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Liza (on an E)

Simon Parris's picture
Submitted by Simon Parris on Monday, 24th Jan 2011
TP Rating: 
0
Reviewer: 
Date of Show: 
Sunday, 23rd January 2011 (All day)
Venue: 
Hi-Fi Bar and Ballroom
Liza’s on an E and we all get to come along for the trip.
 
 
The long running revue Forbidden Broadway had the song ‘Liza One Note’ but Trevor Ashley’s high octane portrayal of Ms Minnelli has a multitude of notes, a virtual symphony in fact.
 
Ashley swaps the dowdy housecoat and slippers of Edna Turnblad for the glitzy sequins and sparkle of Liza Minnelli and we are all the richer for it. Looking at the publicity shots for Liza (On an E) there is a slight temptation to think the show could be a one joke wonder but this is far from the case. The first indication of quality is in the credits - co-writer (with Ashley) and Director is the prolific Dean Bryant, the man with the midas touch.  A list of seven musicians also bodes well for the night.
 
Simply put, Liza (On an E) is a sensational show. The combination of hilarious verbal and physical humour with tour de force renditions of an amazing catalogue of songs makes for non-stop entertainment. Ashley has the crowd in his hands for the whole show, which runs two hours plus, and one dare not look away for a second for fear missing the batting of an eyelash or the stumble of a high heel. Totally immersed in the character and spellbinding to watch, Ashley expends massive energy bringing Liza to life, thrilling the capacity crowd all the way.
 
From Mama to Lorna to David Gest, Liza skewers them all, with plenty of barbs for current targets such as Gillard and Gaga. Ashley’s comic timing and inflection are faultless and his ad libs are priceless.  In fact the piece is so well written, directed and rehearsed that it is impossible to tell where the script ends and the ad libs begin.
 
Hilarity aside, the towering achievement here is the virtuosic performance of the show-stopping numbers. While there are comic numbers with adapted lyrics, it is the authentic renditions of the classics that gives the evening a real sense of occasion and integrity. ‘The World Goes ‘Round’, ‘Ring Them Bells’, ‘Some People’, ‘Maybe This Time’, ‘New York, New York’ and more are brilliantly sung and sound fantastic with the band. The conviction and talent that Ashley applies transcend the comic setting and create an outstanding concert in its own right.  
 
Adding to the festivities in the second act is a special appearance by Ed Grey, star of Prodigal. Liza loves nurturing Young Talent so after leaving Grey to sing a gorgeous interpretation of ‘Tenterfield Saddler’, she returns to the stage to coach him through some of her special touches to a song. Grey is a good sport, being trapped in Liza web of insanity like a guest star on The Muppet Show.                                                      

 

 

Liza (On an E) plays for the next two Sundays at the Hi-Fi Bar (which is very nicely air-conditioned unlike several other venues around town). Attendance is highly recommended

State: 
VIC

About the Author

Simon has appeared in about 40 productions over the past thirty years. Favourite roles include Eugene Fodor in Crazy for You, Mr Fox in Mack and Mabel, Max in The Sound of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in Paint Your Wagon, Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les Miserables. Simon has directed several school productions. He choreographed Urinetown and Little Shop of Horrors for St Michael’s Grammar School, then went on to direct Hot Mikado and the Australian premiere of 13 for St Michael’s. Simon served on the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Committee for five years as Treasurer and is currently on the Board of The Opera Studio Melbourne. He is also a keen audience member, having seen 51 shows in six weeks on a recent trip to London/Europe. Simon also reviews for the Sunday Herald Sun.