Mel Brooks, Andrea McArdle, Andy Karl, More Celebrate Life of Thomas Meehan, Tony-Winning Writer of Annie

The Broadway community celebrates the life of Thomas Meehan, who passed away in August 2017 at the age of 88, on November 5 at 2 PM at the St. James Theatre.

The celebration, which is open to the public, is hosted by Martin Charnin, co-creator, lyricist, and original director of Annie.

The memorial is scheduled to include appearances by Annie composer Charles Strouse, its original star Andrea McArdle, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (with whom he wrote the musical adaptation of Rocky), Andy Karl, Margo Seibert, Maury Yeston, Jack O’Brien, Marc Shaiman, Alton Fitzgerald White, Mara Davi, Jill Paice, Alexandra Socha, Annabelle Wachtel, Susan Stroman, and Mel Brooks; Mr. Meehan co-wrote the books for The Producers and Young Frankenstein—as well as the screenplay for the film Spaceballs—with the latter.

Meehan was among the most prolific and successful book writers in Broadway musical history. He holds the distinction of being the only writer to have written three Broadway shows that ran more than 2,000 performances each, winning the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Annie (1977), The Producers (2001, shared with Brooks), and for Hairspray (2002, shared with Mark O’Donnell).

From Annie to Hairspray: Look Back at Thomas Meehan’s Contributions to Broadway

HR - Annie (Broadway 1977) - Reid Shelton, Andrea McArdle — From Annie to Hairspray: Look Back at Thomas Meehan’s Contributions to Broadway

The three-time Tony Award winner passed away at 88.
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Annie Full Playbill - September 1977 — Annie Full Playbill

Andrea McArdle, Sandy and Reid Shelton in <I>Annie</I>. 1979, Alvin Theatre. — Andrea McArdle, Sandy and Reid Shelton in *Annie*. 1979, Alvin Theatre.

I Remember Mama Playbill - May 1979 — I Remember Mama

I_Remember_Mama_Production_Photo_Liv-Ullmann_HR= — Liv Ullmann in *I Remember Mama*

I_Remember_Mama_Production_Photo_Liv Ullmann 1_HR — Liv Ullmann in *I Remember Mama*

Ain't Broadway Grand Playbill - Opening Night, April 1994 — Ain't Broadway Grand Playbill

Ain't_Broadway_Grand_Production_Photo_1993_Broadway_Gerry Vichi_Debbie Shapiro_Gravitte_HR — Gerry Vichi and Debbie Shapiro Gravitte in *Ain't Broadway Grand*

Ain't_Broadway_Grand_Production_Photo_1993_Broadway_Maureen McNamara_Mike Burstyn_Debbie Shapiro Gravitte_Gerry Vichi_HR — Maureen McNamara, Mike Burstyn, Debbie Shapiro Gravitte, and Gerry Vichi in *Ain't Broadway Grand*

Merwin Goldsmith

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in The Producers HR — Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in *The Producers*

Paul Kolnik

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in <i>The Producers</i>. HR — Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in *The Producers*.

Paul Kolnik

Hairspray Playbill - Opening Night, July 2002

HR - Harvey Fierstein in Hairspray — Harvey Fierstein in *Hairspray*.

Paul Kolnik

Matthew Morrison in Hairspray hr — Matthew Morrison in *Hairspray*

Paul Kolnik

Bombay Dreams Playbill - Opening Night, March 2004 — Bombay Dreams Playbill

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