Glory, Glory Allan Sherman: A Celebrity Music and Comedy Salute

Before Weird Al ever picked up an accordion, and before parody videos ruled the internet  YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, there was one man who transformed folksongs like Frere Jacques into “Sarah Jackman”, and turned letters from kids at summer camps to their parents into a Top 40 hit. His name was Allan Sherman, and with his 1963 smash “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh!”, he proved that deeply rooted Jewish humor, a pop culture sensibility, and a catchy tune were all you needed to capture American listeners.  

 This fall, the Weitzman Museum becomes the first stage to bring Sherman’s brilliance back to life in a rollicking live concert. Part loving tribute, part musical roast, it’s a night of laughter, nostalgia, and big sing-along energy as some of today’s most inventive performers dive headfirst into Sherman’s world of suburban satire and Yiddish-tinged wit. 

The idea for this celebration was inspired by the work of the late, great, Hal Willner– the legendary music producer behind SNL’s musical madness and countless all-star tribute concerts. After Hal’s untimely passing, his circle of creative conspirators carried the torch, bringing his vision to life with a world-premiere performance in his hometown of Philadelphia. 

Co-Produced by Jonathan Stein and Jess Gonchor with musical direction from Steve Weisberg, the evening features a lineup as eclectic as Sherman would have demanded:

• Terry Adams (NRBQ) – co-founder, New Rhythm and Blues Quartet (NRBQ)
• Marshall Allen (Sun RA) – leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra
• Laurie Anderson – Visionary Artist, Musician and Filmmaker
• Rodney Anonymous (The Dead Milkmen) – Musician, Journalist and punk rock legend
• Eric Bazilian (The Hooters) – Singer, song writer, producer and rock ’n’ roll lifer
• John Kruth – multi-instrumentalist, composer  and author
• Janine Nichols – fearless vocalist and theater artist
• Robert Smigel (SNL, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog) – master of mischief
• Wesley Stace (John Wesley Harding) – author, singer-songwriter and raconteur
• Chloe Webb (China Beach, Shameless) – singer and actress
• Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) – piano-pounding dynamo

…and a houseband including

• Steven Bernstein (trumpet/arranger) – Downbeat Pollwinner, Grammy Nominee. Sexmob, Levon Helm, Lounge Lizards & more.
• Adam Dorn (bass) – aka Mocean Worker, producer, film & TV composer, born in Philadelphia and raised on Atlantic Records!
• Andy Kravitz (drums) – Grammy Nominee, Philadelphia’s own! Rolling Stones, Shawn Colvin, Billy Joel, Andre 3000 & more.
• Doug Wieselman (woodwinds/arrranger) – Lou reed, Laurie Anderson, Martha Wainwright & more.

…and plenty of surprise guests still to be announced!

 Get ready to laugh, hum, and maybe belt out a chorus or two- Sherman wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

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