Elaine Stritch at Liberty

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious, gripping and poignant
Review: As a longtime fan of Elaine Stritch, I knew I would probably enjoy this DVD, but I am simply overwhelmed by the wit, the class and the faultless style that went into this performance by a legend captured, thank God, still at the height of her brilliance. The hilarious anecdotes about her experiences in "Pal Joey" and "The Women" alone would be well worth the price of this DVD, yet there is much, much more. Not many other actresses could shift so deftly from self-deprecating humor to pathos and back again, all in what seems like a heartbeat, and all underscored by stylish performances of some great songs. Suffice it to say this DVD deserves to take pride of place in the collection of any theatre fan. Warmly and very enthusiastically recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Class will tell
Review: Elaine Stritch is that rarest of finds, a true star. The experience of watching her perform is mesmerizing. Anecdotes about Merman, Garland, Brando and Rock Hudson are usually the highlight of celebrity one woman shows.
Ms. Stritch has an abundance of such stories, that goes without saying, her showbiz pedigree is legendary. Noel Coward called her "Stritchie".
In "At Liberty", however, these stories merely provide a backround for a marvelous fully realized performance. As Stritch levels the full force of her personality at the audience, one can easily see why she was able to impress such theatrical lumunaries as Noel Coward, Richard Rogers and Steven Sondheim. Her singular, remarkable (if self depracating) charm combined with a superb sense of timing, make this show better than the sum of its parts. Each word of this show has been carefully crafted, and then, Ms. Stritch has polished those words to a brilliant sheen. What other artist could recite the entire "Hail Mary" in the middle of a show ,and, have it pay off handsomely?
Cole Porter once said of this girl "She talks funnier than the scripts". This show gives you a chance to see what he meant, and, to cry a little too. Strich is brutally honest about her dissapointments and offstage shortcomings. Her stories pull you into the overheated competative world of big time showbiz, and you will feel like you suffer every indignity WITH her.
In short, if you appreciate true talent in its purest form, you will be able to view "Elaine Stritch at Liberty" many, many times and find something new to appreciate each time.

Rating:
Summary: LOVE this Broad!
Review: Elaine Stritch is the last of the legends.

Not many out there who can still mesmerize and audience for 2 1/2 hours but Elaine Strich is from the old school and even more importantly, she tells the truth! About her alcholism, battle back, career problems, etc.

I also love to see shows recorded live. Even if it was not the most interesting filming of it, it is still so important that it is recorded and there is nothing else like it!

Rating:
Summary: A treasure
Review: Forever amber. I have enjoyed the CD since it first came out. However, it just doesn't compare to actually seeing this show. What an incredible talent. What a show. It is hard to believe that any performer, no matter their age, could perform this program eight times a week. It truly staggers the imgaination. Considering the hype and the praise that this show received prior to being released on DVD (and how high my expectations have been), I fully expected to be a little disappointed in the final product. Not so. This should be in every theatre lovers collection. If you care about musical theatre or the performing arts - this is a DVD you should not be without. Great talent Elaine, and you didn't @#$%-it up. You're lookin good mama!

Rating:
Summary: A treasure
Review: Forever amber. I have enjoyed the CD since it first came out. However, it just doesn't compare to actually seeing this show. What an incredible talent. What a show. It is hard to believe that any performer, no matter their age, could perform this program eight times a week. It truly staggers the imgaination. Considering the hype and the praise that this show received prior to being released on DVD (and how high my expectations have been), I fully expected to be a little disappointed in the final product. Not so. This should be in every theatre lovers collection. If you care about musical theatre or the performing arts - this is a DVD you should not be without. Great talent Elaine, and you didn't @#$%-it up. You're lookin good mama!

Rating:
Summary: Near perfect reprise of a great show!
Review: Having been fortunate enough to catch this show on Broadway in its closing weeks, I highly recommend this DVD as the perfect accompaniment to this great lady's performance. Despite a few minor (very minor) technical glitches in my copy, it is an honor to be able to bring this show into our home to share with friends. Ms. Stritch is a marvel. Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: Near perfect reprise of a great show!
Review: Having been fortunate enough to catch this show on Broadway in its closing weeks, I highly recommend this DVD as the perfect accompaniment to this great lady's performance. Despite a few minor (very minor) technical glitches in my copy, it is an honor to be able to bring this show into our home to share with friends. Ms. Stritch is a marvel. Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: Only one teensy tinsey flaw...
Review: I agree with the rave reviews that have accompanied this DVD. I saw Elaine live in New York and had to return two years later to see her in San Francisco--to confirm that she was as fabulous as I had remembered. And she was! And still is on this DVD. My one teensy tiny complaint is that the DVD has way too many tight shots. The "Elaine Experience" is so much about seeing her full body language as it punctuates comments and thoughts. The world is very lucky that this performance was preserved. "Another vodka stinger..."

Rating:
Summary: Only one teensy tinsey flaw...
Review: I agree with the rave reviews that have accompanied this DVD. I saw Elaine live in New York and had to return two years later to see her in San Francisco--to confirm that she was as fabulous as I had remembered. And she was! And still is on this DVD. My one teensy tiny complaint is that the DVD has way too many tight shots. The "Elaine Experience" is so much about seeing her full body language as it punctuates comments and thoughts. The world is very lucky that this performance was preserved. "Another vodka stinger..."

Rating:
Summary: Awesome!!!!
Review: I have heard of Elaine Stritch, but I did not really know her. I bought this DVD on the strength of the customer reviews. To all the reviewers, thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed this DVD. It was funny, informative, entertaining, beautiful and most of all, honest. It was a warts and all story of Ms. Stritch's life, and any viewer will come out of it admiring her even more. Highly recommended for any lover of broadway theatre.