The Act (1977 Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Barry Nelson, Fred Ebb, John Kander, Liza Minnelli

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1977
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Drg
• ASIN: B000000PG1
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,221 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Liza shines it on!, March 10, 2003

By	"sbunky" (Canton, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

In 1978, a friend and I drove overnight from Ohio to New York City without tickets to try to see "The Act." The Broadway Gods were looking down on us, because we were able to get front row aisle seats for an outrageous $25.00 a piece. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. What a wonderful reminder this CD is of that evening. Every song is a gem, but the showstoppers are "Bobo's," "There When I Need Him," "Arthur in the Afternoon," and of course, the mega-showstopper, "City Lights." But my favorite moment from the CD and from that night 25 years ago is "The Money Tree." Even typing those three words just now, gave me chills. The only thing better than hearing Liza sing that song on this CD was watching her sing it in person.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Liza - a great "Act"!, September 1, 2003

By	Mara Nellson (Manila, Philippines) - See all my reviews

My first copy of "The Act" is in vinyl from the late 70's and during one of my trips to the US in the 90's, I was so happy to come across the cd version of this Broadway musical in one of the small record shops in San Francisco . This cd has always been on major rotation in my player and has provided me with great music ever since - everytime! Liza is at her best in this recording. Every number, from "Shine it On", to "Walking Papers" is electric! Liza tears into each song and makes it her own - and no other singer attacks and gives 101% on every number like Liza does! She makes you want to jump and tap during her showstoppers - particularly in "City Lights". She also hypnotizes and makes you listen to each of the words - big and small in her ballads. She breaks me everytime I listen to "There When I Need Him" and the "Money Tree". Even the gosple-like "Turning" and the naughty "Arthur in the Afternoon" never fail to amaze. My husband even whistles to "Bobo's"! A friend who listened to this cd in the car asked for a copy and has been hooked ever since. I can't blame her.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MINNELLI'S TOUR DE FORCE CLASSIC~BRAVO LIZA!!!, May 10, 2004

By	Bradly Briggs (TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Anyone lucky enough to experience the Magic of Minnelli in the Kandler-Ebb classic "The Act" which was specially created to showcase Liza's kaleidoscopic talent, knows that this Legend has no peer then or now on the live concert stage and each time I attended this incredible event standing ovations were far too many to count and all well earned by Miss Minnelli. From the exhuberant opener "Shine It On", it is apparent that Liza is in peak vocal form singing with all of the passion and greatness that is her trademark. Romantic and reflective make "It's The Strangest Thing" a wonderfully appealing ballad while "Bobo's" is fun and energetic. Liza wearing a beautiful red dress came twirling down a pole and "Turning" became a beautiful and flowing ballet that turns into an engrossing up-tempo spiritual! "Little Do They Know" is a cute number for the chorus while love in the afternoon to relieve stress with a personal trainer make "Arthur In The Afternoon" a Liza classic which she would continue to include in her concerts for a number of years to great effect. Torchy and soulful make "The Money Tree" a passion filled stunning masterpiece as Liza pours everything she has into this greatly sung song and follows with a equally engrossing tour-de-force performance of "City Lights" which builds into a classic dance routine with Liza being lifted high into the air by a troup of dancers while belting out this showstopper making this one of Liza's major classics...full and rich yet tender and passionate is Liza's breathtakingly beautiful vocal on the winning "There When I Need Him" making it easy to see why so many fall in love with Minnelli's magical voice. I cannot think of any other singer who could bring so much to these songs as Liza does...she is simply incomparable throughout this great collection! "Hot Enough For You" is funky fun and the chorus does a reprise of "Little Do They Know" while Liza readies for the finale which is the reflective ballad "My Own Space" which is just a sublime Liza vocal with piano which is always a special treat! A soaring and soulful "Walking Papers" end this classic Tony Award Winning Show in a great spiritual fashion that has Liza singing with a great deal of passion and unmatched vocal brilliance. Anyone who appreciates a truly great singer will not want to miss this classic as Liza Minnelli is in peak form showing off the range of her remarkable talent~Viva Liza Minnelli!!!!!