Lee adams lyricist biography books
Literary Mansfield: Lee Adams, Tony Award Winning Lyricist
By 1812Blockhouse
Through our “Literary Mansfield” series, we take occasional looks at the lives and careers of those who have called Mansfield home at some point in their lives, and who have become known locally, regionally, or even nationally as authorst, poets, lyricisits, playwrights, or in other literary fields. Other posts in the series can be found here.
Today’s subject is one of those with a national reputation as well as being a native Mansfielder. And, if you have ever heard and enjoyed songs like “Put On a Happy Face” or “Applause,” you are in his debt.
Lee Adams was born in 1924 and grew up locally, graduating from Mansfield Senior before going on to The Ohio State University and Columbia University. After graduating with his Master’s, Adams worked as a newspaper reporter, a magazine and editor for publications such as Pageant and This Week magazines, and as a radio writer and interviewer.
It was his friendship and collaboration with composer Charles Strause, however, that took Adams to Broadway.
The two joined forces for 1961’s huge hit, “Bye Bye Birdie,” with an original cast featuring Dick Van Dyke, Chita Rivera, and north central Ohioan Paul Lynde. This success led to the lyricist’s first Tony Award.
In 1970, he received his second Tony Award as lyricist for “Applause,” which starred Lauren Bacall — someone with her own Richland County connection. Adams was also nominated for a Tony in 1965 for his work on “Golden Boy.”
His Internet Broadway Database profile listing his work can be found here.
Adams also worked outside of musical theatre. He and Strouse co-wrote “Those Were the Days, “ the theme song of television’s popular “All in the Family” series.
For his work, Adams was made a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.
You can read a 2015 interview with Lee Adams here.
Sources: Wikipedia, Songwriters Hall of Fame; Image – Creative Commons Lice
Lee Adams
American lyricist (born 1924)
For other people named Lee Adams, see Lee Adams (disambiguation).
Lee Richard Adams (born August 14, 1924) is an American lyricist best known for his musical theatre collaboration with Charles Strouse.
Biography
Lee Adams was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on August 14, 1924. He is the son of Dr. Leopold Adams, originally of Stamford, Connecticut, and Florence Ellis (originally Elishack) Adams, originally of Racine, Wisconsin. His family is Jewish. He is a graduate of Mansfield Senior High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio State University and a Master's from Columbia University. While attending Ohio State, he was a brother of the Nu chapter of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. He worked as a journalist for newspaper and magazines. He met Charles Strouse in 1949, and they initially wrote for summer-time revues.
Adams won Tony Awards in 1961 for Bye Bye Birdie, the first Broadway musical he wrote with Strouse, and in 1970 for Applause and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1965 for Golden Boy. In addition, he wrote the lyrics for All American, It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman, Bring Back Birdie, and A Broadway Musical, and the book and lyrics for Ain't Broadway Grand. Additionally, Strouse and Adams co-wrote "Those Were the Days", the opening theme to the TV situation comedyAll in the Family. Adams was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.
Adams and his wife, Dr. Kelly Wood Adams, have lived in Briarcliff Manor, New York since 2007. He has two daughters and three grandchildren. He turned 100 in August 2024.
Nonmusical writing
In addition to his work with lyrics, Adams "had a lifelong fascination with words," which led to his being an editor for the Sunday newspaper magazine supplement This Week and a member of the staff of Pageant magazine.[8] L Lee Richard Adams Mansfield, Ohio, U.S. Lee Richard Adams (born August 14, 1924) is an American lyricist best known for his musical theatre collaboration with Charles Strouse. Born in Mansfield, Ohio, Adams is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Leopold Adams and is a graduate of Mansfield Senior High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio State University and a Master's from Columbia University. Adams won Tony Awards in 1961 for Bye Bye Birdie and in 1970 for Applause and was nominated for a Tony in 1965 for Golden Boy. In addition, he wrote the lyrics for All American, It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman, Bring Back Birdie, and A Broadway Musical, and the book and lyrics for Ain't Broadway Grand. Additionally, Charles Strouse and Adams co-wrote "Those Were the Days", the opening theme to the TV situation comedy All in the Family. Adams was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989. Adams and his wife have lived in Briarcliff Manor, New York since the early 2000s and has a daughter and granddaughter. In addition to his work with lyrics, Adams "had a lifelong fascination with words," which led to his being an editor for the Sunday newspaper magazine supplement This Week and a member of the staff of Pageant magazine. Linda Lavin Dead at 87: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Broadway Icon See full article at FandomWire Linda Lavin, Busy Broadway Actress and Star of TV’s ‘Alice,’ Dies at 87 See full article at The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News June Walker Rogers, Br Personal details Born
August 14, 1924(1924-08-14) (age 100)Residence Briarcliff Manor, New York Occupation Writer, librettist Biography[]
Non-musical writing[]
Works[]
References[]
Known to millions for her unforgettable portrayal of Alice on the beloved CBSsitcom, she was far more than just the face behind a diner waitress.
Linda Lavin in The Back-up Plan(2010) | Credit: CBS Films
From musicals like A Family Affairto the quirky, It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman, Lavin brought an energy to the stage that was impossible to ignore. She was a true chameleon, a woman who could transition from drama to comedy without breaking a sweat.
As we bid farewell to the legendary star who passed away at 87, let...
Lavin died unexpectedly in Los Angeles of complications from recently discovered lung cancer, her rep told The Hollywood Reporter.
Hal Princegave Lavin her first big break, pulling her out of the chorus and giving her a speaking part on Broadway in 1962, and she worked twice with Neil Simon, earning the first of her six career Tony nominations for playing the sexpot Elaine in 1970’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers and then winning in 1987 for her turn as the strong-willed Kate in Broadway Bound.
A native of Maine, Lavin had recurred as feisty Det. Janice Wentworth on the first two seasons of ABC’s Barney Millerwhen she was hired in 1976 to topline Alice, created by Robert Getchell.