Customer Reviews

Jerry Herman: Poet of the Showtune

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This is without a doubt my favorite composer/lyricist of music. I have every score of Jerrys and I love each and every one. I have read this book 9 times so far, and find him to also be a great writer. Follow him in his own words through his life, he's had quite the life too, being lucky to score Hello Dolly at such a young age. He didn't just get lucky, his music is worthy of the fame of his shows. Mame, La Cage and Dolly are the three most popular, but the scores of Dear World, Grand Tour, Mrs. Santa Clause and especially Mack and Mabel are fantastic.

Jerry is honest with his readers, and talks about his downs as well as the ups. The 1960's, he had 3 hits (Dolly, Mame, Milk and Honey), and in the 1970's, 3 flops in a row, though it was not the scores that defeated these shows but production and management issues. Changes were made before Broadway and Jerry discusses this, but also takes the blame for giving in too much and letting his shows go through changes he didn't feel were right. This was probably his mistake with those shows, not putting his foot down and saying no to the producers and directors.

I really enjoy this book. You'll hear about dinners with Carol Channing, Angela Lansbury, his home on Fire Island and the guests he had there, the terrible months being hospitalized for hepatitis, and also his HIV and he talks about a few of his romances.

I wish the book were updated, because I'd love to hear him talk about the last few years. If you love Broadway, this is a wonderful book written with care and hard to put down.

Let me say first that I am a big fan of Jerry Herman's works. I love his musicals. And that is why I turned with interest to this book.

It is an easy read. It is also an effusive read: Stephen Citron says vry little critical of Mr. Herman. He also goes into in-depth detail on the plot and action of every musical. Much more space is devoted to this than to the backstage developments of how the musical evolved, working with other in the theatre world, etc., and more more space than to Mr. Herman's personal life. It's like a 50s MGM technicular movie: all glossy little depth. Those who would be interested in this book already know the plots and actions of the musicals, and want something more. I was left wanting that "more".

Interesting book about a fascinating composer and lyricist. What a gift for writing...beautiful lyrics that are elegant and yet so very heartfelt. It gave a new insight in Jerry...and also made one more in awe of just how prolific he has been! Great read!