The composer and lyricist Jerry Herman, born to middle-class Jewish parents in Jersey City, a short river hop from Broadway, grew up seeing great musicals and vowed at an early age he would make his contribution. His first full-fledged Broadway musical was Milk and Honey (1961). That was followed by two classic shows, back to back, Hello, Dolly! (1964) and Mame (1966). When Jack Robinson photographed the thirty-eight-year-old Herman on October 29, 1971, Dear World had already closed and Herman was at work on one of his personal favorites, Mack & Mable. Herman would go on to great heights again with La Cage aux Folles (1983).