The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and composer Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly!, Mame, La Cage Aux Folles) have announced the creation of the ASCAP Foundation Jerry Herman Legacy Series, an "educational initiative to present America's musical theatre heritage to young audiences nationwide." Herman, who lives in California, is said to be keen on imparting a sense of this heritage with young people. "He's still very active and wanting to go around to schools, where he'll lecture and bring performers with him," an ASCAP source told Playbill On-Line.

In a prepared statement, lyricist and ASCAP president Marilyn Bergman said, "Jerry Herman is among the most accomplished and successful composers and lyricists of the American musical theatre. We are delighted that he has joined forces with the ASCAP Foundation toe launch an important new effort to educate America's youth on one of our richest cultural treasures—the musical theatre."

-- By Murdoch McBride