What is wrong with Liza Minnelli? I am so tired of asking that question. Every single time I see her on TV or in the news, I am just perplexed, how on earth did she get that way? What happened to her? And so tonight when we watched her on the Actors Studio, again, I was dumbstruck... but in the opposite way.What happened? She was totally BACK! I mean, seriously this woman who had sunk to the most ridiculous depths of has been has and is suddenly in excellent form. Where she was once Liza out to sea, she is 100% Liza with a brand new Z. Wow. So happy to hear her teaching the students and sharing SO much knowledge. I had to wait 44 years to hear these amazing lessons.
Also, good for her to own up to her problems and basically illustrate how you live in the now and let go of the past. Where once I was so disappointed with her, I am suddenly re-energized and re-inspired and thank GOD that this icon, this classic style of cabaret and theater has returned home.
I am fortunate in that I have had the pleasure of meeting her and spending a good 45 minutes being personally entertained by this woman. It was several years ago and I was backstage at “Victor Victoria” with a friend of mine (who had connections) and relatives of Sammy Davis Jr. Yes. This is true, the four of us and Liza were backstage and she took the time to talk, laugh, tell some crazy stories and I thought it was interesting and a bit amusing that her entourage (including Billy Stritch) were obviously waiting to go but they knew that Liza was Liza and she just isn't one to say “hey” she is first and foremost an entertainer.
She was filling in for an ailing Julie Andrews, playing the role of Victoria who disguises herself as a gay man in drag... confusing, complicated... all part of the plot. Anyway, I told Liza that the only person I could imagine playing this part aside from Julie Andrews was her. She looked at me with a raised eyebrow, slapped her hand on my chest and said, “Oh great! Now I have someone ELSE to be compared to!” and burst out with that infamous Liza laugh. Kind of mortified in the moment, but now think it's such a great moment to have had shared with someone like her. I remember as we were leaving, thanking her for taking the time to talk and visit with us. How wonderful to connect with someone like this who's family legacy had been so important and inspiring to me.
I'm so glad she's back. I feel bad because at times I didn't think she'd COME back. And yes, I admit, I made fun of her and dismissed her abilities, thinking that she had become a huge joke. Can you blame me? I mean, the whole marriage to that David Weirdo person and the circus that rung around it... but that woman, got her SHIT together.
And my tail is between my legs. Thank god for a woman like this to continue to surprise and inspire us.