Why no-one has as yet commented on this production - which has been available on video for quite some time and is now on DVD - is beyond me. Liza Minnelli is one of a rare kind and whereas the restored "Liza with a Z" has earned accolades and raves, her (several years later) performance at RCMH deserves exactly the same. She falls into that category of belt singers which is hard to define or describe. Belonging to the same club would be Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey, Bette Midler and of course Liza's mother, the mother of them all, Judy Garland. Perhaps one can add Edith Piaf whose renditions of some of her chansons are quite torchy or belting. And always pitch perfect. All of these ladies are not afraid of singing ugly when a song and its contents beg for it. And then the next moment producing the sweetest, purest sounds...
At RCMH Liza is a breathtaking bundle of energy, delivering song after song after song and dance after dance in a non-stop ever varying fashion. Here she doesn't use the sexy male troupe as back-up singers and dancers, but to reveal more would be a spoiler. Suffice to say that Ms Minnelli is not threatened by 'competition' or other voices.
The show contains a great tribute to her father Vincente with superb photographic material. Intimate moments are achieved with a Charles Aznavour song amongst others which leaves one in tears.
The second act then builds to a heart-stopping climax with a tap sequence based on the "Stepping Out" production which starred Liza with Julie Harris and Shelly Winters. And then we move to the standard, yet freshly delivered, Cabaret and a finale to top all finales. Whereas Streisand in my eyes (or ears for that matter) is the god(dess) chanteuse, Minnelli is the indisputable queen of ballad/belt song and dance. Female singers coming after them can only aspire to these ladies' greatness. As Harold Robbins says in his comment on "My name is Barbra": 'sorry Celine, only in your dreams!' Another DVD is available featuring the concert of Charles Aznavour and Liza Minnelli in Paris. Quite a gem. And here she sings some of her well-known songs, including Liza with a Z in French!! However, I don't find any mention of it on IMDb. Nevertheless, if you find it difficult to obtain, buy yourself the Liza Minnelli Live from RCMH. It can hardly be improved on. Brava, Liza, brava! The voice is perfect, the renditions flawless, the dancing immaculate - watch the tribute to Bob Fosse and weep or jump for joy - and the orchestra great. They even join in the singing, but again, I won't spoil your fun. Discover this for yourself immediately.
