Theater News

Thomas Meehan, Martin Charnin, Charles Strouse to Be Honored at Goodspeed Gala

Martin Charnin
(© Tristan Fuge)
Martin Charnin
(© Tristan Fuge)

Thomas Meehan, Martin Charnin, and Charles Strouse — the original creative team of the musical Annie — will be honored at Goodspeed Musicals’ annual gala, to be held on Saturday, June 4. They will each receive The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in recognition of their extraordinary careers. Conrad John Schuck will emcee the event.

Annie debuted at Goodspeed 35 years ago, and its subsequent Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, Meehan’s book, and Charnin and Strouse’s score.

Meehan also won Tony Awards for co-writing the books of Hairspray and The Producers. Charnin has accumulated numerous awards including multiple Grammys, Emmys, and Drama Desks. Strouse is a multiple Tony winner with credits including scores for Bye Bye Birdie, “It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman”, and Applause.

The Honorary Chair for the gala is Sarah Jessica Parker, who stepped into the role of Annie on Broadway in 1979 and has gone on to international stage and screen stardom. The Honorary Committee will include Andrea McArdle, who originated the role of Annie at the Goodspeed Opera House and on Broadway; theatrical animal trainer William Berloni, who adopted and trained the original Sandy; Ken Billington, lighting designer for the 1997 Broadway revival; Sutton Foster, who appeared in the Broadway revival of Annie in 1997; Freddie Gershon of Music Theater International; Arielle Tepper Madover, Producer for the planned 2012 Broadway revival; James L. Nederlander and James M. Nederlander, Broadway Producers; Wendy Orshan, General Manager for the upcoming 2012 Broadway revival; and Conrad John Schuck, who made his Broadway debut as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks opposite Sarah Jessica Parker in 1979.

Tickets start at $500. To purchase, or for more information, call 860-873-8664, extension 367.