Liza Minnelli: We still love Liza

LEGENDARY cabaret performer Liza Minnelli brought a touch of Broadway pizazz to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre last Friday (October 23).

The audience leapt to their feet as soon as Minnelli swept onto the stage (in a sparkling black top, sleek black pants and pink scarf).

She opened with Teach Me Tonight, which was followed by echoes of ``we love you Liza’’.

Apparently she loves us too replying: ``Adelaide is the most beautiful city.’’

At 63 years of age, Minnelli showed amazing stamina and a hearty sense of humour as she dazzled the fans with hit-after-hit including Cabaret, New York, New York, the fun Liza With a `Z’ and If You Hadn’t, But You Did.

That said she wasn’t too proud to sit down during the first act.

``Remember when I sat down in the second act? Well now I sit down in the first act. I ain’t crazy, just old!’’

Minnelli’s first Australian tour in 20 years is based on her Tony Award-winning run at the New York Palace.

Her tight 12-piece orchestra features longtime pianist Billy Stitch.

A highlight of last Friday’s show was her moving version of Every Time We Say Goodbye.

For an encore she returned in a baggy T-shirt, sans make-up and false eyelashes to sing All The Lives of Me as a tribute to first husband Peter Allen.
by Melissa Philips