Review by Daz Gale
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The music of Jerry Herman has been a staple in musical theatre since the 1960s with his shows revived and reinvented as the decades pass. This is particularly true recently with last year’s sensational revival of La Cage Aux Folles and what may be the most anticipated musical this summer in the long awaited (and delayed) Hello, Dolly! It feels fitting then that his life and work is celebrated in a new production of Jerry’s Girls at Menier Chocolate Factory. Would this be a show befitting of his legacy?
Created by Jerry Herman and his collaborator Larry Alford in 1981, Jerry’s Girls opened off-Broadway before enjoying a National tour and a Tony-nominated run on Broadway. This musical revue crams in more than 30 of Jerry’s songs from 8 classic shows including Mame, Mack & Mabel, La Cage Aux Folles and Hello, Dolly! as well as two new songs for this revue. This is done through a loose narrative that sees three performers getting ready in their dressing room for a performance and ultimately moving to the stage (and beyond, in some cases here).
The original concept by Jerry Herman, Larry Alford and Wayne Cliento is a clever way to incorporate the songs and make it feel cohesive. Though there is still an element of it being shoehorned in, having scenes move from the dressing room to the stage and back allows for a lot of fun and flair to be told in these songs, with elements of storytelling in several of the more emotive numbers. Hannah Chissick’s direction executes this flawlessly, with no shortage of ideas on how to make each number differentiate from the last and best use the versatile space of the Menier. This is elevated by Matt Cole’s always sensational choreography as we witness three of the very best of Jerry’s girls bring his numbers to life in spectacular fashion.
Let’s talk about Jerry’s Girls – three of the finest performers in the West End have been gathered to honour some absolute classic songs. If Jerry Herman’s talent in his writing is unquestionable, so is the talent of these three powerhouse performers. Each getting their own solo moments as well as group numbers, they ensure the high standard is met each time, never wavering even slightly. Julie Yammanee thrills with versatile vocals, particularly on a gorgeous ‘That’s How Young I Feel’ from Mame, while Jessica Martin brings experience and skill to act each number she performs, shining on ‘And I Was Beautiful’ and ‘I Don’t Want To Know’ from Dear World.
The trio of girls are completed by Cassidy Janson who once again demonstrates what an unrivalled and ridiculous range she has, delivering a vocal masterclass in how to best deliver these timeless numbers. Every moment she got was a standout of the evening, with ‘I Won’t Send Roses’ from Mack & Mabel and ‘The Best Of Times’ from La Cage Aux Folles among the highlights. However, if one performance from the exceptional night had to be singled out, it was her spectacular and emotional rendition of ‘Time Heals Everything’, flawlessly delivering the message with authenticity and poignancy.
While all three are stars in their own right, when they united for group performances, pure magic was created. With gorgeous harmonies and a playful sparring between them all, they became a supergroup with a captivating chemistry lighting up the stage constantly. Hearing all three of these powerhouse performers sing together and take turns with lines of these legendary songs really was something special with ‘Before The Parade Passes By’ and ‘Hello, Dolly!’ two of the strongest standouts, as well as an unseasonably (literally) jolly ‘We Need A Little Christmas’.
Two new numbers were written for Jerry’s Girls with the wickedly funny ‘Take It All Off’ an early favourite and a title number ‘Jerry’s Girls’ paying tribute to all of the fantastic women who have taken on Jerry Herman’s shows over the years. With impressions of so many theatre favourites such as Bernadette Peters and Chita Rivera, the number has been updated to mention the upcoming Hello, Dolly! with Imelda Staunton as well as admirably including our three Jerry’s girls of the evening as well as each member of the all-female band.
Jerry’s Girls is a dream for any lover of musical theatre. Three of the very best performers tackle a songbook boasting some of the greatest songs ever performed on stage. A greatest hits megamix of some truly iconic shows, this was all tied together beautifully through expert direction and creative staging. An absolute joyous production, this embodies the very best of musical theatre in every way possible.
Jerry’s Girls plays at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 29th June. Tickets from www.menierchocolatefactory.com
Photos by Tristram Kenton