Liza Minnelli received five standing ovations and earned them. She remains the consummate performer on every level—honestly, lovingly gracious to the audience and the ISO players, to her own sextet and director, and to the writers of songs she delivers within a range of pizzazz, flirty, vamp, melancholy. She pulls old favorites out of her cookie jar to serve them up with her impeccable phrasing, articulation and body language so that song not only makes us feel good then and there but nourishes our souls long after we return home and reflect upon this concert. We love her not only because she is unstoppable but equally because she admits to being nervous and confesses "It's because we do this together" – she and the audience—that she can get up on our stage and hold us in thrall for an hour. She was Roxie Hart in a searing glimpse of her stellar "Chicago" run. She pulled us into a different layer, eschewing the easier path as Sally Bowles for an edgy take on "Come to the Cabaret." She burrows into torch songs and renders them inside out. She shimmies, shakes, double steps fast tunes and hugs the piano with ballads. She tells us, "I love you too," and we know she is real saying it. Thank you Liza for coming to warm us on a blustery night.

Liza Minnelli Photo © & courtesy of Unknown