Steve Ross

I Remember Him Well: Steve Ross Sings Alan Jay Lerner

Birdland, NYC, August 19, 2024

Reviewed by Alix Cohen

Any musical-theater fan would be aware of lyricist Alan Jay Lerner’s contribution, but few realize its scope. Steve Ross’ tribute rectified this. He was in fine voice, and his arrangements were iconoclastic and fitting, his sequencing was deft, and his anecdotes were wry. Lerner’s eight marriages provided ample fodder to the stories as did the astonishingly poor opinions expressed by some, such as Mary Martin, who was the first approached to play Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

Guest vocalist Maria E. Lane, who was new to me, was the embodiment of a leading lady. Her presence was charming, her interpretations sympathetic, and her vocals gorgeous. Ross surprised us by opening with a version of “I’m On My Way” (music by Frederick Loewe from Paint Your Wagon), which was robust both vocally and tempo-wise.  “When was the last time you heard a show that celebrated plant growth?” introduced “Hurry, It’s Lovely Up Here” (music by Burton Lane from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) with its artfully savored word play. “I Talk to the Trees” (Loewe; Paint Your Wagon) followed, long lined and dancy, evoking a whirl and a dip.

Lane’s fierce “Show Me!” burst into Ross’ dulcet “Here I’ll Stay” shooting sparks. (Both with music by Kurt Weill from Love Life.) The club practically gasped. “I Could Have Danced All Night” unleashed the ardor and clarity of her voice. “I understand dear, it’s all been grand dear” Ross quietly added. We learned the origin story of “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” (both with Loewe; My Fair Lady), which he then rendered with palpable vulnerability.

A succession of songs about aging/reminiscing organically flowed from one to the next.  The renditions were often slightly slower tonight, which added to the effect and appreciation. A memory of Maurice Chevalier preceded “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore” and “I Remember It Well” (Loewe; from Gigi), the latter distinctively dramatized with adept phrasing and by looking up in the Hermione Gignold role. “This song doesn’t necessarily display feelings of the management” introduced a poignant “One More Walk Around the Garden” (Lane; from Carmelina): “For one more walk around the garden/One more stroll along the shore/One more memory I can dream upon/Until I dream no more.” Never far from wit, Ross then dedicated the next song to “the millennials in the audience, both of them.” “Wait Till We’re Sixty-Five” emerged part parlando with a smidge of the Beatles music at the end. The rarely performed “On the S.S. Bernard Cohn” was light-touch vaudeville. (Both with Lane from On a Clear Day….)

Two selections from the last show Lerner worked on (My Man Godfrey with Gerard Kenny) made us want to hear more: “I’ve tossed and turned and couldn’t sleep/Counting minks instead of sheep/I’ve been married.” (“I’ve Been Married.”) “When you’re no longer able to cry/And you wonder occasionally why/Try Love.” (“Try Love.”) seemed to reflect the lyricist’s life.

A lovely version of “Waiting for My Dearie,” one of several songs from Brigadoon with music by Loewe, was followed by “I Loved You Once in Silence” and “If Ever I Would Leave You” (Loewe; from Camelot). Ross and Lane gazed at and sang to each other with warmth. The latter song was wonderfully arranged to weave the two lyrics together.

Some charming standards from Royal Wedding (with Lane) were organically included when a similar feeling was evoked. A sighing “Too Late Now,” for example, was bracketed by the yearning of “Melinda” and the frustrated “What Did I Have That I Don’t Have?” (both by Lane; On a Clear Day….)

“I did this show a couple of times before, but I’m older now and find new things in these songs,” Ross told us. It showed. Lane returned and with encouragement, the audience sings along with “Almost Like Being in Love” (Brigadoon) and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?” (My Fair Lady). Most knew some or all of the lyrics.

The show was entirely loverly, and by all rights, should be performed again. Hopefully, Lane will not read from scores during its next performance of this excellent show. When she looked at us we were captivated.