David Rogers (1927-2013)

David Rogers, who wrote the book and lyrics for the Broadway musical Charlie and Algernon, died June 5 at the age of 85 reports the New York Times.

The 1980 play, based on Daniel Keyes’ “Flowers for Algernon,” was nominated for a Tony for best original score. Charles Strouse wrote the music. (Below — a 30-second TV commercial for the production is archived on YouTube.)

Rogers was attracted to pop culture projects —

[He] wrote plays based on Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” and the 1973 caper film “The Sting”; musical adaptations of “The Hobbit” (music by Allan Jay Friedman) and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (“The Dream on Royal Street,” music by Alan Menken); and original work like “Not for Keeps” and “Even the Shadows Dance.”

Just before he died he finished a book for a musical adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies.

[Thanks to Andrew Porter for the story.]