The Stage

Strouse to make guest appearance at Radio 2 concert to celebrate his 80th

Published Tuesday 15 July 2008 at 15:00 by Matthew Hemley

Annie composer Charles Strouse is to make a special UK appearance later this year, when he attends a concert being held to mark his 80th birthday.

The event is being organised by BBC Radio 2 and will be aired live as part of the broadcaster’s Friday Night is Music Night strand.

It is being held at the Mermaid Theatre on September 19 and will feature music from Strouse’s back catalogue of work, which includes the shows Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and Annie.

The show is being executive produced for Radio 2 by Jodie Keane, who said the station was committed “to celebrating exciting and original musical talent”.

She added: “Charles Strouse is very firmly in this category. He is a gifted composer and I’m delighted to be producing the show which celebrates the varied and timeless work of the great man, and in so doing, rightly pays tribute to the life and times of a Broadway legend.”

A full line-up of artists has yet to be confirmed, but Strouse’s scores will be performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, led by Martin Yates.

Yates conducted the original Broadway cast recording of Strouse’s Nick and Nora and said: “Every one of Charles’ scores is alive with great songs, beautifully crafted melodies and all of them are highly individual. I am looking forward with great joy to conducting the music of this most brilliant Broadway legend.”