Liza Minnelli is in rare form and performing an audacious miracle at the Palace Theater with her brand new show that runs well over two hours and includes many of her memorable standards including “Cabaret.” The charismatic three time Tony Award winning superstar “razzle dazzled” the opening night audience with a confident, gritty and of often magical display of showmanship.
Many wondered if she would make it through what was seemingly an exhausting evening. But there she was coming down the homestretch, draped in a classic red-sequined Halston, dripping in sweat and now apparently running on pure adrenaline. What does she do? She launches into “My Mammy,” following that with “New York, New York.” She is the blazing embodiment of pure musical theatricality and she is electrifying. The audience responds with wild pandemonium and you can almost see the waves of love coming across the footlights.
At 62, Liza is all grown up now and clearly in the best form she has displayed in years. She has gone through multiple husbands, surgeries, addictions, come-backs, and now you could add resurrections to her list of multiples – like the Tonys. If her voice isn’t as good as it once was, it doesn’t really matter much.. She is a true legend and she does what all artists do best. She blends her life and art in such in a way to create magic.
The first act is all Liza backed by a 12-piece orchestra with the great Billy Stritch on the piano. The second act has the star supported by four dancers for a very personal tribute to her godmother, the great Kay Thompson, who as vocal coach and arranger for MGM during that studio’s musical heyday period in the 1940s and 1950s, taught Lena Horne and Judy Garland how to sing. The evening directed and choreographed by longtime Minnelli collaborator Ron Lewis showcases Liza’s unique gifts, which after five decades of performing live around the world are rare indeed.
By: Gordin & Christiano
Originally Published In Dan’s Papers
Liza’s At The Palace
Palace Theater
Broadway at 47th Street
(212) 307-4100
Through December 28, 2008
Running Time : 2 Hours
