Liza Minnelli, whose monthlong tenure as star of Broadway's Victor/Victoria sparked more than its share of tabloid headlines, was back in the news again Feb. 2 when she missed her final performance in the long-running musical.

She called in sick, reportedly with the same throat infection that caused her to skip performances Jan. 30 and 31. Her sick-out came just two days after a very public kiss-and-make-up with co-star Tony Roberts, who himself had called in sick in what was widely reported to be a protest against Minnelli's flubbing of lines.

Unhappy Minnelli fans milled outside the Marquis Theatre Sunday, having gotten their money back at the box office. Venting their emotions to reporters, several said they believed Minnelli was getting back at Roberts, and they were being placed middle.

However, Minnelli appears to have been legitimately ill. Spokespersons for the show have denied there was or is a feud between the two performers.

Vacationing star Julie Andrews is scheduled to return to the show Feb. 4. The New York Post reported Jan. 3 that Minnelli wants to return to the show when Andrews completes her run in June 1997, but that she wants Roberts out. The Post report was based on unnamed sources.