Martin Charnin Headshot

Martin Charnin

Date of Death: July 06, 2019 (84)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Martin Charnin BIO

Martin Charnin is perhaps best known for conceiving, directing, and writing the lyrics for the hit Broadway musical Annie.

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 at the Goodspeed Opera House in 1976. Charnin is credited as creator, lyricist, and director of the show, which then transferred to Broadway for 2,327 performances. He won the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Director and Outstanding Lyrics, as well as the Tony Award 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.

Charnin was artistic director of Showtunes!, a theatre company in Seattle, Washington, that resurrects lesser-known musicals, and celebrates the work of composers such as Richard Rodgers and Irving Berlin.

Martin Charnin Photos

Martin Charnin STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1960
Big Deal

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1959
Waiter

Performer (Standby)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1957
Big Deal

Snowboy (Understudy)

Martin Charnin Productions

 
[West End, 2017]
Lyricist
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2014]
Director and Lyrics
 
[US Tour, 2005]
Director
 
[Regional (US), 2004]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Director
 
[West End, 1998]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Director
 
[Regional (US), 1990]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1978]
Director
 
[US Tour, 1984]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1982]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Director
 
[West End, 1978]
Director
 
[West End, 1978]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1977]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1973]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1968]
Director
 
[New York, 2003]
Director

Writing

Lyricist
Lyricist
Sketches
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Sketches
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Conceiver
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist

Martin Charnin Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Book of a Musical

Martin Charnin, The First

Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Direction of a Musical

Martin Charnin , The First


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1977 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Martin Charnin, Annie


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1977 - Outstanding Lyrics

Martin Charnin, Annie


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1977 - Best Musical

Martin Charnin, Annie

Tony Awards - 1977 - Best Direction of a Musical

Martin Charnin, Annie

Martin Charnin Videos

Martin Charnin News


MEAN GIRLS, AIN'T TOO PROUD And More Announced for Broadway At Pikes Peak Center 2024-25 Season


Discover the exciting new season lineup for the 24-25 Broadway at Pikes Peak Center series.

ANNIE is Coming to the Washington Pavilion This Spring


The Washington Pavilion will present ANNIE! See when and where to catch the performance and learn how to purchase tickets.

ANNIE Added To Broadway In Austin's 24-25 Season


Broadway in Austin has added the iconic musical ANNIE to its 24-25 season lineup. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, & JULIET and More Set for Segerstrom Center for the Arts 24/25 Season


Segerstrom Center for the Arts has unveiled its Broadway lineup for the 2024-25 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Julia Nicole Hunter Comes Home to Tennessee, Playing Grace Farrell in ANNIE


In the world of theater, there exists a sisterhood of women who can count an appearance as an orphan (maybe even THE orphan) in a production of Annie as either their first onstage role or one of their most vivid onstage performances. But for Murfreesboro native Julia Nicole Hunter, who now stars as Grace Farrell in the national touring company of the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical coming to  Tennessee Performing Arts Center this week, her current role as Oliver Warbucks’ faithful assistant marks her first time ever in the show.

How Often Are Musicals Revived with Their Original Director?


This time, the reader question was: How often is a musical revived on Broadway directed by its original director?

SIX, COME FROM AWAY, and More Set For Broadway in Fresno 2024-25 Season


Broadway in Fresno has announced its 2024-2025 Season line-up, featuring the Fresno premieres of SIX, COME FROM AWAY, and TINA – The Tina Turner Musical as well as the return of family favorite ANNIE for an unforgettable season.

WICKED, ANNIE, and More Set For Broadway in Peoria 2024-25 Season


The American Theatre Guild has announced its 24–25 Season for the Peoria Civic Center. The Broadway in Peoria Series will include several Broadway touring productions. Learn more here!

Lied Center Announces BEETLEJUICE, BACK TO THE FUTURE And More for the 2024-2025 Glenn Korff Broadway Series


Back to the Future, Beetlejuice, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Dear Evan Hansen, and a two-week run of huge show yet to be announced will make up the 2024-2025 Glenn Korff Broadway Series! New season packages go on sale to the public on February 27, 2024 at 11am

Spotlight: ANNIE at Charleston Gaillard Center


Annie comes to Charleston, SC

SIX, BEETLEJUICE, and More Headline Broadway in Birmingham 2024-25 Season


Broadway in Birmingham has announced its 2024-2025 season, including Chicago, Annie, Six, Les Miserables, Beetlejuice, and Tina - The Tina Turner Musical.

Interview: Stefanie Londino talks playing Miss Hannigan in ANNIE


By telephone recently from a tour stop in her hometown of New Brunswick, N.J., Londino talked about Miss Hannigan and more.

What Broadway Shows Are On Tour Across North America For The 2024/2025 Season? - A Complete Guide


Looking for a show to see in a city near you? Check out our guide of current and upcoming Broadway tours, and learn about each production.

& JULIET, MJ THE MUSICAL and More Set for Hippodrome Theatre 2024/2025 Broadway Series


The new 2024/2025 Hippodrome Broadway Series has been revealed! See which shows are featured, and learn how to purchase tickets.

ANNIE Comes to the State Theatre New Jersey Next Month


State Theatre New Jersey presents an all-new tour of the iconic Tony® Award-winning musical ANNIE for four performances in February.

ANNIE and STOMP Come to Playhouse Square


Playhouse Square announced that single tickets for the upcoming engagements of ANNIE and STOMP will go on sale Friday, January 12th.

HIROSHI-ME-ME-ME by Natalie Menna to be Presented at Theater for the New City This Month


HIROSHI-ME-ME-ME, written by Natalie Menna, is coming to Theater for the New City this month. Learn how to purchase tickets!

How Often Do Actors Go On to Write Musicals?


This time, the reader question was: What is the history of theatre actors who later wrote musicals as well? 

Review: ANNIE at Shea's Buffalo Theatre


That famed comic strip red head Little Orphan Annie has returned to town just in time to celebrate Christmas in Buffalo. Charles Strouse's blockbuster musical ANNIE is touring the country again and the show will play at Shea's through December 23rd.

Review: ANNIE at Rochester Broadway Theatre League


Though it’s not necessarily a Christmas show in the way that “A Christmas Carol” or “It’s a Wonderful Life” are, “Annie” captures many of the essential elements of the Christmas season: friendship, love, optimism, and hope for the future. There is possibly no more prominent feel-good story than “Annie”, and the touring production currently on stage at Rochester’s West Herr Auditorium Theatre is, as you would expect, heartwarming from top to bottom.

Martin Charnin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Martin Charnin been in?

Martin Charnin has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Martin Charnin been in?

Martin Charnin has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Martin Charnin been nominated for?

Martin Charnin has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "The First" and also received a nomination for Best Direction of a Musical for the same show. Charnin was recognized for his work as Outstanding Director - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Annie" and also received a nomination for Outstanding Lyrics for the same production. "Annie" itself won the award for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, Charnin received a nomination for Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for his work on "Annie".

What awards has Martin Charnin won?

Martin Charnin has won several awards for his work in the Broadway show "Annie." He received the Outstanding Director - Musical award from the Drama Desk Awards, as well as the Outstanding Lyrics award from the same organization. Additionally, "Annie" was recognized as the Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards.

How many shows has Martin Charnin written?

Martin Charnin has written 19 shows including Fallout (Composer/Lyricist), Hot Spot (Lyricist), Zenda (Lyricist), Ballad for a Firing Squad (Lyricist), La Strada (Lyricist), Two By Two (Lyricist), A Celebration of Richard Rodgers (Lyricist), Nash at Nine (Conceiver), Annie (Lyricist), By Strouse (Lyricist), I Remember Mama (Lyricist), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Lyricist), The First (Bookwriter), Upstairs at O'Neals' (Conceiver), The No-Frills Revue (Composer/Lyricist), Annie 2 (Lyricist), Winchell (Lyricist), Annie Warbucks (Lyricist), Robin Hood (Lyricist).

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