Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland concert series presented the premiere of Liza Minnelli and Sam Harris in "Schmoolie & Minnooli" on Sunday November 20 at 6pm and Broadway Beat was there to capture the show's zippy opening number with musical direction by Billy Stritch!
The duo perform again on Monday, November 21 at 7pm. Tickets are $75, $50, $40 with a $10 food/drink minimum per person. For tickets and more information, visit 212-581-3080 or
www.BirdlandJazz.com.
Minnelli first attracted critical acclaim for her dramatic performances in the movies The Sterile Cuckoo (1969),Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970) and Arthur (1981). Minnelli rose to international stardom for her appearance as Sally Bowles in the 1972 film version of the Broadway musical Cabaret, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Since then, Minnelli has became one of the most versatile, highly regarded and best-selling entertainers in television, beginning with Liza with a Z in 1972, and on stage in the Broadway productions of Flora the Red Menace, The Act and The Rink. Minnelli also toured internationally and did shows such as Liza Minnelli: At Carnegie Hall, Frank, Liza & Sammy: The Ultimate Event, and Liza Live from Radio City Music Hall. She starred in Liza's Back, in 2002. She had guest appearances in the sitcom Arrested Development and had a small role in the movie The OH in Ohio, while continuing to tour internationally. In 2008/09, she performed the Broadway show Liza's at The Palace...! which earned a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event. Minnelli has won a total of three Tony Awards awards, including a Special Tony Award, an Oscar, an Emmy Award, two Golden Globes and a Grammy Legend Award for her contributions and influence in the recording field.
Harris gained acclaim and became best known for his winning rendition of the song "Over the Rainbow" on Star Search. "Over the Rainbow" has since become his signature song. He went onto record the top 40 hit "Sugar Don't Bite," in 1984 and has since become a multi-million selling recording artist with nine studio albums to his credit. He has toured extensively in concert and has played to sold-out audiences at major venues including New York's Carnegie Hall, Los Angeles' Universal Amphitheater and London's West End. He has appeared with the Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra, at the White House and has sung on a variety of television specials and live productions. On Broadway, he received a Drama Desk nomination for his role in the Tommy Tune-directed revival of Grease, and a Drama League Award as well as Tony, Outer Critic's Circle and Drama Desk Award nominations for his work in Cy Coleman's Tony nominated musical The Life. He's also appeared on Broadway in Mel Brooks' Tony Award winning musical The Producers, in the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and in the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Hair, and Pippin. He also starred in self-penned shows Hardcopy, Different Hats, Revival and his critically acclaimed show, SAM. Harris' most recent theatrical outing was the film-to-musical adaptation of The First Wives Club seen in a limited run at San Diego's The Old Globe Theatre in the summer of 2009. Film credits include In the Weeds (2000), the documentary Little Man (2005) and "Elena Undone" (2010). Harris co-created the television series Down to Earth (1984, which ran for 4 years and 104 episodes). He was a series regular on The Class (2006-2007 - Perry Pearl). Harris is also credited on "Rules of Engagement," (Jackie, recurring, 2009), The Wayne Brady Show (2003 - Actor, 1 episode) and the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration (2001, music supervisor).
