LIZA WITH A "Z"

Oh boy - what a great 2 hours of television. Liza Minnelli was finally interviewed by James Lipton on Inside The Actors Studio. I love to watch this show - especially when actors say something that I practice or relate to - man what a feeling to know what you're doing as an actor is okay. Liza looks great - she even sang a few numbers. All were adorable except her rendition of "If" (to be fair I have Kristin Chenoweth's version stuck to my head and Liza just can't compare - at least not today.)

She was so honest about her feelings for her mother - which will surprise some people and especially about her alcohol & drug addiction. Being someone who knows a little bit on the subject - I was so proud to hear her response. Lipton had asked her why she would follow in her mother's footsteps after all Garland had been through and Liza replied that "It's a disease." That really struck a chord with me - because Like Ms. Minnelli - I consider myself to be a survivor - I have fought many demons in my 27 years of life and I am still here - and as long as I am here I'm going to continue to fight for my dreams and goals and there ain't no one that's going to keep me down. Boy a shot of inspiration will do a lot on a Sunday evening. =+)

Another thing that Liza said was that in musical theatre (which also happens to be my main chosen field of work) everything comes from acting - whether it's singing or dancing - everything must come from acting - from within. That gave me chills because I have always considered myself to be an actor first and a singer second - I've been acting since I was a sperm and only started seriously singing since I was 19. That's probably more information than you really care about - but sometimes I love relating things that inspired me - even something like watching Inside The Actors Studio.

And BTW - if you're an actor - you should watch it. I can't tell you how educational it is. My only beef with the show right now is that it's deviating from bringing in actors. Like next week - Dave Chappelle (whom I think is a brilliant comedian) is interviewed. What the fuck does he have to contribute to the Actors Studio?! I mean, I understood when Jennifer Lopez was on, it was because of the actors she's worked with (Ralph Fiennes, Jack Nicholson, Sean Penn, Jane Fonda) or even musicians like Elton John & Billy Joel - they are music legends - but DAVE CHAPPELLE? Shame Mr. Lipton. Shame, shame, shame.



Back to Liza - The picture I am posting has a funny story. The photo was taken by my dear friend Heather Clemens (even though that years ago I said that I took it - there Heather I finally confess!) after Liza's opening night of Minnelli on Minnelli here in San Francisco. We didn't see the show, we just went to meet her. Since it was opening night, she didn't stay to meet people at the stage door. People started singing Happy Birthday to her and we started singing along. Heather, who possesses one of the most beautiful & powerful instruments on this earth made Liza stop for a beat long enough for her to take this picture. Cute, huh?

Have a great week y'all

M.