While there are numerous DVDs featuring concerts celebrating master Broadway tunesmith Jerry Herman, this 90-minute PBS-aired documentary offers something more: both a biography and a critical assessment of his shows—misses as well as hits. Beginning with footage of Herman returning after many years to his childhood home in Jersey City, filmmaker Amber Edwards' Words and Music by Jerry Herman draws on stills and other archival material to cover his early life, college years, and the start of his career. In wide-ranging interviews, Herman talks about both his compositional technique and his private life, while performers (Angela Lansbury, Charles Nelson Reilly, Phyllis Newman, and George Hearn), collaborators (Arthur Laurents), and theatre historians share anecdotes and observations about his work. The film looks at each show, from Milk and Honey (1961) through La Cage aux Folles (1983)—and not just the smashes such as Hello, Dolly! (1964) and Mame (1966), but the heartbreakers Dear World (1969) and Mack and Mabel (1974), as well—offering shrewd analyses of their strengths and weaknesses, plus some precious archival film of actual performances. And the closing scenes of Herman ebulliently rehearsing young singers prove that his enthusiasm hasn't dimmed. DVD extras include television footage of the title number from Hello, Dolly! performed by Carol Channing and the company at the 1965 inaugural festivities for President Lyndon Johnson, a filmed number from Herman's 1955 college musical Dancin' Shoes, and a television clip of Ethel Merman singing a song from Hello, Dolly! with Herman accompanying on piano. Much more than mere panegyric, this is a fine biographical profile that should appeal to musical theatre buffs. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Words and Music by Jerry Herman
(2007) 90 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.95 w/PPR). PBS Video. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-7936-9381-0. Volume 23, Issue 3
Words and Music by Jerry Herman
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