Liza Minnelli pumps her hand skyward to acknowledge the enthusiastic response of the Stadium Theatre crowd to Wednesday’s opening number, ‘Teach Me Tonight.’ Times Photo/Butch Adams
By KATHIE RALEIGHLifestyle Editor
WOONSOCKET — Liza Minnelli opened Wednesday night’s performance at the Stadium Theatre with the familiar song “Teach Me Tonight,” and it wasn’t an accidental choice.
The first stanza of Sammy Cahn’s lyrics note, “… this is a perfect spot to learn” — which seemed so appropriate considering her four performances here are a test run — a chance to learn — before she opens Dec. 3 on Broadway.The Stadium Theatre also proved to be a perfect spot for a lot of us to learn what has made Liza such a popular and enduring entertainer, and from this seat, it’s all about talent, personality — but most importantly — her way with a lyric.She was only four songs into the more than two-hour show when we were hooked. That’s when she sang Charles Aznavour’s “What Makes a Man a Man?” a song about an impersonator. Courage, resignation, vulnerability, the pain of unrequited love: Minnelli poured it all into the introspective lyrics, in just the right proportions. She switched gears with a story about having fun playing the murderous Roxy Hart in “Chicago” and sang a song entitled “I Am My Own Best Friend,” cut from the movie version but perfect for the Liza persona. Then she launched into another John Kander and Fred Ebb song that was a perfect fit: “Maybe This Time” (I’ll be lucky and maybe he’ll stay).So THIS is what the excitement is about: seeing Liza live, right here, up close and personal.And personal she was. Although a proscenium stage doesn’t invite interaction, Minnelli responded to the audience, acknowledging fans who shouted compliments and the four guys in the front row with one letter each emblazoned on the front of their sweaters to spell out her name.“How exciting to be here,” she breathed.“For us!” someone shouted back, speaking for everyone.The first half of the show featured signature Minnelli songs, closing with the one that forever will be hers, “Cabaret.” She may have performed it a million times, but this million-and-one performance was magical.In the second act, Minnelli paid tribute to her multi-talented godmother, Kay Thompson, a radio star, vocal arranger for MGM, actress (“Funny Face”) and vocalist whose 1940s nightclub act with the Williams brothers, including Andy, was considered groundbreaking. Minnelli told stories about her relationship with Thompson, then recreated some of Thompson’s nightclub act, joined by four male singers and dancers. The harmonies were great, and Minnelli’s vocals were just as emotional, but being less familiar with the music and the era, I liked the first half better.That’s just personal preference. Minnelli delivered just as much in the second half and, perhaps worked even harder because the latter half of the show involved lots of dancing. She’s backed by a flawless 12-piece orchestra that was more than accompaniment. The musicians helped create the excitement, and when they began the final song, the crowd erupted.It was “New York, New York,” and after seeing Liza live, she’s the one we’ll think of any time we hear the opening notes.Liza has two more shows at the Stadium Theatre, on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $55 to $85 at the box office, by calling (401) 762-4545 or online at http://www.stadiumtheatre.com/.
By KATHIE RALEIGHLifestyle Editor
WOONSOCKET — Liza Minnelli opened Wednesday night’s performance at the Stadium Theatre with the familiar song “Teach Me Tonight,” and it wasn’t an accidental choice.
The first stanza of Sammy Cahn’s lyrics note, “… this is a perfect spot to learn” — which seemed so appropriate considering her four performances here are a test run — a chance to learn — before she opens Dec. 3 on Broadway.The Stadium Theatre also proved to be a perfect spot for a lot of us to learn what has made Liza such a popular and enduring entertainer, and from this seat, it’s all about talent, personality — but most importantly — her way with a lyric.She was only four songs into the more than two-hour show when we were hooked. That’s when she sang Charles Aznavour’s “What Makes a Man a Man?” a song about an impersonator. Courage, resignation, vulnerability, the pain of unrequited love: Minnelli poured it all into the introspective lyrics, in just the right proportions. She switched gears with a story about having fun playing the murderous Roxy Hart in “Chicago” and sang a song entitled “I Am My Own Best Friend,” cut from the movie version but perfect for the Liza persona. Then she launched into another John Kander and Fred Ebb song that was a perfect fit: “Maybe This Time” (I’ll be lucky and maybe he’ll stay).So THIS is what the excitement is about: seeing Liza live, right here, up close and personal.And personal she was. Although a proscenium stage doesn’t invite interaction, Minnelli responded to the audience, acknowledging fans who shouted compliments and the four guys in the front row with one letter each emblazoned on the front of their sweaters to spell out her name.“How exciting to be here,” she breathed.“For us!” someone shouted back, speaking for everyone.The first half of the show featured signature Minnelli songs, closing with the one that forever will be hers, “Cabaret.” She may have performed it a million times, but this million-and-one performance was magical.In the second act, Minnelli paid tribute to her multi-talented godmother, Kay Thompson, a radio star, vocal arranger for MGM, actress (“Funny Face”) and vocalist whose 1940s nightclub act with the Williams brothers, including Andy, was considered groundbreaking. Minnelli told stories about her relationship with Thompson, then recreated some of Thompson’s nightclub act, joined by four male singers and dancers. The harmonies were great, and Minnelli’s vocals were just as emotional, but being less familiar with the music and the era, I liked the first half better.That’s just personal preference. Minnelli delivered just as much in the second half and, perhaps worked even harder because the latter half of the show involved lots of dancing. She’s backed by a flawless 12-piece orchestra that was more than accompaniment. The musicians helped create the excitement, and when they began the final song, the crowd erupted.It was “New York, New York,” and after seeing Liza live, she’s the one we’ll think of any time we hear the opening notes.Liza has two more shows at the Stadium Theatre, on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $55 to $85 at the box office, by calling (401) 762-4545 or online at http://www.stadiumtheatre.com/.
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