Jerry Herman (born 1931 ) wrote the music and the lyrics for three of the longest running musicals in Broadway history, Hello Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage aux Folles.

Jerry Herman was born on July 10, 1931 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the only child of Harry Herman, a gym teacher, and Ruth Sachs Herman, a former pianist and singer. His parents also ran a camp in upstate New York, where Herman spent his summers as a child.

Herman wrote in his memoirs, "I learned about prejudice at an early age, when a group of neighborhood boys threw stones at me on my way to Hebrew school." His parents were active in the local Jewish community center, and they made their shy son attend events there.

Harry and Ruth Herman loved music. Harry played the saxophone and Ruth played the piano and accordion. After dinner each night the family would play show...