Mel Brooks developing "The Producers" and "Young Frankenstein" for the musical theater, saying of an early meeting with her: "From that day, until her death…we were glued together." Regarding religion, Brooks stated, "I'm rather secular. I'm basically Jewish. But I think I'm Jewish not because of the Jewish religion at all. I think it's the relationship with the people and the pride I have. The tribe surviving so many misfortunes, and being so brave and contributing so much knowledge to the world and showing courage." Brooks' great-nephew from his brother Lenny, Todd Kaminsky, is a New York state senator for state senate
I Am What I Am (Broadway musical song) I Am What I Am (Broadway musical song) "I Am What I Am" is a song originally introduced in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "La Cage aux Folles". The song is the finale number of the musical's first act, and performed by the character of Albin Mougeotte, first played by George Hearn. His version appears on the original cast album released in 1983. The song was composed by Jerry Herman, an openly gay man. The song was released as a single by Gloria Gaynor in 1983 and went on to become one of the singer's best known songs. A club