Review: Liza's at the Palace - December 5, 2008

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 12:23am

In 1994, I saw The Wizard of Oz for the first time. I was immediately drawn to the girl to played Dorothy. I went to the library and got every book about Judy. I was devastasted to find out that she had died, but I found out about her daughter Liza. I then saw clips of Liza on the Judy Garland show and I saw the VHS of Judy and Liza at the London Palladium. I was a fan and I knew I HAD to see her live. In 1999, I saw Cabaret. That's when I first truly appreciated Liza as Liza, not just as Judy's daughter. Until very recently, I thought my dream of seeing Liza perform live would remain a dream forever. The dream became a reality on December 5, 2008.

As soon as I walked into the Palace Theatre, I felt the energy and I felt the history. Liza's mother had revived that very theatre in 1951. I couldn't believe I was really there. I was in orchestra row G seat 119.

When Liza came out, I got the biggest adrenaline rush of my life! I was screaming louder and smiling bigger than I ever had. Her charisma truly is indescribable. You have to see it to believe it. She looked amazing, and her voice sounded a lot better than I thought it would.

Teach Me Tonight - I don't remember this song because all I could think about was that Liza was right there!

I Would Never Leave You - This was the first of many times I cried that night. Very moving.

If You Hadn't But You Did - I have to admit I like Kristin Chenoweth's version better. I did love how Liza introduced it though. Something about how the woman in the song made an emotionally mature decision.

What Makes a Man a Man - Perfect.

My Own Best Friend - She told the story of how she secretly filled in for Gwen Verdon as Roxie in Chicago for six weeks when Gwen was sick. Liza's acting in this song was great.

Maybe This Time - Major chills and lots of tears.

He's Funny That Way - I don't remember it. I was still shaking from the last one.

Palace Medley - I realized that to Liza's credit, up until this point I'd completely forgotten that she was Judy's daughter. This part was like a dream in the best possible way.

Cabaret - Surreal. Magical. "I'm NOT going like Elsie" got a great reaction.

intermission - I couldn't even talk. I was in a daze.

And The World Goes 'Round - Extremely powerful. I cried yet again.

Kay Thompson section - All the songs in here kind of run together. Liza's legs were hot and she danced well. When she talked about Kay, I could tell how much she meant to Liza. The two times during that part when I rrally lost it were when Liza mentioned her mother dying, and when she referred to Kay as her Fairy Godmother. My Godmother passed away last year and I always referred to her as my Fairy Godmother. I thought of her. Oh yeah, Kay had re-decorated Liza's room one time and all that was in there were three closets. "What's in there, my husbands?" That got a huge laugh. Anyway, Liza opened the first closet and saw a picture of Rio. She opened the second closet and saw a picture of Paris. She opened the third closet and saw a mirror.

Mammy - It was great to see her do another song she did in Liza with a Z, which I've watched countless times.

New York New York - This was it. This is what I'd been dreaming of for all these years. Only this time was different. This time I didn't wake up.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - The impossible happened. It wasn't Liza up there. It was Judy. She looked exactly like her. I kept blinking, but it was still Judy. I truly believe that for those few minutes, Judy's spirit inhabited Liza's body.

As we were leaving, I overheard a man say that he saw Judy perform at the Palace in 1951. Wow. We went to the stage door, but they said that Liza wouldn't be coming out. Luckily, I couldn't have cared less at that point. I was 100% fulfilled.

Looking back on it, I still can't believe it happened. I know I witnessed history. There was a standing ovation after every song. Her singing wasn't perfect, she was clearly out of breath after the dancing, but none of that matters. Liza's greatest gift is making everyone feel like she's singing and talking just to them. Every word she sang and spoke was exactly what I needed to hear, and she was saying them to me, even when she wasn't looking in my direction. It's like she planned the entire concert around me. The woman I went with said she felt the same thing. No other performer has been able to do that to me. It really was a life-changing experience. I somehow believe in myself more than I ever have. Thank you, Liza May Minnelli. Updated On: 12/8/08 at 12:23 AM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 12:49am

Well, you've convinced me. If I can get a rush ticket to this, then I'm going.