Liza’s at the Palace wowed audiences when it played on Broadway last year and won Minelli a 2009 Tony Award. The performance, filmed at the Las Vegas MGM, was screened for an appreciative audience on November 26 at the Paley Center for Media. The star herself sat in the audience watching alongside her fans. Following the film, Minelli was interviewed on stage by singer Michael Feinstein. “I’m startled,” she exclaimed. “I haven’t seen it and it started out as such a dream. I look at this show and it’s like I was looking at my whole life.”
Even though the audience was seeing a film, the anticipation and excitement in the Paley auditorium, no doubt heightened by the presence of the star, created the atmosphere of a live event. Each of Liza’s numbers brought sustained applause and several standing ovations. For diehard fans, nabbing tickets to the Paley screening, the entire two-hour performance, was a coup. Shorter versions of the show will be broadcast on NJN, the New Jersey PBS station at 8 p.m. tonight, December 1, and make up the DVD, scheduled for release on February 2, 2010.
Few performers command a stage like Minelli. There is the voice, of course, still strong and sure, her energetic dance moves (prompting the actress, Arlene Dahl, who was sitting in one of the front rows, to ask Minelli what vitamins she takes), and her ability to connect with her audience. In between songs, she bantered, even poking fun at her divorces and addiction issues. Backed up by a full orchestra and, in the second act, four male dancers, Liza’s at the Palace is a tour de force. For those who missed her on Broadway and even for those who had that pleasure, this DVD, already selling well online, is a must-have and a great holiday gift.
The Paley Center’s President and CEO Pat Mitchell (shown in photo above with Minelli and Feinstein) opened the program, introducing two of the show’s executive producers, Neil Maron, and Jo Ann Young. The duo explained that financial considerations forced them to film the show in Las Vegas rather than on Broadway where it was originally presented. Besides the economies of the situation, filming at the MGM provided a larger stage with better access for filming.
In the first act, Minelli made her entrance in a cream colored pants outfit resplendent with sequins. Even without that dazzle, however, she lit up the stage from her first note. The early songs included American Songbook standards—”Teach Me Tonight,” “I Would Never Leave You,” and “He’s Funny That Way.” Fans found it hard to stay seated when Liza sang one of her signature songs, “Cabaret.” She won her Academy Award playing Sally Bowles in the film, co-starring Joel Grey (above with Minelli), who came out for the Paley program.
Minelli’s acting prowess was on full display in the second act. This part of the show was a tribute to her godmother, the remarkable Kay Thompson, who not only starred alongside Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn in the film, Funny Face and authored the popular Eloise books, but also sang and danced in a cabaret act that is still considered the gold standard. Minelli reminisced about her relationship with Thompson who obviously played a key role in her life. Thompson was in Paris when Minelli’s mother, Judy Garland died. She immediately flew home to be with her 22 year-old godchild. “She stayed with me until she died,” Minelli said.
It was no small feat recreating Thompson’s show since the playlist has disappeared. Minelli persisted, however, taking on the persona of Thompson to perform “But the Wind Goes Around,” “Jubilee Time,” and “Basin Street Blues,” among others. Thompson’s act included Andy Williams and his three brothers. Minelli’s four gentlemen (Cortes Alexander, Jima Caruso, Johnny Rogers, and Tiger Martina, the first three in photo above along with Billy Stritch on right) although not brothers, were definitely up for the challenge. During the interview portion of the program, Feinstein told her, “I thought I was seeing Kay in you.”
The fifth male performer in the show was Minelli’s longtime pianist, Billy Stritch (above). Minelli said that she was having dinner 18 years ago in 88s, a downtown club, when she heard Stritch play. She approached him to become her piano player and the two have been together since. That association has obviously paid off. Minelli seemed comfortable with Stritch backing her up.
After a rousing rendition of “New York, New York,” Minelli returned for an encore, sitting on the piano bench next to Stritch for a memorable rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” She seemed reluctant to leave the stage in Las Vegas, but eager to sit next to Feinstein on the Paley Center stage for a short interview.
She talked about one of her mentors, Charles Aznevour, dubbed the French Frank Sinatra. “He wrote great songs for me,” Minelli said. “And he taught me so much about the immediacy of the stage and that each and every member of the audience has to be important.”
Feinstein asked if she could remember her first TV appearance. “The Art Linkletter Show,” she responded. “He had kids of movie stars on his show. I remember he asked me if I liked music. I said, `Yes, sir.’” When he asked if she liked to sing, she said, “A little.”
Well, a little turned into a lot over many, many years. While Liza’s at the Palace is certainly a high point, her fans certainly hope there are still many more wonderful performances to come.
For more informaton on the Paley Center for Media, go to www.paleycenter.org
To purchase Liza’s at the Palace, go to www.amazon.com
