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Do I Hear A Schmaltz?

Photos by Carol Roscgg

Composer Jerry Herman talks about his craft,
his new show and his fondest memories.

SUZANNE
CHESSLER
Special to
The Jewish News

B

roadway
composer
Jerry
Herman
confidently reveals
the ingredient all suc-
cessful Christmas
songs must have —
schmaltz. That's why,
he explains, so many
Jewish composers
have come up with
them.
His own holiday
hit, "We Need a
Little Christmas,"
which flavors the
musical Mame, was
written in the same
spirit as Irving
Berlin's "White
Christmas" and
Mel Torme's "The
Christmas Song."
Jerry Herman,. Lee Roy Reams and Florence Lacey
More songs from
combine
their talents for–nn Evening with Jerry Herman.
Mame as well as
songs from other
himself and two vocalists in An
views, opens July 28, joined by Lee
Herman shows — Hello, Dolly!, La
Evening With Jerry Herman, the Tony
Roy Reams and Florence Lacey, both
Cage aux Folles, Milk and Honey,
Award winner tells behind-the-scenes
well-known to the Broadway stage.
The Grand Tour, Dear World, Mac
stories from his high-power career,
The composer, 65, shared his feelings
and Mabel — come together in a
which also has featured him on
about stepping into the spotlight with
new Broadway revue that puts the
recordings.
The Jewish News:
composer-lyricist center stage.
Herman,
after
two
weeks
of
pre-
In between playing the piano for

.

7/24
1998

78 Detroit Jewish News

JN: What do you
like about this show
— first as the com-
poser and second as
a performer?
JH: What I really love
most about the
evening is that it
brings me in contact
with the people who
have been listening to
my songs all these
years. It's such a thrill
because they come
backstage and tell me
chat my songs have
been part of their
lives. Before doing
this particular
evening, I would
always be anonymous
and never meet these
people.

JN: In general
terms, do you think
composers bring
something special to
performances of
songs they have
written that others
cannot bring?
JH: It's certainly been my experience.
Whenever I've heard Cole Porter sing
"Anything Goes" in a little, strange,
up-high voice, there's something about
it that just thrills me because I know
that's where [the song] came from.
There's nothing like that. I do think