(Community Theater at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Morristown, N.J., 1,274 seats; $175 top)
By ROBERT L. DANIELS
Reviewed Sept. 28, 2007.
Musical director-drums, Billy Lavorgna; piano, David Buckley.
Liza Minnelli kicked off a fall tour in the Garden State at Morristown’s refurbished Community Theater. The singer looked great, boasting the loss of 45 pounds and proudly strutting in a smart and sparkling off-the- shoulder Casey Paul design, topped by a glittering head piece. And she was in great voice, retaining the incandescent punch and verve that has become her trademark.
Minnelli began on secure ground, dotting her repertoire with songs she belted out in her acclaimed Winter Garden run a quarter of a century ago: “I Can See Clearly Now,” “Maybe This Time” and the signature tune from her Oscar-winning “Cabaret.”
She still commands the powerhouse drive that has long marked her career, but sat down midway through her act.
Minnelli, the sultry chanteuse, harbored restraint with some comforting evergreens. Beautifully nuanced readings of “My Ship,” “The Man I Love” and “He’s Funny That Way” reminded the listener of her gift for torchy nuance.
Second half of the program was an affectionate tribute to Minnelli’s godmother, Kay Thompson, the legendary night club entertainer who also penned the popular Eloise books, inspired by little Liza’s adventures at Gotham’s Plaza Hotel.
As an entertainer, Thompson, assisted by the Williams brothers (including a young Andy), was a popular figure on the club circuit. Minnelli, supported by a quartet of young men, recreated highlights from Thompson’s act with a rousing “Jubilee Time” and a sultry “Basin Street Blues.” Tribute peaked with “Clap Yo' Hands,” a Thompson rouser from the film “Funny Face.”
“I Love a Violin” appeared to take the wind out of the 61-year-old entertainer, who took a break as the gents offered the Thompson arrangement of the Gershwins' “Liza,” a sequence subsequently cut from the 1946 tuner “Ziegfeld Follies.” The song of course, served director Vincente Minnelli and MGM star Judy Garland as their daughter’s moniker.
The singer wound up with her trademark nod to the city that never sleeps, “New York, New York.” Responding to a standing ovation, Minnelli bid farewell to a capacity aud with an a capella offering of “I’ll Be Seeing You.”
She praised the refurbished Community Theater, a former movie house and concert venue with great acoustics, that now boasts a new stage, upgraded lighting and sound booth.
Subsequent tour dates include Greenvale (Oct. 13), Baltimore(Oct. 27) and Ft. Myers, Fla. (Oct. 28).
Both Clearview and National Amusements have regularly scheduled classic series at reduced prices — imagine if the quality and selection were greatly enhanced.
Any racial aspects of Porgy and Bess that might seem insensitive to our modern sensibilities? (Although a recent commentator’s amazement that black patrons weren’t cursing up a storm at Sylvia’s Restaurant makes me think that there’s still a ways to go.)
I saw some movies here around 1980 when I lived in Flushing; it was already a triplex then, and I remember a summer matinee show wherein the theater was icy cold and nearly emnpty. I was sorry to see it demolished some time later.
I also saw the ad and read the comments about Porky’s, which I saw at the Keith’s — it previewed at Prospect but opened at Keith’s?
Liza Minnelli
(Community Theater at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Morristown, N.J., 1,274 seats; $175 top)
By ROBERT L. DANIELS
Reviewed Sept. 28, 2007.
Musical director-drums, Billy Lavorgna; piano, David Buckley.
Liza Minnelli kicked off a fall tour in the Garden State at Morristown’s refurbished Community Theater. The singer looked great, boasting the loss of 45 pounds and proudly strutting in a smart and sparkling off-the- shoulder Casey Paul design, topped by a glittering head piece. And she was in great voice, retaining the incandescent punch and verve that has become her trademark.
Minnelli began on secure ground, dotting her repertoire with songs she belted out in her acclaimed Winter Garden run a quarter of a century ago: “I Can See Clearly Now,” “Maybe This Time” and the signature tune from her Oscar-winning “Cabaret.”
She still commands the powerhouse drive that has long marked her career, but sat down midway through her act.
Minnelli, the sultry chanteuse, harbored restraint with some comforting evergreens. Beautifully nuanced readings of “My Ship,” “The Man I Love” and “He’s Funny That Way” reminded the listener of her gift for torchy nuance.
Second half of the program was an affectionate tribute to Minnelli’s godmother, Kay Thompson, the legendary night club entertainer who also penned the popular Eloise books, inspired by little Liza’s adventures at Gotham’s Plaza Hotel.
As an entertainer, Thompson, assisted by the Williams brothers (including a young Andy), was a popular figure on the club circuit. Minnelli, supported by a quartet of young men, recreated highlights from Thompson’s act with a rousing “Jubilee Time” and a sultry “Basin Street Blues.” Tribute peaked with “Clap Yo' Hands,” a Thompson rouser from the film “Funny Face.”
“I Love a Violin” appeared to take the wind out of the 61-year-old entertainer, who took a break as the gents offered the Thompson arrangement of the Gershwins' “Liza,” a sequence subsequently cut from the 1946 tuner “Ziegfeld Follies.” The song of course, served director Vincente Minnelli and MGM star Judy Garland as their daughter’s moniker.
The singer wound up with her trademark nod to the city that never sleeps, “New York, New York.” Responding to a standing ovation, Minnelli bid farewell to a capacity aud with an a capella offering of “I’ll Be Seeing You.”
She praised the refurbished Community Theater, a former movie house and concert venue with great acoustics, that now boasts a new stage, upgraded lighting and sound booth.
Subsequent tour dates include Greenvale (Oct. 13), Baltimore(Oct. 27) and Ft. Myers, Fla. (Oct. 28).
Sometimes things fall off the backs of trucks.
I love this theater.
When a pig flies you don’t fault him for not staying up so long. Stranger things have happened.
Both Clearview and National Amusements have regularly scheduled classic series at reduced prices — imagine if the quality and selection were greatly enhanced.
Your changeover cues get a little raggedy,too.
Colorful names, anyway: Steamtown, Moosic, Endless Mountain…
Try this link. Too bad the drive-in’s closed.
View link
Reports on last night’s screening, please.
“insulting asides” are part of the spice of CT. I’ve zinged a few myself.
They needed a little rehearsal, at least with the openings and closings. Tonight should be better.
Any racial aspects of Porgy and Bess that might seem insensitive to our modern sensibilities? (Although a recent commentator’s amazement that black patrons weren’t cursing up a storm at Sylvia’s Restaurant makes me think that there’s still a ways to go.)
Organs were visible during its Cameo/Adonis/Playpen days.
I like to see the curtain just finish opening as the studio logo and fanfare fades from the screen.
Hey Craig! We’re expecting a grade-A presentation tonight! Make sure you’ve got a pro in the booth!
Ask Bloop — he seems to know the lay of the land out there.
I think I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show here.
Even the New Victory, built in 1900, has only two balconies.
View link
I kinda liked ALL the nudity in that sexually-charged movie.
It was in the right side of the divided autditorium, but still a pretty big screen, even though the seats faced slightly to the left!
When Variety used to give individual theater grosses, or top grossing sites, (do they still do that?) this was always on the list.
I am forbidden to go to this theater, or to the Sunrise Multiplex, by concerned family memebers.
I saw some movies here around 1980 when I lived in Flushing; it was already a triplex then, and I remember a summer matinee show wherein the theater was icy cold and nearly emnpty. I was sorry to see it demolished some time later.
I also saw the ad and read the comments about Porky’s, which I saw at the Keith’s — it previewed at Prospect but opened at Keith’s?
I heard they had some nice brass fans in there.
Shouldn’t the description and former names be updated on this house?