Grinning at the Last Liza at the Palace

On the plane, when Cody and I were about to arrive in New York City on 12/26, I put Liza's New York, New York on my Ipod and put the earbuds in Cody's ears. A grin spread across his face, from ear to ear. Throughout our adventure, Cody would remind me that we were in the city that doesn't sleep and that we lost our little town blues. Today, my other Little Love, Noah, took me to Liza's last show at the Palace. When she sang New York, New York, that Kander & Ebb song that was written for her and has become the anthem of our city, you can bet that a grin spread across my face, from ear to ear.

Start spreadin' the news: LIZA AT THE PALACE

I respectfully recant the comments I made to certain people that I'd be surprised that Liza could sing anything much less an entire 2 1/2 hour show. You know I love being entertained and boy, oh boy, does Liza entertain. I don't know how she summons it after all that she's been through. As my friend Joey said, "Liza's played the Palace before, but this time she's got two new hips." She's certainly resilient. But that's not all she is. I was expecting a cartoonish version of the brilliance that was, but she's nothing short of fabulous. Damn, she's good and so funny! Through four costume changes, Liza thrilled us with standards and a few of her hits, including Maybe This Time, Mammy and Cabaret. The second act was dedicated to and somewhat a recreation of her Godmother Kay Thompson's nightclub act. She encored with New York, New York and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and went right into I'll be Seeing You. It was a dress rehearsal so just a couple of times they stopped to adjust the microphones. The best moment was off the cuff from Liza, when she said, "There's something wrong with my box," as she was pulled aside so that her wireless could be fixed. It was just all too beyond thrilling. I have to admit that I thought I would die when she started with New York, New York - I think everybody else in the audience felt the same way as we all jumped to our feet mid-song.

What are you doing tonight?

Sarah: Hello?
Little Love: What are you doing tonight?
Sarah: Uh, nothing.
Little Love: I'm taking you to see Liza at the Palace.
Sarah: Okay.
Little Love: Okay, bye.