The 90-minute program is scheduled to air at 9:30 PM ET; check local listings. "Words and Music by Jerry Herman," from NJN Public Television, chronicles "Herman's rapid rise from witty, topical off-Broadway revues during the 1950s, to his first Broadway hits in the 1960s (Milk and Honey, followed quickly by the record-breaking Dolly and then Mame) through the less successful shows from the 1970s (Dear World, Mack & Mabel and The Grand Tour) to his triumphant return in 1983 with La Cage aux Folles, which made social and political history," according to press notes."

The documentary by award-winning filmmaker Amber Edwards features interviews with Carol Channing, Angela Lansbury, Charles Nelson Reilly, Marge Champion, Arthur Laurents, Charles Strouse, Fred Ebb, George Hearn, Phyllis Newman, Michael Feinstein, Donald Pippin, Leslie Uggams Jason Graae, Francine Pascal, Miles Kreuger, Ken Bloom and Herman himself. TV watchers can expect to see "behind-the-scenes rehearsal sessions, rare photographs, and never-before-seen archival footage of original Broadway performances."

One of the theatre's most celebrated composers, Jerry Herman has written the scores for such Broadway musicals as Milk and Honey; Hello, Dolly!; Mame; Dear World; Mack & Mabel; The Grand Tour and La Cage aux Folles. He also contributed songs to A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, and revues of his work include Jerry's Girls and An Evening with Jerry Herman. The songwriter won Tony Awards for his scores for Hello, Dolly! and La Cage aux Folles.