One of the first concert films made for television, LIZA WITH A Z (1972) starred Liza Minnelli and was produced by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Fosse also directed and choreographed the concert, while Ebb wrote and arranged the music with his songwriting partner John Kander. Minnelli performed highlights from Cabaret, along with a variety of popular songs and material written for her by Kander and Ebb, including the title song. LIZA WITH A Z is part of special programming premiering on WPBS beginning Saturday, August 14, 2021 repeats August 22 at 7:30 pm.
Liza with a Z wasn’t simply a case of putting cameras in front of an existing concert. Liza and her team rehearsed at a Broadway theatre for eight weeks, and the special was shot on film instead of video, a rarity for TV at that time. Marvin Hamlisch was the music conductor and Halston, a friend of Minnelli’s, designed the costumes. Premiering the same year as Cabaret (which would win Academy Awards for Liza and Fosse), LIZA WITH A Z earned four Emmy Awards, a DGA Award and a Peabody.
PBS special programming invites viewers to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. Viewer contributions are an important source of funding, making PBS programs possible. PBS and public television stations offer all Americans from every walk of life the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content.
Underwriters: Public Television Viewers and PBS
Production Company: Shout! Factory LLC
