(Film still: ‘You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman’)
He penned some of our beloved musicals of the 20th century, and now fans can experience composer/lyricist Jerry Herman’s brilliance in PlayhouseLive Online’s You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman. The Online Opening Night — a virtual musical revue honoring the genius responsible for the Broadway classics Hello, Dolly!; Mame; La Cage aux Folles and many more — will be a livestreamed event with special guests Bernadette Peters and David Hyde Pierce.
The production, conceived and music directed by Andy Einhorn (Music Director and Music Supervisor, Broadway’s Hello, Dolly!; Carousel, among others), marks the first theatrical tribute to Jerry Herman by a professional theatre.
The PlayhouseLive production of You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman features Andy Einhorn on the piano with performances by Ashley Blanchet (Frozen), Nicholas Christopher (Hamilton), Lesli Margherita (Matilda The Musical), Andrea Ross (‘Maria’ in The Sound of Music National Tour) and Ryan Vona (Once).
Jerry Herman gifted us with some of the most beloved showtunes in the history of musical theater and popular song. In 1964, the cast recording of Hello, Dolly! was number one on the Billboard Pop Album Chart for seven weeks and was the top album on the Year-End Chart. In addition, the song “Hello, Dolly!” reached number one on the Pop Chart that same year, replacing the Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” in the number one spot that it had held for 14 weeks.
Bernadette Peters in ‘Hello, Dolly!’ (Photo: Julieta Cervantes)
Herman’s works sparked joy, inspired optimism, and celebrated life to its fullest. You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman is a delightful and stirring homage to Jerry’s artistry and legacy, featuring songs from all of Herman’s musicals, highlighting his craftsman approach to lyrics and melodies. In You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman, Andy Einhorn explores themes that are commonly found in Herman’s work: love, family, home, and optimism, through such songs as “Time Heals Everything,” “I Am What I Am,” “It’s Today” and “It Only Takes a Moment.”
“These themes are who Jerry Herman was as both an artist and as a man,” comments Einhorn. “Jerry Herman was joy personified. He wrote shows that sparked joy, brought out positivity in the face of adversity, granted his characters second chances, and reinforced the love of family and life. He left a piece of himself in everything he wrote, and may these treasures bring some joy and comfort to everyone during these uncertain and challenging times.”
Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman says, “Jerry Herman’s songs have an optimism and joy that can’t be rivaled. After the challenges we’ve all faced over the past few months, I can’t think of a better way to kick off the new year. This love letter to Jerry is an entertaining celebration of his life and exploration of his legacy.”
The Online Opening Night of You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman can be viewed on PlayhouseLive on January 10, 2021, at 5 p.m. PST. This will be a livestreamed event with a special pre-show tribute to Jerry Herman featuring Bernadette Peters, David Hyde Pierce, You I Like creator Andy Einhorn and Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman. Tickets to view this event are $29.99 and are available now through PlayhouseLive.org
Video-on-demand streaming of You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman will be available to rent on PlayhouseLive for $24.99 from January 11 through February 7. After the initial purchase through the website, You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman can be watched on any PlayhouseLive app, including Apple OS, Android OS, Roku, FireTV and more. Closed captioning will be available in both English and Spanish.
