A tribute concert celebrating Liza Minnelli's 80th birthday, titled “Liza! at 80: A Celebration in Song and Dance,” took place at Carnegie Hall, drawing a crowd of fans and performers. While Minnelli herself was absent from the event, the evening featured appearances by notable figures from the Broadway and entertainment world.
Andrew Rannells, known for his roles in musical theater and television, took the stage alongside comedian Mario Cantone, Broadway performer Robyn Hurder, and “Wicked” star Kristin Chenoweth. They offered performances honoring the legendary entertainer.
Speculation arose among some attendees regarding the absence of Minnelli's longtime accompanist, Billy Stritch, with a source suggesting potential friction between him and Michael Feinstein, who has more recently worked with Minnelli. During the show, Donna Murphy briefly stumbled over lyrics in her rendition of “Colored Lights” from Minnelli's Broadway show “The Rink,” but recovered to receive a standing ovation.
One of the evening's highlights was an anecdote shared by Julie Halston, a friend of Minnelli. Halston recounted attending a Barbra Streisand concert at Madison Square Garden in the 1990s with her late husband, radio personality Ralph Howard. Backstage, they encountered a tearful Richard Simmons, who was attempting to reach Streisand with a doll he had crafted. Simmons paused his distress to compliment Howard's appearance.
The concert concluded with Minnelli's sister, Lorna Luft, performing the Gershwin song “Liza.” Despite recent health concerns, Luft appeared and sounded in good form to many observers. The event, lasting over two hours, was filled with tributes to Minnelli, leaving fans feeling gratified.
Representatives for Liza Minnelli were contacted for comment.