Fringe News
Fringe News
"Liza Live! is a Liza impersonation done right by the firecracker talent of Jennifer Walls. Walls' earth-‐ shaking set of pipes alongside an impersonation that steers clear of parody and goes all in for a loving, caring portrait of Liza.” -‐ Michael Lyons, FAB Magazine
Experience Liza Minnelli like you've never seen her before. Featuring music and memories from one of the most dynamic (and dysfunctional) female stars of the last 60 years, Liza Live! is a hilarious and heart warming look into the life of a woman who when the going got tough, the tough hit the stage.
After her sold out run at the Next Stage Festival, Jennifer Walls gives you Liza Minnelli like you’ve never seen her before.
LIZA LIVE!
Don't worry. Just stick with me. I'll never let you down. I won't. Just believe me, not what you read. Just believe what you see, all right? -‐ Liza Minnelli
Annex Theatre
730 Bathurst St
July 8 – 3:15pm July 9 – 10:15pm July 12 – 4:30pm July 13 – 2:15pm
Conceived, performed and produced by Jennifer Walls Featuring Donavon LeNabat and Jamie Bird
Directed by Byron Laviolette – Original Dramaturgy by Ryan G. Hinds Stage Managed by Sonia Vaillant – With additional writing by Shane Hollon
ABOUT THE SHOW:
LIZA LIVE! began as a small cabaret at a piano bar on Church Street in Toronto. After several small cabarets, "Liza" began making guest appearances at cabarets and events across the city at a variety of venues including Muzik, Crews & Tangos, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre and The Green Door Cabaret. This past January, "Liza Live!" was chosen as part of the Toronto Fringe's Next Stage Festival as part of 10 of the best in Toronto Independent Theatre. It enjoyed sell out shows and critical acclaim for Walls' performance as Liza Minnelli.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION:
Fringe and Next Stage Festival starlets Jennifer Walls and Laura Anne Harris present their two solo shows, Liza Live! and The Homemaker in one venue! Two different characters from vastly different circumstances; one familiar face, Liza Minnelli who was born a star, the other, Janet Cardinal, an isolated housewife in Saskatchewan who has always dreamed of being on stage. Both Ms. Walls and Ms. Harris are exploring each characters triumphs and deep vulnerabilities, which will make for a memorable fringe experience.
ABOUT TOTAL BETTY PRODUCTIONS:
Total Betty Productions was created in 2012 as a platform for LIZA LIVE! at the 2012 Next Stage Theatre Festival. Since the NSTF, LIZA LIVE! has been developed from a 30 minute intimate cabaret to a full hour in a theatre space in the Annex Theatre. After the Fringe, TBP is co-‐producing Liza and Barbra, Together At Last (featuring Gabi Epstein as Barbra Streisand) with Angelwalk Theatre as part of their Showcase Series at the Toronto Centre For The Arts October 19th.
PRESS QUOTES:
“Walls is supremely talented, and has every mannerism of Liza Minnelli perfected. Her performance of “Liza with a Z” is outstanding...Walls portrays Minnelli as someone with drive and dreams, bringing both inspiration and smiles to her intimate audience.”
-‐ Victoria Begin, Theatromania ****
“Liza Live! is a Liza impersonation done right by the firecracker talent of Jennifer Walls, a performer in her own right minus the Minnelli element. Walls brings an earth-‐shaking set of pipes alongside an impersonation that steers clear of parody and goes all in for a loving, caring portrait of Liza, a figure at once comic and tragic. The mannerisms, the voice, the silly glamour: all of it is there without becoming a caricature.”
-‐ Michael Lyon, FAB Magazine
“Walls zestfully impersonates Liza...to a tee!”
-‐ Ori Dagan, Wholenote Magazine
“Jennifer Walls is stellar as Liza. Her stance and gestures are spot on and she nails Liza’s cadence, lisp and breathing.”
-‐ Jennifer McKinley, Money On Theatre
“Walls does a fine impersonation of the more famous of Judy Garland’s daughters, complete with vibrato when she holds a note and Minnelli’s occasionally and intentionally raspy intonation as well.”
-‐ Jon Kaplan, Now Magazine
“Walls delves gently into some of Minelli’s complicated history with her famous mother, and paces the exposition nicely with those signature tunes, making the half hour simply fly by.”
-‐ Steve Fisher, Torontist ****
Please note that there are absolutely no latecomers.
Toronto Fringe Festival, July 3-14
Fringe Box Office Information: On-line sales www.fringetoronto.com
By phone: 416-966-1062; Ticket cost: $10.00 (at the door); $11.00 (in advance)
Photo: Jennifer Wells as Liza Minnelli. ©2012 Total Betty Productions.
2013-06-14
Liza Live!