BWW Interviews: The Best of Times is Now for Jerry Herman

"The best of times is now
What's left of summer but a faded rose?
The best of times is now
As for tomorrow, well, who know? Who knows?"

Little did composer/lyricist Jerry Herman know that when he wrote that lyric for LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, he was actually predicting his own future. The original production of LA CAGE opened to enormous critical acclaim in 1983 and is currently receiving its second revival on Broadway in The Menier Chocolate Factory's brilliantly scaled-down version. The second act showstopper in every version is "The Best of Times" which inevitably has the audience singing along when it's performed during the final bows. It's also the song that seems to be going through Herman's head ever since August 13th when he learned he'd been named to receive one of this year's Kennedy Center Honors.

In an ebullient phone call from his home in California, Herman describes how he learned about this: "I got a call from a lovely lady named Sarah Lukenson who works in George Stevens' office. She really is the writer/producer of this show. It was she who told me. It took my breath away for sure. I was in stunned silence for a couple of minutes and I think Sarah must have though I'd fainted! Of course, she told me at a time when I could not open my mouth about it. So not only did I have this wonderful information but I couldn't share it with anybody. Now, my partner Terry knew, but nobody else. And just think: I got the news on Friday the 13th!" he adds with a hearty laugh! "It's wonderful, just wonderful," he quickly adds.
For those who are not familiar with this award, The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual recognition given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. The Honors have been presented annually since 1978 in Washington, D.C., during gala weekend-long events which culminate in a performance for-and honoring-the Honorees at the Kennedy Center Opera House on the banks of the Potomac River. The event is produced annually by George Stevens. In addition to Jerry Herman, this year's honorees include Merle Haggard, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey

The honor includes the nationally televised special which will air on December 28th, but also includes a black tie dinner given by Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton and includes a trip to the White House where President Obama will shake hands with the honorees and bestow the special medal of honor which is placed around their necks. "What can I tell you?" Herman continues. "It's a weekend of awesome proportions."

"You know, I've gotten all the great theatrical honors that are available," the composer/lyricist remarks. Those honors include Tony Awards for HELLO, DOLLY! and MAME as well as the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award; to say nothing of several Grammy Awards and gold records. "This is in a category all by itself. There is nothing else like the Kennedy Center Honors. It's taken away my usual, adept, ability to speak away from me."

When it was mentioned to him that tickets to the Kennedy Center event are selling for $1,500, Herman was dumbfounded. He called across the room to his partner who was equally stunned. "When you factor into this a trip to Washington, an overnight stay and a couple of meals, this would cost a fortune for the average person," Herman said in awe.

The Kennedy Center Honor may have taken away Jerry Herman's usually verbosity, but when it comes to other matters, the gentleman is back to his usual self. For one thing, he's extremely happy with the new cast recording of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. "What it does, is perfectly capture the production that is on the stage of the Longacre Theatre. There's no greater praise that can be given to a cast recording. It completely and perfectly captures this production. It's fun, it has just the right amount of dialogue and just the right amount of the uniqueness of this version. They've done a wonderful job on this."

When asked about how British actor Douglas Hodge was able to receive and extension on his run in this show, Herman couldn't give a concrete answer. Most foreign actors may are allowed to repeat their overseas performances on Broadway for a limited time, but Actor's Equity rules usually require that they be replaced by an American actor once that period of time has elapsed. "I swear, I don't have the slightest idea," the composer/lyricist responds. "It might have been an exchange," he suggests. "They do that, you know." That would mean that an American who is performing in London, might get a chance to extend their engagements on the West End as a courtesy to what was extended to Hodge. In any event, Jerry Herman is thrilled that more Americans will be able to witness Hodge's Albin, which he feels is "Absolutely brilliant."

There's good news in the offing for fans of Jerry Herman's other big musicals. The talks about a major revival of MAME are continuing. "It's still very much out there and very possible, but I can't give the name of a specific star right now. It's very much going to happen, though. We're also talking about a new DOLLY! but nothing is set enough about these projects at this point. We'll have to have another conversation in the near future. However, I can say this: there will definitely be a new DOLLY! and a new MAME. What can I tell you? My life keeps on getting better."

It's true. To quote some dialogue from one of Herman's greatest successes, at this point in his life, he's "filled with the wonderful hope that something or other will turn out well." There are new recordings of his music, upcoming revivals of his shows and President Barak Obama will present him with the Kennedy Center's prestigious medal in December. It's all rather heady stuff and Auntie Mame would sing would sing "that this very minute has history in it!"

Congratulations, congratulations, a thousand congratulations to Jerry Herman. No one deserves all of this more than you do! As Dolly Levi might say to him, "May guardian angels watch over you always!" They seem to be doing that, don't you think?

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For more information about Jerry Herman, go to www.jerryherman.com