I Remember Him Well– Steve Ross Sings Alan Jay Lerner
Any musical theater fan is aware of Alan Jay Lerner’s contribution, but few realize its scope. Steve Ross’s tribute rectifies this. The artist is in fine voice. Arrangements are iconoclastic and fitting, sequencing deft, anecdotes wry. Lerner’s eight marriages provide ample fodder as do astonishingly poor opinions from such as Mary Martin, first approached to play Eliza in My Fair Lady. Guest vocalist Maria E. Lane, new to me, is the embodiment of a leading lady. Presence is charming, interpretation appealing, vocals gorgeous.
Steve Ross
Ross surprises by opening not with his usual sophisticated entree, but the western “I’m On My Way,” robust in both vocal and tempo (Paint Your Wagon with Frederick Loewe). “When was the last time you heard a show that celebrated plant growth?” introduces “Hurry, It’s Lovely Up Here,” artfully savoring word play (On A Clear Day You Can See Forever with Burton Lane). “I Talk To the Trees” follows, long lined and dancy, evoking a whirl and a dip. (Paint Your Wagon.)
Lane’s fierce “Show Me!” bursts into Ross’s dulcet “Here I’ll Stay,” shooting sparks (Love Life with Kurt Weill). The club practically gasps. “I Could’ve Danced All Night” unleashes the ardor and clarity of the performer’s voice. “I understand dear, it’s all been grand dear…” Ross quietly adds. We learn the origin story of “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face,” which Ross then renders palpably vulnerable (My Fair Lady with Frederick Loewe).
A succession of songs about aging/reminiscing organically flow one to the next. Renditions are slightly slower tonight which adds to effect and appreciation. A personal memory of Maurice Chevalier precedes “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore,” and “I Remember It Well,” the latter distinctively dramatized with adept phrasing and by looking up in the Gingold role (Gigi with Frederick Loewe).
Steve Ross, Maria E. Lane
“This song doesn’t necessarily display feelings of the management,” introduces a poignant “One More Walk Around the Garden”: One more walk around the garden/One more stroll along the shore/One more memory I can dream upon/Until I dream no more (Carmelina with Burton Lane). Never far from wit, Ross dedicates the next song to “the millennials in the audience, both of them.” “Wait Till We’re Sixty-Five” emerges part parlando with a dash of Beatles music at the end. The rarely performed “On the S.S. Bernard Cohn” is light touch vaudeville (On A clear Day You Can See Forever with Burton Lane).
A lovely version of “Waiting for My Dearie,” one of several songs from Brigadoon is followed by “I Loved You Once in Silence” and “If Ever I Would Leave You”(Camelot). Ross and Lane gaze at and sing to one another with warmth. The latter song is wonderfully arranged to braid two lyrics. (Both with Frederick Loewe.)
Charming standards from Royal Wedding (with Burton Lane) are placed when similar feeling is evoked. A sighing “Too Late Now,” for example, is bracketed by the yearning of “Melinda,” and the frustrated “What Did I Have That I Don’t Have?” (Burton Lane – On A Clear Day).
Steve Ross, Maria E. Lane
The last show Lerner was working on, “My Man Godfrey” (with Gerard Kenny), yields “I’ve Been Married: I’ve tossed and turned and couldn’t sleep/Counting minks instead of sheep/I’ve been married…and “Try Love”: When you’re no longer able to cry/And you wonder occasionally why/Try Love… These seem to reflect the lyricist’s life as well as making us want to hear more.
“I did this show a couple of times before, but I’m older now and find new things in these songs,” Ross tells us. It shows. Lane returns. With encouragement, the audience sings along with “Almost Like Being in Love” (Brigadoon) and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?” (My Fair Lady) Both with Frederick Lowe. Most know some or all the lyrics.
It was entirely loverly and by all rights, should be performed again.
Hopefully Lane will not read scores during the next performance of this excellent show. When she looks at us, we’re captivated.
Photos Alix Cohen
Opening: Steve Ross and Alan J. Lerner (the latter, Public Domain)
I Remember Him Well – Steve Ross Sings Alan Jay Lerner
Special Guest Vocalist – Maria E. Lane
Birdland
315 West 44th Street
August 19, 2024
