Remembering Jerry Herman
We have lost another Broadway great.
Jerry Herman, a famed composer and lyricist, passed away on December 26th, aged 88.
Born in Manhattan, Jerry grew up surrounded by music and theatre. His Broadway debut was a review named From A to Z, collaborating with other newcomers such as Woody Allen and Fred Ebb. His first full-fledged show was Milk and Honey in 1961, a show about American tourists visiting Israel. Jerry went on to write a catalog of successful shows including Hello, Dolly!, Mame, La Cage Aux Folles, Mack & Mabel, and Dear World, with some of these still frequently being revived and produced worldwide. Revues of his work include Jerry’s Girls and An Evening With Jerry Herman.
He is the only composer/lyricist to have 3 productions running on Broadway at the same time – Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and Dear World. He was the first of two composers/lyricists to have shows run for over 1,500 consecutive performances, and has been honoured by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Jerry was the recipient of 3 Tony Awards (Best Score for La Cage, Best Composer/Lyricist for Hello, Dolly!, and a Lifetime Achievement Award), 2 Grammys (Best Score for Mame, and Song of the Year for Hello, Dolly!), was inducted into the NYU Musical Theater Hall of Fame, and is a Kennedy Centre Honoree.
His contribution to the theatre industry is evident, and he will be missed by family, friends, and fans alike.
Watch Jerry’s Kennedy Centre special below.
