Charlie and Algernon
Musical, Based on the book by Daniel Keyes. Book and lyrics by David Rogers. Music by Charles Strouse.
Opened Helen Hayes Theatre September 14, 1980 (17 perfs)
Called "Flowers for Algernon"
when played in London.
Synopsis
David Rogers has adapted his play Flowers for Algernon for the musical stage and it includes the glorious melodies of Charles Strouse.
Charlie Gordon, a man with the mind of a child, is given innovative surgery. His intelligence increases to genius level paralleling that of Algernon, a lab mouse, who has had the operation earlier. The interweaving of the fate of the man and the mouse and the love that grows between Charlie and his teacher Alice Kinnian make a most unusual, intelligent and romantic musical.
The songs, as varied and exciting as the story, include: the enchanting love song, 'Whatever Time There Is"; the skylarking "Hey, Look at Me!"; the brilliant "The Maze"; the literate "Reading"; and a vaudeville turn in which Charlie appears to dance with the mouse. The original Broadway and London orchestrations are by Phil J. Lang and are scored for an orchestra of nine. The scenery requires small, fragmentary sets and is easy to create. Please treat yourself by listening to the cast album. You and your cast will know why you should give very serious consideration to this warm and wonderful show.
Cast:
Area staging. Orchestration available.5m., 4w., 1 child.
Musical Numbers:
- Charlie
- Charlie and Algernon
- Dream Safe With Me
- Everything Was Perfect
- Have I the Right
- Hey Look At Me
- His Name Is Charlie Gordon
- I Really Love You
- Jelly Donuts and Chocolate Cake
- The Maze
- Midnight Riding
- No Surprises
- Not Another Day Like This
- Now
- Our Boy Charlie
- Reading
- Some Bright Morning
- Somebody New
- Whatever Time There Is