Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
U. of U. professor, living legend share dreams of a first Grammy
Music » Kirsten Gunlogson delighted by nomination -- not unlike Liza Minnelli.
By David Burger
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 01/29/2010 11:14:19 AM MST
By David Burger
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 01/29/2010 11:14:19 AM MST
It doesn't matter if you are a Salt Lake City resident or a legend who has won nearly every award conceivable except for a Grammy -- everyone wants to walk on stage and to receive a small, gilded gramophone statuette.
Among the many nominated musicians seeking their first Grammy award include Kirsten Gunlogson, an assistant professor at the University of Utah's School of Music, and Liza Minnelli.
Yes, the Liza Minnelli.
"Honey, I'm so stunned to have a nomination," said Minnelli in a Tribune interview, describing herself as "a modern vaudevillian."
In 1989, Minnelli received the Living Legend Grammy Award in recognition of her body of work in the music industry, but she has never won a Grammy for an singular performance or album.
But this year, Minnelli was honored with a nomination for "Liza's At The Palace," a recording from her Tony Award-winning Broadway engagement.
Nominated in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Category, the two-CD set captures the Academy Award-winning actress singing her signature hits and personal favorites, followed by a rousing tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Kay Thompson.
"Liza's At The Palace" opened on December 3, 2008, and played 22 performances through January 4, 2009, winning a Tony Award for Best Theatrical Event in 2009.
The album was a labor of love for Minnelli, who wanted to pay tribute to Thompson, her godmother.
Among the many nominated musicians seeking their first Grammy award include Kirsten Gunlogson, an assistant professor at the University of Utah's School of Music, and Liza Minnelli.
Yes, the Liza Minnelli.
"Honey, I'm so stunned to have a nomination," said Minnelli in a Tribune interview, describing herself as "a modern vaudevillian."
In 1989, Minnelli received the Living Legend Grammy Award in recognition of her body of work in the music industry, but she has never won a Grammy for an singular performance or album.
But this year, Minnelli was honored with a nomination for "Liza's At The Palace," a recording from her Tony Award-winning Broadway engagement.
Nominated in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Category, the two-CD set captures the Academy Award-winning actress singing her signature hits and personal favorites, followed by a rousing tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Kay Thompson.
"Liza's At The Palace" opened on December 3, 2008, and played 22 performances through January 4, 2009, winning a Tony Award for Best Theatrical Event in 2009.
The album was a labor of love for Minnelli, who wanted to pay tribute to Thompson, her godmother.
"I saw her nightclub act when I was two," Minnelli said. "I was sitting on my mother's lap with my father."
Thompson is best known as the author of the Eloise children's books, but Minnelli remembers her as a nurturing inspiration in her life whose revolutionary nightclub act brought the vaudeville tradition into the 20th century. "She was Hollywood's underground legend," Minnelli said, but few recordings of Thompson's act exist.
So, supported by a quartet of dynamic singer and dancers standing in for the original Williams Brothers, on the album Minnelli performed songs from Thompson's famous act, including "I Love a Violin," "Clap Yo' Hands," "Jubilee Time," and "Hello Hello." When the album was recorded, it preserved Thompson's nightclub material forever. "I'm an old vaudevillian," Minnelli said. "I'm a modern vaudevillian."
Gunlogson, the U. professor, is just as excited to be nominated for her first Grammy. The assistant professor of voice is nominated in the category of Best Classical Album for her mezzo-soprano role in the Nashville Symphony Orchestra's opera recording of "Ravel: L'Enfant Et Les Sortilèges."
"I was pretty surprised," said Gunlogson, because her performance has been recorded in the winter of 2007, but the album wasn't released until this March.
Like many in-demand musicians, she has since moved on to other projects, but enjoyed a glass of wine when she learned the news.
She is in her fourth year teaching at the U., which she termed "a wonderful institution."
Born and raised in Alaska, Gunlogson spent most of her life living out a suitcase, performing all over the world, including stints with the Michigan Opera Theatre, Indianapolis Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Tulsa Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Toledo Opera, Nashville Opera, Kentucky Opera, Sarasota Opera and Fresno Grand Opera. Recently, she performed at Carnegie Hall as the alto soloist in Mozart's "Vesperae Solennes De Confessore" and Haydn's "Theresienmesse," in addition to making her debut with Utah Symphony Utah Opera as Tessa in "The Gondoliers."
Because Gunlogson wanted to put down some roots, she applied for the vocal teaching opening at the University of Utah five years ago.
"The College of Fine Arts is very proud of Ms. Gunlogson and her achievements with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra," said Raymond Tymas-Jones, dean of the U.'s College of Fine Arts. "It is a testament to the School of Music as it continues to bring global recognition to the University of Utah."
dburger@sltrib.com
Thompson is best known as the author of the Eloise children's books, but Minnelli remembers her as a nurturing inspiration in her life whose revolutionary nightclub act brought the vaudeville tradition into the 20th century. "She was Hollywood's underground legend," Minnelli said, but few recordings of Thompson's act exist.
So, supported by a quartet of dynamic singer and dancers standing in for the original Williams Brothers, on the album Minnelli performed songs from Thompson's famous act, including "I Love a Violin," "Clap Yo' Hands," "Jubilee Time," and "Hello Hello." When the album was recorded, it preserved Thompson's nightclub material forever. "I'm an old vaudevillian," Minnelli said. "I'm a modern vaudevillian."
Gunlogson, the U. professor, is just as excited to be nominated for her first Grammy. The assistant professor of voice is nominated in the category of Best Classical Album for her mezzo-soprano role in the Nashville Symphony Orchestra's opera recording of "Ravel: L'Enfant Et Les Sortilèges."
"I was pretty surprised," said Gunlogson, because her performance has been recorded in the winter of 2007, but the album wasn't released until this March.
Like many in-demand musicians, she has since moved on to other projects, but enjoyed a glass of wine when she learned the news.
She is in her fourth year teaching at the U., which she termed "a wonderful institution."
Born and raised in Alaska, Gunlogson spent most of her life living out a suitcase, performing all over the world, including stints with the Michigan Opera Theatre, Indianapolis Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Tulsa Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Toledo Opera, Nashville Opera, Kentucky Opera, Sarasota Opera and Fresno Grand Opera. Recently, she performed at Carnegie Hall as the alto soloist in Mozart's "Vesperae Solennes De Confessore" and Haydn's "Theresienmesse," in addition to making her debut with Utah Symphony Utah Opera as Tessa in "The Gondoliers."
Because Gunlogson wanted to put down some roots, she applied for the vocal teaching opening at the University of Utah five years ago.
"The College of Fine Arts is very proud of Ms. Gunlogson and her achievements with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra," said Raymond Tymas-Jones, dean of the U.'s College of Fine Arts. "It is a testament to the School of Music as it continues to bring global recognition to the University of Utah."
dburger@sltrib.com
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The "Ugly" truth about Liza on "Betty!"
01/22/2010, Jason Drew, AP-RED
The rumor mill is ablaze about Liza Minnelli heading off to be a drama teacher on the hit ABC show "Ugly Betty." The only "drama" in this 'buzz" is the rampant rumor itself! It was reported by FOX earlier today that Minnelli was heading off to Brooklyn next week to shoot a number of episodes for "Ugly Betty," where she'd be playing a recurring roll as a drama teacher, reminiscent of her zany character "Lucille 2" from "Arrested Development".
After a number of conversations with 'Camp Liza,' including assistants, lawyers, and PR reps. I am here to say - that this is confirmed - that Liza May Minnelli will NOT currently be filming a recurring roll on the show. Liza is a big fan of Ugly Betty, she indeed watches and enjoys the show, however, for the record, on the record, it just ain't happenin' yet kids!
After a number of conversations with 'Camp Liza,' including assistants, lawyers, and PR reps. I am here to say - that this is confirmed - that Liza May Minnelli will NOT currently be filming a recurring roll on the show. Liza is a big fan of Ugly Betty, she indeed watches and enjoys the show, however, for the record, on the record, it just ain't happenin' yet kids!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Star may play eccentric drama teacher???
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Liza Minnelli is said to be joining the cast of hit US show Ugly Betty.
Liza, 63, is expected to play a barmy drama teacher in several episodes to be screened later this year.
'Ugly Betty producers presented her with a great offer and a hilarious story and they kept coming back to her,' a source tells Fox411.com.
'Liza is excited to be playing another off-the-wall character.'It's thought Liza's intense filming schedule will begin in Brooklyn this week.
But a spokesman for the Broadway star denies she's got a part in the show.
'Liza is a fan of Ugly Betty but I am not aware of any current plans for her to join the cast,' he says.
Ayesha Salim
Liza Minnelli is said to be joining the cast of hit US show Ugly Betty.
Liza, 63, is expected to play a barmy drama teacher in several episodes to be screened later this year.
'Ugly Betty producers presented her with a great offer and a hilarious story and they kept coming back to her,' a source tells Fox411.com.
'Liza is excited to be playing another off-the-wall character.'It's thought Liza's intense filming schedule will begin in Brooklyn this week.
But a spokesman for the Broadway star denies she's got a part in the show.
'Liza is a fan of Ugly Betty but I am not aware of any current plans for her to join the cast,' he says.
Ayesha Salim
Monday, January 25, 2010
VINCENTE MINNELLI TRIBUTE
Date of Birth28 February 1903, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Date of Death25 July 1986, Beverly Hills, California, USA (Alzheimer's disease)
Birth NameLester Anthony Minnelli
Height5' 9" (1.75 m)
Mini Biography
Born Lester Anthony Minnelli in Chicago on February 28 1903, his father Vincent was a musical conductor of the Minnelli Brothers' Tent Theater. Wanting to pursue an artistic career, Minnelli worked in the costume department of the Chicago Theater, then on Broadway during the depression as a set designer and costumer, adopting a Latinized version of his father's first name when he was hired as an art-director by Radio City Music Hall. The fall of 1935 saw his directorial debut for a Franz Schubert revue, At Home Abroad. The show was the first of three, in the best Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. spirit, before receiving Arthur Freed's offer to work at MGM. This was his second try at Hollywood -- a short unsuccessful contract at Paramount led nowhere. He stayed at MGM for the next 26 years. After working on numerous Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland vehicles, usually directed by Busby Berkeley, Arthur Freed gave him his first directorial assignment on Cabin in the Sky (1943), a risky screen project with an all-black cast. This was followed by the ambitious period piece Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) whose star Judy Garland he married in 1945. Employing first-class MGM technicians, Minnelli went on directing musicals -- The Band Wagon (1953) - as well as melodramas -- Some Came Running (1958) - and urban comedies like Designing Woman (1957), occasionally even working on two films simultaneously. Minnelli is one of the few directors for whom Technicolor seems to have been invented. Many of his films included in every one of his movies features a dream sequence.IMDb Mini Biography By: Vincent Merlaud
Date of Death25 July 1986, Beverly Hills, California, USA (Alzheimer's disease)
Birth NameLester Anthony Minnelli
Height5' 9" (1.75 m)
Mini Biography
Born Lester Anthony Minnelli in Chicago on February 28 1903, his father Vincent was a musical conductor of the Minnelli Brothers' Tent Theater. Wanting to pursue an artistic career, Minnelli worked in the costume department of the Chicago Theater, then on Broadway during the depression as a set designer and costumer, adopting a Latinized version of his father's first name when he was hired as an art-director by Radio City Music Hall. The fall of 1935 saw his directorial debut for a Franz Schubert revue, At Home Abroad. The show was the first of three, in the best Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. spirit, before receiving Arthur Freed's offer to work at MGM. This was his second try at Hollywood -- a short unsuccessful contract at Paramount led nowhere. He stayed at MGM for the next 26 years. After working on numerous Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland vehicles, usually directed by Busby Berkeley, Arthur Freed gave him his first directorial assignment on Cabin in the Sky (1943), a risky screen project with an all-black cast. This was followed by the ambitious period piece Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) whose star Judy Garland he married in 1945. Employing first-class MGM technicians, Minnelli went on directing musicals -- The Band Wagon (1953) - as well as melodramas -- Some Came Running (1958) - and urban comedies like Designing Woman (1957), occasionally even working on two films simultaneously. Minnelli is one of the few directors for whom Technicolor seems to have been invented. Many of his films included in every one of his movies features a dream sequence.IMDb Mini Biography By: Vincent Merlaud
THE FILMS OF VINCENTE MINNELLI:
Director:
1970s
1960s
1950s
1940s
A Matter of Time (1976) ... aka Nina (Italy)
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970)
The Sandpiper (1965)
Goodbye Charlie (1964)
The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963)
Two Weeks in Another Town (1962) ... aka 2 Weeks in Another Town (USA: poster title)
The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1962)
Bells Are Ringing (1960)
Home from the Hill (1960)
Some Came Running (1958)
The Reluctant Debutante (1958)
Gigi (1958)
The Seventh Sin (1957) (uncredited)
Designing Woman (1957)
Tea and Sympathy (1956)
Lust for Life (1956)
Kismet (1955)
The Cobweb (1955)
Brigadoon (1954)
The Long, Long Trailer (1953)
The Band Wagon (1953)
The Story of Three Loves (1953) (segment "Mademoiselle") ... aka Equilibrium ... aka Three Stories of Love
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
Lovely to Look at (1952) (uncredited)
An American in Paris (1951)
Father's Little Dividend (1951) ... aka Laugh Track: Father's Little Dividend (USA: video title (redubbed comic version))
Father of the Bride (1950)
Madame Bovary (1949)
The Pirate (1948)
Till the Clouds Roll By (1946) (Judy Garland numbers) (uncredited)
Undercurrent (1946)
Yolanda and the Thief (1945)
Ziegfeld Follies (1945) (segments "This Heart of Mine", "Limehouse Blues", "A Great Lady Has an Interview", "The Babbitt and the Bromide" and "Beauty") ... aka Ziegfeld Follies of 1946 (USA: poster title)
The Clock (1945) ... aka Under the Clock (UK)
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
I Dood It (1943) ... aka By Hook or by Crook (UK)
Cabin in the Sky (1943)
Panama Hattie (1942) (uncredited)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Liza Minnelli Confirmed for 'Ugly Betty' This Season
Thursday, January 21, 2010; Posted: 04:01 PM - by BWW News Desk
According to Fox411.com, Tony Award-winner Liza Minnelli is officially set to join the cast of 'Ugly Betty' on ABC this season. Insiders tell Fox411.com that Minnelli will appear in several episodes and will be playing Lena Korkinka, Justin's (Mark Indelicato) high school drama teacher.
Fox411.com reports that Minnelli will film in Brooklyn, NY from January 28th until February 12th.
Sources tell Fox411.com that Minnelli will be playing "an outrageous drama teacher and it is going to be fun! Liza is excited to be playing another off-the-wall character like Lucille 2 on 'Arrested Development'."
Rumors of Liza Minnelli involvement with 'Ugly Betty' circulated earlier this year, but "Liza originally hadn't planned to do the show" until now according to Fox411.com. The website reports that "'Ugly Betty' producers presented her with a great offer and a hilarious story and they kept coming back to her."
'Ugly Betty' stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Judith Light as Claire Meade, Becki Newton as Amanda, Michael Urie as Marc, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Daniel Eric Gold as Matt Hartley and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater.
'Ugly Betty' airs Wednesdays at 10/9 central on the ABC Television Network. The show is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.
According to Fox411.com, Tony Award-winner Liza Minnelli is officially set to join the cast of 'Ugly Betty' on ABC this season. Insiders tell Fox411.com that Minnelli will appear in several episodes and will be playing Lena Korkinka, Justin's (Mark Indelicato) high school drama teacher.
Fox411.com reports that Minnelli will film in Brooklyn, NY from January 28th until February 12th.
Sources tell Fox411.com that Minnelli will be playing "an outrageous drama teacher and it is going to be fun! Liza is excited to be playing another off-the-wall character like Lucille 2 on 'Arrested Development'."
Rumors of Liza Minnelli involvement with 'Ugly Betty' circulated earlier this year, but "Liza originally hadn't planned to do the show" until now according to Fox411.com. The website reports that "'Ugly Betty' producers presented her with a great offer and a hilarious story and they kept coming back to her."
'Ugly Betty' stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Judith Light as Claire Meade, Becki Newton as Amanda, Michael Urie as Marc, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Daniel Eric Gold as Matt Hartley and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater.
'Ugly Betty' airs Wednesdays at 10/9 central on the ABC Television Network. The show is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Liza Minnelli's Show Cancelled Due To Knee Surgery
Friday, January 15, 2010; Posted: 04:01 PM - by BWW News Desk
Liza Minnelli's Mar. 17th concert at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has been canceled because of the star's recovery from knee surgery.
Van Wezel Executive Director Mary Bensel says the venue plans to reschedule the show for next season. Ticket holders whose e-mail or street addresses are on file at the Van Wezel will receive priority notification as soon as a new date is set. They may exchange the tickets for the new show, receive a credit for the ticket cost (which may be applied to other Van Wezel shows) or receive a refund.
For more information about exchanges and refunds, contact the Van Wezel Box Office at 941- 953-3368 or log onto http://www.vanwezel.org/.
Liza Minnelli's Mar. 17th concert at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has been canceled because of the star's recovery from knee surgery.
Van Wezel Executive Director Mary Bensel says the venue plans to reschedule the show for next season. Ticket holders whose e-mail or street addresses are on file at the Van Wezel will receive priority notification as soon as a new date is set. They may exchange the tickets for the new show, receive a credit for the ticket cost (which may be applied to other Van Wezel shows) or receive a refund.
For more information about exchanges and refunds, contact the Van Wezel Box Office at 941- 953-3368 or log onto http://www.vanwezel.org/.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Liza Minnelli to Undergo Knee Replacement Surgery
Famed actress/singer Liza Minnelli will be having knee replacement surgery.
Sari N. Kent
Singer/actress Liza Minnelli will be having knee replacement surgery at a New York hospital within the next week.
Due to the procedure, Minnelli will be unable to attend the Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 31.
"Minnelli, who has been dancing on stage since she was a teenager, is 63," the rep says. "She is expected to make a full recovery."
Minnelli’s Liza's at the Palace, which is the original cast recording from her Tony Award-winning Broadway performance, is nominated for the best traditional pop vocal album Grammy award.
She is the daughter of renowned actress/singer Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli.
The DVD of Minnelli’s Great White Way engagement is due to be released on Tuesday, Feb. 2.
As for her many accolades, she has won a total of four Tony awards, an Emmy award, two Golden Globes and a Grammy Legend Award, which was bestowed upon her for her contributions and influence in the recording industry.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Liza's at the Palace Blu-Ray and DVD to Be Released February 2
TheaterMania
By: Dan Bacalzo · Jan 5, 2010 · New York
Oscar, Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner Liza Minnelli will release her first-ever Blu-ray disc on February 2. Liza's at the Palace, a recording of her big 2009 Tony-winning Broadway show, will also be released on DVD from MPI.
The show was recorded at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on October 1, 2009, where she re-created her Broadway show at the Palace Theater. The full two-hour performance features songs written by such greats as George and Ira Gershwin, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Sammy Cahn and the team most associated with Minnelli, John Kander and Fred Ebb, composers of the showstoppers "Cabaret," "Maybe This Time," "But the World Goes 'Round" and "New York, New York." The performance also includes two special tributes: to Minnelli's mother, Judy Garland, via a performance of Garland's own 1951 Palace Theater tribute to vaudeville; and to Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson, a groundbreaking singer-dancer, songwriter and vocal arranger/coach at MGM in the 1940s.
Minnelli is joined in the program by her Broadway co-star and musical director, Billy Stritch. The show is directed by the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated Matthew Diamond.For more information, visit http://www.mpihomevideo.com/.
Oscar, Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner Liza Minnelli will release her first-ever Blu-ray disc on February 2. Liza's at the Palace, a recording of her big 2009 Tony-winning Broadway show, will also be released on DVD from MPI.
The show was recorded at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on October 1, 2009, where she re-created her Broadway show at the Palace Theater. The full two-hour performance features songs written by such greats as George and Ira Gershwin, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Sammy Cahn and the team most associated with Minnelli, John Kander and Fred Ebb, composers of the showstoppers "Cabaret," "Maybe This Time," "But the World Goes 'Round" and "New York, New York." The performance also includes two special tributes: to Minnelli's mother, Judy Garland, via a performance of Garland's own 1951 Palace Theater tribute to vaudeville; and to Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson, a groundbreaking singer-dancer, songwriter and vocal arranger/coach at MGM in the 1940s.
Minnelli is joined in the program by her Broadway co-star and musical director, Billy Stritch. The show is directed by the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated Matthew Diamond.For more information, visit http://www.mpihomevideo.com/.
Liza's at the Palace Due on DVD in February
Liza & Billy Stritch
From Playbill By Andrew Gans 05 Jan 2010
The Tony-winning Liza's at the Palace — featuring award-winning singing actress Liza Minnelli — will arrive on DVD and Blu-ray in February.
Filmed live at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2009, the recording comes to DVD from MPI Home Video Feb. 2; running time is 120 minutes. The suggested retail price is $24.98.
Minnelli is joined onstage by her musical director and pianist Billy Stritch as well as her quartet of singer/dancers: Cortes Alexander, Jim Caruso, Johnny Rodgers and Tiger Martina. The show is directed by Ron Lewis; Michael Berkowitz is musical conductor/drummer.
The concert features songs written by George and Ira Gershwin, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Sammy Cahn and John Kander and Fred Ebb. The recording also includes two tributes: to Liza’s mother, Judy Garland; and to Liza’s godmother, Kay Thompson, a singer-dancer, songwriter and vocal arranger/coach at MGM in the 1940s.
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.
Filmed live at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2009, the recording comes to DVD from MPI Home Video Feb. 2; running time is 120 minutes. The suggested retail price is $24.98.
Minnelli is joined onstage by her musical director and pianist Billy Stritch as well as her quartet of singer/dancers: Cortes Alexander, Jim Caruso, Johnny Rodgers and Tiger Martina. The show is directed by Ron Lewis; Michael Berkowitz is musical conductor/drummer.
The concert features songs written by George and Ira Gershwin, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Sammy Cahn and John Kander and Fred Ebb. The recording also includes two tributes: to Liza’s mother, Judy Garland; and to Liza’s godmother, Kay Thompson, a singer-dancer, songwriter and vocal arranger/coach at MGM in the 1940s.
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.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
A Matter Of Time...a fan review by Emilio Valdes
I remember going to the cimena to watch AMOT armed with my tape recorder hidden in my backpack. Of course, I had to watch it several times so I would know when to turn the recorder on before each song began. The cassette tape is now lost, but the songs still ring clear in my head like the day I first heard them.
Did the movie have its flaws? Yes it did. Did I care? No, because the film was visiually stunning. Liza seldom looked better than in that film. The songs, original and otherwise (Do It Again), were great. I remember being touched and inspired to this day by the song The Me I Haven't Met Yet.
On a separate, but related note, I will never understand why Liza didn't even acknowledge the film during Minnelli on Minnelli. In my opinion, she should have opened the show with A Matter of Time, it's lyrics appropriate to the show in every conceivable level.
I know I'll get all these responses about how Minnelli was disappointed with the end result and how the producers edited the hell out of it and all of that. Spare me, I've read all the stories. At the end of the day, the fact remains that:
- MOM was supposed to honor Vincente Minnelli's fims through the songs from those films and AMOT was the only film directed by Vincente in which Liza starred and sang several original songs.
I LOVED MOM. Saw it twice. But there seemed to be a huge white elephant in that theater that the production chose to ignore.
I can't and will never be able to understand that decision.
Emilio
Did the movie have its flaws? Yes it did. Did I care? No, because the film was visiually stunning. Liza seldom looked better than in that film. The songs, original and otherwise (Do It Again), were great. I remember being touched and inspired to this day by the song The Me I Haven't Met Yet.
On a separate, but related note, I will never understand why Liza didn't even acknowledge the film during Minnelli on Minnelli. In my opinion, she should have opened the show with A Matter of Time, it's lyrics appropriate to the show in every conceivable level.
I know I'll get all these responses about how Minnelli was disappointed with the end result and how the producers edited the hell out of it and all of that. Spare me, I've read all the stories. At the end of the day, the fact remains that:
- MOM was supposed to honor Vincente Minnelli's fims through the songs from those films and AMOT was the only film directed by Vincente in which Liza starred and sang several original songs.
I LOVED MOM. Saw it twice. But there seemed to be a huge white elephant in that theater that the production chose to ignore.
I can't and will never be able to understand that decision.
Emilio
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