Monday, December 31, 2007

The Latest on TV: Jerry's Girls

Although not as prolific as some of his contemporaries, Jerry Herman is widely regarded as one of the best composers of American musical theater. Winner of ten Tony Awards, his Hello, Dolly! is easily one of the greatest musicals ever written, and his Mame and La Cage aux Folles are pretty darn good too.

Herman is the subject of a new documentary, fittingly titled Words and Music by Jerry Herman, that will air on PBS tomorrow night. Chronicling his rise to Broadway fame, the program also features interviews with original Dolly stars Carol Channing and Charles Nelson Reilly, original Mame Angela Lansbury and original Albin/Zaza George Hearn, among others.

And don't worry if the PBS station in your area isn't showing it or you miss it tomorrow, because it will be released on DVD ... the same day. And with such bonus features as Channing and the original Broadway cast performing "Hello, Dolly!" and Ethel Merman singing "Before the Parade Passes By", that may be your best bet after all.

Click here to buy Words and Music by Jerry Hermanon DVD from Amazon.com.
Links via BroadwayWorld.com and Playbill.com.

No comments: