Three-time Tony Award-winning songwriter (Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, Annie) Charles Strouse remembered attending shows at an early age with his parents and being awestruck with all the glamour. The composer of "Put on a Happy Face" (from Bye Bye Birdie), "A Lot of Living to Do," and "Once Upon a Time" enjoyed success on both the stage and screen. He co-wrote the opening theme for Norman Lear's 1970s TV sitcom All in the Family titled "Those Were the Days." Some of his collaborators included Lee Adams, Alan Jay Lerner, Martin Charnin, and Sammy Cahn.
He received a degree in co...