Liza in "The Act" — Page 4

CATSNYrevival said: "I still think this show would be fun to see at Encores."

Believe me, it really wouldn’t. The show was only tolerable because Liza was great. I was shocked when I discovered (I had forgotten) that it was Kander and Ebb, because the score was really mediocre. Even an abridged book would be awful.

joevitus said: "shocktheatre said: "Re: lLiza as Evita in a Ken Russell film version

What I've always heard is that she agreed to a screen test for Russell, and he was blown away. When Stigwood (and possibly Weber) would not budge on her casting (for some reason they were hell bent on Elaine Paige, who had never headlined a major film), Russell walked away from the project.

A true lost opportunity. Nothing against the Madonna/Alan Parker film, but its too bad this didn't work out for Liza, much like the aborted Minnelli/Goldie Hawn/Frank Sinatra film version of Chicago, which was discussed for a very long time.

I've been asking for YEARS if anyone has that screen test footage. I've never seen it resurface. Kind of strange, esp. nowadays when there is so much rare stuff on YouTube."

The Madonna Evita is one of the worst movie adaptations ever.

To me, it makes perfect sense Stigwood and Rice wanted Elaine Paige, and she might have been amazing. This is a major star in Britain recreating her biggest role. That she'd never had a movie lead really doesn't mean much.

But I will say Ken Russell was an amazing director at his peak, and his vision of Evita might have been really something. I can't see Liza in the role, but that doesn't mean she couldn't do it. Her voice seems wrong for the part, to me, though, and like Madonna, Liza isn't a dancer, and this is a role for which one should be able to dance."

I do agree with you that the Alan Parker/Madonna film of "Evita" was not a good film - but I feel it was because Madonna was out of her depth in the role.

I just can't see Liza as "Evita" either as her voice is completely wrong for the role and I am betting that is exactly the reason why Webber and Rice vetoed her casting.

You completely lost me with: "and like Madonna, Liza isn't a dancer, and this is a role for which one should be able to dance."

I wouldn't know where to begin in trying to explain to you just how many, many, many things are so wrong in that one statement.

Updated On: 8/18/22 at 06:57 PM

Not sure about that. Do you think in their prime that Liza's voice and range was that different from Patti LuPone's. I recall Minnelli once saying she had as good a range as Streisand in her youth. So why didn't Babs do the movie of EVITA instead of Madonna, I wonder. I feel she was more equipped for the role than Baby Jane Ciconne.

In what homophobic world are Madonna and Liza not considered dancers???

Oh, I don't think that remark is homophobic. Amazingly dumb, yeah.

I happen to quite like Parker's EVITA, though I have my quibbles with his work at times. And I agree with Rice and Webber that I don't think anyone could have done better in '96. It was a great fit for Madonna, even if I have quibbles with her work at times.

That said, I think Liza could have sung the crap out of Eva. And acted it no question. She absolutely could've handled the score, but it might have been a question of style? Try as she did, Liza's voice was never suited to rock or pop. Paige's at least was closer to the ABBA pop of the era.

LIZA

Since folks are posting clips of Liza dancing, I just came upon this. Cue up to around the ten-minute mark.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leFRIaZIQ50&t=67s

Ha! A quick Google search revealed it was none other than George Schlatter, producer of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" - the show that was Goldie's launching pad to stardom.

I loved the Goldie Liza special. Too bad that variety show era of tv is gone. Liza also did another one.. Sam Found out.. or something like that. It was 3 plays with some gimmick.

CarlosAlberto said: "DAME said: "I loved the Goldie Liza special. Too bad that variety show era of tv is gone. Liza also did another one.. Sam Found out.. or something like that. It was 3 plays with some gimmick."

Sam Found Out: A Triple Play [1988]

Liza Minnelli plays three separate women in three separate stories. There's a serious drama about a hooker and her pimp, a romance about a lonely dancer and a black prince, and a musical about a man and a woman having dog problems.

"

CarlosAlberto said: "That non-dancer Liza Minnelli was mis-cast as a...wait for it: DANCE INSTRUCTOR in the 1991 film, STEPPING OUT. /sarcasm

"

I’m sorry, but can we talk about the rest of this CAST?!

Jane Krakowski! Andrea Martin! Bill Irwin! Carol Woods! SHELLEY WINTERS!

What gay fever dream was this?

CarlosAlberto said: "Whoever came up with the idea of teaming up Liza Minnelli and Goldie Hawn should have gotten an award.

"

That was Bob Fosse, who at the time cast them for his upcoming film adaptation of CHICAGO - Liza as Velma and Goldie as Roxie. Schlatter thought up the variety special idea, but Bob was who initially brought both ladies together. Sadly, he had to put this film adaptation on the back burner due to Broadway’s DANCIN’ and his film ALL THAT JAZZ.