The following are news dates that had originally been set to get posted just prior to Scott Schechter's untimely passing, plus a few immediately after.
Stay tuned, as we're going to try and keep this page as updated as possible.
* On Saturday, May 9th, Liza performed "Cabaret" and "New York, New York" on the German ZDF tv show "Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel" (Liza was in Germany this week doing publicity for her June tour there.)
* (from May 8, 2009)
From a Fox newsletter, an Update on the ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT Movie:
AD MOVIE UPDATE
Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz recently revealed that while he has no script yet for the upcoming AD film, the story is coming together bit by bit. "We have a lot of little pieces," said Hurwitz during a conference call with reporters. "I'm writing it with Jim Vallely, and we have all these little ideas and everything. But with the show, it's always been about tying all the pieces together, so – none of them alone quite make a movie yet. We're still assembling the pieces."
The movie is listed by the TV GUIDE issue of May 4th - 10th, 2009, as being "In Development" -- at FOX SEARCHLIGHT
* Interesting VARIETY article on the Tony Awards -- Note the observation about Liza's category. Also, keep in mind that Liza is loved; Goerge Bush is NOT .... even if he's played by Will Ferrell :)
One Extra Show Announced in Sydney
Due To A Stampede For Tickets
Monday 2 November, Sydney Entertainment Centre
Tickets On Sale 9am Thursday 14 May
“100% fantastic entertainment!”- New York Daily News
Chugg Entertainment and David M. Hawkins are thrilled to announce that due to a massive demand for tickets, Liza Minnelli’s first two Sydney concerts have now sold out, and a third concert has now been added. This third Sydney concert will be held on Monday 2 November at the Entertainment Centre and will go on sale at 9am on Thursday 14 April. Michael Chugg said “It is great to see that Liza is a popular as ever and that Australian’s can’t wait to see her on stage. The surge for tickets through the Sydney Opera House pre sale was so great that their computers crashed!”. Bringing her unstoppable Minnelli magic to Australia, Liza will tour nationally during October in an unmatchable concert performance. Based on her current hit Broadway show “Liza’s At The Palace”, the evening will feature an incomparable Minnelli songfest including many of her personal favourites and signature hits. Along with a twelve-piece orchestra the performance will feature Liza’s showstoppers such as “Cabaret”, “Maybe This Time” and “Theme From New York, New York”. One of the world’s best-loved entertainers, Liza Minnelli has just received a nomination for the 2009 Tony Awards in the category “Best Special Theatrical Event”, for the New York concerts that she has just performed – “Liza’s at the Palace”. This is just another accolade in a career that includes multiple Tony awards, Academy Awards®, a Golden Globe Award and BAFTA Award, an Emmy Award, and she was the recipient of a Grammy Legend Award in 1989, making her one of the few artists who have won entertainment's top six awards After an exodus of twenty years, these will be the most triumphant and eagerly awaited return concerts on the Australian musical stage this year. AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES – OCTOBER 2009
Friday 16 & Saturday 17 October Sydney, Sydney Opera House – SOLD OUT!
* Here's Liza on Monday night's edition (May 4th, 2009) of the Oz TV show CURRENT AFFAIRS (It's a great new 4 minute interview -- thanks to Glenn for sending it along):
NEW YORK — Jane Fonda, James Gandolfini, Angela Lansbury, Allison Janney, Liza Minnelli and Geoffrey Rush were among the 2008-2009 Tony nominees who showed up for a press reception in midtown Manhattan Wednesday.
Minnelli, whose show Liza At the Palace is a contender for special event, had this advice for aspiring performers: "Be prepared, because if you're not prepared and luck comes your way, you'll blow it. You just never know what's going to happen."
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POSTED MAY 6, 2009:
* LIZA'S AT THE PALACE has been NOMINATED for a TONY AWARD for BEST SPECIAL THEATRICAL EVENT. The awards are broadcast on CBS on Sunday, June 7th, 2009.
Best Special Theatrical Event
Liza’s at The Palace (Producers: John Scher and Metropolitan Talent Presents, LLC; Jubilee Time Productions, LLC)
Slava’s Snowshow (Producers: David J. Foster, Jared Geller, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judith Marinoff Cohn, John Pinckard)
Soul of Shaolin (Producers: Nederlander Worldwide Productions, LLC; Eastern Shanghai International Culture Film and Television Group; China on Broadway)
You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush (Producer: Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Steve Traxler, Home Box Office Inc., Gary Sanchez Productions, Bat-Barry Productions, Ken Davenport, Ergo Entertainment, Ronald Frankel, Jon B. Platt, James D. Stern, The Weinstein Company, Tara Smith/b. Swibel, Dede Harris/Sharon Karmazin, Arny Granat)
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POSTED MAY 2, 2009:
* Liza will have a BUSY day this Monday, May 4th, as she will appear at TWO events in Manhattan that evening. The first is at 6 PM -- Liza will be presenting at The 2009 Touring Broadway Awards, at the Hilton NY at 53rd and 6th Avenue in Manhattan. Then, at 7 PM, Liza will open / perform (with Billy at the piano) at the Acting Company's event (Chita Rivera will close the show).
Here's Playbill's website on the Touring Broadway Awards:
Minnelli and Zaks Will Be Presenters at Touring Broadway Awards
By Andrew Gans
01 May 2009
Liza Minnelli
Seth Rudetsky, the comic, musician, actor and Playbill.com columnist, will host the 2009 Touring Broadway Awards, which will be held May 4 at the Hilton New York.
Presenters for the evening will include Tony Award winners Liza Minnelli (Liza's at the Palace…; Cabaret; The Act; Flora, The Red Menace) and d irector Jerry Zaks (Six Degrees of Separation, Lend Me a Tenor, The House of Blue Leaves and Guys and Dolls).
The awards, which are presented by The Broadway League, "celebrate excellence in touring Broadway by honoring the artists and productions that visit cities across the country each year," according to press notes.
The 2009 Touring Broadway Awards categories include Best New Touring Musical, Best Touring Play, Best Design of a Touring Production, Best Musical Score of a Touring Production, Best Direction of a Touring Production, Best Choreography of a Touring Production, Best Long-Running Touring Musical (shows that have been on the road for over three years), the Touring Broadway Achievement Award (recognizing a performer, individual or organization that has shown exceptional dedication to Touring Broadway) and the Touring Broadway Audience Choice Award.
The Broadway League and its members bring Broadway theatre to nearly 30 million people in more than 240 cities across the U.S. and Canada.
The evening will begin at 6 PM.
The Hilton New York is located at 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.
At Carnegie Hall, the New York Pops' held its 26th Birthday Gala, which included a salute to the 10th anniversary of the nightclub Feinstein's at the Regency. Superstar Liza Minnelli came out to surprise club owner (and best friend) Michael Feinstein -- much to the delight of the evening's host, journalist Liz Smith, and Regency Hotel owner Jonathan Tisch.
* Liza confirmed for June 1st ASTAIRE AWARDS in NYC
Alan Cumming, Liza Minnelli, Bebe Neuwirth, Geoffrey Rush Set for Astaire Awards
By: Dan Bacalzo · Apr 28, 2009 · New York
Alan Cumming will host the 2009 Astaire Awards, to be held at the Fashion Institute of Technology on June 1 at 7:30 pm.
Liza Minnelli will present American film director and choreographer Stanley Donen with the Douglas Watt 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. Geoffrey Rush will present the award for Best Choreography in Film, while Bebe Neuwirth will present the Best Up and C oming Male Dancer Award. Additional presenters and performers will be announced at a later date.
The nominating committee for this year's awards include Anna Kisselgoff (New York Times), Damian Woetzel (New York City Ballet), Linda Winer (Newsday), Sylviane Gold (New York Times, Dance Magazine), and Wendy Perron (Dance Magazine).
Liza stopped by the GOOD DAY, NEW YORK webcast area with host Brett Larson, on Monday morning, April 27th, immediately after she appeared on their Fox TV show (she was their last guest, at about 8:50 AM).
WE'RE sure it has absolutely nothing to do with Sydney being the gay capital of the nation but interest in pre-sales for Liza Minnelli's Sydney concert tour crashed the Sydney Opera House's website yesterday.
The site went down at midday, with interest in the two Sydney shows - on October 16 and 17 - so great it took tech staff hours to get the site up and running again.
Minnelli, the daughter of legendary singer and movie star Judy Garland, will be accompanied by her 12-piece orchestra when she tours.
* Liza wowed the crowd (no surprise) at the Bistro Awards last night (she also again belted-out "New York, New York" at the opening of the second day of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS event at the Minskoff Theatre, at 2 PM). At the Bistro's, Marilyn Maye introduced Liza. Liza then sang a bit of "There is a Time" (with Billy Stritch on piano, and Mike Berkowitz on drums, of course), before talking about Charles Aznavour, and presenting his award to him.
On her way out, Liza stopped (with Charles) to be interviewed by ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT -- so start checking their show, beginning tonight (she talked about a few things -- including the upcoming TONY AWARDS, and her first time nominated in 1965 .... So there could likely be additional segments that will feature sound-bites from Liza).
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POSTED APRIL 27, 2009:
* Liza is presenting the award to Michael Feinstein, tonight, Monday, April 27th, at the NY POPS Concert, at Carnegie Hall.
* Liza has JUST decided to OPEN the 23rd annual EASTER BONNET Benefit for BROADWAY CARES / EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS Event, at the MINSKOFF Theatre. She's opening the show with "New York, New York." I've not much info on tickets, but the theater is HUGE, so .... But here's what their website says:
Save The Date
Monday, April 27, 2009,4:30PM
Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 2:00PM
The Minskoff Theatre
200 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036
TICKETS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE ONLINE
FOR THIS EVENT
A limited number of tickets will be available to purchase prior to each performance at the “Will Call Reception Table” located in the lobby of the Minskoff Theater. Ticket Sales will begin at 3:00PM for the Monday performance and 12:30 for the Tuesday Performance.
EASTER BONNET TEAM RAISER
(Support Your Favorite Show! Fundraise Online! Make a Donation!)
The Easter Bonnet Competition features a parade of bonnets hand-crafted by the cast and crews of dozens of participating productions which are presented in song, dance and comedic sketches. A "must-see" for the Broadway fan, the show is always a highlight of the spring season, with moments both hilarious and heartfelt.
This annual spring event is the culmination of an intensive six-week fundraising effort by the companies of Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring productions.
Curtain speeches, sales of autographed posters and programs, auctions and cabaret performances are just some of the activities that enable these companies to bring in generous contributions from audiences on Broadway and across the country.
Honors are awarded to the companies that raise the largest amounts of money on behalf of BC/EFA during the fundraising drive. Companies offering the best designs and presentations of bonnets are also recognized.
Since 1987, 22 editions of The Easter Bonnet Competition have raised over $35 million for BC/EFA which, in turn, has supported programs at The Actors Fund including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, as well as over 400 AIDS and family service organizations across the country.
Come be a part of the good work and great fun!
* Here's the three new appearances dates
Friday, JUNE 5 CONNECTICUT MOHEGAN SUN
Saturday, JULY 11 RAMA, ONTARIO CASINO RAMA
Thursday, JULY 16 SANTA BARBARA, CA CHUMASH CASINO
Saturday, JULY 18 CABAZON, CA MORONGO CASINO
* DRAMA DESK AWARD Nominations announced this morning:
"Liza's at the Palace" was nominated for OUTSTANDING MUSICAL
AND
Liza is being awarded a special Drama Desk Award for "her enduring career of sustained excellence, and her glorious performance in 'Liza's at the Palace'"
Drama Desk nominees will receive their official Nomination Certificates at a cocktail reception on Friday, May 1st, 4:00-6:30 PM, at II Bastardo Restauraunt, 191 Seventh Avenue (between 21st and 22nd Streets)
The 54th annual Drama Desk Awards will be held Sunday, May 17th, 2009, in the LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. The awards show will be webcast live for the seventh year in a row by TheaterMania.com
* MANY MORE MINNELLI Dates coming down the pike here in Liza Land, so stay tuned. The big news overseas is the OZ TOUR -- Liza returns to AUSTRALIA for the FIRST TIME since 1989! See PRESS RELEASE and ALL THE DATES and info below. The OZ TOUR has a LOVELY NEW WEBSITE in support of the event -- Check-out our new sister site, at LizaMinnelli.au It's really a beautiful site, and our thanks to DAVID HAWKINS for making this all possible -- and the kind link to Liza's official site.
Here in the U.S., we can ALSO be prepared for A LOTTA LIZA. Gary just told me of TWO NEW DATES:
Friday, June 5th, 2009 : MOHEGAN SUN CASINO in CT.
Saturday, July 11th, 2009: TORONTO, Ontario / Rama
More info and more DATES to come ASAP ....
Now, here's the Press Release for the OZ TOUR :
****
MEDIA RELEASE
26 April 2009
Liza Minnelli - Australian Tour 2009
Tickets On Sale 9am Wednesday 6 May
“A Triumph of which Show-Business Mythology is made! A True legend!” - The New York Post
“Liza Minnelli is a pure entertainer and there is none purer!”
- The New York Times
Chugg Entertainment and David M. Hawkins are proud to present the long awaited return of award winning superstar Liza Minnelli. Bringing her unstoppable Minnelli magic to Australia, Liza will tour nationally during October in an unmatchable concert performance. Based on her current hit Broadway show “Liza’s At The Palace”, the evening will feature an incomparable Minnelli songfest including many of her personal favourites and signature hits.
Along with a twelve-piece orchestra led by conductor/drummer Michael Berkowitz and pia nist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch, the performance will feature many of Liza’s showstoppers such as “Cabaret”, “Maybe This Time” and “Theme From New York, New York” – all written especially for her by the legendary Broadway song writing partnership of John Kander and Fred Ebb.
Directed by Ron Lewis, this concert performance of almost two hours duration (with interval), will be full of personal stories, anecdotes and heartfelt reminiscences.
Liza Minnelli was born in Los Angeles into show business royalty. With her mother Judy Garland and her father the Award winning director Vincent Minnelli, her’s is the only family where both parents and child have won an Oscar. Her god parents were Ira Gershwin and Kay Thompson. Liza made her screen debut in 1949 as a toddler with her mother in the MGM movie musical In the Good Old Summertime.&nb sp;
One of the world’s best-loved entertainers, she won Tony awards for Flora, the Red Menace in 1965 and The Act in 1978, along with a third for Best Personal Achievement, resulting from her 1974 engagement at the Winter Garden Theatre. Nominated for an Academy Award® for TheSterile Cuckoo (1969), she won the best actress prize for her best-known film, Cabaret (1972), which also won her a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA. She won an Emmy for Liza with a 'Z' (1972) and was also the recipient of a Grammy Legend Award in 1989, making her one of the few artists who have won entertainment's top six awards.
Liza has also been the recipient of three David di Donatello Awards – for The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), Cabaret (1972) and Lifetime Achievement (2002). Film credits include Charlie Bubbles (1968), Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970), Lucky Lady (1975), A Matter of Time (1976), New York, New York (1977), Arthur (1981) Stepping Out (1991), and The Oh In Ohio (2006). Liza recently attracted an entirely new generation of fans with her acclaimed turn as "Lucille 2" on the Emmy-winning Best Comedy Arrested Development, and for her appearance on the chart-topping album The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance.
Liza Minnelli first toured Australia in the late 1960’s with Peter Allen and played two seasons at Chequers Nite Club in Sydney (second season with The Allen Brothers). She also made a television special in 1967 for TCN9 called ‘Liza’, and appeared with the Allen Brothers on Bandstand in 1969. Her first major solo Australian tour was in 1981 playing all major cities nationally. The last visit to Australia for Liza was with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr. in 1989 with The Ultimate Event.
After an exodus of twenty years this will be one of the most triumphant and eagerly awaited return concerts on the Australian musical stage.
“100% fantastic entertainment!”- New York Daily News “Minnelli’s charisma is undiminished” - Variety
TOUR ITINERARY:Tickets On Sale 9am Wednesday 6 May Friday 16 October - Sydney, Sydney Opera House
Saturday 17 October - Sydney, Sydney Opera House &nb sp; Tuesday 20 October - Perth, Burswood Dome Friday 23 October - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre Sunday 25 October - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena Friday 30 October - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre
* Liza just agreed last night to appear at the Monday, MAY 4th, 2009 benefit for the ACTING COMPANY, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in Manhattan. There are orchestra seats available at $250, $125 and $100 -- along with Premium tickets ($500) and Patron Tickets ($1,000) which included dinner "with the cast" (no word if that includes Liza, or not). Call the Acting Company at 212-258-3111 for the $500 and $1,000 tickets, or Telecharge for the $100 and $125 seats, at 212-239-6200.
Minnelli Joins Starry Cast of Acting Company's Come to the Cabaret Benefit
By Andrew Gans
and Kenneth Jones
24 Apr 2009
Liza Minnelli
Tony Award winner Liza Minnelli, recently on Broadway in Liza's at the Palace. . ., has joined the starry list of artists who will take part in Come to the Cabaret: A Celebration of Kander and Ebb, a one-night Broadway concert to benefit20The Acting Company.
Minnelli joins the previously announced Raúl Esparza, Terrence McNally, Debra Monk, David Hyde Pierce, Chita Rivera, Tom Wopat, Karen Ziemba — artists who have been attached to musicals by songwriters Kander and the late Ebb.
Directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle (Company, Sweeney Todd), with Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Company, The Addams Family) as music director, the May 4 evening will be held at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. An intimate Patron's Dinner with the cast follows the performance at the Marriot Marquis Hotel.
Come to the Cabaret is inspired by last year's benefit concert, The Ladies Who Sing Sondheim, which starred Angela Lansbury leading a cast of Broadway divas performing signature Sondheim songs. The event celebrated The Acting Company's 35th anniversary and was also directed by Doyle.
The songs of composer Kander and late lyricist Ebb have punctuated such musicals as 70 Girls, 70, The Act, Cabaret, Chicago, Curtains, Flora the Red Menace, The Happy Time, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Rink, Steel Pier, Woman of the Year, Zorba and the films "Funny Lady" and "New York, New York."
Prior to Liza's at the Palace. . ., Minnelli, an Oscar winner for her performance in Cabaret, was last on Broadway in a tribute to her late father entitled Minnelli on Minnelli; she also returned to New York City's Beacon Theatre with her acclaimed concert Liza's Ba ck! In addition to her Tonys for Flora, the Red Menace and The Act, Minnelli was awarded a special Tony in 1974 for "adding lustre to the Broadway season." Her film credits include "The Sterile Cuckoo," "Arthur," "New York, New York" and "Stepping Out." The singer is also a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actress. Her album "Liza's Back!" is available on the J Records label, and "The Best of Liza Minnelli" was released on the Columbia/Legacy label. Showtime aired "Liza with a 'Z'," and Minnelli also received the Julie Harris Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 10th Annual Tony Awards Bash in Los Angeles.
The Acting Company has been honored with a Tony Award for Excellence in Theater. The not-for-profit troupe has produced 36 national tours of 131 classic and new plays adapted from American literary masterpieces. Its current tour — in tandem with the Guthrie Theater — features Shakespeare's Henry V and James Fenimore Cooper's The Spy, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher. Henry V recently played the New Victory Theater on 42nd Street in Manhattan.
The Acting Company "gives young classically trained actors the opportunity to perform the classics while bringing theatre into under-served communities and disadvantaged school systems."
Founded in 1972 by the legendary John Houseman and current producing artistic director, Margot Harley, its alumni of over 300 includes Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Frances Conroy, Jesse L. Martin, Harriet Harris, Keith David,20Jeffrey Wright and Rainn Wilson.
Tickets for Come to the Cabaret are priced at $100, $125 and $250 and are available through Telecharge.com or (212) 239-6200.
Premium tickets at $500 (performance only) and $1,000 and up (performance plus Patrons Dinner with the cast), are available through The Acting Company at (212) 258-3111.
* GREAT new Liza interview -- Don't know how long it will be up for ... Just done (dated April 22nd) for the GERMANY Tour .... 19 minutes, unedited, single camera on Liza the whole time (interviewer off-camera). She looks lovely, and is SO funny and honest / open. It's one of the best interviews she's done.
* You can get tickets to Liza's HOLLYWOOD BOWL concerts -- August 28th and 29th, 2009 -- starting this FRIDAY, April 24th, 2009, 10 AM, at TICKET MASTER -- via their INTERNET ONLY PRESALE -- by using the CODE / PASSWORD: BOWL2009
Here is the direct link for Liza's Ticket Master Page -- Listed on our website, of course:
Here is also a Link / more info from the HOLLYWOOD BOWL:
On Friday, April 24 at 10am all concerts will be opened up for a presale with the password: BOWL2009.
Here is the link: http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/tickets/calendar_fullseason.cfm
Each event page will have a presale button that links to TM.
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POSTED APRIL 22, 2009:
* Looks like Liza is actually nominated in TWO categories in this year's DRAMA LEAGUE AWARD -- Winners to be announced on May 15th, 2009, in NYC:
The Drama League will honor the winners at a luncheon on May 15.
75th Annual Drama League Award Nominations:
2009 DISTINGUISHED PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
9 To 5: The Musical; Marquis Theatre
Billy Elliot: The Musical; Imperial Theatre
Fela!; 37 Arts
Liza's At The Palace; Palace Theatre
The Marvelous Wonderettes; Westside Theatre
Road Show; The Public Theater
Rock Of Ages; Brooks Atkinson Theatre
Shrek The Musical; Broadway Theatre
The Toxic Avenger; New World Stages
This Beautiful City; Vineyard Theatre
2009 DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD NOMINEES
Jane Alexander, Chasing Manet
David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, Kiril Kulish, Billy Elliot
Kahlil Ashanti, Basic Training
James Barbour, A Tale Of Two Cities
David Wilson Barnes, Becky Shaw
Simon Russell Beale, The Cherry Orchard
Annika Boras, An Oresteia
Christian Camargo, Hamlet
Bobby Cannavale, The Gingerbread House
Matt Cavenaugh, West Side Story
Julia Coffey, The Widowing Of Mrs. Holroyd
Lynn Cohen, Chasing Manet
Chad L. Coleman, Joe Turner's Come And Gone
Gavin Creel, Hair
David Cromer, Our Town
Joshua Cruz, Wig Out!
Mike Daisey, If You See Something, Say Something
Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Ruined
Ensemble, Black Watch
Ra'l Esparza, Speed-The-Plow
Rupert Everett, Blithe Spirit
Tovah Feldshuh, Irena?s Vow
Jane Fonda, 33 Variations
Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical
James Gandolfini, God Of Carnage
Alexander Gemignani, Road Show
John Glover, Waiting For Godot
Lauren Graham, Guys and Dolls
Nathan Lee Graham, Wig Out!
Josh Grisetti, Enter Laughing
Carla Gugino, Desire Under The Elms
Marcia Gay Harden, God Of Carnage
Megan Hilty, 9 To 5: The Musical
Danny Hoch, Taking Over
Marin Ireland, reasons to be pretty
Bill Irwin, Waiting For Godot
Dana Ivey, The Savannah Disputation
Allison Janney, 9 To 5: The Musical
Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit
Constantine Maroulis, Rock Of Ages
Elizabeth Marvel, Fifty Words
Janet McTeer, Mary Stuart
Ben Miles, The Norman Conquests
Liza Minnelli, Liza's At The Palace...
Maude Mitchell, Mabou Mines Dollhouse
Bruce Myers, The Grand Inquisitor
Sahr Ngaujah, Fela!
Kristine Nielsen, Why Torture Is Wrong, And The People Who Love
Them
Cynthia Nixon, Distracted
Denis O?Hare, Uncle Vanya
Karen Olivo, West Side Story
Nancy Opel, The Toxic Avenger
David Pearse, The Cripple of Inishmaan
David Hyde Pierce, Accent On Youth
Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey
Daniel Radcliffe, Equus
Heather Raffo, Palace Of The End
Roger Robinson, Joe Turner's Come And Gone
Geoffrey Rush, Exit The King
Thomas Sadoski, reasons to be pretty
Susan Sarandon, Exit The King
Campbell Scott, The Atheist
Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical
Michael Stuhlbarg, Hamlet
Will Swenson, Hair
Kristin Scott Thomas, The Seagull
John Douglas Thompson, Othello
Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart
Patrick Wilson, All My Sons
The Distinguished Performance Award can only be one once in a performer's lifetime.
As such, the following performers were ineligible this
season. However, The Drama League honors their
contributions to the season:
Norbert Leo Butz, Fifty Words
Stockard Channing, Pal Joey
Christine Ebersole, Blithe Spirit
Rosemary Harris, Oscar And The Pink Lady
Frank Langella, A Man For All Seasons
John Lithgow, All My Sons
Mary-Louise Parker, Hedda Gabler
Stephen Rea, Kicking A Dead Horse
Sam Waterston, Hamlet
* This is a great encounter from April 2nd, 2009, when Liza was en route to Rockefeller Center to tape some publicity for the German tour in June (Thanks, Alan):
Scottish Folk “n” Roll band Scocha were in New York for Tartan Week and were performing in St Andrews just of Broadway. During the sound-check, Scottish musician songwriter Alan Brydon went to his hotel to collect his in-ear monitors which were with his bagpipes. As he walked back across Times Square Liza was on a walkabout besieged by TV Crews and photographers, and by chance Alan found himself in their path. Chatting to Liza he asked if she knew it was Scottish Week to which she replied “Yes, I love Scottish”. Alan then treated Liza to a “skirl” on the pipes which she clearly enjoyed.
“She was lovely” said Alan “She’s a proper star in every sense of the word but she was happy to chat and seemed to genuinely appreciate the gesture.”
* Liza nominated for DRAMA DESK AWARD
Liza -- via her "Liza's at the Palace" engagement -- has been nominated for a DRAMA DESK AWARD, as just covered by Broadway World. The category is Distinguished Performance Award, and the awards will be held on May 15th:
* More info on Liza's East Hampton appearance this May 23rd at 7pm:
Saturday, May 23 at 7pm Guild Hall Grand Re-Opening Gala
An Intimate Evening with Liza featuring Billy Stritch Presented by Guild Hall in association with r/j productions The iconic legend of stage and screen, the one and only Liza Minnelli, officially opens the newly renovated John Drew Theater. A two-time Tony award winner, Ms. Minnelli also has received an Emmy, a Grammy, and an Oscar.
Gala Tickets (on sale now): $1,000 includes 7pm Performance; 8:30pm Dinner at the Gardiner property on James Lane, please call the Development Department at 631. 324.0806 Limited Tickets: $200/$185 members Rear Orchestra or $150/$145 members Balcony Tickets for the performance only go on sale May 7 to purchase visit www.guildhall.org or call Box Office 631.324.4050
GUILD HALL OF EAST HAMPTON 158 Main Street
East Hampton, New York 11937
p 631 324.0806 www.guildhall.org
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POSTED APRIL 13, 2009:
* Here's some additional info on the Saturday, May 23rd concert in East Hampton -- with More Info to come:
7pm
Guild Hall Grand Re-Opening Gala
An Intimate Evening with Liza featuring Billy Stritch
Presented by Guild Hall in association with r/j productions
The iconic legend of stage and screen, the one and only Liza Minnelli, officially opens the newly renovated John Drew Theater. A two-time Tony award winner, Ms. Minnelli has also received an Emmy, a Grammy and an Oscar. She recently sold-out on Broadway, and Charles Isherwood of The New York Times found “Ms. Minnelli’s intensity and generosity glow more brightly than ever in this captivating concert performance.”
Gala Tickets (on sale now): $1,000 includes 7pm Performance; 8:30pm Dinner at the Gardiner property on James Lane, please call the Development Department at
631. 324.0806
Limited Tickets: $150/$145 members
Tickets(performance only) go on sale May 7th to purchase call Box Office 631.324.4050 or through our website.
* Update / News on the ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT MOVIE:
From a Fox VIP Newsletter:
FORTE’S FORTE?
Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz may be casting for the Arrested Development movie before he has a script. During an April 1 conference call with reporters to promote his upcoming animated series “Sit Down, Shut Up,” he offered Saturday Night Live’s Will Forte (who has a role in the animated series) a part in the film.
“Oh my God, I’d love to. Is this an offer?” Forte responded. “Let me get my agent on the line.”
Hurwitz confirmed the offer, adding that he might have a place for Forte, considering he hasn’t actually written the script yet.
“We’re hoping to get this baby made sometime this year,” Hurwitz said. “We have a lot of little pieces, ideas, but none of them alone quite make a movie.”
No word on whether it was an April Fool’s stunt.
SIT DOWN, SHUT UP PREMIERES THIS MONTH
Hurwitz’s “Sit Down, Shut Up” premieres April 19. The animated series centers on the dysfunctional faculty of Knob Haven High and features the voices of Arrested Development alums Will Arnett, who plays a health teacher; Jason Bateman, who teaches gym; and Henry Winkler, who plays a German teacher.
* Liza will appear Saturday, May 23, 2009 at the John Drew Theater / Guild Hall, East Hampton, NY, is christened by Liza Minnelli (fresh from Broadway) presenting “An Intimidate Evening with Liza” accompanied by Billy Stritch.
Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street, East Hampton. For more information about the upcoming season, call 324-0806
LIZA MINNELLI is urging filmmakers to avoid focusing on her late mother JUDY GARLAND's drug addiction in an upcoming production.
Actress Anne Hathaway will be tackling The Wizard Of Oz star's hits as part of the Weinstein Company's planned theatre and film project, based on biographer Gerald Clarke's 2001 book Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland.
Garland's daughter Minnelli has approved of casting Hathaway in the role - but is convinced the new versions must focus on her mother's talent instead of her well-documented personal problems.
Minnelli tells Canada's Citytv, "Well, I love Anne Hathaway. And I hope that it's a good movie and I hope that it's true. You know, that they don't just concentrate on the crap like they usually do.
"(I hope) that they talk about her the way she should be talked about which was she was a fabulous entertainer, a great mother and just a wonderful human being."
* Liza is scheduled to sing with ELTON JOHN -- for the first time, publicly -- at the "Hot Pink Party," the Benefit for the BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION, on Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 (concert is 9-10 PM), at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan. Ticket prices start at $1,000 per person.
For more information, see the PDF below, and also the following:
On Thursday, Amy Poehler returns to television in her primetime series Parks and Recreation. They 37-year-old former Saturday Night Live cast member recently chatted with The Advocatehttp://www.advocate.com about her love of all things gay.
On a recent night out with some buddies from SNL http://socialitelife.celebuzz.com including Rachel Dratch and Kristen Wiig to see Liza Minnelli perform in New York, Amy insisted that Liza bless her pregnant friend's baby to be gay friendly. To this, Liza responded by singing to the unborn child, "What good is sitting alone in your womb? Come hear the music play!" Can we just have a moment of silence to recognize how amazing Liza is http://socialitelife.celebuzz.com and always will be?
* Review of Liza's concert at Roy Thompson Hall, Toronto, Tuesday, April 7th, 2009:
TORONTO SUN:
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Liza wows Toronto fans
By JANE STEVENSON, Sun Media
Last Updated: 8th April 2009, 3:58am
Liza Minnelli may have an indomitable spirit - she's a survivor of four marriages, double hip replacement surgery, viral encephalitis, and has battled drugs and alcohol over the years - but time has caught up with even her.
"I used to sit down in the second act - now I sit down in the first act!" said the 63-year-old performing legend before dragging a chair over to centre stage on Tuesday night at Roy Thomson Hall.
The Tony, Oscar, Emmy and Grammy winner may have been noticeably out of breath between songs, but when she was singing, she put everything she had - emotion, vulnerability, humor and strength - into her vocals backed by a 11-piece orchestra including her pianist-arranger of 18 years, Billy Stritch.
Minnelli also still has great musicality, dramatically moving her arms in time to the rhythm and beats, and was in noticeably better physical shape than when she last played the Toronto area at Casino Rama in 2005.
Her latest album is called Liza's At The Palace, in reference to a series of shows she staged last December at the legendary New York venue that was the scene of some of the greatest triumphs of her mother, Judy Garland.
"I just closed at The Palace - you know how many people want to say that?" said Minnelli. "That was the most thrilling experience of my life - and I've had a lot of swell times."
So Tuesday night's set list largely followed what is on that two-CD collection, the first brimming one with her well-known songs and the second one a tribute to her godmother Kay Thompson.
Minnelli opened with Teach Me Tonight, decked out in a black sequined sweater set, slimming black velvet pants, silver heels and black scarf which she quickly disposed of after the first song.
The audience, meanwhile, was really rooting for her as they screamed out their undying love and devotion between songs, presented flower bouquets, and even jumped to their feet and cheered for such Minnelli anthems as Maybe This Time, Cabaret, But The World Goes Round, Liza With A Z, and New York, New York.
The goodwill was palatable.
"My god, what a reception," said Minnelli, early in the show. "I feel like I'm coming home."
Minnelli, who was wonderfully funny as the vertigo-riddled Lucille on Arrested Development and recently made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live earlier this year, showed great comic timing too.
She spoke of always being drawn to songs about falling in love but how that has changed.
"At this time of my life I find I'm particularly drawn to songs about falling out (of love)," she said, before launching into If You Hadn't, But You Did, which included her firing off three shots of a fake gun mid-song and killing her imaginary lover, whose body she delicately walked over before retrieving her microphone tucked between her legs.
Minnelli knows how to keep the glamour quotient high too.
When she emerged for the second act of her 95-minute show, she had changed into a sequined brown tunic and skinny pants and the audience roared their approval.
Songs that followed included I Can't Give You Anything But Love - which was presented as a duet with Stritch - Alexander's Ragtime Band and Mammy.
"Remember when I used to get down on one knee?" said Minnelli during Mammy. "Forget it!"
And when the audience demanded an encore, just Minnelli and Stritch returned to the stage even though the singer claimed: "I don't have any more loud songs."
Still, she managed to find the perfect farewell tune as she sat down beside Stritch on the piano stool and sang, Everytime We say Goodbye.
"When I was little, I discovered everything I wanted to say had been written in a song," she explained, summing up her act in one sentence.
---
Sun Rating: 4 out of 5
Liza Minnelli
Roy Thomson Hall
Tuesday night
* Liza Minnelli Can Still Ring Them Bells
by Richard Ouzounian
Toronto Star, April 4, 2009
Liza's back! And she's coming to Roy Thomson Hall this Tuesday night.
But tell the truth, did she ever really go away?
"I've been here all the time, darlin'," Minnelli chimes in that distinctive voice from her apartment in Manhattan. "It's just that now and then I've been a little hard to find."
She has been a force to reckon with ever since she burst into stardom in 1963, at the age of 17, in an off-Broadway production of "Best Foot Forward."
Along the way, there have been a lot of headlines, good and bad. She has won several Tonys, an Oscar, an Emmy and a Grammy, but she also spent a lot of time battling the demons of drugs and alcohol that killed her mother, Judy Garland, when Minnelli was only 23.
Toss in four marriages that ended in divorce, a career trajectory that often resembled a crackhead's EEG, and enough illnesses to fell the armies of most small European nations, and it seems almost miraculous that her career has survived past her 63rd birthday last month.
"If you love what you do," she says simply, "it's not that hard. It's interesting. It's gratifying. Yeah, darlin', it can be soul-wrenching, but that's what people pay the money to see."
Still, there was a time -- not that long ago -- when a lot of people wondered if they'd ever see Minnelli again.
A case of viral encephalitis in 2000 left her so incapacitated that doctors didn't think she'd ever walk again, let alone dance.
She did a successful 2002 show called "Liza's Back" in New York and London, but most people were saluting her resilience rather than actually cheering the talent on display.
But she kept training relentlessly, getting her body back in shape. Her appearances as the wacky Lucille Austero on "Arrested Development" taught a whole new generation about how funny this woman could be.
I had last interviewed her in Manhattan in 2005 and was impressed at how her spirit had mended faster than her body. The heart was full, the eyes were shining, but the walk -- even after double hip replacement surgery -- was more like someone from a George Romero movie than the woman who slinked across the Kit Kat Klub as Sally Bowles in the film version of "Cabaret."
She knew perfectly well that she hadn't scaled all the way back up the mountain yet, but she also served notice that she sure as hell had no intention of stopping the climb.
"I never lost hope," she said four years ago. "I never stopped loving people. That's what kept me going through the worst years."
Reminded of what she said then, she gives a throaty laugh, more rueful than cheerful. "The worst years are over, baby," she says. "At least I hope to God they are."
There's a sound of her knocking on wood. "And I still have never lost hope."
Audiences never lost hope, either, and they kept going to all the uneven performances during her years of rehabilitation, waiting for the lightning to strike again.
It struck Dec. 3 at the Palace Theatre in New York, once the scene of some of her mother's greatest triumphs, when she opened her most recent show, called -- obviously enough -- "Liza's at the Palace."
Yes, there were still the usual critical cavils about a voice grown ragged with age and a body no longer limber after a life lived in several fast lanes simultaneously.
But everyone agreed -- despite it all -- there was magic in the air again.
As The New York Times put it: "Once the show began to soar, Ms Minnelli's force of will became a triumph of spirit over flesh. As she insisted on doing what she can no longer do, her audacity was inspiring: Her message was, you do the best you can and, if you have to, fake it."
What was different this time out? Minnelli likes to think it's because most of the show (which she's repeating at Roy Thomson Hall on Tuesday) is a tribute to her godmother, Kay Thompson.
Most people, unfortunately, forget Thompson nowadays, unless you point out that she was the author of the Eloise books. But the lean, leggy, imperious woman with the whisky-sour voice was also a superb musician, a unique entertainer and an important creative force in the world of the great MGM movie musicals of the 1940s and '50s.
"She was Hollywood's secret weapon," whispers Liza, trying to keep and ruin the secret simultaneously. "She was the real star of MGM. She was cerebral and harmonious. She had a unique style. She invented it herself. She was an original and anyone who came into her orbit was so much the better for it."
Despite the personal debt she feels toward her, Minnelli believes there's another reason this tribute to Kay Thompson has proved so magical.
"Kay was all about the joy of music and how much fun it was. That's something we've all forgotten." A pause. "It's certainly something I've misplaced now and then."
But that, as her favourite lyricist Fred Ebb would have put it, is "walking among my yesterdays," and the current Liza Minnelli loves to live in the present.
"I'm curious. I wonder where life's going. Every morning I wake up and say, 'What the hell is today going to bring?'"
* "Liza's at the Palace" was at Number Ten of the Top 15 Cast Recording List on BILLBOARD, for it's 6th week (I think I have that right, that it's the 6th week for the CD), for the week ending Sunday, March 15th, 2009.
* MTV online reports on the remake of ARTHUR, in the works now. Check-out Russell Brand's comments on LIZA at the end of the article (Brand will be playing "Arthur"): http://moviesblog.mtv.com
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POSTED MARCH 12, 2009:
* Palace CD at #8 this week (Billboard)
Nice Birthday gift for Liza: her "Liza's at the Palace" CD jumped back up for its Fifth Week on the BILLBOARD charts, back up to #8, for the week ending Sunday, March 8th. (It was Number 12 last week, #10 before that, #6 before that, and #3 for its debut week)
Looks like the PARADE magazine cover / article helped.
|
POSTED MARCH 11, 2009:
* Press Release for a 2-hour radio show paying tribute to Liza -- airs on her birthday, tomorrow, at 3 PM Central, 4 PM Eastern, etc. See more below. The first hour features Liza, her "Williams Brothers" co-stars, and selections from the new "Liza's at the Palace" CD. The second hour features an interview with yours truly, and a look at "The Complete A&M Recordings" set
###
For immediate release:
WQNA 88.3FM DJ Larry Corley, host of "Jazz Now and Then" will celebrate Liza
Minnelli's birthday on March 12th with two special program events.
At 3:00pm Corley will air an encore presentation of "Liza Minnelli: Back on
Broadway." The hour long program features an interview with Minnelli who speaks
about her godmother Kay Thompson to whom she paid tribute recently at Broadway's
famed Palace Theatre. Added to the program are songs from Minnelli's new CD
release "Liza's at the Palace." The program also includes interviews with
Minnelli's talented singer/dancers, Johnny Rodgers, Jim Caruso and Cortes
Alexander who played the Williams Brothers in Minnellil's Palace show. Other
participants in the program include Broadway stars Kelli O'Hara and Christine
Ebersole who welcomed Minnelli back to Broadway after a ten year absence.
Following this program is an hour long retrospective featuring Minnelli's
earlier sound culled from the new double CD collection "Liza Minnelli: the
Complete A&M Recordings." Included in the program is an interview with author
Scott Schechter who compiled and produced the set.
WQNA broadcasts in stereo to a potential audience of 250,000 in the greater
Springfield, IL area at 88.3FM. It serves as an outlet for unique music and
specialty programs not found on commercial stations. WQNA is
also heard on the Internet at www.wqna.org as well as on area cable TV
channels and other outlets nationwide.
###
* Just a reminder to vote for our dear JIM CARUSO as GENRE's MAN OF THE YEAR ... Just heard from him, and he offer's this recap on the workings of it:
So I'm in the running for Genre Magazine's Man of the Year, which is essentially just a PR thing, but would be great for promoting the Broadway at Birdland series, Cast Party, and all the other crazy things I have going on! Not sure if it's appropriate, but it'd be swell to have the LM fans vote! All they have to do is click on Genre Magazine, and vote '10.' It can be a daily occurrence, if they're really into it, but don't bother voting more than once a day, because it won't count!
* I'm hoping to get to more of a real "review" soon, but I must tell you -- now that the final copies have come in -- that the new Liza songbook THE BEST OF LIZA MINNELLI is a must-have for anyone who loves collecting sheet music .... or just anything on our lady Liza. The huge oversized soft-cover book is a bargain at $19.99 List Price -- and contains a whopping 25 songs. The hits are all here, and so are some rare songs (things from "The Act" for example). Plus we get a full-page Forward by MICHAEL FEINSTEIN, and also a full-page B/W shot of the "Liza's at the Palace" cover photo ... and the Front Cover of this book is the STUNNING COLOR Photo by RICK DAY that we feature as the main photo on the home page of our website. I talked with Liza on Saturday about this new BEST OF LIZA MINNELLI songbook, and she's as thrilled as I am -- and as you'll likely be. (You can find it easily at the website's Liza Store.)
I wished Liza a HAPPY BIRTHDAY in advance, for everyone, and she sends her love back, to us -- she's so looking forward to her concerts, and all the other great things we have to look forward to.
Here's to many many more Magical Minnelli Years
Now, go get the "swell" new BEST OF LIZA MINNELLI songbook! :)
* "Liza's at the Palace" was Number 12 on the Billboard Top 15 chart -- under Cast Recordings -- for her fourth week, ending Sunday, March 1st. (As a reminder, her first week / debut was at number three, then number six, then number 10, now number 12)
There's the website for the final edition of the PARADE magazine that hits newstands this Sunday, March 1st, 2009. The website features a few additional photos of Liza from the photo session done for the magazine by Andrew Eccles, in January.
* Liza Minnelli Featured In March 1st Issue of PARADE
* Just a reminder that the Liza cover story on PARADE magazine is still slated to run this Sunday, March 1st. Parade has a circulation of 33 million through more than 470 Sunday newspapers — one of which is The New York Post, which is dropping Liz Smith's column after this coming Thursday, in order to save the $125,000 they are paying her per year. Her column will still be seen on her website and in other newspapers across the country, as well as Variety.
Critics swoon at Van Morrison doing his classic Astral Weeks live in a recent album. It reconnects him with his muse, they say. Perhaps. But few live sessions sparkle with an artist's brass and sass as does Liza's at the Palace, a brashly triumphant document of Liza Minnelli's autumn 2008 run at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. To quote her, "It's Liza with a Z Not Lisa with an S 'Cause Lisa with an S Goes 'sss' not 'zzz.' "
The two-CD set is split between signature smashes and her salute to 1940s Broadway/nightclub doyenne Kay Thompson (Liza's godmother). Minnelli goes for broke on belters such as "Maybe This Time" with delicious clarity. Sympathetic pianist Billy Stritch and a smallish orchestra allow her room to breathe. She saves the scenery-chewing for the soft, dramatic subtlety of "If You Hadn't, But You Did" and the steady sorrow of "But the World Goes 'Round."
Along with the recent The Complete A&M Recordings, which documents her late-'60s/pre-disco '70s, Palace represents a mountainous high peak in a career with more valleys than the Dolls. - A.D. Amorosi
* Liza attended Alan Cumming's late-night show at Lincoln Center, Saturday, February 7th, 2009:
IN THE NOH: Gender Bending, Song-Wise
By: DAVID NOH
02/20/2009
Alan Cumming's late show at Lincoln Center's American Songbook on February 7 proved that this veteran of "Cabaret" really understands the form. Backed by a spankingly good band, his voice, husky and charged on ballads, and, on the fast numbers, evoking the arching, vibrato-less sound of Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, showed its versatility on a wide range of songs: Sinatra's "That's Life," a smoking "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" medley, "Where I Want to Be" from "Chess," and William Finn's "What More Can I Say?," which he cited as one of the rare same-sex love songs.
In the audience, always sending up a room's temperature, was Liza Minnelli, the first to jump to her feet for Cumming's well-deserved standing ovation. Cumming sang one song from "Cabaret": "Mein Herr," having fun with its suggestive seduction and ended by saying, "Apologies to Liza," who had been lapping it up like it was créme fraiche.
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POSTED FEBRUARY 17, 2009:
* Some great photos of Liza arriving at the AmfAR event last night,
Thursday, February 12th, 2009:
* Here are some great photos (thanks, Steve) of Liza being honored at the AmfAR Event last night, Thursday, February 12th, 2009 (escorted by our beloved Johnny Rodgers)
The Tony Awards Administration Committee has announced additional eligibility rulings for the 2008-2009 season.
The three boys playing the title role in Billy Elliot -- David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish -- will be eligible to be considered jointly in the Leading Actor in a Musical category.
Liza's at the Palace, Slava's Snowshow, and Soul of Shaolin will all be considered eligible in the Special Theatrical Event category. Dividing the Estate and The American Plan are both eligible in the category of Best Play.
All other decisions were consistent with the opening night credits.
This is the third time the Tony Awards Administration Committee has met this year. It will meet two more times to discuss the eligibility of shows opening in
the 2008-2009 season. The cut-off date for eligibility is April 30, 2009.
The awards will be presented by the League of American Theatres and Producers and the American Theatre Wing on Sunday, June 7 and broadcast live on CBS.
Liza Minnelli's "Liza's at the Palace" (Hybrid) debuts at No. 3 on Top Cast Albums. The daughter of Judy Garland most recently charted in July 1996 with "Gently," which peaked at No. 156 on The Billboard 200.
* Looks like Liza will be doing much more radio in the very near future, to talk about the new LIZA'S AT THE PALACE album:
She is doing Barbara Walters radio show—but don’t have an air date
She is doing AP radio—but don’t have air date
She is doing Lenonard Lopate WNYC radio LIVE this Monday!-- February 16th, 2009
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POSTED FEBRUARY 10, 2009:
* AWARD WIN for Palace Run
Minnelli, Fey, Winslet, Letterman, Rourke and Fernandez Win ITRA Awards
By Andrew Gans
09 Feb 2009
Liza Minnelli
Winners of the 2009 Independent Theatre Reviewers Association (ITRA) Awards have been announced.
Six artists in three categories — film, television and theatre — have been selected for 2009. The honorees, according to press notes, "embody the essence of not only artistic integrity, but also complete dedication to their craft."
This year's ITRA Award winners follow:
Mickey Rourke, Best Actor in a Feature Film, "The Wrestler" (Fox/Searchlight Pictures), "for his powerful and honest portrayal. This is a great comeback from a great American actor."
Kate Winslet, Best Actress in a Feature Film, "Revolutionary Road" (DreamWorks Pictures/Paramont Vantage), "for her profound and beautiful work."
Tina Fey, Best Performance in a Television Series or Variety Show (Female), "3 0 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live" (NBC), for "terrific comedic performances and biggest career explosion of the year."
David Letterman, Best Performance in a Television Series or Variety Show (Male), "Late Night with David Lettermen" (CBS), "for his continued success and longevity."
Liza Minnelli, Best Performance Theatrical (Female), Liza's At The Palace (Palace Theatre, NYC; John Scher/Metropolitan Talent Presents), "for a lifetime of art and heartache, and most importantly survival... a legend returns to Broadway!"
Lucio Fernandez, Best Performance Theatrical (Male), "The Cuban Kid in concert" (Don't Tell Mama, NYC), "for an electrifying performance in cabaret. This newcomer came out of nowhere to surprise us."
Independent Theatre Reviewers Association is "dedicated to reviewing professional theatre in the tri-state metropolitan area." For more information visit www.TheatreReviewers.com.
* Billboard CD reviews as presented by Reuters from New York
Artist: Liza Minnelli
Album: Liza’s At The Palace (Hybrid Recordings)
Liza Minnelli’s recent stint at New York’s Palace Theater was more than just song and dance: It was a declaration of showbiz survival. And the audience, which showered her with ovations, knew it. So it’s disappointing — and odd — for the accompanying double CD to be a studio rather than a live recording. The daughter of Judy Garland, now her own legend at 62, willed herself through the demanding set of American songbook classics, including showstoppers like “Cabaret” and “But the World Goes ‘Round,” despite two hip replacements, a history of addiction and a public life that would cause other stars to go into hiding. Her voice cracked, her movements were abbreviated, but the veteran carried on and brought the house down. What could have been a warts-and-all testament to Minnelli’s true grit is instead a glossed-up memento for fans.
Liza Minnelli to Guest Host SIRIUS XM RADIO SIRIUSLY SINATRA 'PLAYING FAVORITES' 2/9
Friday, February 6, 2009; Posted: 08:02 PM - by BWW News Desk
SIRIUS XM Radio announced today that Liza Minnelli will guest host Playing Favorites on Siriusly Sinatra, the SIRIUS XM channel that plays music by Frank Sinatra and the greatest singers of all time.
Playing Favorites featuring Liza Minnelli will be broadcast on SIRIUS channel 75 and XM channel 73 on Monday, February 9 at 6 pm ET.
SIRIUS XM listeners will hear Liza play some of her favorite music by the star she affectionately remembers as "Uncle Frank." Liza will also reminisce about touring with Frank and share the story of how he came to record his landmark version of the theme to her movie, New York, New York. In addition to playing classics from Sinatra's catalog, Liza will also treat listeners to her own music as well as that of her mother, Judy Garland, performing the George Gershwin song which she was named after.
Playing Favorites featuring Liza Minnelli will air on Siriusly Sinatra on Monday, February 9 at 6 pm ET with an encore presentation broadcast on Thursday, February 12 at 9 am ET and Saturday, February 14 at 12 Noon ET.
Playing Favorites is a weekly show broadcast on Siriusly Sinatra featuring celebrity guest hosts playing their favorite Frank Sinatra songs and sharing their personal stories and commentary on the music. Previous episodes have been hosted by celebrities ranging from Grammy Award®-winner Linda Ronstadt, vocalist Steve Tyrell, Michael Feinstein and award-winning director of The French Connection and The Exorcist, William Friedkin. Playing Favorites airs weekly each Monday at 6 pm ET.
Siriusly Sinatra is the only 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, commercial-free channel to broadcast the entire spectrum of Sinatra's career as well as artists and songs from the standards era. Produced by SIRIUS XM and the Sinatra family, the channel features regular blocks of Sinatra's music, archival performances and is the home of Nancy for Frank, a weekly show hosted by his daughter, Nancy Sinatra. Siriusly Sinatra also broadcasts The Chairman's Hour, a weekly radio show hosted by Frank Sinatra himself using archival material and presented by SIRIUS XM and the Sinatra family. Additionally, SIRIUS XM listeners will hear New York radio legend and musical historian Jonathan Schwartz share his encyclopedic knowledge of Sinatra's music and his passion for popular American standards on his daily show, High Standards with Jonathan Schwartz.
Liza Minnelli, the Academy Award®- and Tony Award®-winning actress and singer, returned to Broadway for a solo concert at Broadway's Palace Theatre in the winter of 2009. The legendary vocalist recently released her latest studio album Liza's at the Palace to celebrate the acclaimed performance.
For more information on Liza Minnelli, please visit www.lizasatthepalace.com.
SIRIUS XM Radio is America's satellite radio company delivering commercial-free music channels, premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather, to more than 18.9 million subscribers.
SIRIUS XM Radio has content relationships with an array of personalities and artists, including Howard Stern, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Jimmy Buffett, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Walters, Opie & Anthony, Bubba the Love Sponge®, The Grateful Dead, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Bob Edwards. SIRIUS XM Radio is the leader in sports programming as the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, Major League Baseball®, NASCAR®, NBA, NHL®, and PGA TOUR®, and broadcasts major college sports.
SIRIUS XM Radio has arrangements with every major automaker. SIRIUS XM Radio products are available at shop.sirius.com and shop.xmradio.com, and at retail locations nationwide, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, Sam's Club, and Wal-Mart.
SIRIUS XM Radio also offers SIRIUS Backseat TV, the first ever live in-vehicle rear seat entertainment featuring Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network; XM NavTraffic® service for GPS navigation systems delivers real-time traffic information, including accidents and road construction, for more than 80 North American markets.
* Some great photos of Liza's CD signing at Barnes and Noble, Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009:
* Here's a preview of a new Liza interview coming-up in an issue of PARADE magazine. Liza is slated for the COVER of this magazine (which is included in most major Sunday newspapers in the U.S.) (This is what Liza did that PHOTO SHOOT for, on Friday, January 16th, that I mentioned recently; I'd heard the issue was to be February 15th, but appears to have been pushed back to March 1st now.)
And while we have great entertainers on the brain, I recently sat down with Liza Minnelli for an interview that will appear shortly in Parade <http://www.parade.com/> magazine – the March 1 cover.
Liza looked great and was in fine fettle, fresh from her triumph at the Palace Theater on old Broadway. The only thing Liza really wants to talk about is her work, though I did get her to stray into personal areas.
Liza has a truckload of Kay Thompson stories (Liza’s Palace stint was, in part, a tribute to her fabulous godmother, Kay.) I like this one:
Liza: “Years ago, Franco Zeffirelli invited me to his beautiful villa in Italy. Kay came along. Franco kept saying he wanted to direct me as – are you ready? – Camille, but dressed u p like a boy. It was, you know, one of those kinds of visits. The place was inundated with the most gorgeous flowers. I didn’t know what they were, so I asked Kay. ‘Bougainvillea,’ she said. The next day, I was still raving over these flowers, but couldn’t remember the name. ‘Bougainvillea,’ Kay said, with a little more emphasis. So, OK, the next day, same thing. ‘Bougainvillea,’ Kay said, and was looking at me like, ‘What’s with her?’
“Later, we were out on a sailboat, and Kay was quiet, which for her was quite unusual. Suddenly, she leapt up in the boat, and shouted, ‘I’ve got it. I’ve got it!’ She looked at me and said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, appearing here for the first time – Boog and Vellia!’
“Needless to say, I never forgot the name of that flower again.”
——————————
More Liza: On February 12, Liza, along with Donna Karan and Howard and Cindy Rachofsky will be honored at AmFAR’s NYC gala at Cipriani 42nd Street. They are being recognized for their work in increasing AIDS awareness.
Joan Osborne, of blues, rock and country music fame, will perform. Along with burgeoning chanteuse Renee Olstead
* Scoop: Liza IS JUST CONFIRMED For HOLLYWOOD BOWL On August 28th and 29th
No word on show, ticket sales (despite eBay selling some! -- Buyer beware)
* From St. Paul Minnesotta's Pioneer Press
MONDAY 02-02-09 BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
hot dish } what’s coming up this week
St. Paul Pioneer Press A&E LIVMonday 2-2-2009 MUSIC
At the Palace — Liza Minnelli inherited numerous traits from her
mother, Minnesota’s own Judy Garland, including launching lavish
comebacks. The latter is the focus of “Liza’s at the Palace,” a new
two-CD collection that hits stores Tuesday. The original cast
recording captures her set from her sold-out run of shows late last
year at the famed Palace Theatre, a venue Garland herself used
several times to relaunch her career. The first disc focuses on her
signature hits, including a terrific “Maybe This Time,” while the
second acts as a tribute to the late-’40s nightclub act of Minnelli’s
godmother Kay Thompson. At 62, Minnelli’s voice isn’t as supple
as it once was, but she’s still got that good, old-fashioned showbiz
blood running through her veins, which is readily apparent
throughout the album. Also of interest to fans is “The Complete
A&M Recordings,” a two-disc set issued just prior to Minnelli’s
Broadway run. It collects her trio of studio albums from 1968,
1969 and 1970 along with a 1972 concert disc and a handful of
period rarities. It’s a little-known, but fertile and fascinating, era of
Minnelli’s career that saw her bouncing between standards
(“Stormy Weather,” “The Man I Love”) and period pop hits
(including songs from the Beatles, Randy Newman and Jimmy
Webb) with undeniable pluck. — Ross Raihala
* Just in case you missed it, here is the link to hear Liza's interview -- and additional moments done for the interview that didn't make the air version -- on NPR's website:
* Liza is currently scheduled to appear next Tuesday, February 10th, 2009, at the tribute to photographer Patrick McMullan at Elaine's. Patrick is being feted there by Interview magazine for his 20 years of service.
* The Liza B&N Event ....
Will try to write more later when I can get caught-up on e-mails, but wanted to say what a blast last night's Barnes and Noble event was. Liza sang four songs ("World Goes 'Round," "I Would Never Leave You," "Violin" -- with the boys, and "What Makes a Man a Man" -- I THINK I got the ORDER right! :) (She was originally only going to sing two songs :)
There were 300 Liza fans there, and it was so great to see and / or meet many of you. Liza stayed till the last person had their CD signed -- as she has usually done at signings in the past (very much like her). We stayed for a few minutes after as we all got our coats, and she told me she was very happy with the way everything had gone.
She's very excited about the Hollywood Bowl, also - and told me she is indeed working on an all-new show. (Although I bet she does wind-up keeping much of Act One intact, since it has many of her signatures songs in it.)
Afterwards, a bunch of us did make it to the Westside diner -- sorry if we lost some of you, due to the time (and the snow), but we did want to wait till everyone had their CDs signed, so we didn't get there till 8:30 or so.
JOHNNY RODGERS was kind enough to stop-by and hang-out with us, as a surprise for our group. He's such a dear soul, as many of you know -- and obviously a great talent. Don't forget Johnny will have his OWN event at the very same Barnes and Noble, on Wednesday, February 25th, during which he'll perform and sign copies of all his CDs -- including his duet disc with Liza, of course. We all had such a superb time laughing and talking with Johnny, and I'm so grateful for all his kindness.
All Best and Warmest,
Scott
* Amazon SOLD-OUT of their initial order of the Palace CD
I found-out at the B&N event last night that AMAZON actually sold-out of their VERY LARGE initial order of the "Liza's at the Palace" CD -- and, of course, already replenished their supply. Very exciting news.
* The Liza B&N Event:
Will try to write more later when I can get caught-up on e-mails, but wanted to say what a blast last night's Barnes and Noble event was. Liza sang four songs ("World Goes 'Round," "I Would Never Leave You," "Violin" -- with the boys, and "What Makes a Man a Man" -- I THINK I got the ORDER right! :) (She was originally only going to sing two songs :)
There were 300 Liza fans there, and it was so great to see and / or meet many of you. Liza stayed till the last person had their CD signed -- as she has usually done at signings in the past (very much like her). We stayed for a few minutes after as we all got our coats, and she told me she was very happy with the way everything had gone.
She's very excited about the Hollywood Bowl, also - and told me she is indeed working on an all-new show. (Although I bet she does wind-up keeping much of Act One intact, since it has many of her signatures songs in it.)
Afterwards, a bunch of us did make it to the Westside diner -- sorry if we lost some of you, due to the time (and the snow), but we did want to wait till everyone had their CDs signed, so we didn't get there till 8:30 or so.
JOHNNY RODGERS was kind enough to stop-by and hang-out with us, as a surprise for our group. He's such a dear soul, as many of you know -- and obviously a great talent. Don't forget Johnny will have his OWN event at the very same Barnes and Noble, on Wednesday, February 25th, during which he'll perform and sign copies of all his CDs -- including his duet disc with Liza, of course. We all had such a superb time laughing and talking with Johnny, and I'm so grateful for all his kindness.
* UPDATED INFO on Barnes and Noble signing, tomorrow, February 3rd. This comes from the store itself:
"Liza Minnelli will perform . . . before signing her new CD, 'Liza's at the Palace.'
"Ms. Minnelli will only sign 'Liza's at the Palace.'
"She will sign up to 5 CDs per customer.
"We will give out wristbands beginning at 9 AM on Feb. 3 to those who purchase 'Liza's at the Palace.' We will give out one wristband per person.
"The first 160 customers will be given pink wristbands and guaranteed a seat in the event space. Wristbands will be numbered and we will seat customers in numerical order — so there will be no need to remain on line all day.
"We ask that customers with pink wristbands return to the store by 5 PM and join the line outside the building. We will bring these people up to the event space at about 5:30 PM.
"We will give purple wristbands to additional customers. These customers will be able to get CDs signed, but we can't guarantee that they will be able to hear or see the performance.
"This second group can line up on the third floor beginning at 3 PM.
"Given the size of the crowd, there will be no opportunities for photographs with Ms. Minnelli."
* Among the many wonderful people here as a part of Liza's group / fan club, I am honored that we have some of Liza's professional associates and friends here with us. One such dear soul -- who fits into BOTH of those areas (as a professional associate AND friend) is Liza's brilliant drummer and conductor, Mike Berkowitz. Mike was kind enough to send us a post, after reading our comments on that review of the "Liza's at the Palace" CD -- it appears below. Thanks, Mike, for everything, from all of us. (And by the way, as I've told Mike, I am one of those who think this is indeed Liza's best recording in a long time. I feel it's her best solo album in the last 20 years, in fact.)
All Best and Warmest,
Scott
(Here's Mike's post, now):
****
To: OfficialLizaMinnelli@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: cd review
Date: Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:48:05 -0000
For what it's worth...
The one review from SF Gate really doesn't matter a whole lot. By that I
mean that it's not a Trade Paper or Amazon or the NY Times, etc. It's
just one person's opinion, wrong as he may be.
As for a Live versus Studio CD. There was a need to have product for
sale in the lobby at the Palace by Opening Night. Can't do a live album
from the Palace Show and get it mixed, artwork and liner notes and
packaged in time for what was originally a two week run.
I understand not having the excitement of the crowd, the applause and
all the rest that a live CD would provide, but there is a very large
upside, I think, to recording the show in a Studio, taking your time,
having control over the sound, balance, EQ, etc., that's impossible to
do in a live recording. Plus, other than the Original Cast versions of
some of the selections, it's the only time to my knowledge that these
were done in a studio version.
Some folks think it's Liza's best recording in a long time. Biased as I
am, I agree.
Mike Berkowitz
* Meant to get this off at the time, but Liza attended (with Jim Caruso) the Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 8 PM show of the great Gene Krupa Band at Iridium in New York City, celebrating the 100th Birthday of Gene Krupa.
* Liza's NY Philharmonic Debut, April 20th, Avery Fisher Hall
Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky.
The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.
This concert, a fundraiser for the New York Philharmonic, will include a Gala pre-concert reception, the concert, and a post-concert reception with the artists. (Business attire) For information, please contact Eve Helfstein at helfsteine@nyphil.org, or call her at (212) 875-5757.
As a composer, Marvin Hamlisch has won virtually every major award - three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony, and three Golden Globe Awards. His ground-breaking musical, A Chorus Line, received the Pulitzer Prize. Other Broadway credits include They're Playing Our Song, The Goodbye Girl, Sweet Smell of Success, and Imaginary Friends. Mr. Hamlisch is also the composer of more than 40 motion picture scores, including his Oscar-winning score and song for The Way We Were, and his adaptation of Scott Joplin's music for The Sting, for which he received a third Oscar.
His prolific output of film scores includes original compositions and/or musical adaptations for Sophie's Choice, Ordinary People, The Swimmer, Three Men and a Baby, Ice Castles, Take the Money and Run, Bananas, and Save the Tiger. Marvin Hamlisch is principal pops conductor for the National, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and San Diego symphony orchestras. He was music director and arranger of Barbra Streisand's 1994 concert tour of the U.S. and England, as well as the television special, Barbra Streisand: The Concert (for which he received two of his Emmys). He served in the same capacities for her Millennium concerts. Mr. Hamlisch is a graduate of The Juilliard School's Pre-College Division and Queens College, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree. He made his New York Philharmonic debut on May 20, 2008, as conductor and host of Broadway's Greatest Showstoppers.
Liza Minnelli, who performed at The Palace Theatre from December 3, 2008 to January 4, 2009, in a show called Liza's at The Palace, is making her New York Philharmonic debut in this concert. Ms. Minnelli was born March 12, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, to the actress/singer Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, the film director responsible for such classics as Meet Me in St. Louis and An American in Paris. She began her career at a very early age, co-starring with her mother in the film, In the Good Old Summertime in 1949. At the age of 10, she hosted the first-ever television broadcast of The Wizard of Oz. By 19, she had landed the lead role in the Broadway show, Flora, the Red Menace, which won her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a musical. In 1967 she went on to star in several films, including Charlie Bubbles, The Sterile Cuckoo, and Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon. In 1972 she played Sally Bowles in Cabaret. The film won eight Oscars, including Best Actress for Ms. Minnelli. The role also earned her a Golden Globe and a British Film Academy Award. She also starred in the first concert ever filmed live for television in 1972 - Liza with a Z - which produced a Top-20 album and won the Emmy for Outstanding Single Program. In 1977 she appeared opposite Robert DeNiro in the musical, New York, New York, directed by Martin Scorsese. Other films include Arthur and Arthur 2: On the Rocks. Her Broadway credits also include Victor/Victoria and Minnelli on Minnelli, a tribute to her father.
Credit Suisse is the Global Sponsor of the New York Philharmonic.
Programs of the New York Philharmonic are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Concert-only tickets are $55 to $225, and will go on sale to subscribers and donors January 28 through February 6, 2009. Tickets for the general public will go on sale February 7, 2009. All tickets may be purchased online at nyphil.org or by calling (212) 875-5656, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Tickets may also be purchased at the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office, Lincoln Center, Broadway at 65th Street. The Box Office opens at 10:00 a.m. Monday February 1st.
* Here's the first professional review I've seen of the Palace CD (SF Gate.com):
The original article can be found on SFGate.com here:
The voice is a little ragged now and tends to wobble on sustained notes,
but Liza Minnelli can still sell a song. And then some. She also can hold
an audience rapt for more than two hours, with a little spiritual help
from her extended family, as she did in December and January with her show
at New York's Palace Theatre directed by Ron Lewis. The two-CD original
cast recording isn't nearly as full a package. Minus the show's stories
and dance routines, it's a leave-'em-wanting-more set of 18 songs divided
into two acts. Act I is a mixed bag, featuring Minnelli's big, expressive
voice overselling numbers such as "Teach Me Tonight" and Kander and Ebb's"My Own Best Friend," nailing a cheeky "Cabaret" and triumphing on the
sex-kitten rapid patter Betty Comden and Adolph Green lyrics of "If You
Hadn't, But You Did" and gender confusion of Charles Aznavour's "What
Makes a Man a Man?" (vocal arrangements by Billy Stritch). Act II is more
consistent, thanks to Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson. A four-man
backup joins the star in beguiling songs written by the late author of the"Eloise" books, nightclub singer and vocal coach to the likes of Judy
Garland, Lena Horne and Frank Sinatra. Minnelli soars through Thompson
delights like "Jubilee Time" and "I Love a Violin" plus a rollicking
rendition of the Gershwins' "Clap Yo' Hands" before capping the show with
her signature, powerhouse "Theme from New York, New York."
Pop
LIZA MINNELLI
LIZA'S AT THE PALACE....
HYBRID RECORDINGS
$19.98
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2009 SF Chronicle
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POSTED JANUARY 30, 2009:
* The two TV shows I mentioned the air times for (CW Ch. 11 Morning Show, and "Mike and Juliet" on Fox, Ch.5) are BOTH on MONDAY, February 2nd. (The 3rd is the Barnes and Noble signing, and of course, that is Tuesday :)
Here are the AIR TIMES for Liza's new crop of RADIO and TV appearances to promote the new LIZA'S AT THE PALACE album, out on February 3rd, of course:
***
Air times for Sirius Sinatra:
Monday, 2/9 at 6PM ET
Thursday, 2/12 at 9AM ET
Saturday, 2/14 at 12 Noon ET
****
New York 1 -TV air times:
Liza will be on this weekend – Sat/Sun – 9:30 AM/7:30 PM
Monday at 9:30 PM
Tuesday at 12:30 AM
And it’s 2 parts – so this weekend and next weekend.
****
Info for This weekend's NPR radio airtime:
Airs on Saturday, January 31st:
At the moment it’s scheduled to air around 8:45am ET, repeated at 10:45 and 12:45, depending on when local stations air our program.
****
AND -- Don't forget:
8:35 AM on CW 11 and 9:35 on The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet (FOX), both on Monday Feb 2nd
* We have a winner, the FIRST PERSON who knew that Liza appeared onstage at the Palace:
1) During Judy's 1956-1957 Palace engagement
2) During Judy's 1967 Palace engagement
3) During the May 1974 Jule Styne Tribute / Benefit
4) "Minnelli on Minnelli"
5) "Liza's at the Palace"
The CD of LIZA'S AT THE PALACE -- from the fine folks at HYBRID RECORDINGS -- will be mailed out to:
Cheyenne Beal
CONGRATS, CHEYENNE!
* The two TV shows I mentioned the air times for (CW Ch. 11 Morning Show, and "Mike and Juliet" on Fox, Ch.5) are BOTH on MONDAY, February 2nd. (The 3rd is the Barnes and Noble signing, and of course, that is Tuesday :)
* Times are now set for Liza's appearances on the two TV shows Monday, February 3rd (no singing on either): The CH.11 MORNING SHOW is at 8:45 AM, and the MIKE AND JULIET MORNING SHOW on FOX is at 9:45 AM. (Obviously times are subject to change)
The NPR interview is with SCOTT SIMON
* No word yet on what Liza will be singing (or how many songs), but she IS CONFIRMED for this NEW CONCERT in MANHATTAN on April 20th:
New York Moments to Feature Minnelli, O'Hara, Szot, Holliday and Grey
By Andrew Gans
28 Jan 2009
Liza Minnelli
New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, will be presented April 20 at Avery Fisher Hall.
The 7:30 PM concert, presented by the New York Philharmonic, will boast the talents of Mary Poppins' Ashley Brown, Olivier Award winner Maria Friedman, Oscar and Tony winner Joel Grey, Tony-winning Dreamgirls star Jennifer Holliday, Tony and Oscar winner Liza Minnelli, South Pacific's Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot and up-and-coming singer Nikki Yanofsky.
Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Marvin Hamlisch will conduct the famed orchestra.
A fundraiser for the New York Philharmonic, the evening will also include a pre-concert reception and a post-concert reception with the artists.
Concert-only tickets, priced $55-$225, are currently on sale to New York Philharmonic subscribers and donors; tickets will go on sale to the general public Feb. 7 by calling (212) 875-5656. Tickets may also be purchased at the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office, Lincoln Center, Broadway at 65th Street.
* Liza South America Tour, March 2009:
March 13 Punta del Este, Uruguay Conrad Resort
March 15 Buenos Aires, Argentina Luna Park
March 17 Porto Alegre, Brazil Teatro do Sesi
March 19 Sao Paulo, Brazil Via Funchal
March 21 Brasilia, Brazil Centro de Convencoes
March 24 Rio, Brazil Vivo Rio
March 26 Bogota, Columbia Corfeiras
* Here are some photos of Liza (with Billy Stritch) at the Opening Night of HEDDA GABLER, at the American Airlines Theatre, Sunday, January 25th, 2009.
* Around mid-February, we'll be seeing Liza on the front cover of a very popular magazine, in a new interview (to promote the new CD), and with a lovely new photo -- Liza did a photo session for the magazine on Friday, January 16th, 2009. I'll keep you posted, but it promises to be something super to look forward to.
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POSTED JANUARY 26, 2009:
* We have a FREE COPY to GIVE-A-WAY of the new LIZA'S AT THE PALACE album, the sparkling 2-CD set featuring Liza's songs from her recent Broadway triumph -- and the package features two new stunning color photos of Liza AND NEW LINER NOTES by the one-and-only MICHAEL FEINSTEIN. The CD set -- courtesy the fine folks at HYRBRID RECORDINGS -- will go to the FIRST PERSON who CORRECTLY ANSWERS the FOLLOWING QUESTION:
Name the times LIZA has appeared ONSTAGE AT the PALACE. (We know there have now been two Liza engagements at the Palace where she was the STAR of the show, so you should certainly mention those, but you must ALSO mention the other THREE times Liza has performed ONSTAGE at the Palace :)
PLEASE make certain the SUBJECT of your E-mail states "Liza Palace CD CONTEST"
Please ALSO make certain to include your Name and Address.
The CD will be mailed to you ASAP -- and the WINNER's NAME will be posted on the website, and CONTACTED (Please understand that if you do not get a response that means you did not win.)
Remember that the FIRST PERSON to e-mail the CORRECT ANSWER will WIN the new LIZA'S AT THE PALACE CD!
GOOD LUCK!
* Here are some additional Liza MEDIA APPEARANCES, to promote the new LIZA'S AT THE PALACE album, being released on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 by Hybrid Recordings.
PLEASE NOTE that ALL appearances are SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
(TV): New York 1 onstage (Local NY TV) starting this weekend (January 31st, 2009) -- Scheduled to be taped on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009)
(Radio): NPR will likely also be taped this week for airing this weekend (January 31st, 2009) …………
(Radio): Waiting to hear from Sirius Sinatra on air date……..
(TV): Monday, Feb 2nd -- CW Channel 11 Live (Morning Show), AND Fox’s "Mike & Juliet" -- both live
* The "retail" version of the LIZA'S AT THE PALACE album is finally in -- and they're of course as stunning as the version some of us were lucky to get at the Palace Theater during Liza's recent engagement. The CDs themselves are exactly the same. The only changes are with the packaging. The changes are:
1) Michael Feinstein's new LINER NOTES. That is the big change, and I know many of us will want to pick this up again if only for Michael's loving and insightful thoughts on our lady Liza. (The liners are two pages, and thus the booklet has been expanded by two pages -- It still "folds-out," but instead of being eight panels long when it's unfolded -- four double-sided panels -- the booklet is now TEN panels long, five on each side.)
2) The side Spine is now black instead of red, because the jewel case tray insert is now a black background with red lettering ("Liza's at the Palace ...."), instead of a red background with the words in black, like it was for the copies made to be sold at the Palace.
3) The bottom credit Text on the back cover of the Jewel Case is a tiny bit smaller, likely to make room for a new and very wonderful credit: "Produced by Phil Ramone."
That's it, but as I said above, no doubt most of us will want the new packaging if only for Michael's superb liner notes -- Here's to a Grammy Award for Best Liner Notes .... Along with a Grammy Award to Liza for Best Traditional Vocal, and for Best Original Cast Recording. (I wonder if Lena Horne's "A Lady and Her Music" won both in 1981 or 1982? Have to check into it, but why shouldn't Liza get both? :) (Let's hope :)
LIZA'S AT THE PALACE album is simply Liza's FINEST solo album in twenty years, I believe. The song selection, the sound quality, the production, the orchestra, and Liza's vocals are all brilliant. A must-have for any Liza-Lover, and for any lover of great music.
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POSTED JANUARY 25, 2009:
* New concert date - change in date and venue:
April 7th, 2009: Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto (This had been previously announced by the venue for March 2nd, but the actual date is and will be April 7th; Obviously any tickets sold for March 2nd should indeed be honored on April 7th - Contact the venue should you have any concerns / questions about tickets; Their website is still showing the old date, but no doubt that should be corrected any time now).
* Here is the Lastest / Most Up-dated info on Liza's CD SIGNING of the LIZA'S AT THE PALACE Album Event -- where Liza will be singing two songs (with BILLY STRITCH at the piano) -- at BARNES AND NOBLE, 1972 Broadway (Lincoln Center / Lincoln Triangle), at 66th and Broadway, on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd, 2009, at 6 PM :
On Feb. 3, beginning at 9:00 a.m. (when the store opens), Barnes and Noble will be selling the new "LIZA'S AT THE PALACE" CD. As people purchase the CD, they will be given a numbered wristband. One wristband per customer. Each person may buy up to 5 copies of the CD. The FIRST GROUP of wristbands will guarantee the person a space in the event room. (Keep in mind the Event Space is limited; It usually seats about 150 people, depending on the set-up; So, likely this first "group" of wristbands will not be greater than 150.) They can leave the store and will be instructed to return before 5 o'clock to line up outside the store (I think on the Broadway side, but they'll be told for sure that day) in numerical order. They will be brought up to the event space at about 5:30 PM.
The second group of people will receive a different color wristband (no, I have no idea what colors at this point -- they will be told clearly when they get them), and will be lined up in the store. They may be able to hear some of Liza's performance from outside the event room, but we can't guarantee that. However, if they do get a wristband they WILL be guaranteed a chance to come into the room and get their CDs signed (I believe the signing will happen immediately after Liza is finished her performance.)
Once the store has reached a maximum number of wristbands, others will be advised that the store can't guarantee that they will get CDs signed.
With these rules, ONLY those who purchase the CD AT the Barnes and Noble store AT 1972 BROADWAY / LINCOLN CENTER, on that day, will get wristbands.
Also, nothing will be signed other than the new CD. There will be no personalizations, and no posed photos.
I'm sure not everyone will be happy with these rules, but Barnes and Noble has truly tried to figure out a way to be fairer to everyone, and to ensure that those attending understand what is going on, and that everyone at the event has a pleasant time.
Liza Minnelli
. Dec. 3-Jan. 4, 2008 at Palace Theatre, New York, N.Y.
. Gross sales of $3,295,062 Ticket prices: $251.50, $26.50
. Attendance: 30,518 Capacity: 35,102
. Number of shows: 22 Number of sell-out shows: 7
. Promoter: Metropolitan Talent Presents/Jubilee Time Productions
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POSTED JANUARY 22, 2009:
* Major Great News for all those who love / prefer to DOWNLOAD their music (I'm old-fashioned, and prefer actual CDs), the LIZA'S AT THE PALACE album will ALSO be available on Itunes and all other major downloading/streaming sites (Rhapsody, eMusic, etc…), effective the Febraury 3rd release date!
* Press Release: Feb 10th Digital Release of Aznavour Duet with Liza ....
Capitol/EMI to Digitally Release Charles Aznavour's New Duets Collection, 'Duos,' on February 10
Duos, Already Available On CD, Features Previously Unreleased Duets Pairing Aznavour with Celine Dion, Placido Domingo, Bryan Ferry, Josh Groban, Julio Iglesias, Elton John, Carole King, Liza Minnelli, Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, Sting, and Others
Aznavour to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at MIDEM; NYC Concerts Confirmed for April & May
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles Aznavour has long been one of the world's top entertainment legends, with decades of music and film success and global album sales totalling more than 100 million. On February 10, Capitol/EMI will digitally release Charles Aznavour: Duos, a new 28-track collection of mostly previously unreleased collaborative recordings, via all major digital music providers. Duos' U.S. digital release follows its December release on CD.
Duos collects many of Aznavour's greatest vocal collaborations with top stars of the French and international stage, including Paul Anka, Celine Dion, Placido Domingo, Bryan Ferry, Josh Groban, Herbert Groenemeyer, Johnny Hallyday, Julio Iglesias, Elton John, Carole King, Liza Minnelli, Nana Mouskouri, Laura Pausini, Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra and Sting. All of the tracks, with the exception of "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime" with Dean Martin (previously released on Dean Martin: Forever Cool), make their commercial release debuts on Duos.
Charles Aznavour will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at MIDEM on January 19 in recognition of his outstanding career. The 43rd edition of MIDEM, the international music market, takes place in Cannes from January 18 to 21.
"Charles Aznavour is, without doubt, the most famous French singer throughout the world, and he is a living legend in the pantheon of chanson francaise," said Paul Zilk, Chief Executive Officer of Reed MIDEM. "His songs have become standards covered by some of the greatest artists of successive generations, and the films in which he has starred are classics. It is a pleasure for MIDEM to be able to honour this incomparable personality."
Aznavour will travel to New York City in April for four concerts at City Center (April 29 to May 2). For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.nycitycenter.org.
Charles Aznavour has written more than 800 songs, many of which have been interpreted by the world's greatest artists (Fred Astaire, Shirley Bassey, Ray Charles, Elvis Costello, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Junior, Juliette Greco, Liza Minnelli, Edith Piaf and Nina Simone, to name but a few). He has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, and his career as an actor, which he began in the theatre at the age of nine, includes more than 60 films, including "The Tin Drum," winner of the Palme d'Or at the 1979 Festival de Cannes. Last October, a musical comedy based on Aznavour's songs, entitled "Je m'Voyais Deja" ("I Could Already See Myself"), opened in Paris.
At 84, the lyricist and/or composer of such classics as "La Boheme," "Je m'Voyais Deja," "Hier encore" and "La Mamma" continues to write new songs and to appear on some of the most prestigious international stages. Charles Aznavour is a dazzling symbol of universal artistic talent coupled with unbounded energy. His latest studio album, Colore ma Vie, was released in 2007 by EMI.
CHARLES AZNAVOUR: Duos (digital album)
1. TOI ET MOI (Charles Aznavour / Celine Dion)
2. QUE C'EST TRISTE VENISE (Charles Aznavour / Julio Iglesias)
3. LES BATEAUX SONT PARTIS (Charles Aznavour / Placido Domingo)
4. PARIS AU MOIS D'AOUT (Charles Aznavour / Laura Pausini)
5. HIER ENCORE (Charles Aznavour / Elton John)
6. IL FAUT SAVOIR (Charles Aznavour / Johnny Hallyday)
7. MOURIR D'AIMER (Charles Aznavour / Nana Mouskouri)
8. L'AMOUR C'EST COMME UN JOUR (Charles Aznavour / Sting)
9. LA BOHEME (Charles Aznavour / Josh Groban)
10. TON NOM (Charles Aznavour / Carole King)
11. JE N'AI PAS VU LE TEMPS PASSER (Charles Aznavour / Paul Anka)
12. MES EMMERDES (Charles Aznavour / Herbert Groenemeyer)
13. C'EST UN GARS (Charles Aznavour / Edith Piaf)
14. YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS YOUNG (Charles Aznavour / Elton John)
15. QUIET LOVE (Charles Aznavour / Liza Minnelli)
16. LOVE IS NEW EVERYDAY (Charles Aznavour / Sting)
17. YOUNG AT HEART (Charles Aznavour / Frank Sinatra)
18. TO DIE OF LOVE (Charles Aznavour / Nana Mouskouri)
19. SHE (Charles Aznavour / Bryan Ferry)
20. I DIDN'T SEE THE TIME GO BY (Charles Aznavour / Paul Anka)
21. YOU AND ME (Charles Aznavour / Celine Dion)
22. LA BOHEME (Charles Aznavour / Josh Groban)
23. EL BARCO YA SE FUE (Charles Aznavour / Placido Domingo) [Spanish]
24. THE SOUND OF YOUR NAME (Charles Aznavour / Carole King)
25. YOU'VE GOT TO LEARN (Charles Aznavour / Johnny Hallyday)
26. PARIGI IN AGOSTO (Charles Aznavour / Laura Pausini) [Italian]
27. ALS ES MIR BESCHISSEN GING (Charles Aznavour / Herbert
Groenemeyer) [German]
28. EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY SOMETIME (Charles Aznavour / Dean Martin)
SOURCE Capitol/EMI
* Should have also mentioned: Our beloved JOHNNY RODGERS is ALSO going to appear at his OWN EVENT at Barnes and Noble, Lincoln Center, on Wednesday, February 25th.
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POSTED JANUARY 16, 2009:
* Liza on THE VIEW
Liza is confirmed for THE VIEW -- which airs "Live" from Manhattan, on ABC-TV from 11-Noon (check your local listings) -- She'll be on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009, to promote the new LIZA'S AT THE PALACE album .... And yes, she'll be singing, with Billy Stritch at the piano, of course.
Liza is also scheduled to sing two songs at the BARNES AND NOBLE Signing (Lincoln Center, 66th and Broadway), on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 -- The release date of LIZA'S AT THE PALACE. The Signing Event starts at 6 PM. Further details are still being confirmed, but it is likely that there will be some seating, and that fans who buy the CD in advance (before the signing event starts) will thus be the first ones to be brought into the event area.
* Great article on Johnny Rodgers and Brian Lane Green
(that mentions Liza, of course :)
Minnelli, Karan and Rachofskys to Be Honored at amfAR Gala
By Andrew Gans
12 Jan 2009
Liza Minnelli
photo by Rick Day
Tony Award winner Liza Minnelli, who recently played a limited engagement at Broadway's Palace Theatre, will be among those honored Feb. 12 at amfAR's New York gala.
The black-tie evening at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan will honor Minnelli, designer Donna Karan and Dallas-based philanthropists Howard and Cindy Rachofsky for "their vital and distinctive contributions to the global struggle against AIDS."
Each will receive amfAR's Award of Courage for "outstanding leadership and distinguished service in furthering amfAR's mission, and for playing a vital role in increasing AIDS awareness and accelerating the pace of HIV/AIDS research," according to press notes. Vogue's Anna Wintour, amfAR's Kenneth Cole and Sotheby's Jamie Niven will be on hand to present the honorees with their awards.
The evening will also include a live auction conducted by Niven.
Previous amfAR honorees include Clive Davis, Peter Dolan/Bristol Myers Squibb, Richard Gere, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Lorne Michaels, Rosie O'Donnell, Sumner Redstone/Viacom, Natasha Richardson, Bill Roedy/MTV Networks, Carine Roitfeld, Julian Schnabel, Bobby Shriver, Sharon Stone, Barbara Walters, Robin Williams and Anna Wintour.
For tickets, which begin at $1,000, contact Kate Fitzsimons at (212) 806-1612 or e-mail kate.fitzsimons@amfar.org.
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Established in 1985, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is "one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy."
* I'm currently scheduled to talk about Liza -- the run at the Palace, the new Palace CD, and the new A&M set -- on "The Gregg Hunter Show," a wonderful radio show I've been on several times before, over the CRN TALK network. It's this coming Sunday night, January 11th, 2009, from 9-11 PM Pacific (which would be 11:59 to 2 AM, Eastern). (It repeats the following Saturday night, January 17th.) Here's the particulars:
The website www.crntalk.com is a great place to listen to Gregg, but listeners with cable systems such as Time Warner Cable, Cox Communication, Charter Communication, Comcast, and Western Broadband can also tune in.
CRN Digital Talk
10487 Sunland Boulevard
Sunland, CA 91040
On "Saturday Night Live," host Neil Patrick Harris did a fine job this weekend. The finest segment -- the one likely to be repeated for years to come -- was a charming tribute to the "Doogie Howser, M.D."theme. The show didn't have the peaks of a Tina Fey appearance as Sarah Palin, but Saturday's edition was consistent. The good bits included the Liza Minnelli cameo, the sendup of the fourth hour of "Today" and the musical characters gathering to discuss the Broadway crisis.
This weekend's show scored a 6.0 household rating -- its best delivery since Nov. 1. The rating was better than every episode last season except for the Tina Fey-Carrie Underwood show.
* From the Associate Content (rave review of the first SNL of 2009):
To add to Harris's star power, Liza Minnelli made a surprise cameo in a sketch with Kristen Wiig's show off Penelope. The character usually tells outrageous stories about herself, but her claim that Liza was her best friend actually came true.
And a pantsless Liza Minnelli, while certainly a hoot, just doesn't pack quite the same thrill as a pantsless Justin Timberlake.
So, what do you think PopWatchers? Was the show better or worse than you expected? Should Neil Patrick Harris get another shot at hosting? Or should they just turn the whole thing over to Liza and the tomato next time?
* Here's a link to see the Liza cameo on SNL (Saturday, January 10th, 2009) -- her debut on "Saturday Night Live" :
* Liza just told me she'll be making a BRIEF appearance on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE this coming Saturday, January 10th, 2009 (11:30 PM - 1 AM, on NBC).
It's just a "walk-on" / walk-through / brief appearance as part of a joke -- GUESSING that it's similar to what Streisand did during the "Like Buttah" appearance in the early 1990s.
Astoundingly, this will be Liza's FIRST appearance on the legendary series.
Another GUESS here, but .... Perhaps this could lead to a hosting? Or an appearance as Musical Guest to promote her new "Liza's at the Palace" CD? Or, better yet, BOTH? (On the same show?)
* From the Fox Newsletter:
AD LIVES ON HULU:
Arrested Development may be gone, but it's not forgotten. The award-winning comedy is among the most popular on the entertainment site Hulu.com. Fox's formerly canceled juggernaut Family Guy is the site's top draw.
AD MOVIE TALKS HEATING UP:
As reported here last month, rumors of an Arrested Development feature film continue to swirl with series creator Mitch Hurwitz and producer/narrator Ron Howard reportedly close to inking a deal with Fox Searchlight and Imagine to get the project moving forward. For months, stars Jason Bateman and Jeffrey Tambor have said the film is close to becoming a reality in the wake of other television series like Sex and the City finding huge box office success.
The movie has been budgeted at $15 million, according to E! Online, but one of the key actors - who remains unidentified - has reportedly yet to commit. Stay tuned for further, uh, developments.
“AND SO, with deep humility, I stand in front of you/I’m proud to play the Palace, it’s like a dream come true!”
On Sunday afternoon, Liza Minnelli sang her mother’s famous “Palace medley” for the final time, closing her four-week run at the fabled Broadway theater where Judy herself triumphed in 1951, ’56 and ’67.
“Liza’s at the Palace” show was conceived , in part, as a tribute to her late godmother, entertainer and author Kay Thompson. And the second act is devoted to Liza’s brilliant take on Kay’s unerring way with song and dance. But for many, the show’s sentimental highpoints were Liza’s open acknowledgment of her mother’s influence, Judy’s importance to the legacy of the Palace, and Liza’s total ease at singing not one, but two of her mother’s great numbers — she closes the show with a you’re-made-of-stone-if-you-don’t-cry rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
The atmosphere for Liza’s last concert — which included Barbara Cook and Martin Short in attendance — was hysterical from the moment the lights went down and the overture began, to the very end, with Liza standing in a campy, arms up, head thrown back pose. And while Liza’s audiences are famously forgiving — as they were with Judy — there has been little cause to qualify Liza’s performance during this run. And none whatsoever on that Sunday afternoon.
Her voice seemed, if anything, stronger, more controlled. She hit high notes that wobbled a bit on opening night, the deep low notes were more dramatic than ever. She moved like a woman who has never hear d the words “hip replacement.” Liza belted or caressed all her standards, as if composing them on the spot. When she got to “And the World Goes ‘Round” it was velvet! (Liza keeps her usually active hands in the pockets of her embroidered jacket for most of this song, rendering it even more effective.) Her Kay Thompson numbers were extra exuberant, and the support she receives from Billy Stritch, and her four singing/dancing fellows is incalculable.
The give and take between artist and audience is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I don’t believe anybody, no matter how unmoved they have been by Liza Minnelli in the past, could have attended this Palace run without finally being lifted off his seat, applauding, brava-ing, inexplicably misting up. Miss Minnelli wrenches the emotion from herself and in doing so, transforms her audiences. One cannot remain uninvolved when this genius is on stage.
On opening night, I worried that Liza might not do it for me again. I’d seen her in every mood and move. All her familiar mannerisms, all the bits of business that seem so spontaneous but are carefully rehearsed. Happy as I was that she’d made it back, once again, I didn’t expect the old rush of emotion. Wrong! Liza is a theatrical tsunami, an unstoppable force of nature. I believe she will go on forever. She has to. When she tells her audience, “It’s all for you,” she ain’t kidding.
Let’s hope the Tony committee remembers Liza when they compile the nominees for Special Theatrical Event. Sure, Liza already has three Tonys. But round numbers are neater.
* The latest "Mission Minnelli" that all Liza fans get help with:
Let's get Liza her KENNEDY CENTER HONOR!
Hey, LIZ SMITH thinks it's a great idea (see her column below)
All you have to do is send an E-MAIL to: Michael Kaiser.
In the e-mail you can state why you feel Liza is deserving of the award -- Her great body of work spanning over 40 years that has given joy to so many people all over the world; her many other awards (the Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards); and the great humanitarian efforts (such as all her work in the fight against AIDS).
Thanks, everyone!
Now here's what LIZ SMITH has to say on the subject:
Liz Smith -- NY POST -- Wednesday, June 21st, 2006
LIZA MINNELLI has rarely looked or seemed healthier these days. She's everywhere, like a fly on a griddle - concertizing, picking up awards, attending the theater - she adored the current "Jacques Brel" revival. At L.A.'s House of Blues last week, she attended the 14th annual American Society of Young Musicians event where the youngsters mobbed her. She's working on a movie script about nightclub life in N.Y.C. - something she used to know a lot about! - and will soon record a tribute album honoring her late godmother, author and dazzling performer Kay Thompson. (A lot of Thompson's dramatic style was picked up by Liza's mom, Judy Garland, who honed it to perfection.) Now, folks, isn't it time for Miss Minnelli to collect the ultimate American honor from the Kennedy Center? I say yes!
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POSTED JANUARY 7, 2009:
* Liza is on a new 2-disc DVD set being released next Tuesday, January 13th, on DVD from Paramount Home Video -- Order it here at the Liza Store!
Funny Face - Centennial Collection (Paramount Home Video)
Even better, though, is the 26-minute, 30-second profile "Kay Thompson: Think Pink." The actress who played the magazine editor in Funny Face, as it turns out, was a remarkable woman. As a songwriter, she helped create the MGM sound; as an author, she dreamed up the beloved character Eloise; and as an older woman, she was an influential actress and fashion icon, spending her later years living with her goddaughter, Liza Minnelli. Interviewed from the documentary are biographer Sam Irvin; Jim Caruso, Liza's collaborator on a tribute show about Kay (there are also clips of Liza talking about her, and rare footage and photos of Thompson); Dick Williams, one of the Williams Brothers, who spent many years as a nightclub act with Thompson; Hilary Knight, the artist on the Eloise books; Matt Crowley, who finished the last Eloise book with Knight; and Ruta Lee, who played Thompson's assistant in Funny Face.
* The Palace CD is coming (but till then .... :)
Now that the press release is out for the LIZA'S AT THE PALACE CD, I can mention that to those who simply CAN'T wait till February 3rd to have / hear this SUPERB new album -- Liza's BEST NEW SOLO ALBUM in 20 YEARS -- you MAY be seeing a special offer in your e-mail box to get the CD right NOW, but only IF you ordered tickets for the Palace show, through TICKET MASTER ONLY.
One benefit for waiting til February 3rd will be the addition of NEW LINER NOTES by MICHAEL FEINSTEIN that have just been added to the packaging (the recording itself is exactly the same).
* Press release for CD and IN-STORE BARNES AND NOBLE:
For Immediate Release:
"Liza's At The Palace...."
Liza Minnelli’s new CD From her triumphant Palace Theatre Show To Be Released By Hybrid Recordings February 3rd
Two-CD set produced by Phil Ramone
New York critics and theatre audiences fell under the spell of Liza Minnelli’s unmatchable magic when she returned to Broadway’s legendary Palace Theatre and played a recent sell-out engagement. Now, music lovers around the world will get the same chance when “Liza’s at the Palace…” the new original cast recording of her incomparable show will be released on February 3rd (Hybrid Recordings). Helmed by veteran music producer Phil Ramone, the two-CD set captures Liza at her inspired best—with the first CD (Act I) featuring her signature hits and personal favorites followed by the second CD (Act II) a rousing tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson. Along with a twelve-man orchestra led by conductor/drummer Michael Berkowitz and pianist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch, “Liza’s At The Palace….” is highlighted with many of Liza’s showstoppers such as “Cabaret,” “Maybe This Time,” and “New York New York” – as well as songs by Charles Aznavour, Roger Edens, John Kander, Johnny Rodgers, and Billy Stritch. For the first time onstage and now on the recording, Liza pays an affectionate salute to her godmother, the late Kay Thompson who was a ground-breaking vocal arranger and musical director/vocal coach at MGM Studios. Supported by a quartet of dynamic singer/dancers, Liza performs musical numbers (with the original vocal arrangements) from Tho mpson’s historic act with The Williams Brothers. Songs include “I Love a Violin,” “Clap Yo’ Hands,” “Jubilee Time,” and “Hello Hello” – set to brand new staging and choreography by Ron Lewis. Accompanying Liza onstage is Johnny Rodgers ,Cortes Alexander, Jim Caruso and Tiger Martina. Starting February 3rd with a kick-off signing event at the Lincoln Center Barnes & Noble store, “Liza’s At The Palace….” will be availablewherever fine music is sold, for the suggested retail list price of $19.98. The original Broadway concert was produced by John Scher/Metropolitan Talent Presents & Jubilee Time Productions and directed and choreographed by Ron Lewis. Gary Labriola served as Executive Producer. # # # "Liza's at the Palace ...." finds Liza with a Z fit, funny, surprisingly energetic and in her best voice in ages. 100% fantastic entertainment!--New York Daily News Minnelli’s charisma is undiminished and her vocals still have power, warmth and a startling ability to make every song personal. --Variety
A TRIUMPH of which Show-Business Mythology is made! A True LEGEND! --- The New York Post
LIZA MINNELLI IS A PURE ENTERTAINER and there is none PURER! --- The New York Times A STERLING20piece of entertainment! ---AP It is magic. Don’t miss Liza at the Palace, it doesn’t get any better! ---Liz Smith”
Liza in Triumph! ---Rex Reed
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**Release date to retail: February 3, 2009 **Label: Hybrid Recordings **Distributor: RED Distribution
Act I - Disc 1 Teach Me Tonight / Music by Gene DePaul, Lyrics by Sammy Cahn I Would Never Leave You /Music by Billy Stritch, Johnny Rodgers and Brian Lane Green If You Hadn't, But You Did / Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green What Makes a Man a Man? / Music and Lyrics by Charles Aznavour My Own Best Friend / Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb Maybe This Time / Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb He's Funny That Way / Music by Neil Moret, Lyrics by Richard Whiting Palace Medley / David Zippel, John Kander/ Roger Edens/ N. Bayes, J. Norworth, N. Graw S. Brooks/ M. Yvain, A. Willemetz, J. Charles/ H. Sutton, R. Grant, J. Lennox Cabaret / Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb Act II - Disc 2 But the World Goes 'Round / Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb Hello, Hello / Music and Lyrics by Kay Thompson Jubilee Time / Music and Lyrics by Kay Thompson Basin Street Blues / Music and Lyrics by Spencer Williams w/ special verse by Kay Thompson Clap Yo' Hands / Music by George Gershwin, Lyrics by Ira Gershwin Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away) / Music by George Gershwin, Lyrics by Ira Gershwin/Gus Kahn I Love a Violin / Music and Lyrics by Kay Thompson Mammy / Music by Walter Donaldson, Lyrics by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young Theme from New York, New York / Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Liza Minnelli As a recording artist, Liza has received a Grammy Award / Living Legend Award; sold millions of records all over the world; made the Billboard charts; scored a Number One single; and three of her albums and one of her videos have been certified Gold by the RIAA. Liza has also recorded every genre of music, from Broadway to Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, Bluegrass, Disco, Dance, and Jazz. Her very first single, “You Are For Loving,” sold a reported half million copies in 1963, leading to her signing with Capitol Records. Minnelli’s first solo album, Capitol’s Liza!Liza!, spent eight weeks on the Billboard charts in 1964. Along with Capitol, Liza has recorded for A&M, Columbia, E pic, Angel, and J Records.
Highlights of Minnelli8 0s recording career include: It Amazes Me; Flora, The Red Menace Original Broadway Cast (eight weeks on the Billboard Top 200 chart); Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli ‘Live’ at the London Palladium (14 weeks on the Billboard charts); There Is a Time (Stereo Review Album of the Year); Liza Minnelli; Come Saturday Morning; New Feelin’ (three weeks on Billboard’s Top 200 Charts); Cabaret soundtrack (Gold Record certification, 72 weeks on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart, reaching Number 25); Live at the Olympia in Paris; Liza With a ‘Z soundtrack (Gold Record certification; 23 weeks on Billboard’s charts, reaching Number 19); Live at the Olympia in Paris; The Singer (20 weeks on Billboard, reaching Number 38); Live at the Winter Garden (four weeks on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, reaching Number 150); Lucky Lady soundtrack; New York, New York soundtrack (14 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 chart, reaching Number 50); Tropical Nights; The Act original Broadway cast; Live at Carnegie Hall; The Rink original Broadway cast; At Carnegie Hall (eight weeks on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, reaching Number 156); Results (Gold Record certified; 10 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 chart, reaching Number 128); Losing My Mi nd (single; Number One on the British charts; 15 weeks on the Billboard Top 100 Dance Tracks chart, reaching Number 11); Love Pains (single; two weeks on the Billboard Top 100 Dance Tracks chart, reaching Number 40); Stepping Out soundtrack; Aznavour-Minnelli : Paris; Live From Radio City Music Hall (video v ersion Certified Gold, and spent nine weeks on the Billboard video chart, reaching Number 23); The Day After That (single, for which she directed the music video); Gently (Grammy Award nomination, Best Traditional Pop Vocal; one week on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, at Number 156); Minnelli on Minnelli : Live at the Palace; and Liza’s Back! Compilations include The Complete Capitol Collection; The Best of Liza Minnelli; ; and The Complete A&M Recordings. Liza Minnelli was born in Los Angeles and made her screen debut as a toddler in the musical In the Good Old Summertime in 1949. One of the world’s best-loved entertainers, she won Tony awards for Flora, the Red Menace in 1965 and The Act in 1978, along with a third for Best Personal Achievement, resulting from her 1974 engagement at the Winter Garden Theatre. Nominated for an Academy Award® for The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), she won the best actress prize for her best-known film, Cabaret (1972), which also won her a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA. She won an Emmy for Liza with a 'Z' (1972) and was also the recipient of a Grammy Legend Award in 1989, making her one of the few artists who have won entertainment's top six awards. Liza has also been the recipient of three David di Donatello Awards – for The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), Cabaret (1972) and Lifetime Achievement (2002). Film credits include Charlie Bubbles (1968), Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970), Lucky Lady (1975), A Matter of Time (1976), New York, New York (1977), Arthur (1981) Stepping Out (1991), and The Oh In Ohio (2006). Liza recently attracted an entirely new generation of fans with her acclaimed turn as "Lucille 2" on the Emmy-winning Best Comedy Arrested Development, and for her appearance on the chart-topping album The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. For the latest on Liza, visit her website www.officiallizaminnelli.com # # #
* Here are some photos of Liza ringing the 4 PM closing bell of the NY Stock Exchange, Friday, January 2nd, 2009:
* LA Rumor:
I didn't see the show myself today, but I heard that Barbara Walters supposedly stated on THE VIEW today (Monday, January 5th, 2009) that Liza would be coming to Los Angeles. This has NOT been confirmed -- NOTHING is set YET in terms of an LA performance. Stay tuned for info here as soon as anything IS set -- IF it is :)
Happy -- and Healthy -- New Year to everyone.
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POSTED DECEMBER 24, 2008:
* June 2009 Overseas Concert Dates Announced:
June 12, 2009 -- Frankfurt (Venue: Alte Oper)
June 14, 2009 -- Munich (Venue: Philharmonie)
June 18, 2009 -- Bielefeld (Venue: Stadthalle)
June 20, 2009 -- Duesseldorf (Venue: Tonhalle)
June 22, 2009 -- Berlin (Venue: Friedrichstadtpalast)
June 24, 2009 -- Amsterdam (Venue: Heineken Music Hall)
June 27, 2009 -- Paris (Venue: Palais des Congres)
Tickets are on sale. More info to follow
* VARIETY reports: Liza's gross for her third week at the Palace
Variety reported on Liza's third week at the Palace (Tuesday, December 16th through Sunday, December 21st):
Liza Minnelli's turn at the Palace again finished out of the top 10 and lost ground even with an extra perf. "Liza's at the Palace" pulled in $584,637 from five shows, down from $660,699 from four dates last week.
[Note from Scott: It should be stated that "Liza's at the Palace" has grossed nearly $1.8 million during its first three weeks, and will likely gross a total of just under $3 million for its total five weeks]
Liza INCREASED her GROSS at the PALACE BOX OFFICE her second week (December 8th - 14th, 2008), increasing from 91% capacity UP to 94%! She grossed $660,699 in only FOUR SHOWS! This placed her just outside the Top Ten shows that week, but no doubt her gross-per-show is much higher than that of the other shows, which played eight shows that week! Here's more from VARIETY:
Screenings of Liza's NEW YORK, NEW YORK movie, in Manhattan at the Walter Reade Theater, on Sunday, December 28th, and Wednesday, December 31st, 2008. See above link for more info.
Liza and Johnny's Swinging New Duet Now Available at Select NYC Retailers
Celebrate with Liza and Johnny as they come together in Johnny's original duet “Let's Make A Date”. The EP also contains Johnny's sexy arrangement of the Randy Newman song “You Can Leave Your Hat On”. This is one that Liza likes to dance to!
“Let's Make A Date” now available at Virgin Megastore Times Square, Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle, Colony Music Center 49th & Broadway and www.johnnyrodgers.com
* RUSH Tickets will still be available
There will STILL be RUSH TICKETS available at the Palace Box Office, for each show --
The THEATERMANIA.COM Promotion is its own promotion.
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POSTED DECEMBER 13, 2008:
* PRESS RELEASE TheaterMania.com Announces 'The Liza Lottery' Last update: 7:31 p.m. EST Dec. 12, 2008
NEW YORK, Dec 12, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- -Winners will be able to purchase $25 front row seats for the final 12 shows-
TheaterMania.com is proud to announce an exclusive agreement to run the online lottery for $25.00 front row seats to the smash-hit Liza's at the Palace...! from December 19th through the closing performance on January 4th. Anyone can visit http://www.theatermania.com/contest/liza to enter the lottery, and at least 40 winners will be chosen over two separate drawings held on December 16th and December 23rd. All winners will be given the option to purchase up to two front row tickets for one of the remaining performances.
In a comeback critics have labeled a "triumph" and a "knockout show," Liza Minnelli brings her unmatchable magic to Liza's At The Palace...! The evening features an incomparable Minnelli songfest including many of her personal favorites and signature hits, followed by a dance-filled tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson. In hailing the "extraordinary" production, TheaterMania.com's Brian Scott Lipton says you'll "be kept rapt by the sheer charisma and showmanship that Minnelli brings to the stage." The show features a twelve-man orchestra led by conductor/drummer Michael Berkowitz and pianist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch and is highlighted by many of Liza's showstoppers, such as "Cabaret," "Maybe This Time," and "New York New York" - all written especially for her by the legendary Broadway song writing partnership of John Kander and Fred Ebb. For the first time onstage, Liza pays an affectionate salute to her godmother, the late Kay Thompson, who was a legendary performer ("Think Pink!" from Funny Face), author (Eloise at the Plaza), gifted vocal arranger, and Music Director/vocal coach at MGM St udios while working with stars such as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Lena Horne. Supported by a quartet of dynamic singer/dancers, Liza performs musical hits with the original vocal arrangements from Thompson's act, including such numbers as "I Love a Violin," "Clap Yo' Hands," "Jubilee Time," and "Hello Hello."
About TheaterMania.com
TheaterMania.com is a leading source for theater information and tickets nationwide.
Founded in 1999 to connect the theater industry with a mass consumer audience, TheaterMania.com features comprehensive listings, news, reviews, interviews, video content and online ticketing for Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway and theater nationwide. TheaterMania.com provides listings and editorial coverage for over 40 markets, widely distributes free email newsletters and special offers to its subscribers. In addition, TheaterMania.com provides online marketing programs to performing arts organizations, and provides box office, telephone, and online ticketing services to clients across the nation through its proprietary ticketing systems.
* Liza's and Johnny's new EP "Let's Make A Date" is now shipping from www.johnnyrodgers.com. But if the NYC crowd can not wait - or do not want to pay for the shipping and handling cost - they can go to the following retailers (see attached) near the Palace Theatre to pick up the awesome 2 song EP featuring the original Johnny Rodgers duet with Liza Minnelli.
POSTED DECEMBER 11, 2008:
* HUGE, GREAT NEWS: Liza has been EXTENDED AGAIN -- ANOTHER WEEK, now through Sunday, January 4th, 2009 :
For Immediate Release:
Due to rave reviews & overwhelming demand
"Liza's At The Palace...." Extends Broadway Engagement AGAIN!
1 more week thru January 4th
Palace Theatre
Tickets for add'l. performances go on-sale December 12th
Due to rave reviews and overwhelming demand, "Liza's at the Palace...." the new hit show starring Liza Minnelli will play an additional week of performances at Broadway's Palace Theatre (Broadway & 47th Street). The engagement is now scheduled to play through January 4th---surpassing the originally announced closing date of December 28th. The extension includes evening (8PM) performances on Tuesday, Decembe r 30th, Friday, January 2nd and Saturday January 3rd plus a final matinee performance on Sunday, January 4th at 3 PM.
Produced by John Scher/Metropolitan Talent Presents & Jubilee Time Productions and directed and choreographed by Ron Lewis, the evening features many of her personal favorites and signature hits, followed by a dance-filled tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson. Gary Labriola serves as Executive Producer.
Along with a twelve-man orchestra led by conductor/drummer Michael Berkowitz and pianist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch, “Liza’s At The Palace…. is highlighted with many of Liza’s showstoppers such as “Cabaret,” “Maybe This Time,” and “New York New York” – as well as songs by Charles Aznavour, Roger Edens, John Kander, Johnny Rodgers, Billy Stritch and David Zippel.
For the first time onstage, Liza pays an affectionate salute to her godmother, the late Kay Thompson who was a ground-breaking vocal arranger and musical director/vocal coach at MGM Studios. Supported by a quartet of dynamic singer/dancers, Liza performs musical numbers (with the original vocal arrangements) from Thompson’s historic act with The Williams Brothers. Songs include “I Love a Violin,” “Clap Yo’ Hands,” “Jubilee Time,” and “Hello Hello” – set to brand new staging and choreography by Mr. Lewis.=2 0Accompanying her onstage is Cortes Alexander, Jim Caruso, Tiger Martina and Johnny Rodgers. With additional material by David Zippel, the concert performance features scenery by Ray Klausen, costumes by Roy Frowick Halston, lighting by Matt Berman and sound by Matt Krauss.
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Liza Minnelli was born in Los Angeles and made her screen debut as a toddler in the musical In the Good Old Summertime in 1949. One of the world’s best-loved entertainers, she won Tony awards for Flora, the Red Menace in 1965 and The Act in 1978, along with a third for Best Personal Achievement, resulting from her 1974 engagement at the Winter Garden Theatre. Nominated for an Academy Award® for TheSterile Cuckoo (1969), she won the best actress prize for her best-known film, Cabaret (1972), which also won her a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA. She won an Emmy for Liza with a20'Z' (1972) and was also the recipient of a Grammy Legend Award in 1989, making her one of the few artists who have won entertainment's top six awards. Liza has also been the recipient of three David di Donatello Awards – for The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), Cabaret (1972) and Lifetime Achievement (2002). Film credits include Charlie Bubbles (1968), Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970), Lucky Lady (1975), A Matter of Time (1976), New York, New York (1977), Arthur (1981) Stepping Out (1991), and The Oh In Ohio (2006). Liza recently attracted an entirely new generation of fans with her acclaimed turn as "Lucille 2" on the Emmy-winning Best Comedy Arrested Development, and for her appearance on the chart-topping album The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. For the latest on Liza, visit her website www.OfficialLizaMinnelli.com Ron Lewis has been a staple on the Las Vegas scene for decades and has worked with Liza since 1970. (Liza credits him with “winning her the Tony” for her performance in “The Act” on Broadway.) Having worked on over 80 productions, Lewis has directed/choreographed shows for some of the biggest names in show business including Ann-Margret, Debbie Reynolds, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Paul20Anka. “Liza’s At The Palace….” plays the following performance schedule at the Palace Theatre (Broadway & 47th Street) : Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8PM with matinees on Sundays at 3PM. PLEASE NOTE: on Wednesday, December 24th there will be a special 3PM matinee performance and no 8PM evening show. In addition: there will be no performance on December 31st. Tickets prices range from $125 to $55. (***Upon special request by Liza--- $25 seats will be made available at box office by daily lottery. **** For more information and tickets by phone Tickets: 212-307-4100 or 800-755-4000 or log onto:http://www.lizasatthepalace.com.
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POSTED DECEMBER 10, 2008:
* Statement on Liza's Health:
Due to health reasons and doctor’s orders, Liza Minnelli will not perform “Liza’s at the Palace” this evening.
Co-producer John Scher stated, “This past opening week has been a marathon run for Liza—which unfortunately has led her to dehydration and her doctor has insisted she get some extra rest.Liza will return for the show’s next scheduled performance on Friday, Dec 12th (8PM).”
Ticket-holders can exchange their tickets for any future scheduled performance.
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* Liza is fine, but tonight is cancelled:
Liza is fine, so please do not worry -- but tonight's show (Wed) is canceled.
Awaiting an official statement, but the important thing is that Liza is fine. Please do not worry. She is expected to return on Friday, as Thursday is dark, of course -- but more info will come thru on Thursday. Again, Liza is and will be fine. Certainly you agree that is ALL that matters.
* Christmas Day Radio show on BBC Radio 2 (interview; taped in June)
BBC Radio 2 will be broadcasting "Christmas With Liza With A "Z" on Christmas day at 10pm.
The radio show is Liza picking her favourite show tunes from Kander and Ebb's catologue.
The show was recorded in June 2008
Radio 2 can be found at 88 -91FM on DAB Radio and Digital TV at 0102. For those not in the UK you should be able to hear the show 24 hours after broadcast at http://www.bbc.co.uk and follow the links to "listen again"
* Liza will be making an appearance on Tuesday in Manhattan at a special event as a benefit and a promotion for the Palace -- More ASAP (likely not till Wednesday or Thursday, but will post info as soon as possible ... You read it here first folks :)
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POSTED DECEMBER 8, 2008:
* The LIZA'S AT THE PALACE Merchandise should ALL be sold through the Liza website, but sales will likely NOT start until AFTER the engagement at the Palace ENDS. Stay tuned for more updates as they come in.
* A GENTLY Poster to benefit the "BID 2 BEAT AIDS"
BID 2 BEAT AIDS is a huge annual celebrity memorabilia and experience auction benefiting LIFEbeat - The Music Industry Fights AIDS. This year's auction, which runs on eBay through December 10, includes a vintage signed poster for Liza Minnelli's Gently album. You can see items at http://stores.ebay.com/Bid2BeatAIDS
Among the over 700 other items are Celebrity Experiences, with VIP tickets and backstage visits with Tony Bennett, Bernadette Peters, Harry Connick Jr., the Jonas Brothers, and many more, as well as hundreds of signed books, photos, posters, and CDs. Visit http://Bid2BeatAIDS.com for more info.
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POSTED DECEMBER 6, 2008:
* Palace Lottery CHANGED to RUSH Tickets ONLY ....
Late Friday, the Palace LOTTERY was CHANGED for Liza's run -- It is now going to be RUSH TICKETS instead, which will be sold ONE HOUR BEFORE CURTAIN TIME. First-come, First-served. (Obviously you may begin to start lining up for these tickets as early as you wish, but nothing will happen until 7 PM on Tues, Wed, Friday and Saturday, or on Sundays at 2 PM; There will be no lottery bands handed out, so just keep your place in line, and make new friends while you wait :) There should be 16 tickets per performance (therefore you will only see between 8 and 16 people in line for the Rush Tickets.) Each of these RUSH TICKETS is $26.50 (each) -- CASH ONLY (includes the $1.50 Theatre Maintenance Charge). Each person will be able to buy a MAXIMUM of TWO TICKETS ONLY.
Sorry for the late change of plans. Thanks for your understanding.
Liza Minnelli has reached a new level as an artist, evident from her official opening performance tonight (in "Liza's at the Palace ...." (Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008). She has a new ease and a perfected knowledge of what works for her and for audience. The combined vocal and physical prowess again took me on a time-machine trip to circa 1988 tonight. For her, the clock can not only stand still, but reverse.
OK, enough for now -- more time for the superlatives later after some rest, time, and reflection.
Naturally, tonight was an event -- media, ovations galore (the audience may have spent more time on their feet than in their seats), and celebs aplenty as well (I spotted Shirley MacLaine; Tony Danza; Michelle Lee; Sandra Bernhard; Alan Cumming; and the media folk -- Liz Smith; Rex Reed; Cindy Adams; and Robert Osborne). Liza seemed thrilled during the reception backstage; thrilled, happy, and grateful.
Get ready for the avalanche of rave reviews to start coming in -- Thursday should be a very busy day for your computer, thanks to our lady Liza.
Thanks for all the good thoughts and wishes -- and it was joy to share opening with so many of you.
All Best and Warmest,
Scott
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POSTED DECEMBER 3, 2008:
* LIZ SMITH COLUMN
December 02, 2008
"IT IS the best of all trades, to make songs, and the second best to sing them," said Hilaire Belloc.
TONIGHT, ONE of the greatest women to perform in that second "best trade" -- Liza Minnelli -- opens at the legendary Palace Theater on old Broadway, for a three-week stint.
This was the site of three of Judy Garland's famous comebacks -- others occurred whenever Judy performed ... anywhere. "If I leave the ladies room, it's a 'comeback,' Judy once remarked.
Liza herself had a great triumph at the Palace back in 1999, in a show called "Minnelli on Minnelli," which saluted her brilliant father, movie director Vincente Minnelli. This time around she's celebrating herself and her godmother, the remarkable singer/dancer/writer Kay Thompson, who is probably best known as the author of the "Eloise" books. (During her years at MGM, Kay coached a lot of the talent, but her style rubbed off most on Miss Garland, who appropriated many dramatic Thompson gestures.) But, let's face it, people come to see Liza; she could sing two acts in homage to Joe the Plumber, and she'd pack 'em in.
It will be thrilling (and nerve-wracking) as it always is, to sit in the audience and watch Liza. Especially at the Palace. After her own success there, she faltered and regained herself, several times. In the nine years since "Minnelli on Minnelli," she has lived a thousand lives, but she has endured, with a remarkable amount of her dignity intact. This is a feat in itself, because Liza, like so many of us, was often her own worst enemy.
Aside from her talent (Frank Sinatra once said he thought Liza was even more gifted than her mother!), Liza has in double doses what Judy couldn't sustain -- real discipline. Liza, after hip and knee replacements, still takes dancing lessons every day. Liza, after damage to her throat during an operation to remove some nodules, takes singing lessons every day. When Liza glances twice at a drink, she checks into a rehab center to avoid disaster.
Judy was certainly taken advantage of, and exploited, but what star isn't? The real problem was that Garland seemed never to bear any responsibility for her troubles. I have never heard Liza Minnelli publicly blame anybody else for her issues. (However, Liza has been much smarter with money. She has been able to afford her discipline. Judy Garland literally sang for her supper. There was no escape from her monetary grind after MGM.)
Liza, now 62, has outlived her mother by 15 years. And it hasn't been luck, but determination. Many, many years ago, Liza altered the famous lyric from "Cabaret." In the movie, for which she won an Oscar, Liza sings it as Kander and Ebb intended: "...and when I go, I'm goin' like Elsie!" (Elsie, died from "too much pills and liquor," but life was still a cabaret.)
In concert, however, Liza sings, "and I'm NOT goin' like Elsie!" The audience always goes mad, because no matter what her travails, Liza has kept her promise to them.
She hasn't ended up like Elsie. Or like Mama. Recently, Liza, who is usually loath to draw comparisons between herself and her mythic mom, did contrast their musical choices, saying that she, Liza, preferred more basically optimistic material, while Judy's choices -- certainly in her later years -- tended toward the dramatically tragic. (Garland knew how to use her fragile victim vibe to drive her audience crazy; she could turn it on and off. "Sympathy is my business," she told Liza.)
Whenever Liza first appears onstage, along with the trepidation -- will she be "okay?" will she hit that note? -- I always think I hear those Munchkin voices from "The Wizard of Oz" trilling: "You're out of the woods, you're out of the dark, you're out of night/ Step into the sun, step into the light. ... Hold onto your breath, hold onto your heart, hold onto your hope."
Liza has stepped into the light, and held onto to hope countless times. She'll do it again tonight. And I'll be in the audience, cheering.
P.S. IF YOU want a dazzling blast of early Liza, in all her fresh-voiced glory, pick up "Liza Minnelli: The Complete A&M Recordings." The two-CD set contains her entire A&M catalogue, from 1968 to '72, including her great "Live at the Olympia in Paris" concert.
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POSTED DECEMBER 2, 2008:
* Some quick thoughts as I dash this off for you, about tonight's dress rehearsal.
"'Perf," to quote KAY.
OK, some technical issues came up with the wireless mics, etc., but the lady was in glorious form and truly superb voice. Looked better than .... since .... Well .... I'll put it this way: There were moments when the combined vocal / physical / emotional impact was so strong, I was asking myself "what year is this?" With Liza, it's often like watching a time machine -- There were occasions I felt I was watching the HBO New Orleans concert taped almost 30 years ago. I mean that.
So .... Get ready for a truly Miraculous Minnelli.
It was a magical night, made all the more potent by the honor of my front row center seat
More on Thursday afternoon
Now, onward ....
The new CD -- LIZA'S AT THE PALACE -- just MIGHT become my favorite new Liza album since RESULTS in 1989 -- She's THAT good on it.. I've only listened ONCE to the two-CD set, but .... It's a glorious keepsake of the engagement.
You'll also find at the Concession stand:
1) A magnet : $10
2) A Cap: $20
3) A T-Shirt : $25
4) The 2-CD set of "Liza's at the Palace" : $25
5) The Lobby Card ($20 I think)
6) A GLORIOUS new Program -- LAVISH new COLOR photos to die for: $30
7) A Sparkly T-Shirt: $40
8) A Sweatshirt : $50
And my book, "The Liza Minnelli Scrapbook," I'm grateful to say.
All Cash Only (no sales tax), for now. No credit cards for now. Not sure yet if that will change.
More on Thursday afternoon (likely an AVALANCHE, with all the REVIEWS and News coming in that day) .... Please understand the lack of posts here till then, and sorry this wasn't more detailed.
* Just had a wonderful talk with the Palace merchandiser, and hope to get a complete, detailed list on what will be sold at the Palace, ASAP.
The new Program is expected to arrive tomorrow, and will start selling tomorrow -- at the Opening. Price will be $30 per copy (not the $20 mentioned yesterday).
There will also be T-shirts GALORE, several different designs -- and sweatshirts .... The Poster ... and a magnet.
Also the CD, at $20 (confirmed)
And yes, we are hoping / expecting to work out the details so that the merchandising can be sold thru the website
More to come
Please bear with me as these days are quiet full. You may not hear a lot from here, until Thursday afternoon -- and then be prepared for an AVALANCHE of REVIEWS and News.
All Best and Warmest,
Scott
* Here's the CD Front Cover of "Liza's at the Palace ..."
* GREAT new article on Liza in the new NEW YORK Magazine, just out: nymag.com
* Some great new shots of the Palace marquee/billboard at: broadwayworld.com
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POSTED NOVEMBER 30, 2008:
* The Liza COMPLETE A&M RECORDINGS is the CD PICK OF THE WEEK on tonight's EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN, hosted by DAVID KENNY, on WBAI-FM (99.5) in NYC -- and at: http://www.2600.com/offthehook/hot2.ram
That's tonight, Sunday, November 30th, 2008, from 9-11 PM
And there'll be GIVE-A-WAYS of the CD, too!
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POSTED NOVEMBER 29, 2008:
* I am currently scheduled to appear on the CELLULOID DREAMS Radio Show (see more below). It airs MONDAY, December 1st, at 5 PM on the West Coast (and online) -- (8 PM East Coast, etc) -- and the Liza A&M CD and myself are set for the first 30 minutes, should you care to listen (some tracks from the CD will be played -- and a copy will be given away! :)
Celluloid Dreams is a public affairs radio program celebrating the art of film and the moviegoing experience. We provide information on all aspects of movies through interviews, film/ book/ DVD/ soundtrack reviews, film quiz giveaways and special features. Celluloid Dreams serves the international community by conveying quality information, entertainment and the excitement of the movies!
Celluloid Dreams can be heard every Monday at 5 PM (Pacific Time) on 90.5 FM, KSJS-San Jose.
* This just in, clarifying the report in the Star-Ledger:
"There is only one album. It is the official cast recording and was recorded in the studio, produced by Phil Ramone."
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POSTED NOVEMBER 28, 2008:
* Liza is slated to be on THE TODAY SHOW on FRIDAY, November 28th, 2008, during the 10-11 AM hour, the Final Hour, with Kathy Lee and Hoda (It was videotaped when Liza was at NBC for her previous TODAY SHOW on Monday, October 20th)
**Two- CD set celebrates Liza Minnelli’s triumphant return to Broadway’s famed Palace Theatre. Helmed by legendary producer Phil Ramone, this ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING captures Liza at her inspired best. The first CD/Act I combines her signature hits and personal favorites while the second CD/Act II features a tribute to Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson.
**Original Cast Recording available exclusively at the Palace Theatre during the “Liza’s At The Palace….” four week Broadway engagement (12/3-12/28).
**Release date to retail: February 3, 2009
**Label: Hybrid Recordings
**Distributor: RED Distribution
* "Liza's at The Palace," a new two-CD set celebrating Liza Minnelli's upcoming return to Broadway's Palace Theatre, will arrive in stores Feb. 3, 2009, on the Hybrid Recordings label.
Helmed by producer Phil Ramone, the recording will also be on sale during Minnelli's Broadway engagement, Liza's at the Palace . . .!, Dec. 3-28.
The first CD (Act I) features Minnelli's signature hits, while the second disc (Act II) features a tribute to Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson.
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POSTED NOVEMBER 25, 2008:
* Along with "Access Hollywood" and of course ROSIE LIVE on Wednesday, you may also want to watch / record RACHAEL RAY on Wednesday also, because she had Rosie on her show today (Tuesday), and said she'd be at the rehearsal today WITH her crew / video camera taping some of the rehearsal, so....
* Tickets to tomorrow night's Rosie Live now up for auction!
Bid now on tickets to Rosie Live!
Four Tickets to the premiere of ROSIE LIVE up for bidding NOW!
Bids close at 12 PM tomorrow for four tickets to the debut of ROSIE LIVE at the Little Shubert Theater tomorrow night in New York City!
CLICK HERE to bid for these tickets to see Alec Baldwin, Alanis Morrissette, Jane Krakowski, Ne-Yo, Liza Minnelli, Rachael Ray, Harry Connick Jr., Clay Aiken, Gl oria Estefan, and Kath y Griffin LIVE, onstage with Rosie!
Proceeds from the auction will benefit Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation and Rosie’s Broadway Kids.
* Along with "Access Hollywood" and of course ROSIE LIVE on Wednesday, you may also want to watch/record RACHAEL RAY on Wednesday also, because she had Rosie on her show today (Tuesday), and said she'd be at the rehearsal today WITH her crew / video camera taping some of the rehearsal, so....
Liza's at the Palace . . .! and The Seagull to Offer Actors Fund Performances
By Andrew Gans
21 Nov 2008
The acclaimed revival of The Seagull and the eagerly awaited limited engagement of Liza's at the Palace . . .! will both offer special performances to benefit the Actors Fund of America.
The Dec. 2 invited dress rehearsal of Liza's at the Palace and the Dec. 7 performance of The Seagull will benefit the non-profit organization. Show time for both evenings is 8 PM.
Liza's at the Palace, starring Tony, Emmy, Grammy and Oscar winner Liza Minnelli, will play the Palace Theatre, located at 1564 Broadway. Tickets, priced $125, are available by calling (212) 221-7300, ext. 133.
The Seagull, starring Kristin Scott Thomas, plays the Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 West 48th Street. Tickets, priced $41-$110, are available by calling (212) 221-7300, ext. 133.
The Actors Fund, which was founded in 1882, is a non-profit organization that provides for the social welfare of all entertainment professionals. Some of the many programs The Actors Fund provides include a nursing home and assisted living care facility; senior and disabled programs; mental health services; chemical dependency services; entertainment industry assistance programs; the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative; the AIDS Initiative; and supportive housing on both coasts.
* The interview Liza videotaped in NYC last Monday, November 17th, 2008, for ACCESS HOLLYWOOD is now apparently set to air on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 -- Right before ROSIE LIVE (in most markets ... Check your listings :) (Thanks, Bobby!)
* Liza Sings Swinging New Duet with Billboard Song-Winning Artist Johnny Rodgers
Celebrate with Liza and Johnny as they come together in Johnny's original duet Let's Make A Date. The release of the song and EP, inspired by Liza, coincides with Rodgers' Broadway debut in “Liza's At The Palace…!” in December. Rodgers has been featured and toured around the world with Minnelli and her orchestra.
The EP also contains Johnny's sexy arrangement of the Randy Newman song You Can Leave Your Hat On. This is one that Liza likes to dance to!
Let's Make A Date now available at www.johnnyrodgers.com.
* Liza is slatted to perform on the CBS EARLY SHOW this coming Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 -- In the 8 AM hour, with BILLY STRITCH on piano, of course.
* Liza will be a very special guest on WABC Radio's Saturday Night Oldies on Saturday, November 22, 2008.
The radio show, hosted by Mark Simone (www.marksimone.com), airs on 77 WABC Radio, New York. The radio show begins at 6:07 PM ET.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Iconic U.S. performer Liza Minnelli has signed up to appear on Rosie O'Donnell's upcoming variety special Rosie Live, NBC said Monday.
The show is slated to air on the network Nov. 26, live from New York's Little Shubert Theatre. O'Donnell is to join Minnelli in a fun song and dance number to a tune that Minnelli hasn't performed in 30 years, NBC said.
Minnelli, the daughter of entertainer Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli, will join previously announced guest stars including recording artists Ne-Yo and Alanis Morissette, comedian Kathy Griffin and actress Jane Krakowski for the special.
Minnelli won an Oscar for her work in the movie Cabaret, an Emmy for her 1973 TV special Liza with a 'Z' and a Tony for her performance in the Broadway show Flora the Red Menace. Her other film credits include New York, New York and Arthur.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International
* Liza is in the German and Spanish November 2008 issue of VOGUE magazine, with brand new photos
* There's a whole lotta Liza coming our way, as Liza promotes the "Liza's at the Palace" show on Broadway .... Confirmed are: ACCESS HOLLYWOOD (taping this Monday, November 17th; air date to follow); THE NY TIMES (Sunday Arts and Leisure section article); NY MAGAZINE .... and more .... Stay tuned
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POSTED NOVEMBER 14, 2008:
* Please be advised that due to the weather, the installation of the Liza billboard at The Palace was stopped yesterday. They will resume today, Friday, November 14th, at 8am. We'll post photos as soon as we can!
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POSTED NOVEMBER 11, 2008:
* The Palace Theatre is being stripped of all Legally Blonde dressings today (Tuesday, November 11th), and the Liza Marquee will be going up this afternoon.
Great news (more to come)
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POSTED NOVEMBER 6, 2008:
* PRESS RELEASE:
For Immediate Release:
Due to OVERWHELMING Demand "Liza's At The Palace...." Extends Broadway Engagement !
2 More Weeks! Dec. 3rd thru 28th
Palace Theatre Tickets for add'l. performances go on-sale November 8th
Due to overwhelming demand, "Liza's at the Palace...." the new show starring Liza Minnelli will play an additional two weeks of performances at Broadway's Palace Theatre (Broadway & 47th Street). With an opening set for December 3rd (6:30PM), Miss Minnelli will bring her unmatchable magic to Broadway for an engagement now scheduled to play through December 28th---surpassing the originally announced closing date of December 14th. Included in the extension, is a special holiday matinee at 3PM on December 24th.
* Here's the Ticketmaster Link for Liza's VA concert date -- The date IS April 24th (and NOT the 25th): Friday, April 24th, 2009. Tickets go on sale to NON-Subscribers on February 8th, 2009, at 10 AM -- But you can obviously subscribe should you wish. Ticket Prices are listed at between $150 and $75.
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POSTED NOVEMBER 4, 2008:
* HUGE News: The producer just called me - "Liza's at the Palace" has been EXTENDED For TWO MORE WEEKS, through December 28th -- this includes a Wednesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) 3PM SHOW
Tickets go on sale for US through the Liza website, using the SAME CODE WORD for THIS GROUP / LIZA'sWEBSITE, as last time, starting THIS THURSDAY, November 6th, at 10 AM Eastern. Pre-sale ends 10AM Friday, and then will go on sale to the General Public on Saturday, the 8th, at 10 PM (Look for ad in Sunday's NY TIMES with the new dates)
Again, use the SAME CODE WORD that you received through THIS WEBSITE ONLY, as they are NOT expected to do the same outreach through PlayBill.com, etc., ONLY with US, and a couple of others.
The wonderful GORDON ANDERSON of COLLECTOR'S CHOICE -- the man and his company who are making the Liza "COMPLETE A&M RECORDINGS" actually HAPPEN -- has agreed to ship the CD out to Liza Fans AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVE IN THE WAREHOUSE. That COULD be as early as this Friday or so (November 7th) -- I'll alert you here once I've heard they've "arrived."
You can ask for any number of FAST SHIPPING Options, with the obvious FASTEST way being Over-Night (NEXT DAY AIR) Shipping through UPS (United Parcel Service). That cost is only $19.95 -- not bad considering the post office costs around $17 for over-night shipping (and that's about the lowest cost I've seen).
That Over-Night shipping cost is the same, whether you Order using that Link above, OR via telephone and their TOLL-FREE PHONE NUMBER:
(800) 993-6344 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT and on Saturday from 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT.
CC Music also offers a live online chat option that can be accessed by clicking on the "Live Customer Support" button at the top of their help desk. They also offer Customer Service via e-mail which can be found at mcatalog@ccmusic.com.
Keep in mind that all other shipping charges -- aside from Over-Night Shipping -- are about $2 to $4 higher IF you order over the Phone. Using the Toll-Free Number DOES offer one BENEFIT, though: If you call before 11 AM EASTERN Time, they can ship the same day, usually. That same time MIGHT apply to the Internet Orders, too, but not as likely. (The above info is only for people who, like Carrie Fisher's great line in "Postcards From the Edge" believe that "Instant gratification takes too long" :)
Their WEBSITE shipping charges are listed between $6.95 (5-7 days); $8.95 (3-5 days); $11.95 (second day AIR, via UPS), and the above-mentioned $19.95 for NEXT DAY AIR.
Again, all of this info is for fans who want to get their "COMPLETE A&M RECORDINGS" 2-CD Set as QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, as SOON As They Arrive in COLLECTOR's CHOICE WAREHOUSE (With Thanks Again to GORDON ANDERSON).
* Playbill on Liza's Palace EXTENTION
Minnelli Extends Engagement at Broadway's Palace Theatre By Andrew Gans
04 Nov 2008
photo by Rick Day
She's already a hit, and performances have yet to begin. That right: The limited engagement of Liza's at the Palace . . .! — starring Tony, Grammy, Oscar and Emmy Award winner Liza Minnelli — has been extended by two weeks.
As previously reported, Liza's at the Palace - produced by John Scher/Metropolitan Talent Presents & Jubilee Time Productions - will begin performances at Broadway's Palace Theatre Dec. 3. Originally scheduled to run through Dec. 14, the production will now play through Dec. 28, according to The New York Times. A holiday matinee on Dec. 24 has also been added to the playing schedule.
Ron Lewis directs and choreographs. Gary Labriola is executive producer. Minnelli will be joined onstage by Cortés Alexander, Jim Caruso, Tiger Martina and Johnny Rodgers.
Conductor/drummer Michael Berkowitz and pianist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch will lead a 12-person orchestra, and the concert will be scripted by Minnelli and Tony winner David Zippel. The production will also feature scenery by Ray Klausen, costumes by Halston, lighting by Matthew Berman and sound by Matt Krauss.
The evening, according to press notes, "will feature an incomparable Minnelli songfest including many of her personal favorites and signature hits, followed by a dance-filled tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson."
Concertgoers can expect to hear Minnelli's renditions of "Cabaret," "Maybe This Time" and "New York, New York." Minnelli will also "pay an affectionate salute to her godmother, the late Kay Thompson," who coached Minnelli's late mother, the legendary Judy Garland. The Thompson tribute will include musical hits (with the original vocal arrangements) from Thompson's act, including "I Love a Violin," "Clap Yo' Hands," "Jubilee Time" and “Hello Hello."
Liza Minnelli, an Oscar winner for her performance in Cabaret, was last on Broadway in a tribute to her late father entitled Minnelli on Minnelli; she also returned to New York City's Beacon Theatre with her acclaimed concert Liza's Back! In addition to her Tonys for Flora, the Red Menace and The Act, Minnelli was awarded a special Tony in 1974 for "adding lustre to the Broadway season." Her film credits include "The Sterile Cuckoo," "Arthur," "New York, New York" and "Stepping Out." The singer is also a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actress. Her album "Liza's Back!" is available on the J Records label, and "The Best of Liza Minnelli" was released on the Columbia/Legacy label. Showtime aired "Liza with a 'Z'," and Minnelli also received the Julie Harris Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 10th Annual Tony Awards Bash in Los Angeles.
Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 PM with matinees on Sundays at 3 PM.
The Palace Theatre is located at Broadway and 47th Street. Tickets, priced $25-$125, will be available by calling (212) 307-4100 or (800) 755-4000. For more information visit www.lizasatthepalace.com.
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POSTED NOVEMBER 3, 2008:
* Regarding the April 25th concert (it IS the 25th, not the 24th as has been reported in some news items):
Subscriptions go on sale Monday, November 3rd, 2008. Subscribers who purchase tickets to four or more performances can save 15 percent on most events. Subscribers also have first opportunity to purchase tickets to the Liza Minnelli and also the Patti Lupone concerts. Single tickets go on sale in February. To receive a festival brochure with a ticket order form, call 282-2822. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.vafest.com.
* New "Spotlight Page" devoted to "The Complete A&M Recordings", featuring detailed photos of the set. More to come!!!
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POSTED OCTOBER 31, 2008:
* UPDATE: The Press Release mentioned below is in! CLICK HERE to read it and see the cover art and the complete, correct track listing.
* Happy Halloween!
* There's A LOTTA LIZA News coming our way .... Here's what can be said now:
Watch This Space for the PRESS RELEASE and The FIRST CORRECT TRACK LISTING for a NEW 2-CD Set Liza Compilation, called:
"Liza Minnelli: THE COMPLETE A&M RECORDINGS" is being released to stores and online, Tuesday, NOVEMBER 25th, 2008, from COLLECTOR'S CHOICE MUSIC and UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP (who own the A&M catalogs). Here's a High-Res Photo of the Final Cover -- which Liza likes -- for you to see. (Liza seems very pleased with this, especially since she loves the songs, including her delight at the song SHE told ME about that Peter wrote as the intended title song to "Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon") .... I hope you'll all support this release -- It's all four of Liza's A&M albums, her one single, and lots of rare Outtakes! Plus a 16-Page FULL-COLOR booklet with about a dozen photos .... and the sound is Remastered in 24-bit and is quite sparkling. (Likely you've seen info on this elsewhere -- sometimes mistakenly called "The A&M Years" -- but the Track Listings have NEVER been correctly listed, til here .... and I didn't want to post too much new News until the Palace ticket sales were successfully launched) .... There MAY be an opportunity for Liza's fans to get a copy of this CD set through this website FIRST, even BEFORE it hits stores. The details are trying to be worked out. Keep the fingers crossed. Hopefully it can all be worked out, but if not, I hope you'll feel it's worth the wait. It's some amazing material!
ANOTHER CD, this one, a NEW one, is Liza's Guest Appearance on the new JOHNNY RODGERS EP CD, on the song "LET'S MAKE A DATE" .... The CDs should be ready soon -- but you can hear it (and keep checking for MORE INFO) at his great website: JohnnyRodgers.com
There's so much more news coming .... News on the PALACE, of course .... News on MORE MINNELLI, including a major TV appearance coming up soon .... As soon as all is cleared to be revealed, it will be
Thanks to all the new members who signed up through Yahoo Groups!
|
POSTED OCTOBER 30, 2008:
* There may be reports circulating (thanks to an article online today, from Australia) that Liza is confirmed for China, next September 2009 .... AND for Brisbane, Australia for September-October 2009
But Liza is NOT AT ALL confirmed for any of the above .... So, stay tuned. New concert dates are always posted here once they are confirmed.
|
POSTED OCTOBER 28, 2008:
* Here are three videos from the Friday, October 24th Press Conference/Rehearsal:
Liza's October 20 appearance on NBC's "The Today Show"
|
POSTED OCTOBER 24, 2008:
* JUST got back from the open rehearsal for the press, which was today, Friday, October 24th, from 10:30 to 12:30 PM, Liza sang, danced, talked, and did TONS of NEW INTERVIEWS for TV -- including ET, EXTRA (watch Friday night!), Fox News Five, NY (watch at 5 and 10 PM), NY Ch.1, CBS News, and LOGO .... So much more
Liza taped a NEW MESSAGE for the website (I know, I know, at last :), so will get that up on the website ASAP (weekend, maybe? I HOPE)
What else? So much news.
New songs in the First Act: A new song that addresses Liza's love for HER AUDIENCES, and a Tribute in Song to her mother, Judy Garland (more info to follow).
There's also: A new PROJECT to look forward to (connected to the show, you'll HEAR MORE -- Soon) ...
Oh, and ANOTHER project to look foward to (one you already may have HEARD about already :) Stay tuned to the website.
Sorry -- Things have been so hectic, there just HASN'T been a moment to post as much as we'd ALL LIKE -- Thanks for understanding. I hope to get caught-up mid-late week next week. So please bear with me.
The IMPORTANT NEWS is the PALACE, of course. You know about that, and have likely gotten or ABOUT to get your Tickets. LIZA's AT THE PALACE .... THAT's Important. And so exciting (understatement of the century)
Speaking of the TICKETS -- Here's the NEWS ON The PREMIUM TICKETS:
Tickets that are being sold as Premium are in Rows B, C, D, E, H and L. (ONLY Six Rows in total.)
So here's to LIZA's AT THE PALACE ....
Thanks to everyone for the support and understanding
PS: FULL-PAGE AD in The Sunday NEW YORK TIMES -- PAGE TWO. You'll see it here on Sunday also. We'll also have the TV AD here soon, and some video from today's Open Rehearsal / Press.
* Photos from Liza's press conference today (October 24) at Getty Images.
* The press that was at the Liza Press Conference today for LIZA's AT THE PALACE ... included:
TV:
THE INSIDER (Possibly ET / Entertainment Tonight also, as they often share footage / crews and are under the same corporate umbrella; ET aired nothing tonight; INSIDER aired about 20-30 seconds)
X-TRA (Sam Harris!) (Usually airs on NBC stations; Airs here in NY area at 5:30, I believe)
NY-1 (Local NY)
FOX (Fox-Five, Likely NY local; nothing aired today at 5 PM, perhaps will air at 10 PM)
LOGO (CBS LOGO)
BROADWAY BEAT
BROADWAY.COM
CBS / CH.2 (LOCAL NY -- Aired at 6:18 PM)
RADIO:
PLAYBILLRADIO.COM
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
AP
NYPOST / PLAYBILL.COM
DAILY NEWS
BROADWAYWORLD.COM
THEATREMANIA.COM
BROADWAY.COM
* Here's some info I received on the new LIZA'S AT THE PALACE TV AD:
The TV campaign announcing the Sunday on-sale date will be running Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday -- October 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 2008. During this time period we will have spots on the following shows:
GMA, Regis & Kelly, the View, NBC's Today Show, Ellen, Bravo, Logo, Lifetime and the 11 o’clock news on ABC and NBC. I don’t have a more exact schedule for you other than that.
We will also have the TV AD playing HERE on Liza's website, ASAP. (It is JUST the one version, a 30-second spot)
|
POSTED OCTOBER 19, 2008:
* PRESS RELEASE for "LIZA'S AT THE PALACE ...!"
Running Time: 2hrs. 15 min with 1 intermission
For Immediate Release:
"Liza's At The Palace...!"
Liza Minnelli Opens December 3rd
at Broadway’s Palace Theatre
2 Weeks Only!
Tickets Go On-sale October 26th
Liza Minnelli will bring her unmatchable magic to Broadway, when she stars in her new show “Liza’s At The Palace…!” opening Wed nesday, December 3rd (6:30PM) at the Palace Theatre (Broadway & 47th Street) for a limited engagement through December 14th. Produced by John Scher/Metropolitan Talent Presents & Jubilee Time Productions and directed and choreographed by Ron Lewis, the evening will feature an incomparable Minnelli songfest including many of her personal favorites and signature hits, followed by a dance-filled tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson. Gary Labriola will serve as Executive Producer.
Along with a twelve-man orchestra led by conductor/drummer Michael Berkowitz and pianist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch, “Liza’s At The Palace…!” will be highlighted with many of Liza’s showstoppers such as “Cabaret,” “Maybe This Time,” and “New York New York” – all written especially for her by the legendary Broadway song writing partnership of John Kander and Fred Ebb. For the first time onstage, Liza will pay an affectionate salute to her godmother, the late Kay Thompson who was a legendary performer (“Think Pink!” from Funny Face), author (“Eloise at the Plaza”) as well a gifted vocal arranger and Music Director/vocal coach at MGM Studios who worked with stars such as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Lena Horne. Supported by a quartet of dynamic singer/dancers, Liza will perform musical hits (with the original vocal arrangements) from Thompson's act including such numbers as “I Love a Violin,” “Clap Yo' Hands,” “Jubilee Time” and “Hello Hello”---set to brand-new staging and choreography by Mr. Lewis. Accompanying her onstage will be Cortés Alexander, Jim Caruso, Tiger Martina and Johnny Rodgers.
The concert performance wil be scripted by Liza and Tony Award-winner David Zippel, and will be full of personal stories, anecdotes and heartfelt reminiscences embraced in a theatrical setting featuring scenery by Ray Klausen, costumes by Halston, lighting by Matthew Berman and sound by Matt Kraus. Liza Minnelli was born in Los Angeles and made her screen debut as a toddler in the musical In the Good Old Summertime in 1949. One of the world’s best-loved entertainers, she won Tony awards for Flora, the Red Menace in 1965 and The Act in 1978, along with a third for Best Personal Achievement, resulting from her 1974 engagement at the Winter Garden Theatre. Nominated for an Academy Award® for TheSterile Cuckoo (1969), she won the best actress prize for her best-known film, Cabaret (1972), which also won her a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA. She won an Emmy for Liza with a 'Z' (1972) and was also the recipient of a Grammy Legend Award in 1989, making her one of the few artists who have won entertainment's top six awards. Liza has also been the recipient of three David di Donatello Awards – for The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), Cabaret (1972) and Lifetime Achievement (2002). Film credits include Charlie Bubbles (1968),=2 0Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970), Lucky Lady (1975), A Matter of Time (1976), New York, New York (1977), Arthur (1981) Stepping Out (1991), and The Oh In Ohio (2006). Liza recently attracted an entirely new generation of fans with her acclaimed turn as "Lucille 2" on the Emmy-winning Best Comedy Arrested Development, and for her appearance on the chart-topping album The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. For the latest on Liza, visit her website www.OfficialLizaMinnelli.com. Ron Lewis has been a staple on the Las Vegas scene for decades and last choreographed Liza in her Tony Award-winning performance in “The Act” on Broadway. Having worked on over 80 productions, Lewis has directed/choreographed shows for some of the biggest names in show business including Anne Margaret, Debbie Reynolds, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Paul Anka. “Liza’s At The Palace…!” will play the following performance schedule at the Palace Theatre (Broadway & 47th Street) : Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8PM with matinees on Sundays at 3PM. Tickets prices range from $125 to $55. (***Upon special request by Liza--- $25 first row seats will be made available at box office by daily lottery. ****) For more information and tickets by phone Tickets: 212-307-4100 or 800-755-4000.
* I've been seeing reports that tickets are being sold for Liza's March 2nd, 2009 concert -- The LATEST on this as of today is that this concert is STILL NOT CONFIRMED. Please keep that in mind. Again, Liza is NOT CONFIRMED YET to perform in Toronto on March 2nd, 2009. Stay tuned for further updates.
|
POSTED OCTOBER 17, 2008:
* Liza is flying to California to attend the wedding of MICHAEL FEINSTEIN to his longtime partner Terrence Flannery. The couple are due to be married in Los Angeles on October 17, 2008. (Stephen Holden broke the news of his upcoming marriage in the NY TIMES, on September 1st, 2008)
* Liza is slated to be on THE TODAY SHOW on NBC-TV, this Monday, October 20th, 2008. (I've heard the 9-10 AM hour, and I've also heard the 10-11 AM hour, so .... The show airs from 7 to 11 AM if anyone REALLY wants to be diligent, but you should be fine from 9 to 11 AM) .... No singing scheduled for now, just an interview.
* Broadway World.com has some great new photos of Liza and "The Williams Brothers" taking in the show at the Metropolitan Room in NYC (starring Billy Stritch), Wednesday night, October 15th, 2008.
|
POSTED OCTOBER 6, 2008:
* As can often happen, information is passed along before things are completely set, and ready to be announced - not on this website, of course :) - I'm talking about other websites and media outlets. Such was the case with the venue for Liza's engagement in Rhode Island mentioning (this past weekend) Liza's expected and hoped-for engagement at the Palace Theatre in NYC as FACT. (Of course this was then picked-up by media outlets, such as the wonderful BroadwayWorld.com)
Things are NOT completely set yet for the Palace, but ARE in the works. As you know, Liza was in Italy promoting her upcoming tour there when this "news" broke (I use the quotation marks because nothing about this was confirmed by the websites that were covering it), and Liza just arrived home late today. I just spoke with her and she asked me to pass along the following message:
****
"Dear Fans and Friends,
When I sign the contract [for the Palace], you'll be the first to know. I'm terribly excited, and hope this comes through."
****
Stay tuned for more updates as they come happen and are READY to be announced :)
Thanks for your understanding, and suppoprt as always.
Now, the one thing that IS just confirmed -- as of today, in fact -- is the engagement that started this "leak" :) .... Liza is indeed going to be performing in Rhode Island, November 19th through the 23rd, 2008. Visit the CONCERTS AND APPEARANCES page for more info.
|
POSTED OCTOBER 1, 2008:
* Despite
the listing of her name in their press release, Liza is NOT scheduled
to be at the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF)
33rd Anniversary Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on October 18th,
2008.
|
POSTED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008:
* A
great new website has just been launched for Liza's Italian tour:
Liza
Italy Tour Translated for us ....
Thanks
to Jennifer, for translating this for us:
I didn't get around to translating the newspaper quotes on the main page, but
since they all seem to be from English publications, I think we've seen those
already anyhow. But I did the rest of the site! So here it is:
thebestofliza
The program of the concert previews many between its more {bigger?} smash hits,
from historical pieces like Cabaret, Maybe This Time, And The World Goes Round,
and beyond, and naturally to New York New York, all truly written for her from
two "monsters" of
Broadway John Kander and Fred Ebb, authors also of the huge musical Chicago.
Liza will also dedicate an affectionate tribute to her godmother Kay Thompson,
arranger and vocal coach of personages like Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and
Vincente Minnelli, the father of Liza, and will be supported by four formidable
dancers/singers in thrilling pieces of Thompson's act, comprised of famous numbers
like I Love a Violin,
Clap Your Hands, Jubilee Time, and Hello Hello.
Then here's the part from the True Diva section:
The Biggest Icon
of the show
From Diva of the American cinema to interpreter of some of the biggest smash
hit musicals of all time, the unforgettable star of Cabaret and New York New
York fascinates once again, bewitching and moving.
Her eyes shine, and are only and inimitable in the gestures and expressive voice.
Between great stars, she remains divine, historic, the last true animal of the
stage: and knows it. From she sees her public there it loves and
it, she enters in tuning, she takes for hand and the door {?} to it to the visibilio
{? visible?} also with a single song.
It was 1989 when in Milan the Palatrussardi {?} accommodated a memorable concert
with Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr. and the great Frank Sinatra.
Nineteen years after, the magic is repeated with the single Liza in the theater,
ready to once again bewitch and to astonish her numerous fans: between desire
and nostalgia, an event that writes another history page
of the show.
Pure Talent
Daughter of actress/singer Judy Garland and of the director Vincente Minnelli,
she begins her career at
3 years, playing side by side her mother in the film "In the Good Old Summertime".
Still young, for her exceptional interpretation in "Flora, the Red Menace" on
Broadway, she wins her first Tony Award for best actress in a musical.
In '72 with the film "Cabaret", wins an Oscar. Her acting bears also
a Golden Globe and a British Film Academy Award. In '77 she acts beside Robert
DeNiro in the huge musical "New York, New York" , directed by Martin
Scorcese and in 1981 with Dudley Moore, has success with the film "Arthur".
Her tour with
Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., "The Ultimate Event" at the end
of '80 is unforgettable.
In '97, she acted in the great musical comedy "Victor/Victoria", one
of the biggest smash hits on Broadway. Liza reappeared in the theater in '99
to offer a tribute to her father with a show titled "Minnelli on Minnelli" at
New York's Palace Theatre.
In 2002, after a serious disease, she returns to sing to the Beacon Theatre in
New York. She prevails with the album of entitled return "Liza's Back!" It
comes after few months.
Liza Minnelli today continues her extraordinary musical career with a world-wide
tour that reportedly ends in Italy.
And then this is the text that appears alongside the gallery:
An Extraordinary Event
The Theatre of Taormina has received this year the great return of Liza Minnelli
with a show of other times. A crowd in the thousands, a unforgettable standing
ovation, a natural frame mozzafiato {? I have a feeling it has to do with the
type of venue...look at the pic}, more than 4,000 persons stregate {?} from the
magic of
an irrepeatable evening.
Liza has said of that occasion, "To be in Tormina is an honor and to exhibit
me in this theatre is pure emotion: the air breathed is music."
|
POSTED SEPTEMBER 25, 2008:
* Charles
Aznavour to Receive "Lifetime Achievement Award" at
MIDEM
Last
update: 1:27 p.m. EDT Sept. 22, 2008 PARIS, Sep 22, 2008
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Legendary French singer Charles Aznavour will
receive a "Lifetime Achievement Award" at MIDEM on 19 January
in recognition of his outstanding career. The 43rd edition of MIDEM,
the international music market, takes place in Cannes from 18 to
21 January 2009.
Charles Aznavour will be in the spotlight at the end of 2008
with the international release of his new album "Duos" on the EMI label. "Duos" is
a collection of some of his greatest songs recorded as duets
with some of the biggest stars of the French and international
stage, including Paul Anka, CA(C)line Dion, Placido Domingo,
Bryan Ferry, Josh Groban, Herbert GrAnemeyer, Johnny Hallyday,
Julio Iglesias, Elton John, Carole King, Liza Minnelli, Nana
Mouskouri, Laura Pausini and Sting.
In addition, a musical comedy based on his songs entitled "Je m'Voyais DA(C)jA" (I
Could Already See Myself), written by Laurent Ruquier and under
the artistic direction of his daughter, Katia Aznavour, will open
on 2 October at the Theatre du Gymnase, Paris.
"Charles Aznavour is without doubt the most famous French singer throughout
the world, and he is a living legend in the pantheon of chanson franAaise. His
songs have become standards covered by some of the greatest artists of successive
generations, and the films in which he has starred are classics. It is a pleasure
for MIDEM to be able to honour this incomparable personality," said
Paul Zilk, Chief Executive Officer of Reed MIDEM.
Charles Aznavour has written more than 800 songs, many of which
have been interpreted by the world's greatest artists (Fred Astaire,
Shirley Bassey, Ray Charles, Elvis Costello, Bobby Darin, Sammy
Davis Junior, Juliette GrA(C)co, Liza Minnelli, Edith Piaf and
Nina Simone to name but a few). He has sold more than 100 million
albums worldwide, and his career as an actor, which he began in
the theatre at the age of nine, includes more than 60 films, including "The Tin Drum," winner
of the Palme d'Or at the Festival de Cannes in 1979.
In 1988, following the terrible earthquake in Armenia, Charles
Aznavour started to use his international fame to help the land
of his forebears by founding the humanitarian foundation "Aznavour pour l'ArmA(C)nie" (Aznavour
for Armenia) with LA(C)von Sayan.
In 1993, the President of Armenia appointed him Ambassador-at-Large and Ambassador
to Unesco.
At 84, the lyricist and/or composer of such classics as "La Boheme," "Je
m'Voyais DA(C)jA," "Hier encore," "La Mamma" continues
to write new songs and to appear on some of the most prestigious
international stages. Charles Aznavour is currently completing
an international farewell tour of Latin America, which included
performances over the past few months in Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and elsewhere.
In 1998, Charles Aznavour was voted Entertainer of the Century -- ahead of Elvis
Presley and Bob Dylan -- in an online poll conducted by CNN and Time Magazine
USA.
Charles Aznavour is the dazzling symbol of universal artistic talent coupled
with unbounded energy.
Charles Aznavour climbed every step on his rise to international stardom.
He was born Charles Aznavourian in Paris on 22 May 1924 to Armenian parents.
Misha and Knar Aznavourian ran a restaurant in Rue de la Huchette to support
the family. But their real love was their art, he being a baritone singer, she
an actress, and the Aznavourian family lived in an atmosphere of music, of theatre
and poetry.
From the age of nine, Charles Aznavour began taking on small roles
in the theatre and in films. In 1941, he met the young lyricist/composer
Pierre Roche, with whom he formed a duet, working the cabaret circuit
in France and Belgium. This is when he met Edith Piaf, who took
the duet to perform in Canada. In 1944, Aznavour wrote "J'ai Bu" for
Georges Ulmer which won the Record of the Year award.
In 1953, Aznavour joined the music publisher Raoul Breton, writing "Je Hais
les Dimanches" for Juliette GrA(C)co as well as material for Maurice Chevalier.
In just a few years, as one journalist at the time wrote: "France has been
totally Aznavourized." Every singing show would include at
least one Charles Aznavour song, and the media loved his work.
On his return after a tour of North Africa, the Moulin Rouge hired
him for the first time as headline act. Bruno Coquatrix then booked
him for three weeks at the Olympia alongside Sydney Bechet. His
confirmation as a top-lining artist came with his shows at the
Alhambra, which made Charles Aznavour the number one young star
in France. But it had been a long hard road before arriving there. "I
was booed, people threw coins and beer cans, but I stuck it out and here I am," he
recalled.
In
parallel, his film career was taking off. He starred in "La TAte Contre
les Murs" (Head Against the Wall) by Georges Franju (1958), for which he
received France's best actor award, followed by "Les Dragueurs" (The
Chasers) by Jean-Pierre Mocky (1959) and "Tirez sur le Pianiste" (Shoot
the Pianist) by FranAois Truffaut (1960).
On the music front, his performance at Carnegie Hall in 1963 drew enthusiastic
reviews and Aznavour embarked on an extensive world tour which lasted several
years.
Charles Aznavour had by now become an international star and his
records such as "La Mamma" sold in millions.
The following years brought a string of hits including "For Me Formidable," "La
Boheme," "Mourir d'Aimer," "Les Plaisirs DA(C)modA(C)s" and "Comme
ils Disent." With "She," which stayed at Number
1 in the British charts for many weeks, the recording received
gold and platinum status, which was a first for a French artist.
In 1988, following the earthquake which devastated Armenia, he
joined with LA(C)von Sayan to found the charity "Aznavour pour l'ArmA(C)nie" (Aznavour for
Armenia) and gathered 90 French singers and actors to record the song "Pour
Toi ArmA(C)nie" (For You, Armenia) which sold more than 1.5
million copies.
On 30 September 2006, Aznavour performed at a mega-concert produced by LA(C)von
Sayan in front of 100,000 spectators in Republic Square in the Armenian capital
Yerevan to mark the official opening of the Year of Armenia in France. Both the
French President Jacques Chirac and the Armenian President Robert Kotcharian
attended.
His latest studio album "Colore ma Vie" was released
in 2007 by EMI.
Charles Aznavour was named "Commandeur de la LA(C)gion d'Honneur" (Commander
of the LA(C)gion d'Honneur) and "Commandeur dans l'Ordre National du MA(C)rite" (Commander
in the National Order of Merit) by President Jacques Chirac.
Note to Editors:
ABOUT REED MIDEM:
Founded in 1963, Reed MIDEM is a leading organiser of professional, international
tradeshows. Reed MIDEM events have established themselves as key dates in professional
diaries. The company hosts MIPTV featuring MILIA, MIPDOC, MIPCOM, and MIPCOM
JUNIOR for the television and digital content industries, MIDEM for music professionals,
MIPIM, MIPIM Asia, MIPIM HORIZONS and MAPIC for the property and retail real
estate sectors.
Reed MIDEM is a division of Reed Exhibitions, the world's leading events organiser
Reed organises a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses
and meetings. Its portfolio of over 500 events serves 47 industry sectors. In
2007 Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around
the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held
in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific,
and organised by 39 fully staffed offices.
* Excerpts
from a new Playbill
interview with Jim Caruso, who plays
Dick Williams in Liza's Kay act, of course (Jim mentions that Dick
came to see them at the Hollywood Bowl, and that happened thanks to
your's truly, and an e-mail that came through the website from one
of Dick's friends. I called Dick -- this was only an hour or so before
Liza went onstage, mind-you! -- and he hopped in his car, and zoomed
over to the Bowl!):
****
Oh, did I mention the worldwide tour he has been on, dancing and singing
behind Liza, re-creating portions of the much-revered nightclub act
of Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers? As Liza indicated at the
Tonys, it just might be setting up shop on The Great White Way.
Caruso: I'm absolutely enchanted at how things are going at Birdland.
It's the most fantastic time in my career, and I've never been as excited
about all the things I have going on.
Q: How do you manage the touring you do with Liza and the scheduling
of the Broadway at Birdland concert series and your weekly Cast Party
at Birdland?
Caruso: There's this thing called the interweb that all the kids love,
and I'm able to do all my Broadway Birdland Cast Party promotion stuff
on a laptop while I'm on the road with Liza. And, the Birdland staff
is fantastic, and I have a great publicist that works on the Broadway
at Birdland series. Essentially, I can be two places at once. The only
thing I can't do when20we're on the road for a long period of time
is host Cast Party, but that's only happened a handful of times, and
I get fantastic guest hosts like Christine Lavin and Christine Pedi
and Scott Siegel, who understand the evening very well. They each have
great followings of their own, and they all bring a lot to the hosting
table, so we're in good shape then.
Q: Tell me about a typical Cast Party.
Caruso: This last week was insane. It was really wacky. Liza came in
and sang two tunes with Billy Stritch. She brought her friend Mary-Louise
Parker. Hello? [Liza] dedicated "I Can't Give You Anything But
Love" — which she does with Billy — to Mary-Louise, who was totally
into the night, screaming and yelling for everybody. We had LaLa Brooks,
who is a newcomer. She was the lead singer from The Crystals, and in
1963, she had a little hit called "Da Doo Ron Ron," and she
looks like she's 25 years old. I don't know what she's done to keep
that amazing body and face. She's just spectacular looking. She came
in and just ripped the roof off of Birdland. Laurel Masse, who was
one of the original girls in the Manhattan Transfer was there. We had
Liza, Laurel, LaLa, and all we needed was Lucy Arnaz to complete the "L" thing.
Q: For those unfamiliar, give the background of the show you've been
doing with Liza. The original Kay Thompson/Williams Brothers act is
spoken of in such reverent tones by folks who saw them.
Caruso: Kay Thompson was the vocal arranger at MGM in the forties
and the vocal coach to people like Judy Garland and Mel Tormé and Lena
Horne. Three nobodies! And, she really jazzed up MGM. I mean, she took
the sound of movies from [vocals that were] very angelic choir-y sounding,
and she blew that to smithereens — she brought in jazz. She was a huge
fan of jazz, and she really brought movie music up to date. She was
Liza's godmother, and she also wrote a little book called "Eloise," about
the little girl who lives at the Plaza Hotel. She was just a renaissance
woman. Everything she did, she did brilliantly, then she'd move on
and do something else totally different. I got to know her when she
moved into Liza's apartment when she was in her nineties. I had certainly
been a fan, but just getting to know her was extraordinary. After she
died, Liza and I were talking for years about singing Kay's music,
and one day Liza called me and said, "Here we go! Are you with
me?" And I said, "Yeah!" So she asked me to be one of
the Williams Brothers, along with Cortes Alexander, Johnny Rogers and
Tiger Martina, with Billy Stritch at the piano and her brilliant 12-piece
orchestra, and we've taken this show all over the world: South America,
Scandinavia, all over Europe; we did a week at the Coliseum in London.
We killed them in Antwerp. You may quote me. Talk about out-of-town
tryouts, this thing has been all over the planet. Recently, at the
Tonys, Liza announced that we're taking the show to Broadway, so it
sounds like it is really going to happen. My fingers are so crossed
I can barely dial the phone. It would be thrilling.
Q: Having heard so much about Kay and the Williams Brothers, it sounds
like an incredible show.
Caruso: If nothing else, New York audiences need to see Liza being
so brilliant and singing and dancing her fanny off again. And, the
Kay Thompson arrangements are life-changing. You can't believe these
incredible tight harmonies we get to sing, and Ron Lewis has choreographed
it to a fare-thee-well. It is so much fun and crazy high energy. It's
so my taste, it is hard to get out of it enough to be really critical
of it, but as an audience member, I would flip out, so anyone else
like me, they're going to love it.
Q: Has Andy Williams ever come out to see the show?
Caruso: Andy hasn't come, but we just opened the Hollywood Bowl a couple
months ago for the season with the L.A. Philharmonic, and Dick Williams
was there, who I play! After the show, there was a knock on our dressing
room door, and somebody said, "Liza wants to see you." And
I went to the dressing room, thinking, "I wonder what I did." I
walked in, and there was a guy there with these unbelievably blue eyes,
and I said, "Oh my God, you're Dick Williams!" And he said, "No,
you're Dick Williams!" And he hugged me and just seemed really
thrilled and kind of startled that it was being brought back so well
and with so much love.
Q: That had to be an incredible compliment to hear.
Caruso: It was a compliment to all of us, first of all, that he would
be there. And, yeah, it was thrilling to be able to entertain him.
It was a highlight. And then there were fireworks over the stage…coming
out of the band shell thing. Crazy! Just another night in the glamorous
life of Jim Caruso.
Q: It does sound like there's some glamour.
Caruso: That was a good night. That made up for all the horrendous
nights of my life!
Q: Speaking of which, how about the Jim Caruso life story.
Caruso: My parents were both musicians. In fact, this is a very over-told
story, but I had an act with my mother called "Son of a Bitch." She
played piano and I sang, and it was horrendous, as you might guess.
Q: Was that here in New York?
Caruso: [Laughs.] No. God, no! It was in Dallas, Texas, where we played
happy hours at fish restaurants, and that sounds like shtick, but I
have pictures.
Q: How does that not still happen?
Caruso: Shocking, isn't it? We can't find a fish restaurant with a
happy hour in New York. Anyway, that got me into the nightclub scene.
I put a trio together called Wise Guys, and that took off. We came
to New York, Liza came to see us, we were her opening act. Joan Rivers
came to see us, we were her opening act. When that broke up, I went
to work for Liza, I gotinvolved in TV production and PR. And, I
was doing PR for a defunct nightclub, I threw a party one Monday night,
everybody came and sang until three in the morning. The club called
me the next day, and said, "Would you do that again?" I said, "No." And
five years later, I'm still doing it. And that's my life. Good evening.
Q: I think one great thing about your Cast Party shows is the variety
of music one can hear. You don't take a narrow cabaret approach.
Caruso: I love saying this, but I was at the Kanye West concert at
Madison Square Garden a couple weeks ago, and believe me — I love saying
that because it makes me sound either hip or mentally imbalanced —
but I loved it! Do I sit around listening to Kanye West? No, but the
production of that show was so insanely over-the-top and brilliant,
if you couldn't get something out of that for your own damn cabaret
act, then you are not looking. I think it's weird that people will
only go see other acts just like themselves. The interesting thing:
We travel so much with Liza, we were in Brazil, in Rio, and Liza knows
all those bossa nova dudes. Those original guys that created the bossa
nova with Jobim, and they threw parties for us —meaning for her— every
night. And there was music till four and five in the morning. What
I thought was interesting was, these were the original bossa nova dudes,
but also, there were these 20-something guys that were adding hip-hop
to bossa nova and rap to bossa nova, and everybody knows each other
and everybody got along. And, the old guys are thrilled with the new
guys, and the new guys are so honored to know the old guys, it's very
impressive. And you don't see that here. You don't see Mary J. Blige
at a Margaret Whiting concert much I don't think. I think that's really
too bad. I mean, why not?
Q: People like to stay in their comfort zone.
Caruso: The Great American Songbook lives on, folks, and it is being
written by country writers and pop singers and stars and R&B. That
doesn't mean I have to sit around and listen to Kanye West all day,
because I certainly don't. But I like knowing he's out there and knowing
what he does. It keeps me a little ahead of the game, pop culture-wise.
I was talking to Phyllis Newman the other day. I was amazingly surprised
when I told her I went to the Kanye West concert and she was like, "I
love him!" She went up like a thousand points in my estimation
o f her intelligence, that she knows who he is. I think it makes you
more of an interesting person, and that's my goal: To someday be mildly
interesting.
Q: Well, I'm all for that.
Caruso: [Laughs.] Wait. What did that mean?
POSTED AUGUST 30, 2008:
*Here's
a link to the latest Liza interview (promoting her upcoming two-night
stand in St. Charles, MO, Sept. 11th and 12th). It's mostly
an excellent read, except for one paragraph that feels the need to
rehash personal issues that are in the past (interesting that journalists
feel the need to do this, since this article would be quite superb
if it weren't for that one paragraph).
*Charlie
Bubbles, the 1968 movie starring Albert Finney -- with Liza in
her first onscreen role -- (filmed in the fall of 1966 into early
1967) will be released on DVD in the UK only, as a REGION 2 disc,
on September 15...
* Liza
sang at CAST PARTY Monday night, August 25th, 2008:
From all that chat:
"Now THAT's what I call New York.
Liza sang "You've Let Yourself Go" at Jim Caruso's "Cast Party" last
night, and 35 years evaporated -- she was brilliant. Then she sang "I Can't
Give You Anything But Love," hitting spectacular high notes full voice,
and all was right with the world for a few minutes (she dedicated it to Mary
Louise Parker, who was with her party.)
Billy Stritch was brilliant, as were an unbelievable succession of great talents.
What a night. Broadway should have such talents on display (for $20.)"
Monday nights might be dark on Broadway, but the stars certainly light up the
stage at Birdland on their off nights! Jim Caruso's Cast Party has seen it's
share of celeb-studded evenings, but on Monday, August 26, the club was jam-packed
with showbiz royalty, all entertaining each other at the concert grand piano.
Liza Minnelli brought the sold-out room to pin-drop silence with the Aznavour
standard "You've Let Yourself Go," then launched into a duet with Billy
Stritch of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," dedicated to pal Mary-Louise
Parker, who was also in the crowd. The new cast of Altar Boyz entertained everyone
with one of their signature numbers, with composer Gary Adler at the piano. LaLa
Brooks, who was the lead singer for The Crystals, sang her 1963 hit "Da
Doo Ron Ron!" Manhattan Transfer alum Laurel Masse showed off a swingin'
piece from her upcoming Broadway at Birdland concert. Josh Grisetti and Emily
Shoolin performed a hilarious song from the York Theatre production of Enter
Laughing. Broadway beauty Luba Mason performed "All That Jazz," and
announced her Birdland debut to launch the upcoming Brazilian cd, "Krazy
Love."
Jim Caruso's Cast Party takes place every Monday night at 9:30. Birdland is at
315 West 44 Street, NYC. Call 212-581-3080 for reservations. There is a $10 cover
and $10 food/drink minimum.
* Review
of Liza's Saturday, August 16th show in Primm, Nevada, by Steve
Dacri
We were honored to be a part of the crowd in Primm last night, and of all the
shows we have seen you do, this one rocked...from my blog vegasinsidetips.com
Posted August 18, 2008
I think some of the so-called entertainers in Vegas (and beyond) who have the
nerve to charge people for tickets to see their often self-produced, bloated,
amateur shows need to see someone like Liza Minnelli who puts them all to shame
with her professionalism and showmanship.
Talk about real magic...Jan and I ventured out to Primm last night to see a true
show-business icon perform a memorable show that was nothing short of perfection.
I speak of Liza Minnelli, who played a sold-out concert at the Star of the Desert
Arena, and from the front row, I can tell you it was an awesome show by a first
class performer who is truly one of a kind in every sense of the word.
[Liza] has the chops to rock a room like very few others. She played a 2 hour
concert like it was in her living room, with energy of someone half her age (she
is 62, she freely admits), engaging the audience with stories from her life,
growing up in and around show business Royalty. It was a fascinating performance.
She sang so many classics, from Cabaret and other hits from her many film and
stage performances, joked about her career and many marriages, played with the
12 piece orchestra, danced with her 4 "Williams Brothers" dancers (who
sang and pranced and made her look even better) changed costumes 4 times, going
from a stunning white shimmering outfit to start the show, to a classic black
ensemble for some torch songs, then disappeared briefly to slip into a sexy,
leggy outfit with cool boots that showed off her still-marvelous legs, and finally
appeared in one of her trademark red outfits for the final segment of her amazing
show, which of course, ended with her stunning rendition of New York, New York
that brought the audience to their feet for what was probably the 7th or 8th
standing ovation. It was an unforgettable night.
She absolutely mesmerized the sold out crowd, she is an unbelievable entertainer,
such energy, stamina, humor, great stories...it was a piece of history, a study
in true showmanship that is so rare among today's performers. Talk about magic.
I had chills, we both had tears during several moments, I can't truly explain
it properly, it was a very special experience that seemed to hypnotize the audience
from the moment she appeared on the stage, smiling and singing and chatting.
She was so grateful for the adulation, she generously acknowledged her fantastic
orchestra, many of whom have been playing with her for decades, and her singer/dancers
who portrayed the early Williams Brothers of yesteryear.
She looks fabulous, she hit all the right notes and held nothing back.
After New York, New York, she came back for 3 more curtain calls, and clearly
the audience didn't want this experience to end. She walked to the edge of the
stage, thanked everyone and launched into a song, without the orchestra (it was
totally unplanned so the musicians just sat and watched) and brought the crowd
to their feet again as she sang "I'll be seeing you"... many with tears
in their eyes, as she thanked everyone again for the support and for coming to
see this performance that was pure perfection in every way.
I have seen her several times, and I cannot recall her touching me and the audience
so deeply as she did this particular night.
At this stage of her life, she could easily "mail it in" and the show
would still be better than most others out there, but she delivered a remarkable
performance that was perfection. We were all very lucky to be there. We will
never forget this night.
Thank you, Liza
* British
Soccer Star Voted Top Gay Idol
By
On Top Magazine Staff
Published: August 19, 2008
Manchester United soccer stud
Cristiano Ronaldo – UEFA Champions League winner and the 2007 English
PFA Player of the Year – is adding another trophy to his mantle:
Gay Icon of the Year!
The Portuguese footballer beat out such gay icon perennials as Kylie Minogue,
Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland to win GayGoldDiggers.uk.com's annual gay icon
award.
The online gay dating site polled more than 3,000 men to come up with Britain's
ultimate gay icon.
“Ronaldo's ripped body, slicked-back hair, shiny white teeth and jewelry
swung the votes his way,” said a GayGoldDiggers.uk.com spokesperson. “He
looks like any gay man or woman's dream.”
“What with being Footballer of the Year, scoring 42 goals last season and
former girlfriends saying he is talented off the pitch, he seems to have everything
going for him.”
United teammate David Beckham, the only other athlete in the top ten, scored
a disappointing seventh place.
Top British gay icons according to GayGoldDiggers.uk.com:
1) Cristiano Ronaldo
2) Kyle Minogue
3) Judy Garland,
4) Elton John
5) Liza Minnelli
6) The Village People
7) David Beckham
8) George Michael
9) John Barrowman
10) Paul O'Grady
|
POSTED AUGUST 13, 2008:
* LIZA
TICKET GIVEAWAY!
KMOX Radio in St. Louis, Missouri is currently running
a promotion giving away Liza Minnelli tickets for
the show in St. Charles, on September 12th. Here is a link
to their site to enter the contest. Thanks to Jessica of CBS
Radio/KMOX for notifiying us of this contest!
* There
was a report in the TORONTO SUN that stated Liza is confirmed for
a March 2nd, 2009 appearance in Toronto. I have just contacted
Liza's manager, who tells me this date is NOT CONFIRMED, so please
be aware of this before you buy any tickets. As always, once
new concert dates are 100% confirmed, they will be posted on the Concerts and Appearances Page of the website.
* See
the below rave review of the Thursday, August 7th Coney concert
triumph. The jam-packed attendance-shattering Brooklyn crowd couldn't
get enough of lady Liza. Despite the threat of a down-pour, the
only thing that fell over the crowd was the magic of Minnelli --
looking even more sizzling than the temperature that day. Here's
the review, enjoy:
* Tickets
ON SALE MONDAY, Aug. 11th, for Liza's Sept 11th and 12th Concerts
in St. Charles, MO
Liza
Minnelli to open Lindenwood Center
By Judith Newmark
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/07/2008
Liza Minnelli, an entertainer famed for her Oscar-, Tony-
and Grammy-winning performances, will open the new Lindenwood Center
for the Fine & Performing
Arts with a solo concert at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 and 12.
Her concert
includes some of her biggest hits - "All That Jazz," "Cabaret," "New
York, New York" - as well as a tribute to her godmother, the late
Kay Thompson.
An actress and singer who came from St. Louis, Thompson is probably
best known as the author of the "Eloise" books about a little
girl who lives in the Plaza Hotel. Minnelli’s parents, of course, were
film star Judy Garland and the celebrated director Vincent Minnelli.
The
Lindenwood Center, 2300 West Clay Avenue in St. Charles, is a $32-million
addition to Lindenwood University.
Tickets for "Liza Minnelli in Concert" go
on sale Monday at telecharge.com (800-447-7400). The cost $125 to
$200; tickets for most shows will range from $25-$75. For information
about all the Lindenwood programs, including schedules and ticket prices,
call the box office ( 636-949-4433 ) or visit lindenwoodcenter.com online. [NOTE: This site appears to only have a home page with a phone
number at present]
* TIME
OUT NY Magazine is scheduled to have an interview with Liza in
their issue that comes out on August 7th -- the day of Liza's Coney
Island concert.
* New
compilation DVD coming out titled "Hollywood Singing and Dancing
- A Musical History", featuring an interview with Liza done
in 2006. Check out The Liza Store for details!
* In
LIZ SMITH's column (Thursday, July 17th, 20008):
TALK ABOUT a comeback! On Aug. 7, lots of people get the chance to see Liza
Minnelli at the 30-year-old Seaside Summer Concert Series outside Asser
Levy/Seaside Park in Coney Island/Brighton Beach!
The 62-year-old showbiz phenomenon is back from Europe after rumors that she
has"made millions" over there with her hard-driving organic talent.
The Huffington
Post recently described her as "a lightning rod of timing, movement and
voice . . . American showbiz at the top of its game!"
Liza is currently thin and trim, still prepping, but soon to launch that show
about her famous godmother, the late choreographer-creator Kay Thompson. Yes!
Liza intends to bring back Kay and "the Four Williams Brothers" (shades
of the
1950s and the famed Persian Room at the Plaza Hotel).
|
POSTED JULY 10, 2008:
* Tickets
to Liza's August 30th, 2008 concert at the new Harrah's "The
Venue" in the Horseshoe Casino, go on sale next Friday, July
18th, 2008 at: www.harrahs.com and
also TicketMaster.com.
* Liza
will have a special guest at her Coney Island concert of August
7th: Christopher Cross. His hits include the Oscar-winning
theme song to Liza's 1981 smash comedy movie ARTHUR: "The
Best That You Can Do" (is Fall in Love / Arthur's Theme). (The
Coney Island concert is NOT currently scheduled to feature the "Kay
boys.")
* Here's
the link to tickets for Liza's September 9th concert in Kentucky: ww2.kentuckycenter.org
The tickets go on sale Friday, July 18th, but MEMBERS can
get tickets on a PRESALE basis, effective July 7th! Ticket
prices are a $90 top, and go down to $45. (So it might even
be worth it for you to become a member for $100, especially if
you're buying two or more tickets, since they even had front row
available recently.)
* INFO for Liza's September 12 show
in Missouri:
It
looks like you need to be a member to get info on the website,
but you can at least CALL to get info, too:
Bezemes Family Theater
Lindenwood Center For The Fine & Performing Arts Lindenwood University
209 South Kingshighway St.
St. Charles MO 63301
* Here's
an excerpt from a new article on Alan Cummings that mentions his seeing
Liza in Glasgow on June 6th -- and that they've discussed plans to
work together.
“On the plus side there’s many good things about being famous.
“For example I went out for dinner with Liza Minnelli last night – we’re
old friends and once recorded a duet of Baby It’s Cold Outside together
for charity.”
Alan, 43, was in the audience of Liza’s recent concert at the Clyde Auditorium
in Glasgow, when much to his embarrassment she dimmed the lights and paid tribute
to him, earning an ovation from the packed audience.
The duo are said to have discussed plans to work together, but it’s the
Cohen Brothers, responsible for movies such as Fargo, Oh Brother, Where Are Though?
and No Country for Old Men, that excite Alan.
“I’d love to work with the Cohen brothers, I love their work, ” revealed
Alan.
* Liza
on Fox News (online) - as she's inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame: http://www.myfoxla.com
|
POSTED JUNE 13, 2008:
* Thursday,
August 7th, 2008: Coney Island: Seaside Park (Brookyn, NY) Liza
performed there in 2005 and 2006, as part of their annual summer
series; There is usually no charge for these concerts in the
park -- first come, first serve, in terms of seating --
More info to come once their website is updated on June 15th
or so ....
Visit: www.brooklynconcerts.com/seaside.html
* A
REMINDER to watch THE TONY AWARDS this coming Sunday, June 15th, 2008,
on CBS-TV, starting at 8 PM (check your local times). Liza will
be presenting (currently slated to present Best Actor in a Musical).
ALSO: Liza was on the final show of "I'd
Do Anything" that aired yesterday (May 31st) on the BBC (Liza recorded
it on Wed, May 28th, for Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Info: As
part of the final extravaganza, Liza Minnelli drops in to give the girls
a
master class in musical theatre and the finalists will have to show they will
do
anything to get the coveted role. The final of I'd Do Anything is on BBC One on Saturday , May 31st, 2008,
at 6pm and 8.45pm
|
POSTED MAY 29, 2008:
*TWO
SCOOPS!
1) Liza is confirmed to appear on the TONY AWARDS as a presenter, on
Sunday, June 15th, 2008, airing on CBS-TV at 9 PM (and, I believe,
the pre-show arrivals, etc., on PBS at 8 PM).
2) A documentary that Liza was interviewed for back in
2006 (filmed in West Hollywood) is finally being released slowly accross
the
U.S : It's called "CHRIS AND DON : A Love Story." Liza
is apparantly
only seen for a very brief moment, but still, it's a chance to get
a
glimpse of Liza up on the silver screen. Here's a blurb from the
film's website, and you'll understand why Liza appears in it: "A
sleeper hit at the Telluride Film Festival, CHRIS & DON:
A LOVE
STORY is the true-life story of the passionate three-decade
relationship between British writer Christopher Isherwood (whose
Berlin
Stories was the basis for all incarnations of the much-beloved Cabaret)
and American portrait painter Don Bachardy ...."
It opens in
NY on June 13th, and in LA in early July 2008.
* Posted some new concert
dates for July in Germany, and September in the US. Check out the Concerts & Appearances page.
|
POSTED MAY 1, 2008:
* Liza will be inducted
into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame during the Bowl's 2008 Opening
Night Concert, to be held at 8:30pm on Friday, June 20, 2008, which
will benefit MusicMatters, the L.A. Philharmonic's music education
programs. Liza will perform at the concert alongside fellow inductee,
the flutist Sir James Galway.
Tickets to the concert are $15-$50 and can be ordered by calling
323-850-2000; tickets to the gala benefit, including a reception
and dinner, along with the concert, are $500-$1,250 and can be ordered
by calling 213-972-3051.
|
POSTED APRIL 24, 2008:
* SCOOP:
Liza is being honored -- and will sing -- at the Hollywood
Bowl on Friday, June 20th, 2008. (Tickets will be sold
to the general public, and there will likely be a pre and/or
post concert event, as this will be a Benefit.) More
to come.
Above is a link to the Elaine Paige radio show on BBC Radio,
that aired Sunday, April 20th, 2008. (Not certain how long
it will remain on the site, so try and listen to it as soon
as you can) :)
Elaine was so kind to include a link/plug for our site, so we're happy and
grateful to return the favor -- So, please do also visit the official site of
this great star, at
Annso
Message with Italian Part Translated:
Liza will be performing three songs live on Rai Uno the first Italian broadcasting
corporation (the first italian channel) this saturday, from the Ariston Theatre,
San Remo.
Here are
the details as published on the original website:
"Saturday 5 April will
have the novelty will from the music show " I
LEAVE YOU A SONG,” one program of Italian
broadcasting corporation in direct from the Theater Ariston of Sanremo, Hosted
by Antonella Clerici, where the
songs are the true protagonists. Twenty young song talents, of age included
from 10 to 15 years, will
interpret the more attractive songs of the light music Italian."
I LEAVE YOU A SONG SAT 5 APRIL from 21H15 to 23h50 (That’s
9:15PM)
Picture of Theatre Artison San Remo
|
POSTED MARCH 31, 2008:
* Liza
will be singing on a TV show in San Remo, Italy, on April 5th
RAI -- I believe just doing 3 songs (more info to follow).
* New
concert date: Liza will be in concert on May 22 at the "B-1 Maximmum"
in Moscow, Russia. We'll provide more info on the "Concerts
& Appearances"
page as we receive it.
|
POSTED MARCH 26, 2008:
* Liza
did a new publicity photo shoot sitting on Good Friday, March
21st, 2008, in a Manhattan studio. It was a long day,
from 9 AM to 10:30 PM, but Liza is very happy with the results
-- and we'll obviously see some of the images here, soon.
|
POSTED MARCH 20, 2008:
* Liza's ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT available online at Hulu.com
The new website -- Hulu.com -- owned by NBC Universal and News Corp -- has every episode of Liza's ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT series on their site, to watch for free (the shows include commercials, I believe).
For those looking to buy the DVDs of the TV series, I've heard that Costco has been featuring the first two seasons with Liza, for only $16.99 each.
|
POSTED MARCH 9, 2008:
* We
changed the homepage photo and set up, to feature a more recent
and lovely image of Liza.
* We also added a "Liza
Links" page with websites
you may enjoy visiting, belonging to some of Liza’s professional
associates, who are all connected to this current concert tour
and the amazing new KAY material!
|
POSTED MARCH 7, 2008:
* Liza
is hoping to have something wonderful happen for New York,
very soon.
As has been mentioned in a previous interview or two (one with
Liza last year, and one with Michael Feinstein for the BBC
Radio in January of this year), there has been and IS talk,
and plans ARE in the works, for a hoped-for Manhattan engagement
to showcase the KAY THOMPSON show / act / material that Liza has been working
so hard on for the past 15-plus months (and touring with in a sense, as SOME
of the Kay material Liza's been working on, and now recording, has comprised
the second act of her current concert tour). This Manhattan engagement
could happen as early as June, depending on Liza's concert tour schedule, and
IF the right theatre can be found -- it needs to be something intimate and wonderful,
something that can do justice to recreating a glorious environment similar to
the famed Ciros that Kay (and the Williams Brothers) first dazzled audiences
in, circa 1948.
Liza also confirmed what she mentioned earlier -- on this very website, on her
newest recording for the home page -- that she is still hoping to film the Kay
TV special in June (exactly venue and date still being decided right now).
Stay tuned on all the above. It's looking like a super summer for New York,
New York -- and then for the world, with the Kay TV special, and album.
|
POSTED FEBRUARY 29, 2008:
* Another new concert
scheduled for Liza:
May 3rd concert in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, at the Bass Performance Hall
* From the Miami NEW
TIMES -- comes the scoop of a new Liza recording:
Liza guests on JOHNNY RODGERS forthcoming CD, as does Bill LaVorgna
--
his very last recording session:
* More on the "Arrested
Development" movie:
(From an "Arrested Devopment" online newsletter):
AD MOVIE IN THE WORKS
Arrested Development creator made the most of his downtime during
the
writers’ strike by penning a script for an Arrested Development film.
According E! Online’s “Watch with Kristin,” the stars of the series
have aligned and the movie is now on the fast track for a 2009 release.
"I can confirm that a round of sniffing has started," Jason
Bateman
(Michael Bluth) told E! "Any talk is targeting a post strike
situation,
of course. I think, as always, that it's a question of whether the
people with the money are willing to give our leader, Mitch Hurwitz,
what he deserves for his participation. And I can speak for the cast
when I say our fingers are crossed."
Jeffrey Tambor (George Sr.) also confirmed on XM Radio's Ron and
Fez
Show that he has been approached by Ron Howard to see if he's willing
to do an Arrested film.
Breakout film star and Arrested Development alum Michael Cera (George
Michael) has also confirmed his interest in reunited with the Bluths.
|
POSTED FEBRUARY 21, 2008:
* For tickets to Liza's
upcoming concert in Guadaljara, Mexico:
See this link for the complete Liza interview and song ("God
Bless the
Child") from "Later! With Jools Holland" - thanks,
Steve :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqZtTGahjH8
See
the above link to register for a Digital Alert when the Brucie 80th
Birthday TV special -- with Liza -- airs.
|
POSTED FEBRUARY 14, 2008:
* Happy Valentine's Day!
A lot of news and info pertaining to Liza's stay in the UK:
* MORE LIZA ON TV!!:
New promo for Friday 15th Feb!
Live on This Morning (ITV 11.00am)
Live on London Tonight (ITV 6.00pm)
BBC London (transmits 6.30pm)
-- plus pre-recording Elaine Paige on Sunday for BBC Radio 2 tx date TBC)
* Don't forget the Alan Tischmarsh Show airs TODAY!!, (Thursday, February
14th). Liza taped it on the 13th), and sang"You've Let Yourself Go," and "Cabaret" (along with the interview)
* Thanks, Annso, for the great report .... Feel free to share more about
what Liza has been singing, etc:
I just found out that Liza's week in London is going so well and demand
for her is so great that she has agreed to stay an extra day! .... I've
been promised the additional shows, etc, so I'll keep you posted, ASAP
* Shannon found this on a blog, likely from someone who works in the BBC
building... (On Liza taping Brucie's TV special, this past Monday,
February 11th, 2008)
- - Eddie Mair 12 Feb 08, 10:46 AM:
I understand that yesterday, just along the corridor from our office,
Liza Minnelli was at work. I should have popped along to say hello. I
am told she was recording something for Brucie's 80th TV special. It's
a TV special for his 80th birthday - he may well have done more than 80
TV specials. Everything he does on television is special. The same
applies, of course, to Liza. And this allows me to wheel out this old
montage again.
* Here are some Links for the shows Liza's doing in London this week:
* Thanks to our wonderful Shannon, who e-mailed the "BBC Breakfast" TV
show, who wrote back:
"The current plan is to have an item with Liza Minnelli on Thursday
14th Feb, although these things are subject to change."
(Shannon also mentions she watches the show on Satellite TV, so
hopefully others here in the U.S. can catch it, and maybe there'll be a
report)
|
POSTED FEBRUARY 11, 2008:
* Here's the latest
info on Liza's appeaances in London, happening this
week (February 11th - 15th) (With grateful thanks to Liza's brilliant
and caring London publicist):
TV: Bruce Forsyth Birthday Show BBC1 -- transmits end of Feb Alan Titchmarsh Show -- transmits 14th Feb @2.30pm (taping on 13th
Feb
-- see our previous info about their generous offer for free tickets
to
the taping) The One BBC1 -- transmits 14th Feb @ 7pm Later with Jools BBC2 -- transmits 15th Feb @ 11.35pm Breakfast BBC1 -- transmits TBC South Bank Show Special -- transmits TBC
Radio:
Steve Wright BBC Radio 2 tx TBC Smooth FM tx TBC
Updates will follow with anything else as it happens. Press is still
being slotted in when we can.
Liza arrived safe and sound. She's looking wonderful and so excited
about this week.
|
POSTED FEBRUARY 8, 2008:
* CLICK
HERE to see some great photos
taken on 02-05-08 at the relaunch of the HALSTON Line, in NYC
.... Here's the
LONG link (just make sure there are no spaces)
These are the AP photos, which include shots of Liza arriving with
the
new owner of Halston, Harvey Weinstein (of the Miramax movie studio).
* "Arrested Development" Movie
Confirmed 03-2008 (15:00:32) (Thanks,
Shannon! :)
EOnline! has just received a confirmation from Jason Bateman that
the
creative minds behind "Arrested Development" (Mitch Hurwitz
and Ron
Howard) are thinking about bring the show to the big screen.
Apparently, Bateman and other actors have received calls from Hurwitz
and Howard to see if they would be willing to shoot the movie.
"I can confirm that a round of sniffing has started," Bateman
says. "Any talk is targeting a poststrike situation,
of course. I think, as
always, that it's a question of whether the people with the money
are
willing to give our leader, Mitch Hurwitz, what he deserves for his
participation. And I can speak for the cast when I say our fingers
are
crossed."
Insiders say that while Hurwitz does not yet have a script, he has
a
good, solid understanding of what he'd like to do for the movie,
and
Universal Pictures is very much interested.
It's no surprise that an "Arrested Development" movie
would be made,
since most of its stars have since become big names in Hollywood.
Bateman is coming off "Juno," Michael Cera skyrocketed
to stardom with "Superbad" and Will Arnett seems
to be everywhere now. Plus, it seems
that audiences are loving quirky, awkward comedies and "Arrested
Development" was the king of those.
* Three new Liza dates
are now officially confirmed :
SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH, 2008
Guadalajara
Mexico
TUESDAY, APRIL 29TH, 2008
Puebla
Mexico
FRIDAY, MAY 9TH, 2008
Biloxi MS
More dates are in the process of being confirmed. As soon as they
are, they'll be posted here.
|
POSTED FEBRUARY 4, 2008:
* GET FREE TICKETS to the Liza appearahce
on the Alan Tichmarsh show.
From SROaudiences.com: Liza
is appearing on
the Alan Titchmarsh at the BBC on the 13th Feb in the afternoon.
It's
always great to have fans with us in the audience and tickets are
free,
so we were hoping to get in touch with as many fans as possible to
invite them along. Is there any way you could let your web users
know?
As I said it is free and you can get tickets from www.SROaudiences.com or 020 8684 3333
|
POSTED FEBRUARY 3, 2008:
* NEW Liza message
on the homepage!
* NEW "ASK LIZA" recorded
on January 31, 2008. CLICK HERE to read. Thank you to everyone for
submitting questions!
* A couple of great
photos of Liza from the fashion show this past Friday:
Stars Don Red to Raise Awareness of Women's Heart Risk
02.02.08, 12:00 AM ET
SATURDAY, Feb. 2 (HealthDay News) -- "Nothing draws attention
like a little red dress," noted First Lady Laura Bush, speaking
in the heart
of New York City's fashion district Friday.
The attention was really focused on a very serious issue -- the threat
to American women from the nation's number one killer, heart disease.
The event: a star-studded catwalk kickoff to the U.S. National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) annual "Heart Truth" awareness
campaign, which featured celebrities strutting their stuff on the
catwalk wearing the symbol of the campaign, a red dress.
As the campaign's national ambassador, Mrs. Bush got right to the
point. "The Heart Truth is this -- heart disease is the leading
cause
of death for American women," she told attendees, who included
stars
such as Liza Minnelli and supermodel Heidi Klum. Both later showed
off
red dresses on the runway.
The fashion fun carried a serious message.
"We tend to think of heart disease as a man's disease," said
NHBLI
Director Dr. Elizabeth Nabel. "But the truth is that since 1991
more
women have died each year of heart disease than men. And that's why
we
began this campaign -- to communicate that, in fact, heart disease
kills more women each year than all cancers combined."
Scheduled amid the semi-annual celebration of couture that is New
York
Fashion Week, the campaign's Red Dress Collection Fashion Show, now
in
its sixth year, is held on National Wear Red Day, Feb. 1. On that
day
each year, the NHLBI encourages women everywhere to don whatever
shade
of red they wish to champion the fight against cardiovascular disease.
This year's event brought together 15 luminaries from the worlds
of
film, television and music to brave Bryant Park's tented catwalk
in
red, one-of-a-kind creations specifically designed by top designers
for
the occasion.
Working the crimson catwalk were actresses Allison Janney (best
known
from NBC's The West Wing) and Cheryl Hines (of HBO's Curb Your
Enthusiasm), as well as British soul singer Joss Stone and American
R&B
singer Ashanti -- all wearing red.
The Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar-winning actress Rita Moreno donned
a
cherry red tulle hat and matching corsage, dancing down the runway.
She
was followed soon after by Klum, host of Bravo's Project Runway.
The grand finale: screen legend Liza Minelli, who after her own
turn on
the runway brought the house down with a rousing rendition of "New
York, New York."
The stars and their fashions -- from designers Badgley Mischka,
Oscar
de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, and Calvin Klein, among others -- held
the
spotlight, but everyone agreed that something much more serious was
at
stake.
"It's a great cause," Klum said after the show, which
was sponsored by
Diet Coke. "And it's a great awareness factor. And all these
different
celebrities are here doing it because it's the number one killer
in
America, for women. More than all the cancers together. And that's
a
crazy number."
One in four American women will die from heart disease, Nabel noted,
but the campaign's aim is to encourage women to prevent the onset
of
cardiac illness by leading a healthy lifestyle. That includes eating
well, exercising regularly, maintaining an optimal weight, going
for
routine blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, and avoiding smoking.
Those efforts may be paying off -- on Friday, the NHLBI announced
that
heart disease deaths for American women declined again in 2005, the
last year for which statistics are available. And for the first time
ever, that decline has continued for a straight six years, the
institute said.
"We're making progress," Nabel said. "Only a third
of women in the year
2000 recognized that heart disease is the number one killer. But
now,
in 2008, half of women recognize this. So we're not absolutely where
we
need to be yet, but we're making progress."
More information
There's more on women and heart disease risk, at the American Heart
Association.
|
POSTED FEBRUARY 2, 2008:
* CLICK
HERE (and scroll down the page)
for a video of Liza belting out "New York, New York" at
yesterday's fashion event.
CLICK
HERE for another version with better video quality.
Both links provided by Shannon. Thank you!!
* Photos of Liza at
the "From Heart Truth Red Dress" collection on February 1st, as part
of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Getty
Images.
|
POSTED FEBRUARY 1, 2008:
* Some exciting things
to look forward to, ASAP .... Liza did a new ASK
LIZA for the website yesterday (January 31st), and also a New GREETING
- MESSAGE, too. .... They'll both be up on the website ASAP, hopefully
by the weekend, so keep checking, and I'll try and let you know when
they're up and running.
* SCOOP: Liza will
be heading to London very soon to do to advance media/publicity,
etc, in connection with the May-June tour there .... Stay
tuned for the full schedule as soon as it's set. Very exciting news
--
Stay tuned.
|
POSTED JANUARY 30, 2008:
* Lions, Liza, and Lynch: Mel Johnson Jr. on Some Career Achievements
(Broadway star -- who was featured as one of the ensemble/
construction crew workers in THE RINK -- talks about that show .... and
how Liza's participation changed it from an Off-Broadway show to a
Broadway show)
I was actually friends with John Kander; we just sort of knew each
other socially, and his good buddy was my voice teacher. And we all
thought this [The Rink] was going to be the be-all and end-all.
It was originally going to be a little off-Broadway show written for
Chita Rivera, and when Liza - who's a really good friend of Chita's -
found out about the show, she said to her, 'I'd really love to play
your daughter.' So once that happened, it became a Broadway show. And
it was great. I'm still very close with Chita and Liza - they both came
to see Hot Feet, the last thing I did [on Broadway] - and Jason
Alexander and I are really good buddies. In fact, I directed his
one-man show [a Los Angeles production of Give 'Em Hell Harry], which
was a wonderful experience. I really enjoyed that show.
* From E! Online (just announced):
Minnelli's Disco Revival
Liza Minnelli will be wearing one of her favorite designers from her
disco days when she hits the catwalk on Friday for The Heart Truth’s
Red Dress Collection fashion show in New York City.
Ms. Minnelli, I’m told, will be wearing a Halston number—possibly one
from her very own closet—for the fashion extravaganza put on by The
Heart Truth, the federal government’s national awareness campaign for
women about heart disease.
Other celebs expected on the runway include Heidi Klum in Marc Jacobs,
Allison Janney in Donna Karam, Ana Ortiz in Badgley Mischka, Molly Sims
in Daniel Swarovski and Sara Ramirez in Angel Sanchez.
First Lady Laura Bush is expected to be watching from a seat in the
front row
Join Barbara Sinatra for golf ball contest kickoff to win Liza tickets!!!
The 20th Anniversary of the Frank Sinatra Countrywide Celebrity
Invitational tournament launches Tuesday, Jan. 29 with a "Guess the
Number of Golf Balls" contest at the Countrywide Mortgage office, 73261
Highway 111, Palm Desert.
Barbara Sinatra will be present at the 2 p.m. contest kickoff as she
adds the last golf ball to the group.
The public is invited to attend and participate in the event.
The prize for the closest guess is 2 tickets for the Liza Minnelli -
Sinatra Countrywide Saturday Night Gala on Feb. 23, which includes
cocktails, dinner, and concert. The prize is valued at $2,000. The
winner will be announced on Monday, Feb. 18.
* CLICK HERE for Ticket Master link for tickets that will go on sale this
coming Sunday (Super Bowl Sunday) at 10 AM EST, for Liza's March 16th
concert in Jacksonville, Florida:
Ticket Prices : US $59.00 - US $199.00
Internet Onsale Info
Onsale to General Public:
Sun, 02/03/08 10:00 AM EST
Get a Text Message Reminder
PLUS $1.00 FACILITY FEE
FCCJ ARTIST SERIES
PRESENTS
LIZA MINNELLI
TIMES-UNION CENTER-MORAN
SUN MAR 16 2008 7:00PM
* THE STERILE CUCKOO will air again on TCM on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008
(6 PM Eastern -- Check your local listings, as they say :)
|
POSTED JANUARY 19, 2008:
* Although we only
had time to get the news out about last night's Nightline appearance
via the Yahoo
Group, here is a link to ABC's site for an article
and video clip: abcnews.
(includes about 30 seconds of wonderful audio of the phone
interview, and some great photos)
* January 13 review
of Liza's Providence, R.I. show: www.projo.com
|
POSTED JANUARY 4, 2008:
* Tickets went on sale
today (Friday) to the public for Liza's HARD ROCK CAFE Concert on
March 14th ... See TicketMaster.com, or go to the top of the "Concerts
& Appearances" page.
|
POSTED JANUARY 2, 2008:
* Minnelli to Perform
Again After Collapse
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2007
NEW YORK (AP) Start spreading the news: Liza Minnelli will sing
again.
Almost three weeks after collapsing during a show in Sweden, the
61-year-old entertainer was doing fine and preparing for her next
gig, Minnelli's lawyer, Allen Arrow, told The Associated Press on
Wednesday.
"Not to worry," said Arrow. He would not elaborate on
Minnelli's health scare.
Arrow said Minnelli was going back into rehearsals at the end of
the week, and will resume her touring schedule on Jan. 12 in Providence,
R.I.
The singer was performing in a Christmas show Dec. 12 in Goteborg,
Sweden's second-largest city, when
By Andrew Gans
