Remembering Jerry Herman

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 5:05am

The Tony Award-winning composer who wrote the cheerful, good-natured music and lyrics for such classic shows as “Mame,” “Hello, Dolly!” and “La Cage aux Folles” has died. Jerry Herman was 88.

http://apne.ws/dsZZPj8

https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2019/12/27/535371796/broadway-legend-jerrry-herman-is-dead-at-88

https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2019/12/27/us/ap-us-obit-jerry-herman.html

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-12-27/jerry-herman-the-tony-award-winning-composer-behind-hello-dolly-and-la-cage-aux-folles-has-died-at-age-88

Updated On: 12/27/19 at 05:05 AM

[Gorlois]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 6:05am

He wrote some wonderful musicals which have given so many people much joy. May he rest in peace.

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 6:08am

 

Thank you, Jerry Herman, for the magic you brought to our lives.

[inception]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 6:10am

"Open a new door,
Travel a new highway,
That's never been tried before;
Before you find you're a dull fellow,
Punching the same clock,
Walking the same tight rope
As everyone on the block.
The fellow you ought to be is three dimensional,
Soaking up life down to your toes,
Whenever they say you're slightly unconventional,
Just put your thumb up to your nose.
And show 'em how to dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new song,
Toast with a new vintage,
The fizz doesn't fizz too long.
There's only one way to make the bubbles stay,
Simply travel a new high way,
Dance to a new rhythm,
Open a new window ev'ry day!"

That was Mame's philosophy,  & I'm sure Mr Herman's as well.

Updated On: 12/27/19 at 06:10 AM

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 6:16am

Still my all-time favorite from Hello, Dolly! and brings tears of joy and an ear-to-ear smile to my face every time...

Beneath your parasol the world is all a smile

That makes you feel brand new down to your toes

Get out your feathers, your patent leathers,

Your beads and buckles and bows

For there’s no blue Monday in your Sunday clothes!

 

Why ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’ in ‘Hello, Dolly!’ is making people crazy happy

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/04/21/why-put-on-your-sunday-clothes-in-hello-dolly-is-making-people-crazy-happy/

Updated On: 12/27/19 at 06:16 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 7:18am

Such a gift, to be able to bring joy to so many peopke for so long. A legacy well deserved.

Rest in peace, sir and many thanks.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 7:28am

Rest In Peace, Mr. Herman.

[brdwybound04]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 7:42am

RIP Jerry Herman!!! Your contributions to Broadway and to the world are incomparable! I first became familiar with your songs at age 9 belting out “The Best of Times” at a summer theatre camp. Professionally I saw “La Cafe Aux Folles” on Broadway in 2010 starring Kelsey Grammer; and then twice on tour in 2011! One of my all-time favorite experiences in ALL my theatre going years ever was getting to see “Hello Dolly” starring the legendary Bette Midler & David Hyde-Pierce on Broadway in 2017! I was fortunate enough to return to that production in 2018 on Broadway to see Bernadette Peters & Victor Garber succeed those roles! Furthermore I saw the “Hello Dolly” Tour this April three times with Betty Buckley headlining! I hope the world will get a revival of “Mame” in the near future... the only thing that seems appropriate to say now is “So Long Dearie, So Long...”

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 7:45am

In addition to Mr. Herman’s wonderful contributions to the world of musical theater, he is also inspiring as one of the longest-surviving celebrities who was diagnosed with HIV in the early days of the epidemic. Rest In Peace, sir.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 7:55am

I have an autographed copy of the "Mrs. Santa Claus" CD -- Herman and Lansbury -- and an autographed copy of his memoir. Treasures. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 8:04am

I interviewed Jerry several times for BWW and we became friends. Whenever he was in NYC we:d meet for lunch and laughs. A kinder, sweeter man never walked the face of this earth. Rest in peace, dear friend.

[meredithchandler73]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 8:27am

One of my earliest introductions to Jerry Herman's music was listening to a cassettes (yes, CASSETTES) of MACK AND MABEL and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. (A friend had put them on cassette for me so I could listen on my walkman while I was on the go.) RIP Jerry.

[castlestreet]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 9:05am

RIP Mr. Herman - thank you for the incredible gift of so many wonderful scores - the “simple, hummable showtune” never had a better friend!

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 9:20am

I think this is a perfect video for the occasion...Bea Arthur teases and honors Jerry Herman before singing "The Man in the Moon."

Link

RIP, you brilliant writer, you.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 10:06am

When feeling really low, I had his three joyous finales, “Dolly,” “Mame” and “Best of Times” on a loop that I would let run for an hour.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 10:09am

The first showtime I heard out of context was Daffy Duck Singing We Need A Little Christmas! Hello Dolly is one of my favorite shows just saw it nearly a year ago with Betty Buckley at the Hollywood Pantages. In 2012 I saw La Cage Aux Folles with Christopher Sieber as Albin on tour in Costa Mesa.

[markypoo]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 10:15am

So very fortunate to have been taken to see a preview performance of the original production of Dear World in January 1969.
I was thirteen.

"Take your medicine dear world - and get well soon."

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 10:23am

He brought such joy to many. This time of year we always watch Mrs. Santa Claus at my house starring Angela Lansbury and Terry Mann.

[George in DC]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 11:02am

Thank You Mr. Herman  for making the world a happier place to live. You will truly be missed. Rest in Peace.

Updated On: 12/27/19 at 11:02 AM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 11:55am

To have lost both Carol and Jerry in less than a year is really too much for me to bear.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 12:27pm

The gentleman will live on as a legitimate legend of musical theatre.

Dollypop- what a horrible end of this decade for you.

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 12:48pm

There are no performers listed on the 92nd St Y site, but is there any inside info or rumors about who might be participating in the Jerry Herman Lyrics and Lyricists program? And having never attended one of these, i wonder what's the general caliber of the series?

[AADA81]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 12:54pm

Even the scores to his less successful musicals are wonderful.  Every Herman show I've seen on stage has been invigorating.  A very gifted man.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 1:13pm

A truly, gifted musical genius. When I would feel "low" I would play a Jerry Herman tune. Never failed to lift my spirits and get me out of my funk. His music was life affirming. He will never be forgotten. RIP Jerry Herman. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/27/19 at 1:18pm

CarlosAlberto said: "A truly, gifted musical genius. When I would feel "low" I would play a Jerry Herman tune. Never failed to lift my spirits and get me out of my funk. His music was life affirming. He will never be forgotten. RIP Jerry Herman."

 

I start every morning listening to all or part of any one of my DOLLY recordings. ( I call it my Daily Dose of DOLLY). It sets my day up on a positive note.