Charles Strouse is a 2008/2009 Ovation Nominee for Book/Lyrics/Music for an Original Musical for his work MINSKY’S at CTG’s Ahmanson Theatre.

If you’d like to add a congratulatory message for Charles (or any other Nominee or Nominated Company), to the Ovation Awards commemorative poster (distributed to all nominees and all attendees at the Ceremony), click here!

As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked Charles the following questions:

What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?

When I went to see Oklahoma with my mother.

What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?

The direction of Casey Nicholaw, the lyrics of Susan Birkenhead and the book by Bob Martin.

What project or projects are you currently working on?

A play- Symphony Fantastic

What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?

The kindness of staff at the Ahmanson and ebullience of the audience

What’s your dream project?

To write a musical that aspires to deeper music.

Biography: BYE BYE BIRDIE (Tony Award); ALL AMERICAN; GOLDEN BOY (four Tony Nominations); IT’S A BIRD!  IT’S A PLANE!  IT’S SUPERMAN!; APPLAUSE (Tony Award); ANNIE(Tony Award, 2 Grammy Awards); DANCE A LITTLE CLOSER; CHARLIE & ALGERNON (Tony nomination); RAGS (Tony nomination) and NICK & NORA (Tony nomination).  Film: BONNIE & CLYDE, THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN, THE NIGHT THEY RAIDED MINSKY’S and ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN. Television: All In The Family (“Those Were the Days”). Strouse has also written numerous orchestral works, chamber music, piano concertos and opera.  Founder of the ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop in NY.  Winner of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein Awards. Member of the Theater Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  His new musical, MINSKY’S, opened in January 2009 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.   His book, Put On A Happy Face: A Broadway Memoir, was released last summer.

For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!