Just for a moment, forget all the peripheral stuff. Let's say we've found this force-of-life performer, in great shape, doing a new show based on vintage material.

Her name is Liza (with a Z) and part of the new act has to do with Kay Thompson. Now that name may not ring them bells (that's a clue), but Ms. Thompson wrote the Eloise books, which were based on Thompson's goddaughter, Liza Minnelli. Thompson was also featured in the movie Funny Face as a Diana Vreeland-type character, and performed occasionally in nightclubs. Are you with us so far?

Minnelli's new show is in two acts, act one is Liza material, act two recreates Thompson's nightclub act. She's just played several dates in Florida and the buzz from down South is, as they say, boffo. Watch for details of new performance dates here. You go, girl!