An Evening with Jerry Herman

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An Evening with Jerry Herman
An Evening with Jerry Herman playbill.jpg
Playbill from the Broadway production
Music Jerry Herman
LyricsJerry Herman
Productions1998 Broadway

An Evening with Jerry Herman is a musical revue of Jerry Herman's work and consists of songs written by him for several of his musicals and anecdotes about Herman's career.

A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932. Though most famous for their visual spectacle, revues frequently satirized contemporary figures, news or literature. Similar to the related subforms of operetta and musical theatre, the revue art form brings together music, dance and sketches to create a compelling show. In contrast to these, however, revue does not have an overarching storyline. Rather, a general theme serves as the motto for a loosely-related series of acts that alternate between solo performances and dance ensembles.

Jerry Herman American composer and lyricist

Jerry Herman is an American composer and lyricist, known for his work in Broadway musical theater. He composed the scores for the hit Broadway musicals Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage aux Folles. He has been nominated for the Tony Award five times, and won twice, for Hello, Dolly! and La Cage aux Folles. In 2009, Herman received the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. He is a recipient of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors.

Contents

Productions

The revue ran on Broadway at the Booth Theatre from July 28, 1998 until August 23, 1998, after 13 previews. Directed and choreographed by Lee Roy Reams, it starred Reams, Florence Lacey, and Herman, with Herman also providing piano accompaniment, along with Jered Egan on bass. [1] [2] [3] Herman received a Theatre World Award Special Award.

Broadway theatre class of professional theater presented in New York City, New York, USA

Broadway theatre, also known simply as Broadway, refers to the theatrical performances presented in the 41 professional theatres, each with 500 or more seats located in the Theater District and Lincoln Center along Broadway, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Along with London's West End theatre, Broadway theatre is widely considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English-speaking world.

Booth Theatre New-York theatre

The Booth Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 222 West 45th Street in midtown-Manhattan, New York City.

Lee Roy Reams is an American musical theatre actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, and director.

The show premiered at the Westport Country Playhouse (Connecticut) in July 1997. [4] [5]

Westport Country Playhouse theater in Westport, Connecticut

Westport Country Playhouse, is a not-for-profit regional theater in Westport, Connecticut.

The revue is similar to two 1970s recordings of Herman songs recorded live in concert, one titled Rainbow & Stars: An Evening With Jerry Herman, featuring Karen Morrow, Reams and Herman; [3] [6] and the other titled An Evening With Jerry Herman (1974) featuring Lisa Kirk, Joe Masiell, Carol Dorian and Herman, both available on CD. [7] [8] [9]

Karen Morrow American actress and singer

Karen Morrow is an American singer–actress best known for her work in musical theater. Her honors include an Emmy Award and a Theatre World Award, and an Ovation Award and five Drama-Logue Award nominations.

Lisa Kirk was an American actress and singer noted for her comic talents and rich contralto.

The revue followed a 1985 Broadway revue of Herman's work, titled Jerry's Girls . [3]

<i>Jerrys Girls</i> musical

Jerry's Girls is a musical revue based on the songs of composer/lyricist Jerry Herman.

Songs

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References

  1. Marks, Peter. "Theater Review. Of Song and Dance, Of Life at the Piano" The New York Times, July 29, 1998
  2. Kenrick, John. Review" musicals101.com, accessed December 22, 2016
  3. 1 2 3 Lefkowitz, David; Viagas, Robert. " 'An Evening With Jerry Herman 'Opens July 28 on B'way" PlaYBILL, JULY 28, 1998
  4. Lefkowitz, Davis. "Westport's Hummin' With (Jerry) Herman Through Aug. 2" Playbill, August 1, 1997, accessed December 22, 2016
  5. Klein, Alvin. "Splashy Numbers, Melodies Galore" The New York Times, July 20, 1997
  6. Rainbow & Stars castalbums.org, accessed December 22, 2016
  7. "Jerry Herman recordings" Archived 2008-02-08 at the Wayback Machine jorgeplace.com, accessed December 22, 2016
  8. Mandelbaum, Ken. "Ken Mandelbaum's MUSICALS ON DISC: Jerry Herman on Disc, Part 2" Playbill, July 19, 1998
  9. Ruhlmann, William. An Evening with Jerry Herman (1974) allmusic.com, accessed December 22, 2016