It was a West Coast hit during its spring engagement at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills, and a hot ticket at various venues in New York State, and even did well enough to stay open on Broadway, despite brutal reviews. But the Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna autobiographical duet, If You Ever Leave Me, I’m Going With You!, couldn't brave the tragedy which struck lower Manhattan on Sept. 11. After a week which included three canceled shows and disappointing box office, the show closed Sept. 23.

There were rumors at the time that the show would return, but for now, audiences will have to come to Long Island for that opportunity. If You Ever Leave Me... is getting a one-night-only stint at the Westbury Music Fair, Feb. 17, 2002.

Produced by Martin Melzer, Renee Taylor, Joseph Bologna and Leonard Soloway, If You Ever... on Broadway featured design work by Alvin Colt (costumes), Ken Billington (lighting) and Kenneth Foy (set).

Last fall, both Bologna and then-co-general manager Steven Levy confirmed that negotiations had begun in finding a theatre for the comedy, which covers the couple's romantic courtship, their first wedding reception on the Merv Griffin Show, their five marriage ceremonies, and the "near spouse icides of the three decades of professional collaboration" (the latter phrase courtesy of a spokesperson at the Canon). The show, which employs film clips of the couple's many weddings (in varying religions) and stills to augment the live performances, also includes scenes from the couple's last duet, the Off Broadway hit, Bermuda Avenue Triangle, as well as It Had to Be You and their best-known pairing, Lovers and Other Strangers. Characters include an elderly residents of a retirement home trying to have a tryst and a couple whose bickering together helps them stay together.

“The show has developed more and more, to better and better response,” said Levy at the time (he's now in London and no longer with the project), “regardless of house size and configuration of theatre. These people are known from TV, film, Broadway, and there’s a tremendous audience for their comedy... Broadway has such greater exposure than when you’re tucked away in an Off Broadway theatre. That’s why they’re taking the plunge.” Taylor and Bologna wrote, co-directed and star in the show, which was staged at a few regional theatres after having been briefly workshopped in L.A. two years ago. Venues have included the Helen Hayes Center in Nyack, NY as well as Queens Theatre in the Park and previous one-night gigs at Long Island's Westbury Music Fair.

For tickets and information on If You Ever Leave Me... at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road in Westbury, call (631) 888-9000 6200.