How Liza, Ben, Tap Dancers & Angela Inspired Me

Today, I thought I would take a look back at some of the music that inspired me, and helped to form what is now quite a vast array of music. While growing up, I was not only exposed to Pop music that was playing on the radio, I also had my older brothers and sister with their music. But in high school, something changed. I did some of the yearly musicals, which exposed me to some different music. But it was when I sent on the yearly trip to New York City, just over a 2 hour drive from my home town, that I got y first taste of professional theater. And my first show was a magnificent way to start. It was 'Pippin', with words and music by Stephen Schwartz, starring Ben Vereen, John Rubinstein, Jill Clayburgh and Irene Ryan, directed and choreographed by the brilliant Bob Fosse. Sitting in the theater and watching it all come to life blew me away, and excited me in a way few other things did. This is a video of Ben Vereen singing "On The Right Track" from 'Pippin'.

I had no idea what to expect when I went to see 'The Act', featuring Liza Minnelli. I was already a big movie buff, having watched many a musical on television, including many starring the late, great Judy Garland. I had seen Liza on the screen, but this time I would actually get to see her on the stage. I was so excited, and have to say, Minnelli lived up to the it all. I was blow away by the shear bravura of her performance. I mean, she was just electrifying in person. The show, which was little more than a star vehicle for Liza, showed off her talents as a singer and dancer. And certainly showed that John Kander and Fred Ebb were still excellent songwriters. This is Liza Minnelli singing "City Life" from 'The Act' in a performance from the 1978 Tony Awards.

Once I left high school, I went to college. At Albright College, in scenic Reading, PA, I found another school that planned yearly theater trips to New York, only now, you got to go for a weekend, and catch more than one show! One of the shows I saw was a phenomenal one I knew nothing about, 'A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine'. The show, which combined original songs with music by Frank Lazarus and lyrics by Dick Vosburgh with other music that fit the needs of the story, was a tribute show of sorts. The first act was a valentine to Hollywood, with humor and heart. The second act was a look at the Marx Brothers famous film 'A Night in the Ukraine'. Both were filled with reverence, camp, and a lot of love. Near the end of the first act, the cast performed a number without the orchestra, using their tap dancing shoes and voices to create a special moment. This is the cast of 'A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine' singing "Doin' the Production Code".

I was also lucky enough to get to a preview performance of a new musical by Stephen Sondheim, a little show called 'Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street'. Once again, I walked in blindly, knowing only I already was a fan of Sondheim's work. I found the entire show fascinating, from beginning to end, often getting chills from almost every aspect of the show. Angela Lansbury was perfect as Mrs. Lovett, and Len Cariou amazing as Sweeney. A young and handsome Victor Garber played Anthony, with an impressive voice. It was exciting, beautiful, scary, and sweet, sometimes all at once. In one of the sweeter moments in the second act, this is Ken Jennings with Angela Lansbury singing "Not While I'm Around" from 'Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street'.

I purchased the original cast album for all four of these shows, and several others. I still have them, and listen to them to this day. I became a fan of the shows, and the cast who were in them. in a few years, I moved to New York City, and began to work in the Circle Repertory Theatre, in the West Village. I worked behind the scenes, as a carpenter and production manager. There were some fantastic shows, and some memorable bombs. I worked with some incredibly talented people, like designers John Lee Beatty (who I had a bit of a crush on), Dennis Parichy, and Jennifer Von Mayrhauser, as well as many talented actor, directors, and playwrights. I knew the late Lanford Wilson, and worked on Sam Shepard's 'Fool For Love'. And I don't think that would have happened without starting to see the shows I mentioned above, inspiring me.

Dark Monday • Liza Minnelli is 'Stepping Out'

I have to admit, when I was coming up with an idea for this Dark Monday post, it began with wanting to feature Liza Minnelli, for it has just been too long. Don't get me wrong - I listen to her all the time. Yes, I am a big fan. But it has been too long - about 7 months - since I have featured her on the blog. So tonight I feature a scene from the 1991 film, 'Stepping Out', where Liza, as the main character Mavis, sings the title song, written for her by the great team of John Kander and Fred Ebb. The show is based on a play of the same name that premiered in London in 1984, and later on Broadway in 1987. It was the story of a fading West End star who teaches a tap dancing class in a dingy church hall. It was thought of as a great vehicle for Minnelli, and the story was adapted to be based in Buffalo, New York, and the role of the teacher was beefed out a bit. And there was the addition of the song, Stepping Out". This is Liza singing the title song.

And while it hit the movies in a limited release, the film was not a financial success. This was surprising, as the cast was pretty impressive. Along with Liza, the credits included Shelley Winters, Julie Walters, Ellen Greene, Jane Krakowski, Bill Irwin, and Andrea Martin, among others. But as I say, any movie with Liza in it is worth seeing. But I have been a fan of Liza's since I saw her on Broadway, in 'The Act', which I saw on a high school trip. Since then, I have purchased her albums, seen her movies, you name it. I still would love to see her performing live again. And her recent album, 2010's 'Confessions', is so wonderful, I never tire of listening to it.

Dark Monday • Liza's "City Lights"

When I watch Liza Minnelli sing on the 1978 Tony Awards show, I get all kinds of feelings going on. You see, she is singing a number from the 1977 production of 'The Act', and I just happened to have seen that show while on a school trip. As a student at Smyrna High School, we got on the bus to New York, and one of the best parts of the trip was seeing Liza performing live. The show, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, was a showcase for the talents of the amazing star, and I have been a fan ever since.

I still have my souvenir program, for which I think I paid $10, and sometimes pull it out to remind myself of that remarkable time, and that sensational performance by Minnelli. I went out and purchased the Original Broadway Cast Recording, and still listen to it till this day. It helps me remember the show, and being dazzled by costumes by Halston, the sets of Tony Walton, and the direction of Martin Scorsese. The second act opened with a rousing number, "City Lights". That also happens to be the number she did for the Tony Awards. After a wonderful introduction by actor Robert Guillaume, Liza gives her thoughts on the urban vs rural discussion with "City Lights".

I am just so glad to see this again, and be reminded that Liza also won the Tony Award for her performance. Somehow, this boy from a small town in Delaware managed to see two of the four nominated performances. In case you were wondering, it was Liza and the fantabulous Madeline Kahn in 'On The Twentieth Century', which was also great. However, if I had a vote, it would have gone to Liza. You can purchase the Original Broadway Cast album for 'The Act' from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Liza Minnelli, visit her official website. You can also 'like' her on Facebook.

For Mandy & Mark • Married

Later on today, My niece Mandy will be getting married here on the farm, joining her life path with that of Mark. You can see the happy couple above. I will not have pictures later, for I will not have my camera at hand. I will instead be a member of the wedding party, standing up for my niece. I thought and thought, but finally decided on the proper way to mark the occasion. I thought I would start the day with a song from the Broadway musical, 'Cabaret'.

'Cabaret' was based on a book written by one of my favorite authors, Christopher Isherwood. He wrote 'Goodbye to Berlin' in 1939, and later the book was the basis for John Van Druten's 1951 play, 'I Am A Camera'. In 1966, John Kander and Fred Ebb adapted the story into a Broadway musical. In 1972, the film version was made, starring Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, and Michael York, and featuring the direction and choreography of the great Bob Fosse. There have been several revivals since then. The storyline focuses on the life of several people living in the rise of the Nazi Party in 1931 Germany, and how it took its toll on them all. In particular, we see the budding romance of Fräulein Schneider, a German landlady, and Herr Schultz, a Jewish vendor. While they fall in love, the political climate had other things in mind. In the 1998 revival, Fräulein Schneiderwas played by Mary Louise Wilson and Herr Schultz was played by Ron Rifkin. This is the song "Married" by Tony nominee Wilson and Tony winner Rifkin.

You can purchase the 1998 New Broadway Cast recording of 'Cabaret' from iTunes and Amazon.

Dark Monday • Billy Porter Does Liza

Billy Porter as Lola in 'Kinky Boots' and with his Tony Award.

"And The World Goes 'Round" was written by John Kander and Fred Ebb for the film 'New York New York', where Liza Minnelli gave the song full Liza treatment. Honestly, I loved the song when I first heard it, a kid going to Smyrna High School. It is a tough song to sing, you really need to have great control of the vocal instrument, and not let it get away from you. Liza certainly could do that, and did in the recording. And the very talented Billy Porter most definitely does as well. Porter recently won his first Tony Award for playing Lola in Broadway's 'Kinky Boots'. The show, with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, and a book by Harvey Fierstein, has been getting great reviews from everyone I know show has seen it. With talent like his, you can see why I love listening to him sing. Check out this video of Billy Porter singing "And The World Goes 'Round" from the soundtrack of 'New York, New York'.

You can find plenty of great music on Billy's album 'At The Corner of Broadway & Soul', available on iTunes and Amazon. Trust me, it is well worth having in your music library, as Billy dazzles throughout.

Dark Monday • All That Jazz

Above: The magnificent Bernadette Peters.

In tonight's taste of Broadway experience, I thought I would return to the electrifying Bernadette Peters to bring some magic. So I set off to explore the world of Bernadette on Youtube, and discovered a 1975 appearance on the 'Carol Burnett Show'. One the show, she sang "All That Jazz" from the recently opened 'Chicago', with lyrics by Fred Ebb and music by John Kander. And while I don't remember her ever appearing in a production of the musical, I think she did a stellar job in making the song her own. I wonder why no producers were clever enough to get her somewhere they could sell tickets playing either Velma or Roxy. Enjoy!