Stepping Out

A salute to Jerry Herman

Celebrating the genius of the iconic composer at the Madison Theatre

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The best of musical theater is showcased next week when some Broadway’s leading performers combine their talents in the dynamic, original musical revue, “Jerry Herman on Broadway.”
It will be a spirited evening devoted to the celebrated lyricist when an intimate group of nine vocalists, including aspiring student performers, gather together to highlight Herman’s vast songbook, next Saturday, Nov. 14.
Herman’s musicals are described as “buoyant and delicious,” confections that touch people long after they see his shows. “I write for a mass audience,” Herman once told the Washington Post. “I write for people, for a smiling public...I don’t think there’s anything more gratifying in my business than to know the work will go on after I’m not here anymore. Because I don’t write for 1964, or for 1997. I write songs that I hope will still be hummed years from now.”
And indeed the Madison Theatre audience will be humming, as the cast belts out the many classic Herman tunes, accompanied by the stirring sounds of the South Shore South Symphony Orchestra.
“We had previously done very well with similar shows, as part of our Pops Concert Series — Rodgers and Hammerstein, Henry Mancini and Marvin Hamlisch,” says Angelo Fraboni, the Madison Theatre’s artistic director. “This is terrific classic Broadway, from “Mame” to “Hello Dolly” and “La Cage Aux Folles.” Our director Mark York thought this would make a great show.”
York, the music coordinator for Jerry Herman, returns to the Madison Theatre after performing in 2011 Opening Gala, and as guest pianist for the Marvin Hamlisch and Henry Mancini shows. He most recently was seen as Jim Dale’s sidekick-pianist on London’s West End at the Vaudeville Theatre and Off-Broadway in “Just Jim Dale” at the Roundabout Theatre. 
York has assembled a dynamic cast of three acclaimed performers — Klea Blackhurst, Karen Ziemba and Walter Willison — who are joined by six Molloy College students, all sophomores in the CAP21 Theatre Arts program.

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