Liza with a Z: A Concert for Television (1972) (TV)

Director:

Bob Fosse

Writer:

Fred Ebb (written by)

Release Date:

10 September 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Music

Plot:

Liza Minnelli stars in a television concert directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. She performs such songs as the title number...

Plot Keywords:

Song | Choreography | Concert Film | Singing | TV Special

Awards:

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Liza Minnelli	...	Herself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ann Reinking	...	Herself
Jenna Rocca	...	Herself

Runtime:

USA:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Flora Inc.

Trivia:

Another song, "Mein Herr" from Cabaret (1972) was filmed, but due to time constraints of broadcast TV, this did not make it into the final show. All that remains of this number is a fair quality work print and is included as an extra on the DVD.

Quotes:

Liza Minnelli: I have found for a long time people still have been calling me "Lisa." Wrong! My name is Liza. It has a "z" in it. For example, someone might come up to me and say, "Hello, Lisa, how are you?" And I'd say, "Fine, but my name is Liza." Or someone would come up and say, "Oh, Lisa, what a nice hat you have on." And I'd say, "Thank you very much, but my name is Liza, and that's my hair."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Another Gay Movie (2006)

Soundtrack:

Yes

No "zzzz's" here; a happy show!

Liza Minnelli's Emmy-award winning musical TV special, directed by Bob Fosse, and coming right on the heels of their Oscar-winning "Cabaret". After listening to this record album for years, I was quite excited to find a copy on video (transferred from the 16mm print). I was surprised by two things: 1) that the LP captures most of the show's excitement all on its own, which says a lot for the command of Liza's singing and the quality of the music; and 2) that Fosse is irreplaceable in the business of musical-comedy staging. The dancing on numbers like "I Gotcha!" and "Son Of A Preacher Man" is incredible, with Fosse's sensual style of choreography bringing down the house. Still in all, it's Liza's singing that is the show's centerpiece, and she's in fine, clear voice throughout. Dramatic, comedic, self-effacing, flirtatious, silly, giggling, Liza proves to be a virtuoso performer of great magnitude.