Jerry Herman’s love affair with musical theatre began as a very young child when his parents took him to see Irving Berlin’s Annie get your Gun. Jerry was so engaged by the musical’s score that when he returned home from the theatre he went straight to the piano and was able to play some of the songs from the show.
Knowing that he wanted to be a songwriter, Jerry Herman could not have asked for a better master teacher than Irving Berlin. Mr.Berlin’s influence is clearly evident when you listen to the songs of Jerry Herman. Like Mr.Berlin, Jerry’s songs couple deeply heartfelt lyrics with gorgeous strong melodies. They go straight to the listener’s ear with a heft of emotion and sincerity. This accounts for the love affair that audiences have with the music and lyrics of Jerry Herman.
This evening’s concert features many of those Jerry Herman classics that are certain to have you beaming with the recognition of meeting an old friend. These will be the songs from his biggest hit musicals: Hello, Dolly!; Mame; and La Cage Aux Folles. We also wanted to possibly introduce you to a few songs from musicals you may not have seen: Dear World; Milk and Honey; Mack and Mabel; and The Grand Tour.
All these shows represent the golden legacy that account for the durability and timeless quality of Jerry’s enormous catalogue of songs. These shows and songs have earned Jerry virtually every award imaginable: Tonys’ Grammys; the Richard Rodgers Award; the Johnny Mercer Award; the Oscar Hammerstein Award; and the richly deserved Kennedy Center Honors.
I have known Jerry Herman for over 30 years. I can tell you for a fact that the joy and love that is in his musical legacy is also in the man himself. His musical genius and his stature as one of the most beloved Broadway icons is what we are celebrating this evening!
Michael A. Kerker
(Associate Producer)
