I saw this show on Broadway and trust me i love theater, and it truly took my breath away and the talent truly made tears come down... A truly remarkable lady and show person.... BRAVO to a true star.
Stars are born not made. Here she is!!! She may not be able to move and dance anymore as well as when she was younger but Liza is Broadway. Her real life maybe like a scene from Cabaret but it's undeniable that Hollywood and Broadway will not be complete without mentioning her name. I've seen her perform in pain and illnesses but the lady ALWAYS do her best to entertain you. It's like her goal in life is to make you feel good up there on the stage. A true artist and entertainer.
One of the crappiest musicals of all time. But I was a teenager and saw it four times. She didn't deserve a Tony for playing a total non role. The character had as much depth as a sheet of looseleaf. Judy Kaye should have been qualified to win for On the 20-th Century.
Then the dancers will hold you head-high on your side to see if your inner ear can take the lack of balance, plus singing on your side is not that easy... Then for the REAL end of the number, you will hop sideways, do a half turn and stand with all your weight resting in your flexed right leg!!!
fanliza;...I love your 'proposed scenario' of Fred Ebb & Liza,...just great, funny, and most likely went pretty much like that, or at least very close. Plus,...she let's it appear as though it's all such a friggin' Lark, start to finish!
Credit where it is due. This was Ron Lewis choreography beginning to end. Champion did a great job with the show, but he didn't touch a step of the choreography. Believe me.
True enough, and I did forget that Lewis had been the choreographer - I associate that show with Champion taking it over. I guess my thought process was that I couldn't help but think that Champion likely reworked much of the dancing when he took over the show from Scorsese.
I'll bet you're quite right, as this show seemed to go through more than the usual amount of rewrite, &c., even a different name, before its Broadway opening. What amazes me most is the chances Minnelli takes with not only the live vocal, but the choreography, w/ its' mic toss and catch, built in encore, and pulling it all off as though 'no work' had gone into it, or is even takes place as we view it! Wish I could have seen this,I was lucky enough to experience Liza's @ the Palace. First rate!
After seeing this number I have tried to wrap my head around how Fred Ebb convinced Liza to do this number. To me it would have sounded something like this: "Listen, Liza. You are going to open the second act of the show in which you sing all but one song with one of the longest numbers (7:00 minutes) in musical theater history.
It is an all-singing, all-dancing, all acting number. As if it weren't enough that you are dancing AND singing throughout the number, John has created a bridge halfway through the number in which you will be dancing for more than 30 seconds.
Oh, BTW, before the dancing bridge you have to toss your mike to one of the dancers, find your balance standing on one leg and once you finish dancing, the dancer will toss the mike back at you. don't you just love the idea??? Right before the end of the song, I'll make you hold a note for 8 seoncds, THEN at the "end" of the number, you will come back on stage for a reprise.
Towards the end of the reprise, Ron has created a turn-on-turn segment in which you will be "jumping rope" for 15 seconds, just in case there is still some air left in your lungs and some stamina left in your body.
@xluckydayx "The Act" is one of my top all time favorite CDs, even people who think they hate Broadway, would enjoy one of her live shows. Of course when Judy Garland is your mom....
Durangomiller -- obviously millions of fans don't quite share you opinion. Count me as one of them. Just saw her at The Palace twice. She is more than just talent. She is LIZA -- and you can't take that away from me.
omg- the stuck in a rut you write of has made liza minnelli millions of dollars and marked her as a milestone in performance stylistic history. I can't believe people can seriously write things like that! She will be remembered alot longer than anyone that is typing messages on here! Stuck in a rut with Halston, ebb, kander etc- these people are people that reached the top of their game on amazing levels!
What can you say??!!! A true talent, what an incredible gift!! I'm so glad this message board is filled with up with such positve comments, a group of top-notch people, who can really appreciate artists!
OMG this is why Liza is a legend. Everyone should send this link to their friends so they can see why she/was the best of the best. THANK YOU FOR POSTING!
i saw the act a few times. LIZA was..is SENSATIONAL. a true showgirl she can act sing and dance..when asked what did she consider helself she did not hesitate..a dancer..she said..nobody dances like liza no matter what her detractors may say or comparisons to other performers are made.every time she is on stage she creates that magic between her and the audience that not many performers are capable of...she gives her soul and body and she brings the house down even before she finishes her number
The entire audience spontaneously jumped to their feet each time I saw the show applauding wildly,arms aching & palms burning.
I took my mom to see it. She introduced me to magnificent musical theater when I was 10 yrs old, and she just flipped over this number. One of my most favorite theater memories. Thank you for putting this up. I thought I would never see it again! I cried the first time I watched it...so many great memories, such a spectacular,flawless performance & I love Liza!
You saw this, 3 TIMES??!!! I'm sitting here with my mouth watering as I'm reading your post, lucky you!! This is just one flawless performance, on many levels! So glad to hear from a fellow fan. Have a great weekend!
I also saw "The Act" three times,if I'm not mistaken it was at The Majestic.I had 2nd row seats each time I saw the show & this number was a without question a showstopper! I have talked about this number countless times to friends of mine who didn't see the show and I was never able to come up with enough superlatives to describe Liza's electrifying performance coupled with the frenzy that was set off each time she finished "City Lights"!
I saw this Tony Awards show as it happened back in 1978. Liza stopped the show, and she won the Tony that night!! I also saw The Act 3 times and she was awesome every time. Still and always will be a living icon.
Before 9-11 one could do something called "second acting" - You waited 'till intermission and went back in with the audience. It helped lessen the dilemna of eating or seeing a show! I did see the entire show once, but I saw the 2nd act alot, because the 2nd act opened with this number. It was wonderfully exciting - always brought the house down.
Yes, I am aware of the "second acting", but I never did it! I had a friend who did it several times when Liza was at Carnegie Hall in 1987. She never got caught! She was a hugh Liza fan but unfortunetly she did in a fire at Christmas in 2002.
Legendary Liza filled with style & soul in peak form doing "City Lights" one of many tremendous production numbers from her Tony Award winning performance in The Act...BRAVO LIZA!!!
Now that's a STAR...the quintessence of show biz, who lights up a stage with her mega-watt personality
mtmorrispk 5 months ago 2
I saw this show on Broadway and trust me i love theater, and it truly took my breath away and the talent truly made tears come down... A truly remarkable lady and show person.... BRAVO to a true star.
rufngo 10 months ago 2
wow wow wow wow wow wow !! can never see enough of this performance. absolutely the best !!!!!
dflartist 10 months ago 3
thanks for posting! fantastic; saw it twice on Broadway and would kill to see "The Money Tree" again ... fantastic score
wpnym4m 1 year ago
Stars are born not made. Here she is!!! She may not be able to move and dance anymore as well as when she was younger but Liza is Broadway. Her real life maybe like a scene from Cabaret but it's undeniable that Hollywood and Broadway will not be complete without mentioning her name. I've seen her perform in pain and illnesses but the lady ALWAYS do her best to entertain you. It's like her goal in life is to make you feel good up there on the stage. A true artist and entertainer.
c004857 1 year ago
she looks and sounds great. hot body....and back then a voice most would kill for.
kitt724 1 year ago
Liza at her best!
formermgmstar 1 year ago
One of the crappiest musicals of all time. But I was a teenager and saw it four times. She didn't deserve a Tony for playing a total non role. The character had as much depth as a sheet of looseleaf. Judy Kaye should have been qualified to win for On the 20-th Century.
pudgeuncle 1 year ago
That is so wonderful..... I love Liza one of the most talented woman ever to hit show busness!
michaelm677 1 year ago
she's awesome but it goes on too long imho
gabsylv 1 year ago
she is just amazing. I love her so much. Even now.
mykeybabay 1 year ago 2
If anyone has ever wondered why Liza Minnelli is such an iconic performer, one look at this should explain everything. She is simply the best.
danielwroy 1 year ago
WOW !!! Why aren't there any shows like this anymore? Thank you for posting.
dflartist 1 year ago
OMG, she sounds like her mother, Judy Garland. wonderfull.
Allycat23 1 year ago 3
Lol she sorta looked like Michael Jackson when she put her hat on with her red clothing Lol no offense if its offensive
XxpWnZoR6xX 2 years ago
Comment removed
usernamesboreme 2 years ago
no standing ovation? what's a woman gotta do?! Simply amazing!
usernamesboreme 2 years ago
Geez. What a woman <3
chocolateapple 2 years ago
Liza IS simply THE BEST!
So excited to be seeing her again ...comin up real soon!
Hope to say hello to her again!
I could watch Liza forever.......
angieros 2 years ago
Then the dancers will hold you head-high on your side to see if your inner ear can take the lack of balance, plus singing on your side is not that easy... Then for the REAL end of the number, you will hop sideways, do a half turn and stand with all your weight resting in your flexed right leg!!!
fanliza 2 years ago
fanliza;...I love your 'proposed scenario' of Fred Ebb & Liza,...just great, funny, and most likely went pretty much like that, or at least very close. Plus,...she let's it appear as though it's all such a friggin' Lark, start to finish!
MuzzyVanH 2 years ago
Credit where it is due. This was Ron Lewis choreography beginning to end. Champion did a great job with the show, but he didn't touch a step of the choreography. Believe me.
caryary 2 years ago
True enough, and I did forget that Lewis had been the choreographer - I associate that show with Champion taking it over. I guess my thought process was that I couldn't help but think that Champion likely reworked much of the dancing when he took over the show from Scorsese.
adknorth 2 years ago
I'll bet you're quite right, as this show seemed to go through more than the usual amount of rewrite, &c., even a different name, before its Broadway opening. What amazes me most is the chances Minnelli takes with not only the live vocal, but the choreography, w/ its' mic toss and catch, built in encore, and pulling it all off as though 'no work' had gone into it, or is even takes place as we view it! Wish I could have seen this,I was lucky enough to experience Liza's @ the Palace. First rate!
MuzzyVanH 2 years ago
After seeing this number I have tried to wrap my head around how Fred Ebb convinced Liza to do this number. To me it would have sounded something like this: "Listen, Liza. You are going to open the second act of the show in which you sing all but one song with one of the longest numbers (7:00 minutes) in musical theater history.
fanliza 2 years ago
It is an all-singing, all-dancing, all acting number. As if it weren't enough that you are dancing AND singing throughout the number, John has created a bridge halfway through the number in which you will be dancing for more than 30 seconds.
fanliza 2 years ago
Oh, BTW, before the dancing bridge you have to toss your mike to one of the dancers, find your balance standing on one leg and once you finish dancing, the dancer will toss the mike back at you. don't you just love the idea??? Right before the end of the song, I'll make you hold a note for 8 seoncds, THEN at the "end" of the number, you will come back on stage for a reprise.
fanliza 2 years ago
Towards the end of the reprise, Ron has created a turn-on-turn segment in which you will be "jumping rope" for 15 seconds, just in case there is still some air left in your lungs and some stamina left in your body.
fanliza 2 years ago
The Gower Champion choreography is super fun in this. Hardest working cast of 1977!
adknorth 2 years ago
Ron Lewis was choreographer for 'The Act', which this number is from.
He was also the man responsible for choreography for Minnelli's "LIZA'S At The PALACE" last December / January.
Lewis' work is first rate, as was Gower Champions.
MuzzyVanH 2 years ago
saw her show at the palace twice this year in december :) simply incredible... no one like her in the world.
sivadnadia 2 years ago 2
unbelievably incredible!
surfcitydoc 2 years ago
This one is the real American style!!! I love it!!!! I love you so much LIZA!!!!
deshielo 2 years ago 4
I LOVE LIZA AND THIS IS FANTASTIC!
barry30312 2 years ago 4
Everyone who has ever asked "What makes Liza a legend?" should see this video..
THIS WOMAN IS BROADWAY!
xluckydayx 2 years ago 42
The very personification of "showbiz"
bassocantante89 2 years ago
@xluckydayx exactly. this is what it's all about. big star, fabulous number, razzle-dazzle, legend...it's all here !!
dflartist 1 year ago
@xluckydayx "The Act" is one of my top all time favorite CDs, even people who think they hate Broadway, would enjoy one of her live shows. Of course when Judy Garland is your mom....
MrEricSevert 11 months ago
@xluckydayx yes!!!!!!!
22kellyjean 5 months ago
a talent like Liza is born only once in 100 years!
salonkommunist 3 years ago 3
Liza May is the first Lady of Broadway, A Shinning star, a legend. City Lights simply stunning.
Markbiceps 3 years ago 2
so showbiz i love it
grantieboy19 3 years ago
This was '77 and she was born in '46 so I guess she was 31 or thereabouts.
antod11 3 years ago
Comment removed
durangomiller 3 years ago
Durangomiller -- obviously millions of fans don't quite share you opinion. Count me as one of them. Just saw her at The Palace twice. She is more than just talent. She is LIZA -- and you can't take that away from me.
emilytripp 3 years ago 4
omg- the stuck in a rut you write of has made liza minnelli millions of dollars and marked her as a milestone in performance stylistic history. I can't believe people can seriously write things like that! She will be remembered alot longer than anyone that is typing messages on here! Stuck in a rut with Halston, ebb, kander etc- these people are people that reached the top of their game on amazing levels!
hiladz 3 years ago 11
@hiladz so well said!!!!!
mtmorrispk 5 months ago
or you could say that she got her act and look so together that she left a permanent impression on pop culture.
pinupstan 3 years ago 2
What can you say??!!! A true talent, what an incredible gift!! I'm so glad this message board is filled with up with such positve comments, a group of top-notch people, who can really appreciate artists!
tallandfun909 3 years ago
OMG this is why Liza is a legend. Everyone should send this link to their friends so they can see why she/was the best of the best. THANK YOU FOR POSTING!
benbenny 3 years ago
She still is.. ;)
xluckydayx 2 years ago
A real showstopper.
DeanLeonard1 3 years ago 2
Broadway at its best...One name LIZA MINNELLI=BROADWAY
soyeltiempo 3 years ago
a stellar performance...show biz at its best, as only liza delivers!
lenn1812 3 years ago
That is my all time fav Lizas preformance :-) I love this song and this preformance was soooo positive :-)
kamarza 3 years ago
how old was she hear, shes amazing
SOPHI3333333333333 3 years ago
i saw the act a few times. LIZA was..is SENSATIONAL. a true showgirl she can act sing and dance..when asked what did she consider helself she did not hesitate..a dancer..she said..nobody dances like liza no matter what her detractors may say or comparisons to other performers are made.every time she is on stage she creates that magic between her and the audience that not many performers are capable of...she gives her soul and body and she brings the house down even before she finishes her number
felsineo1 3 years ago 2
The entire audience spontaneously jumped to their feet each time I saw the show applauding wildly,arms aching & palms burning.
I took my mom to see it. She introduced me to magnificent musical theater when I was 10 yrs old, and she just flipped over this number. One of my most favorite theater memories. Thank you for putting this up. I thought I would never see it again! I cried the first time I watched it...so many great memories, such a spectacular,flawless performance & I love Liza!
LuvsUlf5 3 years ago 3
You saw this, 3 TIMES??!!! I'm sitting here with my mouth watering as I'm reading your post, lucky you!! This is just one flawless performance, on many levels! So glad to hear from a fellow fan. Have a great weekend!
tallandfun909 3 years ago
I also saw "The Act" three times,if I'm not mistaken it was at The Majestic.I had 2nd row seats each time I saw the show & this number was a without question a showstopper! I have talked about this number countless times to friends of mine who didn't see the show and I was never able to come up with enough superlatives to describe Liza's electrifying performance coupled with the frenzy that was set off each time she finished "City Lights"!
LuvsUlf5 3 years ago 2
<3 <3 <3 !
MinnelliFan52 3 years ago 4
I saw this Tony Awards show as it happened back in 1978. Liza stopped the show, and she won the Tony that night!! I also saw The Act 3 times and she was awesome every time. Still and always will be a living icon.
artb50 3 years ago 3
Before 9-11 one could do something called "second acting" - You waited 'till intermission and went back in with the audience. It helped lessen the dilemna of eating or seeing a show! I did see the entire show once, but I saw the 2nd act alot, because the 2nd act opened with this number. It was wonderfully exciting - always brought the house down.
richardclausen123 3 years ago
Yes, I am aware of the "second acting", but I never did it! I had a friend who did it several times when Liza was at Carnegie Hall in 1987. She never got caught! She was a hugh Liza fan but unfortunetly she did in a fire at Christmas in 2002.
artb50 3 years ago
Legendary Liza filled with style & soul in peak form doing "City Lights" one of many tremendous production numbers from her Tony Award winning performance in The Act...BRAVO LIZA!!!
bradly2007 3 years ago 2
FANTASTIC! There wasn't anyone who could top her in the 70s. Truly a phenomenal performer.
Capricaquarius89 3 years ago 3
To think HALSTON DESIGNED THE CLOTHES FOR THIS SHOW! OY VEY! LOL
MansManBk 3 years ago
finally...it's back!
someforunclejoe 3 years ago
WHEW!!!! I'm soooo glad it's back!! Truly an artist at the top of her game! Thanks for bringing this back, always makes me happy!!!
tallandfun909 3 years ago 2
SO GLAD IT IS BACK ON!! THANK YOU!!
You're awesome..
silentriverrecords 3 years ago 3
margotminnellis, Thanks a heap fr getting this back up. Such a gleaming example of Liza at her best. Should be in dictionary under 'Showstopper'.
MuzzyVanH 3 years ago 5