Liza Minnelli Liza with a Z talks of VegaZ

By Jerry Fink, Las Vegas Sun Las Vegas Sun

Who: Liza Minnelli
Calling from her home in New York City, Liza Minnelli spoke rapidly and not always in complete sentences, a smile in her voice that sounds a lot like Judy Garland, her late mother.
During the past year, Minnelli has been busy - performing concerts and benefits around the world and acting on TV in a recurring role on "Arrested Development," which was canceled earlier this year, and on "Law and Order, C.I.," an episode that has not yet aired.
The singer of such memorable songs as "New York, New York" and "Cabaret" comes to Las Vegas Thursday through Saturday at the Luxor. Because of the demand for tickets, a second engagement was added Nov. 23-25.
Q I heard you were frail, yet you've been doing a lot of work lately.
Frail? Me? I'm an ox here.
What's motivating you?
I love it. I'm having a great time. It makes me happy. It's that simple.
How long have you been going at this pace?
At least three years. I thought to myself, "I'm doing so much, teaching acting and song at the Actors Studio" - a couple of classes I taught. I'd go to dance class every morning and also I worked with brain-injured children. I do all this stuff and so I thought, "Gee I do all this stuff" - and as I got more slender my energy got higher - and I thought "Gee I've gotta go back to work, I'm having fun."
You haven't performed in Las Vegas since 1998, when you were at Bally's. Why so long between engagements?
I don't know. I think it was because there were concerts I was doing in theaters - performing-arts theaters.
Have you spent a lot of time in Las Vegas over the years?
Very much. I remember Las Vegas from the first time my mom played there, at the New Frontier.
Where have you performed?
Everywhere. The Sahara. The Riviera for a long time. I was at the Desert Inn for quite awhile.
Vegas has changed a lot since the early days.
Tell me about it.
Do you like the changes, or do you miss the old days?
It's the difference between a nightclub and Disneyland, and I've always loved both; so it's fine with me.
Entertainment, in general, has changed a lot.
I think so too.
What do you think about it, the huge shows with the pyrotechnics and the huge productions that overwhelm you?
I don't know. It's very impressive. I love to go see it myself but ¦ You know, Bono, from U-2, gave me a great compliment once. He said, "With you, it's about the woman, the song and the light on you - a woman in a spotlight singing a song, and you don't need anything else."
It must be true. You have so many fans that a second Vegas engagement has been added.
Yeah. I didn't even know about it until someone said they heard I was going to be there in November, not October. They got me all mixed up so I called and they said "No, no, you're playing there in October and again in November."
Have you experienced this sort of adulation everywhere you've gone?
I think so. I've been around so long. They are wonderful to me. I think one of the reasons is that I'm one of the people who has one foot in vaudeville and one foot in rock 'n' roll who kind of straddles both worlds.
What kind of entertainment do you like most?
I think it's all about entertaining people. I like to go see a good show. (The late lyricist) Fred Ebb taught me (about doing my own show). He said "Always go from the point of view as if you are going to a show, what would you like to see?" That's why he wrote me all those great songs from "Cabaret," "New York, New York," "Liza with a Z."
Tell us about your concert?
What I've tried to do with this show - I went back and looked at all the things I've done and picked the ones I enjoyed doing the most, plus the ones people seemed to like the most, and I tried to put this new show together - and it seems to be working.
You're also busy with TV, in addition to your concerts.
I had a recurring role in "Arrested Development." It was a huge favorite with the critics, but didn't find an audience. I bet when it goes into reruns people will start to watch it and it will become popular.
And you did a "Law and Order, C.I."
Yes. I finished shooting it at 2 o'clock this morning (Thursday), or was it yesterday morning?
Are you going to be doing more acting?
Yes. I don't think anybody knew that I was funny, and the role in "Arrested Development" was so wacky. The role in "Law and Order, C.I." is not funny, but it's a great character. It's based on the JonBenet Ramsey murder - it's not that story exactly, just based on it. They find out who the murderer is. My character is a reclusive, very extravagant.
Which of today's performers do you like?
I love Michael Bublà . He's another one who can just stand there and sing. Melissa Etheridge, k.d. lang. There are so many wonderful ones. Sam Harris (the Oklahoma singer who won the first "Star Search" competition in 1984) is my favorite male singer. He's on a wonderful show called "The Class" (on CBS). I'm telling you he is so talented, and it's wonderful to see him get a break finally.