Stand-by Joined: 8/20/04
Which Broadway show is the Liza Minnelli song "City Lights" from? I have been searching in vain. She performed it recently on ABC.
You didn't search very hard.
"The Act."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPfZKFbpcmQ
She performed it this past Wednesday night on NBC on the ROSIE LIVE special.
The song is from the 1977 John Kander and Fred Ebb Broadway musical THE ACT. She also performed it at the 1978 Tony Awards.
May I add that "City Lights" is one of the only good things about The Act.
"She performed it this past Wednesday night on NBC on the ROSIE LIVE special."
Shouldn't that read "ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM"?
The Act is full of wonderful songs. "My Own Space", "Shine it On", "The Strangest Thing", and "Walking Papers" to name a few.
"Shine it On", "City Light" and "Bobo's" were the only good things about the score. And you're talking to someone who worships Kander and Ebb. It is just not a good score at all.
And look, she wore the same outfit!
Stand-by Joined: 1/28/08
She wore the white outfit on the album cover of "THE ACT" for "City Lights"....not a red Halston.....
And you should see what I wear when I perform Arthur in the Afternoon.
Seriously, it was great to see that. I have the OBC of The Act and love this song (although I think others, such as My Own Space, are better served in other recordings). I never thought I would see Liza perform it though: her every expression, every intonation, every bat of the eyelid is flawless. What charm, wit, perspicacity and vivaciousness she has.
What I still can't make out is the final gag about Bloomingdales: "Honey, just let me plant my ??? ??? ??? in Bloomingdales". Can anyone help?
Buns, as in buttocks. Or Bum? Bums? I think it's buns.
The thing that kills me about the "City Lights" number from the Tonys is just how LONGGGGGG it is. It's what six or seven minutes long. And, nowadays, shows only get four minutes.
My buns! Honey, let me plant my BUNS in BLOO-mingdales!
Can someone PUHLEEZ repost Liza's coked up Tony speech for The Act up on YouTube. It's such a hoot. Steve Rubell falls out of his chair!
That's what I thought she sang - but with the capitalization I actually get the gag now! Thank you both.
Stand-by Joined: 8/20/04
Thanks for helping. I am embarrassed. It seems that Liza even won a Tony for her performance in "The Act". Goes to show, I am always learning new things about the theatre.
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