"An
Evening With Jerry Herman"At the Booth Theatre
Reviewed by David Roberts for
Theatre Reviews Limited
Jerry Herman learned very well from his mother how to entertain: generously
and often! Mr. Herman has entertained us with show after show, from "Milk
and Honey" (1961) to "Jerry's Girls" and a smash revival
of "Mack and Mabel" in England. Jerry Herman has given generously
to theatre audiences through his music and lyrics; now he finds a new
way of sharing his love for musical theatre - in performance! Joined by
his longtime Broadway associates Lee Roy Reams and Florence Lacey, Jerry
Herman gives the audience an evening of near perfection as his career
comes to life with performances of his hit songs along with incredible
and often very funny backstage stories and personal recollections about
the musicals which brought him acclaim and the theatre world so much joy.
Songs from "Milk and Honey" (1961), "Hello, Dolly!"
(1964) and "Mame" (1966) are the focus of the First Act of "An
Evening With Jerry Herman." After some stories about his early professional
relationship with Frank Loesser, Herman accompanies Florence Lacey and
Lee Roy Reams as they sing "Shalom" from "Milk and Honey."
Then more stories, including a story about David Merrick. The sequence
of songs which follow, all from "Hello, Dolly!," provide the
perfect beginning to the song-filled evening. During her singing of "Ribbons
Down My Back," Florence Lacey interacts with grace and charm with
the talented Jered Egan on bass. And the wonderful hilarity which surrounds
the cast's version of "Hello, Dolly!" will leave you grabbing
the arms of your theatre seat for support. Lee Roy Reams' impersonations
of Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, Ethel Merman and Louis Armstrong are
some of the funniest sketches I've seen on stage in a while. Lee Roy Reams
is a multi-talented and very funny performer who is totally comfortable
with himself on stage and, as a result, gives splendid performance after
splendid performance holding back nothing. Reams and Florence Lacey are
both generous and seasoned performers who can not only sell a song but
have a very good time while doing it. Keep your ears and eyes tuned to
Jerry Herman's stories about the often odd use of "Hello, Dolly!"
-- as in the commercial/political songs "Hello, Deli!" and "Hello,
Lyndon (Johnson)!"
There is one show-stopping number
after another in this intimate musical. Herman shares with the audience
his mother's great love of entertaining and recalls the time he came home
as a child and found her "surrounded with hors d'oeuvres." When
he asked her what the occasion was, his mother simply said "because
it's today," the source of the song of the same name from "Mame."
I don't want to give everything away, but I will tell you that of the
two performers who sing "Bosom Buddies," neither is a woman.
The First Act closes with further selections from "Mame." Throughout
this Act and throughout the evening, what gives this musical its strength
and beauty becomes more and more apparent: these people on stage have
a sincere love for the songs they write and sing, a deep love for one
another, and an abiding love for the history of musical theatre. After
the closing number, "Mame," everyone in the audience becomes
aware of and is appreciative of the Auntie Mame that is in all of us.
The Second Act of "An Evening With Jerry Herman" features songs
from "Dear World," "Mack & Mabel," "The Grand
Tour," "La Cage aux folles," and even a song from the 1996
"Mrs. Santa Claus." Highlights of this Act are Lee Roy Reams
singing "I Won't Send Roses," Florence Lacey singing "Time
Heals Everything," and the perfect ensemble work throughout the performance
of the songs from "La Cage aux folles." This cast is so generous.
There is not a self-serving moment in any of the performances. Everyone
on stage serves the song, the craft, the theatre. Watch the bass as he
stays in perfect harmony with Jerry Herman, never taking his eyes off
the man at the piano. When the cast sings "I Am What I Am" and
"The Best of Times" the affirmation from the stage strengthens
the weakest nerve in the audience. When Jerry Herman proclaims that he
intends to "live and love as hard and long" as he knows how,
be prepared for something to touch your spirit and soul in places that
have not been touched for a very, very long time.
"AN EVENING WITH JERRY
HERMAN"
Directed by Lee Roy Reams; set design by Kenneth Foy; lighting design
by Ken Billington; sound design by Peter Fitzgerald; production stage
manager, Jim Semmelman. At the Booth Theatre, 222 West 45th Street between
Broadway and Eighth Avenue. To purchase tickets call 212-239- 6200 or
purchase tickets now from http://www.telecharge.com.
STARRING
Lee Roy Reams, Florence Lacey, and Jerry Herman with Jered Egan on bass.