Sad to report the passing of Martin Charnin, Broadway lyricist and director. My old pal and colleague, Charnin’s daughter, Sasha Charnin Morrison reported the news on Facebook.
“Our father passed away. Martin Charnin lived a very full life. He was watching Family Feud at the end, laughing with Shelly in bed at the hospital. He suffered a minor heart attack on the 3rd and tried to hold on for all us. His strength was astounding. He’s in a painless place, now. Probably looking for Cole Porter and Ira Gershwin.
We adored Daddy and not fully accepting it yet. He loved and lived his best! He was the best father we could have ever imagined. He is survived by his wife, all of his kids and his three grandchildren, several dogs, cats and a kid with no pupils. And as loving as he was has kept all of us completely directionless…. But like he said and as corny as this sounds…the sun’ll will come out tomorrow. Rest In Peace, Daddy. We love you.”
Charnin is best known for conceiving, directing, and writing the lyrics for the hit Broadway musical Annie.
According to BroadwayWorld.com,
Charnin began his career as an actor, playing the role of “Big Deal” in the original production of West Side Story, both on Broadway and on tour.
He then began writing music and lyrics for Off-Broadway and cabaret revues, as well as nightclub performances for the likes of Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson, Leslie Uggams, and more.
His first time writing lyrics for a Broadway musical was Hot Spot in 1963, which starred Judy Holliday.
In the 1970s, Charnin worked in television where he conceived, produced, wrote, and directed, six variety specials. He won an Emmy in 1971 for his work on “Annie, The Woman in the Life of a Man.” He won two primetime Emmy Awards the following year for “S’Wonderful, S’Marvelous, S’Gershwin.”
Charnin’s Broadway directing debut was in 1973, when he conceived and directed the revue Nash at Nine.
Annie premiered in 1976 and Charnin is credited as creator, lyricist, and director of the show, which then transferred to Broadway for 2,327 performances. He won the Tony for Best Original Score.
Charnin went on to direct many U.S. companies of Annie, as well as West End productions, and productions in Australia and Amsterdam. He also directed the 20th anniversary production on Broadway, the 30th anniversary production which toured the U.S. in 2004, and the 2014 national tour.
Following the success of Annie, Charnin wrote lyrics for, and directed, a wide variety of shows and revues on Broadway. For a full list of Charnin’s credits, view his page on BroadwayWorld here.
Martin Charnin was 84.
(via Broadway World)
