Elaine Stritch at Liberty

Amazon.com

Star, legend, force of nature--whatever you call Elaine Stritch, it probably applies, and it's never more apparent than in her deeply personal one-woman show, At Liberty. With only an oversize shirt, black tights, and a chair, Stritch mesmerizes a full house at London's Old Vic Theatre with tales of her 50-plus-year career on stage and screen. It's a priceless glimpse of backstage theatre to hear her recount how she served as standby for Ethel Merman in Call Me Madam in New York at the same time she had a featured role in Pal Joey playing in New Haven, Connecticut. And she tells about the people she mingled with (Noel Coward, Judy Garland, Rock Hudson), her disappointments both professional ("I blew The Golden Girls!") and personal (her bouts with drinking). At Liberty is more of a monologue than a musical performance, though she does perform some of her signature songs like "Zip" and "The Ladies Who Lunch." At Liberty won a Tony Award in June 2002 for Special Theatrical Event, but Stritch's triumph was tempered when she was not allowed to complete her acceptance speech. Her response to it here is just one of the touching moments in a remembrance of a historic career. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Elaine's Pity Party.......2007-04-16

I have been an Elaine Stritch fan since 1970 when I was a freshman in college and saw her in "Company". Perhaps if I had seen "At Liberty" live rather than on dvd I would have had a better reaction to it. Perhaps what comes across as whiny, self-indulgent and disagreeable on dvd would have been electric and fascinating in person. I don't know. As it is I deeply regret having watched this. For the most part, I have never wanted to meet the performers whom I enjoy and admire, because I don't want a possible negative encounter to ruin my enjoyment of their performances. I've heard too many stories from people who have had dealings with singers or actors and regretted meeting them. That's a little how I feel about watching this performance. It is going to be a while before I can once again enjoy her other performances without being influenced by my totally negative reaction to this performance.

Perfection.......2006-11-10

I was lucky enough to see this show at The Old Vic theatre in London, which is where the DVD version was filmed. An incredible lady, an amazing performer, a magnificent show! Can't wait for her next venture...

Insufferable.......2006-08-12

I know, I know - Elaine Stritch is a "legend" - she makes sure you know it, believe me... Maybe I'm the only one in the universe who felt like smacking her, but, I felt like smacking her. She offers a few bon mots about Old Hollywood and Broadway, however the rest seems like a self-congratulatory vanity piece. I got the feeling that she's been practicing these "naked" little soliloquies for her audience of one, in front of the mirror, for years. Maybe that is the point of the show, I don't know. Perhaps some think she should be humored because she's 80, but crikey, I just found most of it insufferable. Sorry Elaine...

A has-been.......2006-06-16

The reviewers here are rating the performer, not the show. Stritch looks haggard, sings horribly, and most of her stories are only interesting to her. A dreadful performance all around.

Defining a Legend.......2006-04-23

Just about as honest, open, and vulnerable as a performer can be. I saw this show when it first aired and bought the DVD so I can watch it over again. The performance Stritch gives is greater than any of her other work because it incorporates the best of so much of her stage, screen, and TV work. I had the pleasure of meeting Stritch at a SAGE awards dinner in 2005. When I asked her to autograph my DVD she seemed genuinely flattered. The nakedness seen in this show is a glimpse into the personality of a truly gifted performer.

DVD:

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