Peggy Herman Celebrates HERMAN ON HERMAN at Feinstein's Tonight, 5/6

With arrangements by music director Alex Rybeck, "Herman on Herman (with a Touch of Merman)" gives the Jerry Herman songbook "a whole new spin, lending a fresh take on these classic Broadway show tunes.  Backing Herman on Herman – and blending a range of popular styles, including folk-pop, smooth jazz, Brazillian and Broadway -- are Rybeck on piano, Jered Egan on bass and Rex Benincasa on drums and percussion."  The same threesome play on the album, augmented by strings, brass, winds, and guitarist Sean Harkness.

 

Like the show's premiere at the Metropolitan Room, the CD release concert is directed by Peter Glebo, and the nine-time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune.  The performer and show business chronicler Richard Skipper co-hosts the event with Feinstein's, which is offering a special "It's Today" dinner-and-show package (premium seats $50, general seating $30, plus a $25 food and beverage minimum).  All of the evening's attendees will receive a complimentary signed copy of the new album.

 

"Herman on Herman… Peggy Sings Jerry" features new arrangements of songs from "Hello Dolly!" "Mame," "La Cage aux Folles," "Mack & Mabel," and other Herman hits.  In the studio, Herman and Rybeck added new songs, including "The Best of Times is Now," "Before the Parade Passes By," and "If He Walked Into My Life."

 

Born in Philadelphia, and raised in Miami Beach, Herman has appeared in such musicals as "Nunsense" (Mother Superior), "South Pacific" (Bloody Mary) and "Grand Hotel" (Raffaela Ottanio).