Jerry Herman

Words and Music by Jerry Herman, a documentary about the Broadway composer and writer of Milk and Honey, Hello Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage Aux Folles will air tonight on PBS at 9:30 p.m. Mr. Herman wrote the words and music for some of the greatest Broadway musicals ever mounted and is the winner of two Tony awards, including best composer and lyricist for Hello, Dolly! According to press notes, with his ebullient, optimistic and hummable songs that exemplify the "show tune," Jerry Herman extended the Golden Age of Broadway almost single-handedly, as new generations keep discovering his tuneful, optimistic and deceivingly simple songs. Yet, as Michael Feinstein says, "Jerry has succeeded so well in his mission that people don't give him credit ... because to be simple without being cliche is nearly impossible."  read more »