Jerry Herman Archives - Chicago Reader

Heidi Kettenring as Dolly stands center in a red dress and feathered hat. She is surrounded by a group of six waiters sitting on the floor, looking up at her.

Lookin’ swell

by Jack Helbig September 22, 2022September 22, 2022

Hello, Dolly! is not revived that often. It only feels that way, because Jerry Herman’s score (book by Michael Stewart, based on Thornton Wilder’s play The Matchmaker) is so infectious and ubiquitous, because so many larger-than-life stars have played Dolly Levi over the years—among them Carol Channing (of course), Pearl Bailey, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, […]

Jason Richards in purple suit kneels at left in front of leopard-print chaise lounge. Ginger Minj as Albin is in a white satin dressing gow with feathers and a turban.

Theater Review

Far from a drag

by Kerry Reid March 16, 2022March 16, 2022

It’s been nearly 50 years since the first iteration of La Cage aux Folles flew from the nest in the form of Jean Poiret’s 1973 play of that title. Since then, there’s been a 1978 French film, remade in Hollywood in 1996 as The Birdcage (starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane) and an oft-revived 1983 […]