Episode 416. Larry Kert (World AIDS Day 2025)
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December 1st is World AIDS Day, if anyone needed to be reminded. Though I considered doing a compendium episode of broad scope commemorating a handful of the thousands upon thousands of musicians that succumbed to AIDS, I decided instead to focus on one, Broadway icon Larry Kert, who created the role of Tony in West Side Story and was subsequently an early Robert in Sondheim’s Company, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. On December 5, we observe his 95th birthday. In between these career highs, he was involved in a number of notorious Broadway flops (Breakfast at Tiffany’s, La Strada, and Rags) from each of which we hear rare recordings. And yet during his life, superstardom eluded him. It’s quite likely that some of this had to do with him having lived his life openly and unapologetically as a gay man in a time when most comparable figures were deeply in the closet. But Larry was also a familiar figure on television of that era, appearing as a guest star on popular series, on game shows, on commercials, and as a particular favorite of Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, in which he made 29 guest appearances. He also was often seen as a replacement in and on tours of popular musicals such as Cabaret, Two Gentlemen of Verona, I Can Get It for You Wholesale, and, finally, La Cage aux Folles, to name just a few. In that last show, his frail health meant that he had to miss significant numbers of performances, though he continued to make important appearances on stage and on recordings until just shortly before his death on June 5, 1991 at the age of 60. On the episode, we hear him with such legendary co-stars as Teresa Stratas, Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Madeline Kahn, Maureen McGovern, Mimi Hines, and Harvey Evans, as well as his WSS co-star Carol Lawrence. We also trace the support and influence he received over the course of his career from his trusted friend Martin Charnin, who played a sometimes surprising role in Kert’s career. Though Larry Kert felt that he never received the recognition he deserved, this episode demonstrates how he stood at the forefront of all Broadway tenors of his generation, as well as past and future ones.
RECORDINGS HEARD IN THIS EPISODE
Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim: Tonight (West Side Story). Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence [unknown date or provenance]
Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim: Maria (West Side Story). Larry Kert, Orchestra conducted by Paul Gemignani [live Kennedy Center, 1982 TV special Broadway Plays Washington]
Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer: I Wonder What Became of Me (St. Louis Woman). Anita Ellis, orchestra arranged and conducted by Luther Henderson [1956]
Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim: Something’s Coming (West Side Story). Larry Kert, Chita Rivera, musical direction by Luther Henderson [live, El Morocco, New York, ca. 1966]
Leonard Bernstein, Richard Wilbur: It Must Be So (Candide). Larry Kert, Orchestra arranged and conducted by Richard Wess [1960]
Bob Merrill [book by Edward Albee after Truman Capote]: Stay with Me (Breakfast at Tiffany’s). Larry Kert, Orchestra conducted by Stanley Lebowsky [live XII.1966]
Elliott Lawrence, Martin Charnin: Sooner or Later (La Strada). Larry Kert, Jeff Leyton, David Lewis, Luther Rix, John Trivers, Robert Urbanowicz [1977]
Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse: Once in a Lifetime (Stop the World – I Want to Get Off). Larry Kert, musical direction by Luther Henderson, narration written by Martin Charnin [live, El Morocco, New York, ca. 1966]
Stephen Sondheim: Barcelona (Company). Larry Kert, Susan Browning, Orchestra conducted by Harold Hastings [London Cast 1972]
Martin Charnin: Just Go. Larry Kert, Doc Severinsen, The Tonight Show Orchestra [live 1972]
Robert E. Swanson: The Schaefer Jingle. Larry Kert [1972 ad]
George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin: Love Is Here to Stay (The Goldwyn Follies). Larry Kert, Orchestra conducted by Elliot Lawrence [1972 television special]
John Kander, Fred Ebb: Happy Ending (New York, New York). Larry Kert, Liza Minnelli, Orchestra conducted by arranged by Ralph Burns [1977]
Interview with Arthur Bell. Larry Kert, Arthur Bell [Emerald City TV 1978]
Harry Woods: When the Red, Red, Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along). Larry Kert as Al Jolson, introduced by James Whitmore as Will Rogers [live New York, Parade of Stars 02.V.1983]
Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart: Johnny One Note (Babes in Arms); With a Song in My Heart (Spring Is Here). Larry Kert, Mimi Hines [live 1981]
Charles Strouse, Stephen Schwartz: Uptown (Rags). Larry Kert, Teresa Stratas, Orchestra conducted by Eric Stern [live New York VIII.1986]
George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin: Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off (Shall We Dance). Larry Kert, Madeline Kahn, Michael Tilson Thomas, Orchestra of St. Luke’s [PBS, ‘s Wonderful Gershwin Gala; first telecast 04.XII.1987]
George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin: Mine (Let ‘Em Eat Cake). Larry Kert, Maureen McGovern, Michael Tilson Thomas, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, New York Choral Artists [1987]
Jerry Herman: With You on My Arm (La Cage aux Folles). Larry Kert, Harvey Evans [live 1987 national tour]
Cole Porter: You’re Too Far Away (Nymph Errant). Larry Kert, Orchestra conducted by Donald Pippin [live London 21.V.1989]
Burton Lane, Alan Jay Lerner: On a Clear Day (On a Clear Day You Can See Forever). Larry Kert, musical direction by Luther Henderson [live, El Morocco, New York, ca. 1966]
Stephen Sondheim: Happily Ever After / Being Alive (Company). Larry Kert, Orchestra conducted by Paul Gemignani [live New York 11.III.1973]
