Review: Legendary Liza Luminously Launches Lauderdale's Sinatra Theatre

IT IS GOOD TO HAVE A COLUMN. Sometimes it affords you very special treatment. Tonight was one of those nights. Lavish preshow cocktail party, private escorts charmingly explaining the newly renovated theater, VIP parking.......But how can I think of anything but Liza?

The Sinatra Theatre at the BankAtlantic Center (formerly the Office Depot Center) is a new showplace for South Florida. Hard to believe a Florida Panthers game took place in the venue not long before the concert. They have done an excellent job designing the sound system and draping and sprucing the area up to be a more intimate theater holding 3,000! The chandeliers are stunning. Frankly, the audience area did maintain a certain stadium type feel; but not to worry. When you have Liza Minnelli, heck, seat us in mud and swarm us with bees--it is worth it to see Liza.

As has been said, there have been only a few performers in their own firmament. The likes of Al Jolson, Judy Garland (Liza's mother of course,) Sammy Davis, Jr.-- hmmm and that may be about it. And then there's LIZA.

If I had a hat I would be tossing it in the air. If I had a brass band I would be leading it. If I had a cannon I would be firing it. You get the idea. Having none of the aforementioned, I do have a special bottle of champagne and after writing this, I will be cracking it open. LIZA IS back. Boy is she ever!!!!!!!

If you have never been slain by an entertainer, you must see the extraordinary Ms. Minnelli. Dare I say, it is indeed a privilege to have this genius performing to divert us mere mortals? Liza blew my socks off tonight, and let me tell you, she also blew off hats, wigs, the roof and anything within a five mile radius. Some audience members were saying this was Liza at the height of her powers and magic. I have been mesmerized and in love with the woman for almost 30 years. Tonight Liza Minnelli again gave my goose bumps, goose bumps. Ms. Minnelli is a woman who's live concerts should be mandatory attendance for all good people in the human race. No good soul on the face of this earth, should take a trip through life without encountering Liza Minnelli live and in person.

Yes it is true. The legend delivered--and kept topping herself--her voice and performance growing more spectacular with every number. This is not a concert with back up dancers or back up singers. We do indeed miss the fabulous dance production numbers led by La Liza. Fear not. Liza Minnelli weaves spells of enchantment and we were all bewitched within minutes of her appearing onstage.

Of course her performances of Cabaret, And the World Goes Round and New York, New York had the crowd "freaking out" as the kids say. Particularly delighting to me was the addition of some wonderful new songs to her repertoire (new in that they have been added within the last ten years or so.)

Her version of Alexander's Ragtime Band, will make you think it was written for her. What a thrill to hear her perform I am My Own Best Friend from CHICAGO. As a solo, of course. Just like they changed the number into a solo for Liza when she substituted for the ailing Gwen Verdon on Broadway in CHICAGO. Roxie and Velma usually sing I am My Own Best Friend as a duet. When Liza subbed for Ms. Verdon on Broadway, they had Liza do the song as a solo. This was my first time seeing and hearing her do the song. To call it amazing or heart wrenching would be simply for lack of words. What Did I have That I Don't Have (from the Broadway musical On A Clear Day You Can See Forever and her father Vincent Minnelli's subsequent film version) was purely electric and thrilled even the most die hard Streisand fans familiar with Barbra's rendition of the song from the film.

Shall I go on? Yes I shall. Her God Bless The Child was greater and more intense than when she sang it on the legendary television special Liza With a Z. Someday He'll Come Along The Man I Love? This was a performance that packed a wallop as powerful as when she began doing the song almost thirty years ago in her Carnegie Hall concert (and prior tour.) One of my Liza favorites for many years has been Melissa Manchester's Come In From The Rain. Her performance of that song tonight was emotionally devastating.

Ms. Minnelli is indeed entertainment royalty. Missteps? Well, a couplea things we would point out to Liza. The majority of her devoted fans (slaves?) have seen and/or heard her concert performances for dozens of years. We are aware that the show is 91% scripted but performed with an ease that allows us to believe spontaneity is afoot. Liza, we have all heard about the "old English folk Ballad-Oh Help Me Sir to London Town," for years and years. It is still wonderful seeing it performed, but perhaps it is time to develop new patter leading up to the song. She DID use this song to acknowledge a passage of years. Towards the end of the number, where she used to sing the lyric "And Now That I am Twice as Wise and Youth is Twice As Dim," a subtle change was made. Now the glorious diva poignantly sings "And Now That I am THRICE as wise and Youth is THRICE As Dim." A lovely and welcome surprise lyric change. Also, Here's To My Band is always fun--but perhaps it is time for the grandest of Divas to praise Bill LaVorgna and company in a different fashion.

Those of us who "know" Liza Minnelli are aware that she really wasn't unprepared with sheet music for an additional encore. We let her have her little white lie and she rewarded us with an a cappella version of I'll Be Seeing You, the classic world war II era song. This took away the breath of the entire audience in one fell swoop. We'll be seeing Her in our hearts and minds as long as joy exists in the world. Her New York, New York was as rich and compelling as the first time she performed it or the thousandth time she performed it--fill in your own adjective for great--I am running out of words. We DO WISH she had acknowledged Sinatra's hit version of the song (she has dedicated the song to him in past concerts and indeed sang it with Sinatra in the Ultimate Event concert along with Sammy Davis, Jr.) as she was indeed inaugurating the Frank Sinatra Theatre. Of course, she blew us away with the Kander and Ebb gem written especially for her.

The ecstatic crowd cheered and screamed their love and devotion to the superstar. At one point someone yelled out for her to sing Over The Rainbow. Liza responded, "Someone just yelled out I should sing Over The Rainbow. Let me tell you something. ITS BEEN DONE!--My mama always told me never to do a second rate imitation of anything." Could Liza Minnelli do anything second rate? Certainly not last night. Well, perhaps she doesn't do a first rate job at selecting husbands. We all hope this will someday change. In the meanwhile, Liza Minnelli can continue to bask in the love, adoration and worship of the audience members who cherish her with a passion. Bravo Liza!!! Long may you reign with health and happiness. Thank you for all the years of joy and excitement and for continuing to give our goose bumps--goose bumps.

 FALL IN LOVE TODAY!  ADOPT A PET FROM YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER