Adolf Green Biography

Adolf Green was born in ‘The Bronx’, New York and his parents Daniel and Helen Weiss Green were Hungarian - Jewish immigrants. He finished his high school studies in 1934. In 1938, he was introduced to Betty Comden, a drama student at New York University by his friends. This incidence paved way to the creation of the longest fifty year partnership in the history of theatre. The couple together formed a troupe and named it ‘Ravuers’ and their first performance was at the Village Vanguard. The members of this troupe comprised of a young comedian Judy Tuvim (name changed to Judy Holliday) and a close friend of Green, Leonard Bernstein who a young talented musician. The performance of this act was highly appreciated by several people and gave them an opportunity to travel towards the west and perform in the movie, Greenwich Village in 1944. This movie starred lead actors Carmen Miranda and Don Ameche, unfortunately, it could not give the troupe its desired breakthrough as the role which the troupe played was too small to be noticed. The road of success and failures were a part of Comden-Green’s career and in 1980 Adolf Green was introduced in the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ and the following year into the ‘American Theatre Hall of Fame’.

Hence, they returned back to New York and worked alongside some musicians in their musicals. They even had a chance to work with Kelly which resulted in the all-time classic project, ‘Singing in the Rain’ which was rated as the ‘best movie musical of all times’ by the ‘American Film Institute’ in 1998. This was followed by another hit ‘The Band Wagon’ and ‘It’s Always Fair Weather’ which was nominated for Oscar twice in 1991, Comden and Green wrote the lyrics of ‘The Will Rogers Follies’ which was a Tony Award winning Broadway success. Adolf Green passes away on 23 October 2002 in Manhattan.

Kennedy Centre Honors, 1991

Tony Award for Best Original Score, 1991

Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (Singin' in the Rain, nominee), 1986

Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (A Doll's Life, nominee), 1983

Tony Award for Best Original Score (A Doll's Life, nominee), 1983

Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (On the Twentieth Century, winner), 1978

Tony Award for Best Original Score (On the Twentieth Century, winner), 1978

Tony Award for Best Musical (Applause, winner), 1970

Tony Award for Best Composer and Lyricist (Hallelujah, Baby!, winner), 1968

Tony Award for Best Musical (Hallelujah, Baby!, winner), 1968

Tony Award for Best Musical (Do Re Mi, nominee), 1961

Tony Award for Best Musical (Bells Are Ringing, nominee), 1957

Tony Award for Best Musical (Wonderful Town, winner), 1953

On the Town

Wonderful Town

Peter Pan

Bells Are Ringing

Singin' in the Rain

The Band Wagon

Subways Are for Sleeping

Fade Out-Fade In

Hallelujah, Baby

Applause

Betty Comden and Adolf Green formed a great team together and successfully carried forward their partnership in the theater industry. This pair also worked in collaboration with Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins in several works.

1914: Adolf Green was born

1938: Introduced to Comden through his friends

1944: Performed in the movie, Greenwich Village

1980: Introduced in the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’

1981: Introduced into 'American Theatre Hall of Fame’

1991: Wrote the lyrics of ‘The Will Rogers Follies

1998: ‘Singing in the Rain’ which was rated as the best movie musical of all times by the ‘American Film Institute’

2002: 23 October, Adolf Green passed away in Manhattan