Reviews

FORT WORTH – Liza Minnelli still embodies all that is glittery and glamorous about old-school Hollywood and Broadway. It's no surprise that each of her four costumes Saturday night at Bass Performance Hall sparkled under the spotlights. She took the stage for more than 90 minutes during one of the venue's 10th Anniversary Festival shows.

RICKY MOON/Special Contributor

Liza Minnelli sparkled under the spotlights Saturday night to celebrate the 10th anniver- sary of Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.

The unflappable Liza with a "Z" sounded, looked and moved better than her tumultuous 62 years should allow. Her voice lost some of its smooth subtleties. The opening number, "Teach Me Tonight," was more brassy than sexy. Plus, everything she sang morphed into a dramatic, grand finish crescendo. That felt like total overkill.

However, all was relatively good at the onset. She sat on a director's chair for "Maybe This Time," which she delivered with passion and pride. She danced some, as much as her reconstituted hips would let her, during "Cabaret," the signature song from her Oscar-winning film.

Her rendition of "The Man I Love" was bittersweet considering she's been in four failed marriages. But Ms. Minnelli's near sold-out gig, her first at Bass Hall, derailed once it turned into an interminable tribute to the late singer-actress Kay Thompson, a woman who became her "fairy godmother" after mom Judy Garland died.

Chances are perhaps half the audience had any clue who Ms. Thompson was. Those that didn't know her couldn't connect with the homage. Backed by a young male quartet, Ms. Minnelli ran through stories and songs, and then more stories and songs about Ms. Thompson.

Ms. Minnelli's breathless enthusiasm and endless chatter seemed forced after a while, like she was trying too hard to charm the crowd. Just sing, Liza.

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