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LIZA MINNELLI TO STAR IN BRISBANE SHOWS NEXT YEAR
BRISBANE COURIER MAIL
30 OCTOBER 2009
PRODUCER David Hawkins is set to realise an almost life-long dream next year when he brings legendary singer Liza Minnelli to the Brisbane stage. Hawkins, who's currently producing the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch at QPAC until Sunday, said he convinced Minnelli to come out next September-October through 20 years of persistence.
"I met Liza when I was 15, in 1989 when she came out here with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr," Hawkins told Confidential.
"We met in Sydney and we got on really well for a 15-year-old and a 40-year-old and we kept in touch with letters.
"I've been asking her to come out for three or four years. The funniest thing was when she met me she said 'You don't take no for an answer kid, never change'."
Persistence paid off for the star-struck young performer-turned-producer and after years of experience under his belt working with the likes of divas Lorna Luft (Minnelli's half-sister), Lillias White and Tony award winner Faith Prince, Hawkins is ready to take on the doyenne of musical theatre.
"It's huge, it's really exciting. The show's about her godmother Kay Thompson, who wrote the book Eloise based on Liza," he said.
"The new show is probably the first time she's talked about her family. She's not big on talking about her past.
"It initially wasn't something I thought I could do but with the support of other promoters it's been really terrific."
Hawkins said Minnelli had added China to her pre-Australia schedule for next year, with venues undecided.
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