Jerry Herman: Poet of the Showtune Book

The first in-depth biography of
the celebrated composer/lyricist who created Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage aux Folles

This revealing and comprehensive book tells the full story of Jerry Hermanâ??s life and career, from his early work in cabaret to his recent compositions for stage, screen, and television.

Stephen Citron draws on extensive open-ended interviews with Jerry Herman as well as with scores of his theatrical colleagues, collaborators, and close friends. The resulting bookâ??which sheds new light on each of Hermanâ??s musicals and their scoresâ??abounds in fascinating anecdotes and behind-the-scenes details about the world of musical theater. Readers will find a sharply drawn portrait of Hermanâ??s private life and his creative talents. Citronâ??s insights into Hermanâ??s music and lyrics, including voluminous examples from each of his musicals, are as instructive as they are edifying and entertaining.

Stephen Citron is well known for shedding fresh light on the American musical theater and the artists who inhabit it. His previous books include Songwriting, The Musical from the Inside Out, and biographies of Noël Coward, Cole Porter, Alan Jay Lerner, Oscar Hammerstein 2nd, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber.