A Carnegie Hall tribute celebrating Liza Minnelli’s 80th birthday took place recently, though the iconic performer herself was notably absent from the event. The concert, titled “Liza! at 80: A Celebration in Song and Dance,” featured performances by several prominent entertainers, including Andrew Rannells, Mario Cantone, Robyn Hurder, and Kristin Chenoweth.

Initial anticipation that Minnelli might appear in person was fueled when Andrew Rannells suggested during an interview that she could make an appearance. However, Minnelli did not attend, much to the disappointment of long-time fans in attendance.

Also absent from the tribute was Minnelli’s longtime accompanist, Billy Stritch. Some attendees speculated that his absence might be linked to reported tensions between Stritch and Michael Feinstein, who has served as Minnelli’s recent primary pianist and musical collaborator. Despite these absences, the event was widely praised by attendees for its heartfelt celebration of Minnelli’s career.

Julie Halston, a close friend of Minnelli, emerged as one of the evening’s highlights. She shared a humorous anecdote from a Barbra Streisand concert at Madison Square Garden in the 1990s, involving Minnelli, Halston’s late husband Ralph Howard—a notable New York City radio personality—and the flamboyant fitness guru Richard Simmons. Halston recounted how Simmons, moved to tears, tried to reach backstage with a doll he had crafted for Streisand, pausing briefly to compliment Howard.

In a poignant moment near the conclusion of the program, Minnelli’s sister, Lorna Luft, performed the Gershwin classic “Liza,” providing a familial link to the tribute. Despite Minnelli’s absence, fans described the more than two-hour celebration as a joyful and lavish homage, characterized by a deep appreciation for her enduring influence in the entertainment world.