Annie: A Theatre Memoir.

First edition of Charnin’s memoir of the creation of Annie, a superb association copy: the lyricist’s own account of the making of the musical, inscribed to its composer. Quarto, original printed wrappers, illustrated with black and white photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in November 1977, the year of the musical’s Broadway premiere, “For Charles—When you write your book—Tell all the stuff I left out. With love and affection—Martin.” The recipient, Charles Strouse, composed the score of Annie to Charnin’s lyrics, the partnership that produced “Tomorrow,” “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” and one of the most beloved scores of the American musical theater. Charnin conceived the musical from Harold Gray’s comic strip Little Orphan Annie and directed the original production, which opened at the Alvin Theatre on April 21, 1977, ran for 2,377 performances, and won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and, for Strouse and Charnin, Best Original Score. The inscription—the lyricist teasing the composer to tell all the stuff he left out—captures the warmth of one of Broadway’s great collaborations in the very season of its triumph. From the collection of Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winning composer Charles Strouse and his wife, choreographer Barbara Siman. Over his 50-year career, Charles Strouse wrote the music for such iconic musical theater hits as Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, and Annie, as well as the theme song for the classic sitcom All in the Family ("Those Were the Days"). His partnership with Martin Charnin on Annie produced one of Broadway's most successful scores ever, with "Tomorrow" and other songs from the production becoming enduring American musical standards admired by generations. His reach knew no genre or generation - from a number-one Billboard hit in 1958 to Jay-Z's Grammy-winning sampling of "It's the Hard-Knock Life" four decades later - and his honors include three Tony Awards and induction into both the Songwriters and Theater Halls of Fame. In near fine condition with slight bumping and a crease to the rear wrapper. An exceptional association copy, uniting the lyricist and composer of Annie.