THEATRICAL THROWBACK THURSDAY: It's Today! Jerry Herman Turns 84

This week we celebrate the birthday of one of Broadway's most iconic songwriters of all time, Jerry Herman.

It's Today

"Hello, Dolly!". "Before The Parade Passes By". "I Am What I Am". "Time Heals Everything". "Bosom Buddies". "I Won't Send Roses". "It's Today". Few composers have enjoyed the massive international success of Broadway's most toe-tapping tunesmith Jerry Herman. With his seminal smash hit HELLO, DOLLY! among the longest-running musicals in history and MAME another major long run hit in its original iteration, Herman can also count himself as one of only a handful of composers and lyricists who has seen one of his shows appear on Broadway not once, not twice, but three times in his lifetime - the 1984 Best Musical recipient LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, which was subsequently revived twice in the last 15 years; both times receiving the prize of Best Revival Of A Musical at the Tony Awards, no less. Considering his predilection for a memorable melody and an earworm lyric, Herman's penchant for "hummable" showstoppers has become his most marked characteristic when analyzing his spate of scores composed for the stage and screen - and, rightly so.

Of course, besides HELLO, DOLLY!, MAME and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Herman has contributed a considerable amount of other major musicals to the musical theatre canon as it stands, including the risky and rewarding but unfortunately financially unsuccessful MACK & MABEL and DEAR WORLD as well as the hit revue JERRY'S GIRLS and the Golden Age smash MILK & HONEY. Additionally, Herman composed material for two shows that premiered at the dawning of the 1980s, THE GRAND TOUR and A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD/A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE, not to mention the score for the as-yet-unproduced Las Vegas musical MISS SPECTACULAR. Plus, who could forget his original score for the holiday favorite TV movie musical MRS. SANTA CLAUS, re-teaming him with his unforgettable MAME collaborator Angela Lansbury?! A long, storied and accomplished career positively overflowing with catchy songs and heartwarming shows for all generations to enjoy.

In honor of Jerry Herman's 84th birthday this July 10, let's revisit his spectacular 2010 Kennedy Center Honors fete.

So, what is your absolute favorite Jerry Herman musical to date? Furthermore, what is your top pick for his most memorable song of all time? With shows this overwhelmingly entertaining and scores this consistently enjoyable, nearly any choice is a surefire smash. Indeed, Jerry Herman is a true blue bosom buddy of any and all Broadway babies.

Photo Credits: CBS, etc.