Liza Minnelli Stepping Out! 2015

Liza Minnelli Stepping Out! 2015

Monday, February 28, 2011

Liza Minnelli talks about her new album, her recent TV roles and the family business.

http://www.austin360.com/music/liza-minnelli-talks-about-her-new-album-her-1288189.html
By Michael Barnes


AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

There was only one Judy Garland. And there is just one Liza Minnelli.


Taken together, mother's and daughter's careers have spanned almost 100 years of stage, screen, television, concerts and recordings. Minnelli's vocation, which has sometimes bumped along the roller coaster of her personal life, is swinging upward, with a tenderly delivered album of standards, "Confessions," frequent TV guest spots and, of course, concerts, including the upcoming one at the Long Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday .

Her longtime pianist, Texan Billy Stritch, whose work is featured prominently on the album, recently played the Long Center's Kodosky Lounge with Klea Blackhurst for Austin Cabaret Theatre and will return with this concert.

Bubbling and boisterous, Minnelli chatted with us between rehearsals.


American-Statesman: What's the story behind the album title 'Confessions'?

Liza Minnelli: It's a song that I heard when I was, I don't know, 12. My father had a recording with Judy Holliday singing, arranged by Gerry Mulligan. I learned right away. And I remembered it.

This is among your most personal, intimate albums, along the lines of 1970's 'Come Saturday Morning.'

I sang it from my bed! (Laughs) I was having my knee replaced. So I sang it in my bedroom, accompanied by my small piano. I couldn't walk at all. I'm one of those people who, God forbid I don't do anything.

How do you put a personal twist into a standard song?

I think of the words always and what they say and how I relate to them. I always pretend. I take it from: "What happened to her? She was thinking these thoughts. Where is she? Does she live in the country with decals on her refrigerator? Does she live in the city and looks out on the river and sees the boats? What's the situation?" So an actor's point of view. That way the words become more personal to me.

Will you sing selections from this album in Austin?

I sure will. Will you be there?

You bet. 'On Such a Night as This' is one of my cabaret favorites. (Austin's Sterling Price-McKinney popularized it here.) I think I've only heard one or two other recordings. Michael Feinstein was one

I talked to him! Hugh Martin (composer for Garland's "Meet Me in St. Louis') wrote it for his show. (One lyric: "Twas such a night this / When Judy Garland swore / I just adore him / How can I ignore the boy next door?")

You certainly have plenty more material to choose from, with two dozen films, two dozen stage shows and a dozen TV specials under your belt. How do you select songs for your concerts?

I try to find a point of view. Most concerts are thematic. Like the Radio City show, or the Carnegie Hall show, which started with "I Happen to Like New York." People travel with me on this road we are taking for an hour and half. The audience is as much a part it as anyone. It won't ever be the same. It changes a little each time. I pay attention to what they are enjoying or laughing at or going with or grooving on. It may be the same songs, but the point of view of the set changes.

You've got an eye for zany material. I'm thinking of 'Arrested Development,' 'Drop Dead Diva' and even the Snickers commercials. How do you choose your guest roles?

If I can recognize the person. For instance, in "Sterile Cuckoo," Pookie was somebody that everybody knew, or was, or was related to. So I understood her. So it's if I think I can bring something to it.

Your name is associated with the 'Arrested Development' movie. Will you be doing it?

I love that show! So much fun to work on. The people were so smart, so nice and imaginative. But I haven't heard from anyone about the movie. It's been a rumor for years.

Your professional career is now 50 years old. Your mother's career lasted 45 years. That's almost 100 years between you. To what do you attribute this astonishing longevity?

And my father (movie director Vincente Minnelli)! He started at 15. Didn't die until he was 83. I have no idea why careers last. You just keep trying to do your best. You stay curious about is happening and what are the new ideas, the new people and the new things. And I guess people like my shows.

In the early '70s, you said in an interview something along the lines that what distinguished you is that you're a survivor.

I love life, and I'm curious and I'm grateful.

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Liza Minnelli in concert

When: 8 p.m. Thursday

Where: Long Center for the Performing Arts

Cost: $39-$99

Information: 457-5100, thelong
center.org

Sunday, February 27, 2011

JUDY, VINCENTE, LIZA and "The Oscars"

~ JUDY GARLAND ~
1962 Nominated Oscar Best Actress in a Supporting Role

for:supporting actress Judgment at Nuremberg (1961).

1955 Nominated Oscar Best Actress in a Leading Role

for: A Star Is Born (1954).

OSCAR WINNER ~ 1940 Won Juvenile Award For her outstanding performance as a screen juvenile during the past year.



~ VINCENTE MINNELLI ~
OSCAR WINNER 1959 Won Oscar Best Director

for: Gigi (1958).

1952 Nominated Oscar Best Director

for: An American in Paris (1951).

~ LIZA MINNELLI ~
   OSCAR WINNER
1973 Won Oscar Best Actress in a Leading Role


for: Cabaret (1972).

1970 Nominated Oscar Best Actress in a Leading Role

for: The Sterile Cuckoo (1969).

Liza's featured in the March issue of Harper's Bazaar ~ on newstands now...

http://www.officiallizaminnelli.com/latestnews.html

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Lady Gaga Pays Tribute to Liza Minnelli at Madison Square Garden

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Lady_Gaga_Pays_Tribute_to_Liza_Minnelli_at_Madison_Square_Garden_20110223
Wednesday, February 23, 2011; Posted: 08:02 AM - by BWW News Desk


Lady Gaga, five-time Grammy winner, will headline her first solo HBO concert event on Sautrday, May 7, the taping of which was done on Feb. 21 and 22 at Madison Square Garden in her hometown of New York City. Lady Gaga PRESENTS THE MONSTER BALL TOUR AT Madison Square Garden will spotlight the pop sensation on her sold-out world tour, accompanied by a ten-piece band and ten backup dancers.


In the audience at last night's concert were special guests, including Marisa Tomei and Liza Minnelli. Lady Gaga recognized both from the stage, and told a story to the audience about how Minnelli was an inspiration to her. She talked about her origins at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, mentioning how her acting and performance teachers told her she didn't have what it took, essentially, to "be a superstar."

"You'll never be the main character... the blonde... your hair's too dark... you look too ethnic" To retort in the face of such opposition, Gaga would reply, "What about Liza?" She then asked the audience to give Liza a standing ovation, which they did to an obviously thrilled Minnelli.

The moment was filmed, though there's no word if it'll make the cut for her May 7th TV special. Here's hoping!

Friday, February 18, 2011

A peek @ Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch "Town Hal"

Liza Minnelli Concert, Recorded in 1979, Due on DVD; Jimmy Fallon Appearance, Too

http://draft.blogger.com/rearrange?blogID=9063420819737880117
By Andrew Gans

18 Feb 2011

A Liza Minnelli concert filmed at the Theatre of Performing Arts in New Orleans in November 1979 will be released on DVD later this month.


"Liza Minnelli: Live in New Orleans" will be available beginning Feb. 21, according to the Dress Circle website. The all-regions DVD has a list price of £12.99.


Among the song titles are "Some People," "Arthur in the Afternoon," "The Man I Love" and "New York, New York."

In related news, Minnelli will appear on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" Feb. 23. The appearance will spotlight Minnelli's latest CD, "Confessions," and her upcoming 65th birthday (March 12).

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 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.

Minnelli just released her latest solo recording, "Confessions."

For more information visit www.officiallizaminnelli.com or www.dresscircle.co.uk.

Photo Coverage: Liza, Chita & More in The Best of Jim Caruso's CAST PARTY

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Liza_Chita_More_in_The_Best_of_Jim_Carusos_CAST_PARTY_20110218
Friday, February 18, 2011; Posted: 11:02 AM - by Walter McBride

In its eight year history, Caruso's famous open mike night at Birdland has seen a huge number of major stars drop in unannounced. Fans pack the place hoping it might be the night that Michael Feinstein, Liza, Chita, Tony Bennett, Larry Gatlin, Lucie, Marilyn Maye, Paul Schaffer, Cheyenne Jackson, might pop in and sing a song or two. At Town Hall, last night, February 17th, Cast Party brought out the big guns for The Best of Jim Caruso's Cast Party in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDs.



For this special show produced by Scott Siegel as part of his first "Siegel Season at Town Hall, the iconic Liza Minnelli re-united with her pal, Broadway legend Chita Rivera, as well as Country Superstar Larry Gatlin of The Gatlin Brothers. The cast also included Broadway and Nightclub star Lucie Arnaz, Marilyn Maye (Johnny Carson's favorite singer, who holds the record for most appearances by a vocalist on "The Tonight Show"), YouTube sensation "Miranda Sings," Broadway star and Tony nominee Christopher Sieber, Two-Time Tony nominee Sally Mayes, International jazz star Hilary Kole, R&B tenor William Blake (on the heels of his Carnegie Hall debut), Nightlife Award-winning jazz violinist Aaron Weinstein, multi-award-winning cabaret artiste Natalie Douglas, Klea Blackhurst (Merman afficianado and star of the new IFC Comedy Series "The Onion News Network"), acrobat and comedian Rudi Macaggi (direct from "America's Got Talent"), the rocking Dueling Fiddlers and more.

The evening was be hosted by the multi-award winning Jim Caruso, with Billy Stritch at the piano, Steve Doyle on bass and Daniel Glass on drums.

BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.
 Liza Minnelli, Jim Caruso, Billy Stritch, Lucie Arnaz, Chita Rivera at Town Hall, New York Cast Party









Thursday, February 17, 2011

Star-Filled Jim Caruso's Cast Party Plays Town Hall Feb. 17

Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN



http://www.playbill.com/news/article/147727-Star-Filled-Jim-Carusos-Cast-Party-Plays-Town-Hall-Feb-17
By Andrew Gans

17 Feb 2011

A special edition of Jim Caruso's Cast Party, a fixture at the jazz club Birdland, plays Town Hall in Manhattan Feb. 17. The evening benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.


Produced by Scott Siegel, the 8 PM benefit boasts Broadway legend Chita Rivera and host Jim Caruso.

Also scheduled to perform are Academy Award winner Liza Minnelli, Tony Award winners Karen Ziemba and Hinton Battle, Larry Gatlin, Marilyn Maye, YouTube sensation "Miranda Sings," Tony nominee Christopher Sieber, two-time Tony nominee Sally Mayes, jazz singer Hilary Kole, R&B tenor William Blake, jazz violinist Aaron Weinstein, Natalie Douglas, Klea Blackhurst, acrobat and comedian Rudi Macaggi, the Dueling Fiddlers and vocalists Jenna Esposito and Lisa Mordente.


Billy Stritch will hold court at the piano with bass player Steve Doyle and percussionist Daniel Glass.

Town Hall Box Office is located at 123 W. 43rd Street. Tickets are $25, $50 and $75 and can be purchased by visiting TicketMaster.com or by calling (800) 982-2787.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

Liza Minnelli to Appear on Jimmy Fallon 2/23

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Liza_Minnelli_to_Appear_on_Jimmy_Fallon_223_20010101
Friday, February 11, 2011; Posted: 10:02 AM - by BWW News Desk


The legendary Liza Minnelli, whose latest CD Confessions was released to universal acclaim, will appear on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, February 23. The appearance will spotlight Liza's latest CD and her upcoming 65th birthday (March 12).


A collection of American classics, Confessions features some of Minnelli's favorite songs of all time, arranged simply and elegantly, with accompaniment by her long-time pianist Billy Stritch. The disc was released by Decca in September. Dan Aquilante of The New York Post said: 'Liza is more Algonquin than Kit Kat Club on this record of cabaret standards and torch burners. Minnelli, in strong voice, sings as if she's lived every world-weary lyric.'

Minnelli toured throughout 2010 in a new show that showcased material found on Confessions. An early stop in the tour had Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune say, "To see Minnelli standing stage center and plunging into 'The World Goes 'Round' - an anthem of survival if ever there were one - was to appreciate anew the clenched-fist defiance of both the singer and the song. If any vocalists today approach the ferocity and drive of Minnelli's version of 'Maybe This Time,' they have yet to make themselves known."

Minnelli's first performance of the month will be on March 3 in Austin, TX at the Long Center.

Additional March appearances include:

March 18 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage Resort

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Kander and Ebb's Revised Flora the Red Menace Will Bow in Texas



Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN




http://www.playbill.com/news/article/147405-Kander-and-Ebbs-Revised-Flora-the-Red-Menace-Will-Bow-in-Texas
By Adam Hetrick

07 Feb 2011

John Kander and Fred Ebb's rarely-produced Broadway musical Flora the Red Menace will get a lucky break at Irving, TX's Lyric Stage beginning Feb. 11.


Actress Kristin Dausch, who performed the role of Fanny Brice in the Lyric production of Funny Girl last season, will take on the role of Flora Mezaros, which was originated on Broadway by Liza Minnelli.

Anne Nieman will direct and choreograph the production, which will run Feb. 11-26 at the Irving Arts Center. Scott A. Eckert will serve as music director. The Lyric staging will reflect the 1987 Off-Broadway rewrite of Flora, which features a book by David Thompson (The Scottsboro Boys, Steel Pier).

Flora, which debuted on Broadway in 1965, marked the first Broadway collaboration between young songwriters John Kander and Fred Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman). The original book is by George Abbott and Robert Russell.


Though it only lasted for 87 performances on Broadway, Flora introduced Broadway audiences to a 19-year-old Minnelli, who earned her first Tony Award for starring in the title role. It also aligned Kander and Ebb with director Harold Prince, who produced the Broadway run.


In addition to Dausch, the cast will include Danielle Estes, Katharine Gentsch, Jeff McGee, Doug Miller, Thomas Christopher Renner, Calvin Roberts, Jaclyn Stapp and Keith J. Warren.

According to the Lyric, "Flora the Red Menace follows headstrong wannabe fashion illustrator Flora Mezaros, a member of an artists' co-operative of bohemian types struggling to find work during the Depression. Hoping to find a job paying at least $15 a week, she is hired by a large department store for $30. Flora falls in love with Harry Toukarian, another struggling artist, who attempts to convert her to his Communist ideals. Even though it compromises her job at the department store, Flora seeks to hold down both job and relationship."


Flora will have sound design by Bill Eickenloff, costume design by David Blades, lighting design by Julie Moroney and properties by Jane Quetin.


For tickets phone (972) 252-2787 or visit LyricStage.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Christopher Sieber, Karen Ziemba, et al. Set for Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Town Hall FEB, 17th

http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/news/02-2011/liza-minnelli-chita-rivera-christopher-sieber-kare_33987.html
By: Andy Propst · Feb 7, 2011 · New York

Additional performers have been added to the lineup of artists who will appear in a special edition of Jim Caruso's Cast Party which will play Town Hall on Thursday, February 17 at 8pm. Caruso will host the performance, which is a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Newly added to the roster of talent are Hinton Battle, Jenna Esposito, Lisa Mordente, and Karen Ziemba, who will join the previously announced Lucie Arnaz, Sally Mayes, Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Christopher Sieber, Larry Gatlin, Klea Blackhurst, William Blake, Natalie Douglas, Hilary Kole, Rudi Macaggi, Marilyn Maye, "Miranda Sings," Billy Stritch, Aaron Weinstein, and the Dueling Fiddlers.

In addition to Stritch on piano, the band will include bass player Steve Doyle and Daniel Glass on drums.

The event is part of The Siegel Season at Town Hall, produced by TheaterMania contributor Scott Siegel.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

New February 1 DVD Releases ~ Liza's "LUCKY LADY" (1975)

'Lucky Lady': (1975) Stanley Donen's comedy about three unlikely partners in crime (Gene Hackman, Liza Minnelli, Burt Reynolds) during Prohibition.