Updated: October 2, 2011, 10:52 AM
No one wears a spotlight better than Liza.
And boy, were there spotlights. Her entrance Friday night, in the Events Center of the Seneca Niagara Casino, garnered the first flash of light, through which Ms. Minnelli strode effectively if not gracefully. Another came with the iconic arms-stretched pose at the finale of “Cabaret,” and again in the downbeat of “New York, New York.”
She doesn’t move with the same grace or nuance that gave those original performances their legendary status, but at an old 65, she moves nonetheless.
If you know anything about her legacy, you’d surmise that it’s in the glow of stage lights that she’s most confident and alive. Her entire life has been about making these moments possible, even here in what amounted to a hotel banquet hall, the sound of slot machines not too far out of reach.
When she sings for you to come to the cabaret, or come through New York, she knows what she’s talking about. She’s been to the party, and wants you to come.
The audience Friday night wasn’t about to turn down an invitation. They gave her a rousing welcome and showered her with loyalty the whole night. She appeared genuine in her replies and air-hugs, which must be hard to do at this stage of a career.
“I love you too, baby,” came out of her mouth as often as lyrics. It was sweet, every time.
Her show benefited from the love. A couple of times, she changed her set list on the fly, apparently in response to a fan’s request or shout-out. Three songs in, she turned around to music director Billy Stritch, her microphone secluded behind her back, and signaled them to play Kander & Ebb’s “My Own Best Friend,” from the musical “Chicago.”
She introduced it with the story of her surprise guest appearance in the 1975 Broadway show, during which she substituted for star Gwen Verdon. Here, Liza broke down the character arch of the song, a defiant declaration of determination and self-confidence. When it came time to sing, in full character as vaudeville-murderess Roxie Hart, she wore a different hat; she can’t say a sentence without it coming out a story.
We got similar breakdowns for “Ring Them Bells,” a comic romance, and her anthem “Say Liza (Liza with a ‘Z’),” both of which were knockouts.
Besides blazing through the classics, Liza and her six-man jazz combo played a few gems from last year’s “Confessions” album, a jazz record that is quieter and subtler than we’re used to hearing from this showstopper. She turned the Maureen McGovern torch song “Confession” into a rueful elegy that felt honest. The upbeat “You Fascinate Me So” was well paced and reminiscent of a smoky Lena Horne.
The room came for the hits, but these jazz numbers were a breath of fresh air. It would be interesting to hear newer arrangements of her brassy hits this way. It might not be popular with the die-hards in the audience, but then again, when you have them in the palm of your hands, anything is possible.
Concert Review
Liza Minnelli
Friday night in the Seneca Niagara Casino Events Center, Niagara Falls.
No one wears a spotlight better than Liza.And boy, were there spotlights. Her entrance Friday night, in the Events Center of the Seneca Niagara Casino, garnered the first flash of light, through which Ms. Minnelli strode effectively if not gracefully. Another came with the iconic arms-stretched pose at the finale of “Cabaret,” and again in the downbeat of “New York, New York.”
She doesn’t move with the same grace or nuance that gave those original performances their legendary status, but at an old 65, she moves nonetheless.
If you know anything about her legacy, you’d surmise that it’s in the glow of stage lights that she’s most confident and alive. Her entire life has been about making these moments possible, even here in what amounted to a hotel banquet hall, the sound of slot machines not too far out of reach.
When she sings for you to come to the cabaret, or come through New York, she knows what she’s talking about. She’s been to the party, and wants you to come.
The audience Friday night wasn’t about to turn down an invitation. They gave her a rousing welcome and showered her with loyalty the whole night. She appeared genuine in her replies and air-hugs, which must be hard to do at this stage of a career.
“I love you too, baby,” came out of her mouth as often as lyrics. It was sweet, every time.
Her show benefited from the love. A couple of times, she changed her set list on the fly, apparently in response to a fan’s request or shout-out. Three songs in, she turned around to music director Billy Stritch, her microphone secluded behind her back, and signaled them to play Kander & Ebb’s “My Own Best Friend,” from the musical “Chicago.”
She introduced it with the story of her surprise guest appearance in the 1975 Broadway show, during which she substituted for star Gwen Verdon. Here, Liza broke down the character arch of the song, a defiant declaration of determination and self-confidence. When it came time to sing, in full character as vaudeville-murderess Roxie Hart, she wore a different hat; she can’t say a sentence without it coming out a story.
We got similar breakdowns for “Ring Them Bells,” a comic romance, and her anthem “Say Liza (Liza with a ‘Z’),” both of which were knockouts.
Besides blazing through the classics, Liza and her six-man jazz combo played a few gems from last year’s “Confessions” album, a jazz record that is quieter and subtler than we’re used to hearing from this showstopper. She turned the Maureen McGovern torch song “Confession” into a rueful elegy that felt honest. The upbeat “You Fascinate Me So” was well paced and reminiscent of a smoky Lena Horne.
The room came for the hits, but these jazz numbers were a breath of fresh air. It would be interesting to hear newer arrangements of her brassy hits this way. It might not be popular with the die-hards in the audience, but then again, when you have them in the palm of your hands, anything is possible.
Concert Review
Liza Minnelli
Friday night in the Seneca Niagara Casino Events Center, Niagara Falls.
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