Liza Minnelli Page 2

Reality star David Gest died after suffering a stroke, his US lawyer has confirmed. The 62-year-old former husband of Liza Minnelli was found dead in London’s Four Seasons Hotel in April by concerned hotel staff, after he had not been seen for two days.

David Gest death in April was caused by a stroke

Speaking to The Sun, US attorney Edward Bearman, who has been dealing with Gest’s estate, said: “I’ve been told David died from a stroke.” Gary Veazey, the executor Gest’s will also added: “He died of a stroke.”

Continue reading: David Gest Died After Suffering A Stroke, Lawyer Confirms

Though she was visibly frail, Liza Minnelli still managed to charm her devoted audience at London’s South Bank, as part of their ‘The Rest Is Noise’ series of concerts; a year-long exploration of 20th century music. Representing 1930s Berlin (Minnelli, of course is still largely synonymous with the role of Sally Bowles in the musical Cabaret, set in the same era), Minnelli gave whatever energy she had to old favourites such as ‘Say Liza (Liza With A Z)’ and ‘New York New York.’ She may not have the stamina that she had as young performer but Minelli has retained every inch of her charm and allure.

The Financial Times review describes Minnelli as “breathless, reaching for a teacup of water, leaning on the piano for support rather than in seduction,” and explains that she took advantage of band leader Billy Stritch’s solo on ‘No Moon At All’ to take a much needed break from proceedings.

Continue reading: Still Got It: Liza Minnelli Works Her Charm For '30s Inspired Set At Royal Festival Hall

Liza Minnelli is returning to London's Royal Festival Hall next year and frankly we can't contain our excitement much more.

The stage, screen and studio star will be performing at the Royal Festival Hall to celebrate the hit musical Cabaret next year, forty years after she last performed at the famed venue. Her last performance there came during the hugely successful 'Liza With A Z' tour and come March 2013 it will be as if she never left, as Minnelli will be performing many of the songs that she took with her all those years ago.

After the announcement of her upcoming performance, which will take place in March 2013 (an exact date is yet to be given), she told the press in an official statement, "I'm always so excited to perform in London, I have so many friends and fans there I consider it my second home. And to be returning to the Royal Festival Hall after all this time is thrilling." Liza's performance is part of the Southbank Centre's 'Berlin in the '20s and '30s' weekend, which will also include a screening of Cabaret, for which Minnelli won the Best Actress Oscar in 1973.

Continue reading: First Time In 40 Years: Liza Minnelli To Perform At Royal Festival Hall, London

Liza Minnelli, queen of Broadway and Cabaret, is set to reprise a musical role in the song-driven television show 'Smash', reports the LA Times.

The NBC show revolves around a group of characters in the milieu of theatre, creating new shows on NYC's infamous Broadway. The setting is perfect for Minnelli whose career is based on musical theatre and movies. Robert Greenblatt, the president of NBC Entertainment knows what an honour it is to work with the theatrical veteran. "I had the pleasure of working with Liza when we restored her landmark television special 'Liza With a Z' at Showtime, and to see her artistry up close and personal is a thing to behold." He said, "Liza Minnelli is the essence of a multi-talented, singular show business sensation, particularly for her extraordinary contributions to Broadway... So what could be more fitting than to have her legendary talent on a show that celebrates a world Liza has dazzled for decades?" 

Minnelli will perform a duet of an original song alongside the show's character 'Tom', played by Christian Borle. Other names and faces that you may recognise from the show are Debra Messing (Will&Grace), Anjelica Huston (The Addams Family) and Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean). So far the show has had rave reviews, proving to be the 'Smash' that the title yearns for. Undoubtedly Liza will only add to its success.

Barbra Streisand has officially become the most expensive touring artist of all time. The 70 year-old singer is about to embark on a rare tour and will be charging her fans up to $1,500 for a ticket. And if you've got the $1,500 for the ticket, the assumption is that you won't mind shelling out the $75 service fee on top of that, either. Huffington Post report that Streisand's newly-announced batch of concerts will be charging the extortionate prices, including two dates at Brooklyn's Barclays Centre on October 11 and 13, 2012.

One tour promoter explained why Streisand is so in demand: "Streisand isn't an artist that goes on the road all the time. In fact, seeing her perform live is a very, very rare thing. I can't think of another artist that could sell tickets at a price like this -- maybe if Elvis came back from the dead. What's the most amazing thing is she doesn't care. Her attitude is, 'If you want to hear me sing, pay up." It's not all an act of greed on Streisand's part though; proceeds from the highly-priced tour will go towards charities supported by the Barbra Streisand Foundation; it's not just a ploy to increase Barbra Streisand net worth. Still, it's a hell of a hike from her 1994 ticket prices, which went at around $100 for the top priced tickets.

Last night (September 18, 2012), Barbra Streisand joined Aretha Franklin and Liza Minnelli in a concert paying tribute to the late songwriter Marvin Hamlisch. Streisand performed a version of 'The Way We Were,' from the film of the same name.