Jerome Kern Goes to Hollywood Care of King’s HeadDate: 31 December 2004
David Kernan - the man who celebrated lyricist Dorothy Fields with Dorothy Fields Forever and belting singer-actress Ethel Merman in Call Me Merman - now brings another high-profile Broadway golden oldie to the Kings Head. Subtitled “A Salute to the Songs of Jerome Kern”, Kern Goes to Hollywood opens at the north London theatre on 5 January 2005 and continues to 20 February (previews 29 December 2004).
Jerome Kern (pictured) was born in New York in 1885 and, over a 40-year career, went on to become one of Broadway’s biggest songwriters, collaborating with the likes of Oscar Hammerstein, Ira Gershwin, Dorothy Fields and PG Wodehouse on shows including Roberta, Show Boat and Swing Time.
In 1935, Kern went to Hollywood, writing for the screen versions of his stage shows as well as original films. He won the Academy Award for Best Song twice, for the “The Way You Look Tonight” (written with Dorothy Fields for Swing Time and “The Last Time I Saw Paris” (written with Oscar Hammerstein II for Lady Be Good). Kern died in New York in 1945.
This is the 20th anniversary production of Kern Goes to Hollywood, which was originally performed in London in 1985 at the Donmar Warehouse. The show, written by Dick Vosburgh, is devised and directed by Kernan and stars Angela Richards, Glyn Kerslake, Sheri Copeland and Jamie Golding.
This production of Kern Goes to Hollywood has musical direction by Dominic Barlow and Fiz Shapur, choreography by David Lee, design by Norman Coates and lighting by Chris Davies. It’s presented by Nica Burns.
- by Hannah Kennedy
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