Marieann Meringolo
A Century of Song: Celebrating Alan and Marilyn Bergman
54 Below, NYC, September 11, 2025
Reviewed by Bart Greenberg
Photo by Gene Reed
Lyricist Alan Bergman passed away earlier this year at nearly 100 years old. At 54 Below, Marieann Meringolo celebrated his life and his work, both mostly in conjunction with his beloved wife Marilyn. Much of the evening was devoted to their songs written for movies, some of which have become standards; others have faded from memory but were given fine reinterpretations by the singer and her team. Music director/pianist Doyle Newmyer provided some lush, delicious arrangements, including one on “I Was Born in Love with You” (music by Michel Legrand). Boots Maleson was on bass and Brian Woodruff was on drums. But it was Meringolo who remained front and center during this beautiful show.
Meringolo started the show by the bar and then moved through the packed room as she inhabited “Nice ‘n’ Easy” (Lew Spence) with a laid-back delivery. She then moved on to the charming “That Face” (Spence), as she spotlighted many of the cabaret notables who were in the room. When she hit the stage, she found the perfect number to lead off a parade of soundtrack items: “Just Getting Started” (Dave Grusin) from a documentary with the clever title, If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast. That was followed by a lovely mix of standards—“The Windmills of Your Mind” and “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life” (both Legrand)—that was given a perfect interpretation and by lesser-known charmers such as “Make Me Rainbows” (John Williams).
One of the delights of the show was pairing the pairing of the classic “The Way We Were” (Marvin Hamlisch) with the earlier version of the same number dubbed, tongue in cheek, “The Way We Weren’t.” On the other hand, the pairing of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” and “Summer Me, Winter Me” (both Legrand) created a story of a satisfying marriage, such as the one the Bergman’s shared.
The final number of the show also paid tribute to the Bergmans’ life together with the world premiere of a song, “Wherever I May Go,” written by Alan after Marilyn’s passing with music by Roger Kellaway. Meringolo gave it a touching rendition that was paired with a photographic montage that moved our hearts. When an excellent singer comes into collaboration with a fine lyricist team for which she has an affinity, magic does happen in the cabaret room.
