Liza Minnelli opens at The Palace
Oscar E Moore from the rear mezzanine for Talk Entertainment.com
Rockefeller Center may have lit their Christmas tree last night but when Liza Minnelli stepped on stage of the Palace Theatre and struck her classic pose in her dazzling white outfit and t-strapped sequined shoes, looking fit and fabulous she gave off a thousand times more radiance than that old tree could ever muster. A standing ovation greeted her before she sang a single note. By evenings end Liza had the audience in the palm of her hand, thrilled with her stamina and showmanship and wanting more. Liza is an absolutely exciting, electrifying, exhilarating phenomenon.
Liza’s at The Palace is a brilliant blend of concept, execution and star quality. Liza went out there a star and came back an even bigger star. And she did not disappoint. Her heels may be lower, she may have to sit during the first act, she may be out of breath at times, she may have you at the edge of your seat wondering if she will hit those top notes – but she delivers. She is a force of nature with guts and confidence and a power house personality who can still send chills up and down your spine with her incredible renditions of “Cabaret” and “New York, New York”.
The man behind the star is Ron Lewis. He has created the best environment to present Liza at her best. He has directed and choreographed this show with all the knowledge that he has gained over the years to make this one of the finest shows of its kind to ever hit Broadway. They have chosen some of the greatest songs for Liza to sing – most of them mirroring aspects of her life - lyrics taking on very special meanings. The song selection is perfect giving Liza a chance to be funny, sentimental, wistful, vulnerable, dramatic and the Broadway Belter that we all expect. That’s Act I.
With her orchestra on stage now with KT initials and the incredible Billy Stritch at the piano Act II becomes a tribute to her sophisticated fairy godmother Kay Thompson – who was a star in her own right appearing with Fred Astaire in “Funny Face” and writing and arranging songs at MGM and creating the character of Eloise. We get some extremely funny and touching remembrances here. But the piece de resistance is the recreation of Kay Thompson’s nightclub act of 1948 at Ciro’s where Liza as Kay is backed up by the Williams Brothers – here portrayed by the best four back up men in suits and ties in the business - ever – Johnny Rodgers, Cortes Alexander, Jim Caruso and Tiger Martina. They are fabulous. The act is fabulous. You have got to see it to believe it. Now that’s entertainment!
Liza Minnelli is a living legend. Now is the time to see her. Now is the time to be mesmerized by her talent. To paraphrase the lyric from “Maybe This Time” – Now the odds are in my favor, maybe this time I’ll win.” They are and you did. Liza hit the bulls eye this time round.
As a special Christmas treat Liza encored with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” a song made famous by her mom, Judy Garland. Liza made it her own and graciously shared it with her adoring audience.
Please visit my new blog www.oscaremoore.com
Photo: Eric Antoniou
12-04-08
Screen Name (or blank if anonymous)
Real Name (never published)
Email (never published)
Website(optional)
TalkBack: What do you think?
Enter Code Shown below:
Comments:
Anonymous
wrote:
GREAT
Lavigne
wrote:
Check that off the list of thgnis I was confused about.
Lavigne
wrote:
Check that off the list of thgnis I was confused about.
ginuit
wrote:
YZocMl , [url=http://sqluopxqlecl.com/]sqluopxqlecl[/url], [link=http://gfudldaulenm.com/]gfudldaulenm[/link], http://lmjsiokgdxrg.com/
doryuqsavai
wrote:
lp0RnN , [url=http://sjcexzttfiwz.com/]sjcexzttfiwz[/url], [link=http://barpnvnsloeg.com/]barpnvnsloeg[/link], http://qqpcxzccxzou.com/
|