marvelous memories of working with Charles Strouse, first on his revue "By Strouse" and then in the Broadway cast of "Annie." He is a great writer, a completely musical person, and a great teacher."--Sarah Jessica Parker (Annie in the original Broadway run of "Annie," 1979) "Charles is one of the great ones."--Dick Van Dyke (Albert Peterson in the original Broadway run of "Bye Bye Birdie, "1960) "Charles has enriched Broadway and our lives with his remarkable talent."--Chita Rivera (Rose Alvarez in the original Broadway run of "Bye By Charles Strouse is one of the most talented composers ever known to Broadway. His life in music makes for truly wonderful reading. Mel Brooks (Book writer for "All-American, "1962) Charles Strouse is an American treasure. "Put on a Happy Face" tells the remarkable story of his amazing life and achievements, with hefty doses of Charles' trademark humor and humility. Carol Burnett (Miss Hannigan in the film version of "Annie, "1989) I have vivid and marvelous memories of working with Charles Strouse, first on his revue "By Strouse" and then in the Broadway cast of "Annie." He is a great writer, a completely musical person, and a great teacher. Sarah Jessica Parker (Annie in the original Broadway run of "Annie," 1979) Charles is one of the great ones. Dick Van Dyke (Albert Peterson in the original Broadway run of "Bye Bye Birdie, "1960) Charles has enriched Broadway and our lives with his remarkable talent. Chita Rivera (Rose Alvarez in the original Broadway run of "Bye Bye Birdie, "1960) Charles Strouse's music goes down in Broadway history--it's as apple pie as you can get! Vanessa Williams (Rose Alvarez in the television movie "Bye Bye Birdie, "1995)"Strouse's superb backstage memoir deserves a standing ovation."--"Publishers Weekly""[a] lively, highly readable memoir...One finishes the book utterly charmed by the man and his wit. "Booklist""""[F]ull of funny anecdotes [and] juicy gossip [B]eautifully written, funny and touchinga wonderful evocation of a great career." --Howard Kissell, "The Daily News""

This fascinating and witty autobiography is packed with juicy, behind-the-curtain stories. It is a wonderful gift for theatre fans and anyone who loves celebrity gossip. Strouse is a musical-theatre legend who is as entertaining on the page as his work is on the stage!Legendary Hollywood and Broadway composer, Charles Strouse, has composed some of the most successful shows in Broadway history including "Annie" and "Bye Bye Birdie"; has been sampled by one of today's biggest rap stars - Jay-Z, in the Grammy-winning "Hard Knock Life"; and his songs have been sung by musical greats from Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles to Barbra Streisand. "Put on a Happy Face" relates fascinating, behind-the-curtain stories and tells fascinating tales about the people he's met with along the way, including Butterfly McQueen, Sammy Davis Jr., Lauren Bacall, Mel Brooks, Warren Beatty and Carol Burnett. Timed to coincide with public celebrations of Strouse's 80th birthday, this autobiography sparkles with wit and grants an insider's glimpse of Broadway, Hollywood and beyond.