Jerry Herman

Jerry Herman
U.S. federal government · Public domain · source
Name	Jerry Herman
Caption	Herman in 1987
Birth name	Gerald Sheldon Herman
Birth date	10 July 1931
Birth place	New York City, U.S.
Death date	26 December 2019
Death place	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Composer, lyricist
Years active	1954–2019
Known for	''Hello, Dolly!'', ''Mame'', ''La Cage aux Folles''
Awards	Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Grammy Award

Jerry Herman was an American composer and lyricist, celebrated as one of the most successful figures in Broadway musical theatre history. His career, spanning over five decades, was defined by extraordinarily popular and optimistic scores for hit musicals that became cultural touchstones. Herman is best known for crafting the iconic scores for ''Hello, Dolly!'', ''Mame'', and ''La Cage aux Folles'', earning multiple major awards including Tony Awards and a Grammy Award. His work is characterized by its memorable melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and an unabashed celebration of life.

Early Life and Education

Gerald Sheldon Herman was born in New York City to musically inclined parents, Ruth and Harry Herman, who operated a Catskill Mountains summer camp. He began studying piano at an early age and was profoundly influenced by attending Broadway productions like ''Annie Get Your Gun'' and ''Gentlemen Prefer Blondes''. Herman attended the University of Miami, where he wrote collegiate musicals, before moving back to New York City to formally pursue a career in theatre. His early professional training included studies at the Parsons School of Design and the New York University School of the Arts.

Career

Herman's first professional production was the Off-Broadway revue I Feel Wonderful in 1954. His Broadway debut came with the milk-themed musical Milk and Honey in 1961, set in the nascent state of Israel. His major breakthrough arrived in 1964 with the colossal success of ''Hello, Dolly!'', starring Carol Channing, which won a then-record ten Tony Awards. He followed this with another major hit, ''Mame'' in 1966, starring Angela Lansbury. After a period of less successful shows like Dear World and Mack & Mabel, Herman triumphantly returned in 1983 with ''La Cage aux Folles'', winning his second Tony Award for Best Original Score. His final Broadway musical was Miss Spectacular, which was produced in Las Vegas.

Major Works

Herman's most significant contributions to the American musical theatre canon are three landmark shows. The score for ''Hello, Dolly!'' features standards like the title song and "Before the Parade Passes By." The music for ''Mame'' includes anthems such as "Mame" and "We Need a Little Christmas." His work on ''La Cage aux Folles'' broke ground as a major mainstream musical with openly gay themes, featuring the defiant anthem "I Am What I Am." Other notable works include the scores for Milk and Honey, Dear World, and the film Mrs. Santa Claus starring Angela Lansbury.

Awards and Legacy

Jerry Herman received numerous accolades, including two Tony Awards for Best Original Score for ''Hello, Dolly!'' and ''La Cage aux Folles''. He also won the Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for La Cage aux Folles. His honors include multiple Drama Desk Awards, a Grammy Award for Hello, Dolly!, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2010. In 2009, the Manhattan Theatre Club produced the revue Jerry's Girls, celebrating his songbook. His legacy endures through frequent revivals of his major works and his induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame.

Personal Life

Jerry Herman was a private individual who was openly gay, though he rarely discussed his personal life in public interviews. His long-time partner was real estate broker Martin Finkelstein. An accomplished interior designer, he maintained residences in Miami, Florida, and Beverly Hills, California. He was a noted philanthropist, particularly supporting HIV/AIDS charities and theatrical organizations. Herman died of pulmonary failure in Miami in 2019, leaving behind a monumental body of work that continues to define the golden age of Broadway musical comedy.

Category:American composers Category:American lyricists Category:American musical theatre composers