Jason Graae Salutes Jerry Herman in PERFECT HERMANY, 10/18-25

Jason Graae, the L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award winner and Broadway and cabaret star, will bring his acclaimed tribute to Jerry Herman, "PERFECT HERMANY" to The Laurie Beechman Theatre in West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42nd Street, on October 18-25, 2011. Performances will be October 18, 19 and 24th at 7 PM and October 25 at 9:30 PM. There is a $20 cover and two drink minimum. Reservations (212) 695-6909.

Graae celebrates Herman's 80th birthday with songs from such beloved Herman classics as HELLO DOLLY!, THE GRAND TOUR, MAME, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, MACK AND MABEL and MILK AND HONEY. "PERFECT HERMANY" features Musical Director John Boswell with direction by Lee Tannen.

PERFECT HERMANY grew out of Jason's long association with Jerry Herman and his respect and admiration for his work. Jason toured the country with Jerry Herman in ASCAP's HELLO JERRY!; starred in the West Coast revival of THE GRAND TOUR, repeating the role at the York Theatre's Musicals in Mufti; was featured in MACK AND MABEL in Concert at Lincoln Center, and recently appeared on PBS in the Jerry Herman documentary "Words and Music". Jason said: "Jerry Herman is the reason I got into this business. I don't know whether to hug him or to hit him! I've been so lucky to have worked closely with Jerry over the last 10 years. When you're with him it's easy to forget he is Broadway royalty. He is also unbelievably generous, has an INCREDIBLE sense of humor, and has impeccable taste in just about everything. And to top it all off, he is so supportive of singers performing his material - as long as it still SOUNDS like his material!"

Mr. Herman said: "Jason instinctively knows how to find the smile or the tug at the heart behind my music and lyrics. How I love Jason Graae singing my songs!"

Jason Graae has starred on Broadway in A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, FALSETTOS, STARDUST and DO BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES REALLY REFLECT UP? Jason originated the role of Houdini in the L.A production of RAGTIME at the Shubert Theatre; played
Marcellus in THE MUSIC MAN and Benny Southstreet in GUYS & DOLLS at The Hollywood Bow;, starred in GRAND HOTEL and THE GRAND TOUR at The Colony Theatre, and played Moonface Martin in ANYTHING GOES at Reprise!, receiving an Ovation Award nomination. His many Off-Broadway shows include HELLO MUDDAH, HELLO FADDAH (Drama Desk Award nomination), FOREVER PLAID, OLYMPUS ON MY MIND and ALL IN THE TIMING.

Jason is one of only a handful of artists honored with the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre in L.A.

Jason's solo show "Coup de Graae!" won the 2006 New York Nightlife Award, The Bistro Award for Best Major Engagement and was named one of Time Out New York's Top 10 Cabaret Shows of the Year. He has also won 3 more Bistro Awards, an Ovation Award for "Forbidden Broadway Y2KLA!," an Artistic Director's Achievement Award for "Fully Committed," and a Santa Barbara Indie Award for "High Button Shoes."

On TV, he played Chad for two seasons on "Rude Awakening"; played Dennis on "Six Feet Under", and guest starred on many shows including "Friends", "Frasier", "Sabrina", "Providence", "Caroline in the City" and many more. For 5 ½ years Jason was the voice of Lucky for Lucky Charms Cereal and has been heard on many cartoons including Disney's "Home on the Range", and the title role in "Sunshine Barry and the Disco Worms" (Toronto and London Film Festivals).

Jason has recorded over 40 CDS, including original cast albums, concerts, compilations, and two solo CDs: "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile - Jason Graae sings Charles Strouse" and "Jason Graae LIVE at The Cinegrill" (Fynsworth Alley). His latest CD, released in August, 2011, is a live recording of "PERFECT HERMANY" produced by Kritzerland Records. For more info go to www.jasongraae.com