"Liza's At The Palace" REVIEWS

[DAME]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 7:15pm

I don't know if they will start trickling in tonight or tomorrow night since last nights preview was not for press.. but in the mean time here is a link to Liz Smiths blog.

LS

Updated On: 12/3/08 at 07:15 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 7:20pm

And for those that missed it.... the recent out of town tryout review.
http://www.projo.com/music/content/LIZAREV_11-20-08_T4CBKQ5_v7.3fe0240.html

[DAME]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 9:19pm

...

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 10:31pm

Critics are seeing tonight's performance correct? So I imagine we won't get many reviews until tomorrow.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:03pm

PJ.. you home yet?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:13pm

Talkin' Broadway is pretty much a rave:

http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/16431

"For reasons I can't surmise, Liza Minnelli begins her highly energetic and occasionally extraordinary new Broadway show Liza's at the Palace...! with the Gene DePaul-Sammy Cahn classic "Teach Me Tonight." But whatever the 62-year-old superstar still has to learn has nothing to do with how to keep an audience completely captivated.

True, there are moments during this 2-hour-and-15-minute show in which you might focus on a minor distraction -- like will she sustain that last note (possibly not) or who designed those sparkly costumes (there's no program credit; and I'm guessing they're vintage Halston) or, more than once, will she absolutely collapse from lack of breath (luckily, no). However, you'll mostly be kept rapt by the sheer charisma and showmanship that Minnelli brings to the stage.

To get the big questions out of the way, Minnelli's voice isn't what it was many years ago, but it's strong and powerful and mostly gets the job done, and she moves rather than really dances. But her skills as a performer, honed over five decades, and her genuineness and vulnerability make these shortcomings seem relatively unimportant."

[DAME]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:34pm

Great review.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:47pm

She was great. During the "New York, New York" you could almost be back in her glory days.

It starts slow with a couple of throw-away songs. And if I never have to hear that Aznavour song about what makes a man a man ever again, it would be too soon.

But then the show really picks up with "My Own Best Friend" and her mother's Palace medley. The first half ends with Cabaret, which is ter-RRRRRRIF-ic, really ter-RRRRRRIF-ic.

Then there are the Kay Thompson numbers, which I was dreading, but it wasn't so bad because there were only four, and then we're back to Liza standards, which is what we came there for.

All in all, it was much, MUCH better than her recent NY appearances, and a thrill for first-time Liza fans.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:07am

Who was in the audience?

Oh.. and I love that Aznavour song. So glad it is back in her show.

Updated On: 12/4/08 at 12:07 AM

[cglaid]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:12am

Pretty sure Cheyenne Jackson was.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:27am

One of the greatest nights of theater ever. Liza looked incredible and sounded great! Loved all of her staples (Cabaret, NY NY, Maybe This Time) and I really enjoyed the Kay Thompson segment too. I'm going back on Friday...can't wait.

For those who are wondering about merchandise, I bought the window card ($20), the souvenir program ($30) and the cast recording ($25). I think they also had tshirts...

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:31am

WAT, I'm going on Friday, too. Cannot wait. Only two more days. Yay!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:34am

I found out about the Friday tickets today...so excited to see her again!!!! MissP, you and your family will LOVE this. I feel like a new man after seeing Liza perform live. Quite an experience.

[Hank]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:35am

...just got back. I enjoyed it very much. "Cabaret" was a highlight, and the "too much pills and liquer" line got a big laugh. So did some of her comments about her past love life.
In "New York, NY", Liza belts it all out in her own so very distinctive style, however there gaps because it seems she can't hold a note for very long.
I don't know how the critics will handle this show, with no previews. It's more than just a concert, yet it's not really a musical. All in all, it's a very special event.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:40am

I can't wait for Liza to accept her third Tony Award in June 2009 for Best Special Theatrical Event!

[Yawper]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:43am

(it would be her fourth)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:46am

Flora the Red Menace, The Act, and what else??

Edit: Just checked ibdb...a 1974 Tony Award for adding lustre to the Broadway season...LOL Updated On: 12/4/08 at 12:46 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 1:00am

I hope I'll see you there, WAT.

My kids are excited because they're getting to see "Judy Garland's daughter." But once they see Liza, they'll know who SHE is!

[pattilupuppy]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 1:03am

stage door?

will she?

thoughts?

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 1:15am

I'll be there on Friday too. :)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 1:18am

Yes, MissP, we will definitely say hi either before the show or at intermission. Liza's at the Palace is an event not to be missed. in 50 years, your kids will be SO HAPPY that you took them to see Liza!!

I'm listening to the cast recording right now...and it is wonderful!

[DAME]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 1:35am

Anyone fun in the audience?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 1:47am

I was only downstairs briefly, but I did see Michael Urie from Ugly Betty. Also, Scott Nevins was there, and BWW's own Eddie Varley. I didn't see anyone else though...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 1:55am

What was the set like? Was it just the band and a scrim? I guess they probably didn't shell out a ton of money knowing the draw would be Liza alone.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 2:03am

You can see the set in the BWW video. ( the new addition )

Updated On: 12/4/08 at 02:03 AM