Liza Minnelli will announce her December engagement at the Palace Theatre with a late-morning press conference, Oct. 20, at Radio City Music Hall's Roxy Room.
Minnelli's show, titled Minnelli on Minnelli is an evening of "heartfelt tribute" to her late father, filmmaker Vincente Minnelli, the master of the movie musical. The show, running 24 performances Dec. 1 Jan. 2, 2000, marks the singer's return to Broadway.
The Palace engagement has a special meaning to fans of both Minnelli and her mother, Judy Garland, because Garland reopened the Palace in 1951 and later staged her own historic comeback there in 1967.
"You wouldn't believe how many people have walked through the Palace and said to me, 'Oh, the ghost of Judy Garland is here!'" producer Stewart F. Lane told Playbill On-Line.
Radio City Entertainment, LM Concerts, Scott Nederlander and Lane are the show's producers. Lane said he has seen the show, and that Minnelli is singing and dancing well. "She gave me the whole show up in her apartment," Lane said. "I tell you, she can sell the song like nobody's business." Lane said that the multi-media show will include singing, dancing and clips from Vincente Minnelli's films, including "Meet Me in St. Louis." It was during the filming of that picture that Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland first met and fell in love, Ms. Minnelli is quoted as saying in the book, "Directed by Vincente Minnelli."
The show will include "That's Entertainment" and Shine on Your Shoes," from the film Bandwagon, "I've Got Rhythm," from the film American in Paris, "On a Clear Day" from the film On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "The Trolley Song" from the film Meet Me in St. Louis, and many others.
Minnelli on Minnelli is directed by Fred Ebb, choreographed by John DeLuca, with musical arrangements by Marvin Hamlisch, vocal arrangements by Billy Stritch, dance arrangements by David Krane and Peter Howard, scenic design by John Arnone, costumes by Bob Mackie and lighting by Howell Binkley.
Also featured in the show will be a male ensemble comprising Jeff Broadhurst, Stephen Campanella, Billy Hartung, Sebastian LaCause, Jim Newman and Alec Timerman.
"There are so many emotional peaks in the show," Lane said, "at least six points where you're going to have a lump in your throat. She pays homage to her father and her mother and, as much as I love her singing cabaret, you have to realize -- she's singing a whole new set of songs."
Lane said that Ms. Minnelli does a rendition of "I've Got Rhythm," that turns it into a "very hot, sexy number."
"She looks strong," Lane added, "a lot of people are pulling for her." Lane said he believed Ms. Minnelli will be on hand at the Wednesday press conference to announce her new show. "I think she might sing a song and give you a little flavor," the producer said.
