If you’ve ever wanted Liza Minnelli to perform in your home, you are in luck. The iconic performer’s Tony-winning Broadway show, Liza’s at the Palace, will be filmed for broadcast on public television and eventual DVD release, according to Variety.
The show will be shot during the diva’s performances, directed by Matthew Diamond (So You Think You Can Dance), on September 30 and October 1 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. The filmed version will be executive produced by JoAnn Young and the producing team of Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, whose credits include the movie versions of musicals Chicago and Hairspray. They also worked on Showtime’s digitally restored version of Liza with a Z.
Liza’s at the Palace, which nabbed the 2009 Tony Award in the now-defunct Special Theatrical Event category, played a limited engagement on the Great White Way in December 2008. It is a dance-filled tribute to the 1940s nightclub act of Minnelli’s godmother, Kay Thompson. With musical direction by pianist Billy Stritch, Minnelli sings hits like "Cabaret," "Maybe This Time" and "New York, New York," which were all written for her by the Broadway songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb. For the tribute to Thompson (best known for appearing in the film Funny Face and for writing the children's book Eloise at the Plaza), Minnelli appears with a quartet of men and perform songs like "I Love a Violin," "Clap Yo' Hands," "Jubilee Time" and "Hello Hello."
American Public Television will distribute Liza's at the Palace in December. The DVD is expected to be released in early 2010.