Liza at the Hollywood Bowl. And the DRAMA!

[DAME]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 2:23pm

Let me start by saying that I am a Liza queen. Yes. I am one of those. And also I should point out that I am at the end tail of bronchitis and still not feeling 100%. So my view of the evening might be a bit tainted.

Last nights concert was one of the most bizarre and surreal concerts I have ever been to. First it was hot and sticky at the Bowl. And the audience was a mix a gays, queens, drunk queens, their hags, and housewives with their straights. Just painting the picture here. As they were getting ready to start the show the sound board at the venue went kaput. Because of this the show was delayed close to 40 minutes. Now the Bowl has a 11 pm curfew so all shows there usually start right on the dot. About 20 minutes into the delay Liza took to the PA system to say hi to everyone from backstage and tell people what was going on. " It is not me! I am chomping at the bit to go on! See you guys in a few". Well that did help because the crowd was already at the point of starting that applause in unison thing. The crowd cheered and got excited. Of course all the mean queens started with the jokes... she must be doing a line... she must have tripped over a cord.. Finally they start the show but the sound issues were not resolved. They were piping the show in thru what I assume is the Bowls PA system. The echoing took a bit to get used to. We all know what Liza's voice is these days.. But last night some numbers had more of a struggle. Nothing new. But with the heat , the delay , and the sound issues it was just a bit more grating. Also.. they had her in total darkness up there. She asked if the lights could be turned up so she could see and could also see some of the audience. Well instead of turning up the floor lights whoever was back there not only turned up the house lights but also turned up the flood lights that are used at the end of the evening when the audience departs and the cleaning crew comes in. These went back down again after two numbers but when she once again said she can't see anything they brought them back up again and they stayed on for most of the show. This killed some of the magic. It also distorted the image on the screens the more than 18,000 people use to watch the show. I don't believe this was her fault as the lighting person should have known what they were doing and a similar thing happened two weeks ago during the Smokey Robinson concert. Audience members could be heard yelling.. turn off the lights.. to which Liza answered back... " I Love you to! " . I guess she also couldn't hear. Half way thru the show she let it know that there would be no intermission because of the delay. Not sure why since the evening ended around 10 ish with plenty of time before the curfew. She talked a lot about Marvin Hamlisch and worked him into her patter between songs. The show itself was stale. It wasn't the show she has been performing off and on this past year. That show is quieter and has more a jazz feel to it. Last night was a mish mash of old stuff that seemed to be hastily put together. Last night was just weird.


I should add.. the numbers that were really good was all the new stuff. The songs from her new album as well as Harvest Moon. LET GO OF THE OLD STUFF LIZA!

Updated On: 8/12/12 at 02:23 PM

[Wynbish]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 2:31pm

So that's why Zachary Quinto tweeted that Liza was chomping at the bit...

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 3:07pm

Zach must be living there. He was there for The Producers, too.

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 4:08pm

Yes, Dame, last nights Liza concert was a mixture of many things. Thanks for your great posting. It was very sad for her since one of her nearest & dearest Marvin H had just passed away, and she said at the end of the concert that she was going on a plane when the show was finished to fly back to NYC for todays funeral.

She was frustrated that the show was having mic problems because she did say that she was always trained to start shows on time and never be late. From where we were sitting, we could hear the mic popping for the first 20 minutes or so. And, the lighting was off during her songs and she had to tell the lighting guys to bring up the lights so she could she on stage. It was the 1st HB concert that Ive ever attended where the performer wanted the house lights on during the show. Perhaps it made her feel better to see everyone. But, I think its part of the magic of being at The HB to see a sea of darkness where everyone is sitting, and only see the spot light on the artist on that massive stage. My friend and I were very surprised by all the tech problems last night. But, it happens. We get so spoiled by top notch professional theatre.

Yes, it was quite warm & sticky last night, and Liza was glistening on stage with the lights and the steamy heat of the evening.

So, between Marvin, tech problems and the heat, it just wasnt one of Lizas best nights. It happens, shes human. I dont recall what song it was, but she paused in mid song right before the big note, had a glass of water, and finished the song.

But for me, it certainly didnt take anything away from her performance and her brilliant interpretation of the song lyrics that she sang. The first time I saw Liza in concert was at The Palace in Dec of 2008, and nothing can top that night. She was incredible. When youve seen & experienced the best, its always so easy to think every performance will be like that. Dame commented on it being stale and hastily put together. I didnt think that at all. Glitches aside, it was a wonderful evening.

When the show was all ready late and no announcements had been made yet as to what the holdup was, crew people were on stage looking at mics, so I figured that something was going on to hold the show. People were starting to clap & cheer and once Liza announced that there were mic problems, it did settle down the area where I was sitting. Dame mentioned that people near him were making rather rude & crude comments blaming Liza, that it was her fault that the show was late. Thats just so stupid  so self serving. Trying to be in on the joke, when theres no joke at all. We didnt hear any of those comments where we were sitting. That can really put a damper on things when you are sitting next to people who would rather bash the show than enjoy it. Sorry you had to experience that Dame.

I was hoping to have finally met Dame last night at the concert. As it turned out, the other 2 seats in our box were empty, so he could have joined us last night. Perhaps next time!

Im all ready looking forward to seeing Liza in concert again  wherever that may be.

[thereman]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 4:23pm

Agree with everything except the setlist bit. With the exception of "Shine on, Harvest Moon", this is the same tired one-act setlist that she's been hauling out for a couple years now. Saw it in Austin in 2011. Makes me miss the Liza of triple encores. Better than nothing, but I was holding out hope that she might throw in a few surprises for the Hollywood Bowl.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 4:41pm

I'd rather stay home and listen to one of her albums when she could carry a show than have to go out and watch her struggle, which is what her concerts are now.

A struggle.

[DAME]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 4:54pm

Shows at this venue sure depend a lot on the people surrounding you.

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 5:10pm

Yes, that's very true. So sorry you had to experience those people near where you were sitting.

[nmartin]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 5:10pm

I'm so glad I saw Liza at Carnegie Hall and in The Rink, for that matter.

[DAME]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 5:26pm

Neal.
I also look forward to seeing her again. It was just such a strange evening.

Updated On: 8/12/12 at 05:26 PM

[theaternut]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 7:43pm

The pushing of the chair got rather uncomfortable to watch. What her act needs right now is a director. Shame she had a fall out with Ron Lewis.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 12:45am

I am glad I didn't attend. It takes a lot of effort to attend the Hollywood Bowl. I was upset with myself for not getting tickets for months, but now I'll just live happily with the memory of Liza at the Bowl a few years ago.

[DAME]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 2:22am

Well the LA times review is up. And it is positive. Funny.. he destroyed her in her last Bowl appearance. And that show for me was great.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-0813-liza-minnelli-review-20120813,0,6493446.story

[DAME]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 2:24am

"The crowd was growing restless at the Hollywood Bowl for Liza Minnelli to take the stage. An announcement explaining that there was some "technical difficulty" didn't prevent an outbreak of rhythmic clapping or a wildfire of snarky speculation on the precise nature of the snafu.

Was it really a sound problem or had Minnelli suffered one of her, define the word as you like, relapses? Her reassurance to the audience from offstage that she was here and dying to perform hardly settled the matter."

Glad I wasn't the only one offended by the snark coming out of the queens.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 12:06pm

One of my close friends worked production on SEX AND THE CITY 2 back in 2009 and said that her "Single Ladies" sequence took about 2 days to shoot with Liza only performing a section of the song, being taken away via golf cart to her trailer, being brought back on set, shooting another section, then being taken away again via golf cart to her trailer, etc. I was surprised to hear this especially as she does have the stamina to do a full 2 hour concert.

He did say that on her final day of filming, she performed for the cast and crew an impromptu version of "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" (which is nicely included on the film soundtrack) on the poolside wedding set of the film. He mentioned that in the middle of the song, the swans that were swimming randomly in the pool slowly swam up to where Liza was and remained by her side during the entire song. He said it was a magical moment and everyone on set felt a surreal tranquility engulf the entire set that many still talk about that moment today (even Sarah Jessica Parker and the other ladies).

[LALALand]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 1:06pm

Had a great night too. Was a little bumpy and her voice was rough. There was also the older gal who passed out and had to be treated by Paramedics during Maybe This Time. But, I love seeing her at the Bowl under any conditions. Especially liked the acapella "I'll Be Seeing You" at the very end.

[DAME]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 1:52pm

I think between the heat, booze, and the snarky queens.. Liza should play a higher class venue in the future.

Updated On: 8/13/12 at 01:52 PM

[LALALand]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 2:00pm

Dame - before saturday i would've disagreed because I love the Bowl. however, after seeing some of the behaviour (drunk disrespectful queens and loud offensive drunk lesbians - coupled with the heat and horrible parking) I wish she would find a new venue.

[DAME]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 2:04pm

LALA.. I also love the Bowl. The atmosphere varies from concert to concert. By the way.. Liza will be in Concert this December at the Orance County Performing arts center. A bit of a shlep from LA.. but a beautiful venue.

[LALALand]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 2:18pm

Thanks Dame. Haven't been out to the O.C. in ages, might be worth the shlep...

[albertramos22]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 4:11pm

I can't find any info on Liza in December at the Segestrom Center...Do you know what date it is on?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 4:53pm

Liza is lucky there are still people lining up to see her. I adore her and the shows lately are just abysmal. I think some people go who have never seen her just to say they saw a legend. I dont know much she charged at the Bowl, but here she never plays for under $100 a seat. It's a total rip.

The voice is gone. She's exhausted and winded. She drags a director's chair around. She smokes out the back door of the theatre (yes I saw this). She plays for about an hour.

I adore Liza but I'm done giving her money to half-ass it.

[Playbilly]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 5:04pm

I'm afraid she's gonna do a Dick Shawn.

[SingOutLouise2]

Posted: 8/13/12 at 6:23pm

I can't find any info on Liza in December at the Segestrom Center...Do you know what date it is on?

December 13 and 14

https://menalivechorus.org/

https://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/article/Liza-Minnelli-Will-Perform-With-OCs-Men-Alive-Chorus-This-December-20120813


Updated On: 8/13/12 at 06:23 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 8/14/12 at 12:14am

The boxes were pricey.. but the average ticket price at the Bowl is about $40.00 give and take. I am glad I went. I will see her again.