Duet Singers Bring Broadway Classics to Syosset

The silence of the  was broken Saturday night as music lovers packed the small theater for a night filled with Broadway and opera classics performed by musicians Don Meritt and Annette Moreau. 

The married pair are far from strangers to the spotlight. The former Off-Broadway stars met 26 years ago at an audition for the longest running musical, “The Fantasticks,” in which they both landed leading roles. This was their first time performing in Syosset, drawing in a handful of new fans. 

“I had so much fun, and that’s what you come out for - to have fun,” said Plainview resident Cila Klingher, who swayed and danced in the audience. “You gotta’ get loose. You gotta’ be funny. Life’s too short.”

Husband Avi Klingher, from Plainview, said he especially enjoyed the Italian opera covers.

“They are really great," Avi said. "I’ve never heard of them before, but I’ve heard this music. If they come back, I’ll come back, definitely.”

Performing together since they first met, the couple has taken their show on the road, appearing across the nation in high-end hotels, resorts, art centers and casinos, from New York City, Philadelphia, Florida, New Hampshire, Georgia- and even across the border to Montreal.

Saturday's concert almost filled the theater, drawing close to the 144 maximum occupancy. Each month, the program offers free events such as Saturday's concert to residents of the .

"I come to a lot of the programs,” said Dorothy Miller from Jericho. “I like them and the price is right.”

Many seemed to enjoy the choreographed and interactive performance by the couple, who opened with a few Broadway classics like “Tale as Old as Time” from Beauty and the Beast and “Don’t Cry for me Argentina” from Evita.

But besides Broadway and opera classics, the melodic duo seeks to preserve and pass on the “good music” of the decades.

Setting the mood for Valentine’s Day, they sang Dean Martin’s “When the Moon Hits Your Eye,” as well as several pieces by Andrea Bocelli.

“It’s when music was melodic and had meaning. This is the music of people’s lives and it’s presented honestly,” Meritt said. “Good music lasts. Good lyrics last.”

“This is just the kind of music that we want to keep alive,” Moreau said. 

Editor's Note: The Library did not allow the reporter take photos and video of the event.