Jerry Herman, composer/lyricist for such Broadway hits as La Cage aux Folles, Mame, Dear World, Mack and Mabel and Hello, Dolly!, once summed up Jason Graae’s interpretations of his work: “Jason instinctively knows how to find the smile or the tug of the heart behind my music and lyrics. How I love Jason Graae singing my songs!” So did the audience at Jason’s show, Perfect Hermany, celebrating Herman’s 80th birthday and performed over four merry, madcap, moving October nights at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.

With songs from Herman’s The Grand Tour -- a musical based on the Broadway play, Jacobowsky and the Colonel, and in which Jason has played the role of Jacobovsky—Graae also proved his talent as an actor with depth.

A stirring moment was his forceful performance of a song he termed “an anthem for the ages,” “I Am What I Am” (La Cage). The audience got its chance to participate with an enthusiastic sing-along of “Hello, Dolly!” Top support for the show were provided by John Boswell as musical director and Lee Tannen as director.

Peter Haas
Cabaret Scenes
October 18, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org