Liza Minnelli didn't dodge the question Sunday night in the Tony Awards press room. When she visited on the arms of Michael Nouri in her rather unusual Halston gown, she was asked if she had plans to return to Broadway again soon? "Sooner than you think," she said, "but I'm sworn to secrecy."
At 10:45 last night, the secret was out. Liza was back on Broadway! Not in her own show, but again as a special guest of producers Roger Berlind, Martin Richards, Sam Crothers and Cy Coleman at the Coleman-Ira Gassman musical The Life. Liza's been pals with the musical's composer for years and with the company since the show began previews (often dropping by at the spur of the moment for impromptu visits). She's heard singing two songs from the show on the pre Broadway RCA concept album. However, Monday night she performed one of those songs live with Life co-star Sam Harris and, a few minutes later, broke a promise she made to her mother. One she vowed she'd never break. Coleman was brought out during the curtain call by Sam Harris. He paid a tribute to the cast and then noted that Liza was in the audience and had offered to do something special. She was lifted onto the stage -- already miked [she let the cat out of the bag at intermission when she could be heard on her mike]. "I just love this company," she said. "They're a great bunch of people and I enjoy hanging out with them. Every single person in this show deserves a Tony Award! In fact, every kid on Broadway who goes out there and does it eight times a week deserves something!"
Coleman stepped forward and said, "We're going to roll the piano out. I know you've got all sorts of throat things." "So who knows what's going to come out!" she laughed. "I don't sing as good as Sam!"
Minnelli and Harris dueted to "Use What You Got." Liza blurted, "Oh, my God, I'm so nervous!" She thanked the audience, Coleman, and the company profusely. The composer then made Liza an honorary member of the cast, with her own official The Life cap and and oversized T-shirt. Liza quieted the house. "It's my mother's 75th birthday this year," Liza explained. "She gave me so many things, and I promised her when I was 16 that if she let me go to New York and try to audition to be on Broadway, I'd never sing her songs. And I've kept that promise. Cy and my friend Billy Stritch told me that I'd know when it was time to break that promise. And I think the time's come!"
She sang "You Made Me Love You" a cappella. Though she has a cold and some notes come out rough, it was a mesmerizing moment.
