Jerry's Girls
The York Theatre Company presents this all-female tribute to Jerry Herman, featuring the songwriter's iconic showstoppers for Broadway actresses.
... Read moreOriginally seen on Broadway in the '80s, 'Jerry’s Girls' brings the larger-than-life women of Herman's shows center stage: matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi of 'Hello, Dolly!,' bon vivant Auntie Mame Dennis of 'Mame,' the benignly eccentric Countess Aurelia of 'Dear World,' screen legend Mabel Normand of 'Mack and Mabel,' and female impersonator Zaza of 'La Cage Aux Folles.' The revue affectionately celebrates his special gift for writing musical theater songs for women. A winner of Tony, Grammy, Olivier, and Drama Desk Awards, Jerry Herman is a master tunesmith. Part of the York's 'Musicals in Mufti' series spotlighting classic, underappreciated Broadway musicals. 'Mufti' means 'in everyday clothes, without all the trappings of a large production.' Each show is presented script-in-hand, with minimal staging.
Cast & Creatives (11)
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Reviews (76)
12 Critics' Reviews
“Director Pamela Hunt's mounting is, by necessity, simply staged. But a knockout trio of performers, accompanied on piano by music director Eric Svejcar, keep the evening frothy and fun…Pedi masterfully handles the bulk of the comedy numbers…Displaying a vibrant belt and a showbiz spirit, D'Abruzzo really digs into numbers like ‘Wherever He Ain't’…Stephanie Umoh brings touching sentiment and graceful phrasing to ballads such as ‘It Only Takes A Moment.' Full Review
“A joyous and infectious tribute to a song catalog that made Broadway sing…These melodies remind us of a time when theatre gave us lush ballads and up-tempos that lasted more than the show. In other words hummable melodies…The discovery of Stephanie Umoh is worth the whole show. This showstopper excels…Ms. Pedi was hilarious…Herman’s lovely melodies made the show easy to listen to especially under musical director and pianist, Eric Svejcar.” Full Review
“Composer/lyricist Jerry Herman's greatest hits are back in a gorgeously sung revival of ‘Jerry's Girls’ as part of The York Theatre Company's ‘Musicals in Mufti’ series, ‘musical theatre gems in staged concert performances.’ Led by a cast of three talented song stylists, Stephanie D'Abruzzo (‘Avenue Q’), Christine Pedi (‘The Lady of a 1000 Voices’) and Stephanie Umoh (‘Ragtime’), the score is as melodic and buoyant as one could wish.” Full Review
“A robust revival...Christine Pedi shows her comic chops with a great rendition of ‘Gooch’s Song’…Equally fine is the wry, distressed ‘Nelson’…‘It Only Takes a Moment’ shows off Stephanie Umoh’s pretty vibrato…‘I Am What I Am’ arrives a stirring anthem eliciting audience applause. Director Pamela Hunt skillfully moves her cast around, but does nothing to rein in either ham or a tendency toward allowing eleven o’clock numbers when the song doesn’t indicate them.” Full Review
“There is absolute delight in the concert revival of ‘Jerry’s Girls’…Director Pamela Hunt has built in a steady supply of movement that keeps the show zipping along…The expertise of D’Abruzzo, Pedi, Umoh and pianist Svejcar provide sparkling entertainment and do justice to Herman…Apart from the striking solos, the three work beautifully together in creating a charming ambiance.” Full Review
"With a few exceptions, director Pamela Hunt does little to celebrate Herman’s songbook. Part of the problem is the show’s construct, which feels like a Jerry Herman repertory company audition...These standalone numbers, while melodic and beautifully written, need the backbone of the stories from which they are taken...Umoh is by far the most successful at interpreting the material...If you’re a superfan, you might enjoy the evening despite its inconsistencies." Full Review
"The songs are the show. Directed by Pamela Hunt, too often the singers in this performance were overly dependent on the scripts...It was Umoh, with a secure, warm soprano, who was the standout performer...Musical director/pianist Svejcar ginned up the energy with vibrant pianissimo and, behind the ballads, delivered sensitive accompaniment without undue theatricality...What would help, however, was a bit more time to clinch the lyrics and rehearse together." Full Review
“Christine Pedi is a treasure, but here she felt under-energized at time…More consistent in her commitment and animation was Tony nominee Stephanie D’Abruzzo…Best of all was Stephanie Umoh, whose rich voice, sparkling eyes, and playful manner made her a clear audience favorite…The show could probably have used a little more shape…It’s well worth your time if you’re looking for nothing more than a marvelous collection of songs put over by a talented trio of performers.” Full Review
"Full of charm, melody, love, hope, wisdom and just the right amount of froth to make for a darn good, feel-good time...The trio works well together in this mufti format, where minimalism reigns...With song...as the focus of the show, Herman shines with a bright light...Hunt’s eye for movement is sharp and intelligent. She’s also a master at pacing...As an ensemble, Jerry’s girls displayed a consistent synergy...'Jerry’s Girls' is a genuine happy-making, delightful treat of a show." Full Review
“A stellar trio...Umoh gets the biggest solo of the evening towards the end – a smashing 'I Am What I Am' from 'La Cage aux Folles' – but everybody stops the show at some point…Music director and pianist Eric Svejcar, a fine musical theatre composer in his own right, is very sensitive to the dramatic ebb and flow of the evening. So, too, is director Pamela Hunt…All in all a terrific representation of the Herman songbook. Recommended.” Full Review
"Svejcar’s arrangements of Jerry Herman’s tunes astounded the theatergoers, lifted their spirits and put everyone in the happiest of summer moods...Director Hunt has successfully encouraged and allowed Christine Pedi and a pair of Stephanies–D’Abruzzo and Umoh–to do justice to Herman’s style, wit and lyrics, each in her own inimitable way...Only one drawback. I felt 'Movies Were Movies'...needed to be sung by the baritone voice for whom it was composed." Full Review
"The appealing show, featuring a talented trio, breezily glides through Herman's musical catalogue…The numbers largely proceed without historical context or thematic linkage. As a result some songs in the parade of ballads and anthems begin to generically blur together...A modest, yet authoritative, reminder of the additional riches penned by the composer/lyricist. While not everything gleams in this jewel box of a revue, it is worth sampling the treasures anew.” Full Review
64 Members' Reviews
See it if Love Jerry Herman songs and wish to see three pros put them over.
Don't see it if Don't care for revues.
See it if you're a big Jerry Herman fan and want to hear some of his hits mixed with some not-as-well-known songs.
Don't see it if you prefer a traditionally-structured musical.
Also Stephanie Umoh is truly incredible.
See it if love Jerry Herman, Eric Svejcar (terrific), or Stephanie Umoh (superb). Feel good, old fashioned musicals, with memorable music and lyrics.
Don't see it if You want a fully staged show, with sets & costumes, back up singers (could have helped on the bigger numbers), or don't like musicals.
See it if Enjoy A review style evening of showtunes and the music of Jerry Herman
Don't see it if You need more than simply two hours of three ladies singing the Jerry Herman songbook
See it if You love Jerry Herman music!
Don't see it if You do n't love big time, over the top, Jerry Herman musicals.
See it if You can't get enough of Herman's magic). Imagine all the cream skimmed off the top of all the cakes in the bakery served to you on a plate.
Don't see it if A pleasant afternoon out of the heat and into a subterranean theatre is not your thing. There is something in this show for everyone!
See it if You'd like a no frills musical that features the songs of Jerry Herman.
Don't see it if You expect musicals to be lavishly produced and with more accompaniment than a piano.
See it if you enjoy old-school musicals. Whether you saw the original or not, you will enjoy this MUFTI production, sans scenery and costume changes.
Don't see it if you expect to see a big-time epic revival. MUFTI rocks, and this staged-concert performance of an old classic is endearing & heart-warming.
Also You MUST experience Stephanie Umoh's vibrato.... Read more Read less
See it if you love Jerry Herman songs but don't care about anything else.
Don't see it if you are expecting a retrospective-type revue. This is the songs, some basic steps and that's it.
See it if Good renditions of songs-- some familiar, others I did not know. Some sections more successful than others
Don't see it if Looking for theme or story
See it if you like revues, like Jerry Herman music, you enjoy cabaret style concert shows
Don't see it if you are looking for a story line, you don't like concert format song-only shows, you want production values
Also The Musicals in Mufti series from York Theatre presents Jerry's Girls ... Read more Read less
See it if you're a fan of Broadway musicals or just want an a couple of hours of enjoyable singing. These 3 ladies are masters at delivering it.
Don't see it if you hate Broadway musicals or are looking for a story line. It's all singing and only a word or two of dialog.
See it if you love the great American tunesmith Jerry Herman. Don't let this parade pass you by!
Don't see it if you hate musical theater.
See it if you enjoy Herman's music and who doesn't! Nicely arranged. Still in previews and mostly read from script.
Don't see it if you don't enjoy Herman's music or do not like songs without plot. I hope once the cast knows their songs better they won't need to read.
See it if In the mood for a great piano player accompanied by three singers doing the music of Jerry Herman.
Don't see it if Seeing a show that feels like a cabaret review isn't for you. Not in the mood for one sung song after another with no plot just the composer
See it if you love Jerry Herman's music, you are tolerant of a concert format with no context for the songs; Jim Morgan's intros make you laugh
Don't see it if you are looking for top notch performances (good but not great singing); you want context for the songs; Lyrics and Lyricists gives more.
See it if you are a person who will be delighted to hear Jerry Herman songs in any incarnation.
Don't see it if you like to see productions that have reason to exist. There's nothing BAD about this but there's nothing GOOD either. It just sort of is.
See it if like expert singing. Even though the show is a 'reading' with no scenery or costumes, it continually engages. Many oldies and goodies.
Don't see it if don't like Broadway show tunes or the music of Jerry Herman.
See it if You want to hear Jerry Herman's most famous and lesser known songs in a revue.
Don't see it if You want some sort of perspective about Jerry Herman's life, musical journey, or structure. It's a mishmash of his sheet music.
Also To be fair, I saw this show on the second night, but it seemed some of... Read more Read less
See it if You are a fan of the wonderful musicals that Jerry Herman wrote. His songs are presented here with love and humor.
Don't see it if You're in the mood for an elaborate Broadway show. This is a revue, presented very simply. The music speaks for itself.
See it if you like musical revues or Jerry Herman; you want something simple and straightforward for a couple of hours
Don't see it if you want staging, plot, character development ... anything other than songs
Also The level of prep/familiarity seemed higher for some actors and some s... Read more Read less
See it if You want to sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful songs, lovely voices and a wonderful pianist. Umoh is a standout.
Don't see it if If you expect a story. This is a review celebrating the music of Herman. This is simple, small, no staging, but there's a lot of talent.
See it if If you like concert style performances, or a fan of Jerry Herman. Three woman perform, uneven
Don't see it if If you are looking for a traditional musical
See it if you're a Jerry Herman fan, miss the ballads & show-stoppers of traditional musicals, enjoy 3 fab singers put their all into song and lyrics
Don't see it if you don't like non-book revues staged as a reading with scripts, not a Jerry Herman fan, want more than 3 singers and a piano in a musical,
Also This is one of York Theatre's Musicals in Mufti stagings, so they are ... Read more Read less