LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY Lights Up PBS

I still remember the first time I heard Liza Minnelli’s voice echo through my living room. I was nine, rummaging through an old collection of vinyl albums my grandmother had kept hidden in a wooden trunk. Among the dusty relics was a cast recording featuring Minnelli in glorious form, belting out showstoppers as though her life depended on it. In that moment, I was mesmerised by her distinctive vibrato, the way she could turn a phrase from tentative quiver to triumphant roar in a single breath. It felt almost illicit, like I was peeking behind the curtain of a legendary star’s soul. Little did I realise back then how many more layers there were to Liza Minnelli—not just the performer, but the woman who overcame staggering personal odds to become one of the few to achieve the coveted EGOT status.

Now, decades later, a new documentary is set to lift the curtain further. Entitled LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY, this film ventures into the star’s life during the pivotal 1970s. After premiering in select cinemas around the United States earlier this year, it is poised to make its PBS debut on 1 April at 9 PM ET as part of the American Masters series. For those of us outside America, worry not—it will also be available to stream. So, if you’ve ever been curious about Liza Minnelli’s journey through heartbreak, reinvention, and unstoppable showbiz flair, this might be your perfect front-row seat.

Don’t Miss This Documentary

We all know Liza Minnelli as the vibrant performer behind iconic theatre roles and timeless film appearances. She’s won Tony Awards for FLORA, THE RED MENACE and THE ACT, earned a Tony nomination for THE RINK, and even picked up a Special Tony in 1974 for “adding lustre to the Broadway season.” Not to mention her memorable stints in other stage productions, including LIZA’S AT THE PALACE… and MINNELLI ON MINNELLI. In terms of star power, she’s absolutely bulletproof.

Yet LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY does more than just rehash her triumphs. The film zooms in on an intensely poignant chapter of her life—the era shortly after losing her legendary mother, Judy Garland. This was a time when the young star navigated a maze of personal upheavals, professional aspirations, and the immense weight of public scrutiny. Drawing upon archival materials and Minnelli’s own insights, the documentary reveals how she forged her own identity, discovered her unique voice, and blossomed into a bona fide international superstar—all in a decade that could easily have swallowed her up.

If you’re fascinated by what it truly takes to reach the pinnacle of showbusiness, the documentary’s portrayal of behind-the-scenes grit will resonate profoundly. And if you simply love a riveting, rags-to-riches (or in this case, heartbreak-to-spotlight) story, the film’s blend of tragedy and triumph is bound to keep you glued to your screen.

The People Who Shaped Liza

One of the documentary’s most compelling threads is its focus on the mentors and creative collaborators who helped Liza Minnelli carve out her unique path. From the dynamic composer-lyricist Fred Ebb to famed choreographer-director Bob Fosse, the film offers glimpses of those heady collaborations that shaped Minnelli’s artistry. The luminaries appearing with first-hand insights include singer and archivist Michael Feinstein, actor Mia Farrow, legendary triple-threat performer Ben Vereen, and famed Broadway star Joel Grey. And yes, you read that right—the late, great Chita Riveraalso lends her voice to this tapestry of memories.

One name that might catch you by surprise is Kay Thompson, the woman behind the Eloise children’s books and an accomplished singer-dancer in her own right. The documentary reveals that Thompson served as something of a showbiz fairy godmother to Minnelli. Through her flamboyant approach to entertainment, she taught the young star how to craft a persona that was simultaneously larger-than-life yet deeply human.

You’ll also hear about Halston, the fashion designer whose glittery, boundary-pushing style became synonymous with Minnelli’s stage image in the ‘70s. The film’s coverage of their relationship underscores how crucial costume and visual branding were to the rising star. Meanwhile, French singer Charles Aznavour emerges as another crucial figure in Minnelli’s development—a mentor who opened her eyes to the power of raw, emotional expression within a performance.

A Deeper Look At The Challenges

It’s easy to forget how terrifyingly lonely stardom can be—particularly when one’s every move is judged against that of an iconic parent. After the tragic passing of Judy Garland, Minnelli found herself wrestling not only with grief, but also with the public’s unspoken expectation that she would step seamlessly into her mother’s shoes. The documentary doesn’t shy away from illustrating how, in those first few years, Minnelli’s personal struggles were magnified by her attempts to honour Garland’s memory without becoming a carbon copy of her.

Beneath the glamour of neon lights, gaudy costumes, and sold-out venues, there lay an unrelenting pressure to remain on top. The film employs never-before-seen footage to demonstrate the pitfalls of fame in that era. Archival interviews from colleagues and friends paint a portrait of a determined, sometimes fragile Minnelli—someone who fought demons of self-doubt, sporadic health concerns, and a swirling tabloid culture always hungry for its next morsel.

And yet, the documentary also highlights moments of carefree exuberance, capturing Minnelli’s capacity to transform a stressful environment into an impromptu party. We see glimpses of backstage banter and quick costume changes, reminding us that behind every poised performance lies a flurry of comedic slip-ups, near-miss disasters, and a sense of camaraderie unique to the theatre.

What Makes This Film Different

Plenty of documentaries tackle the life and times of famous stars. But LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY stands out for a few reasons. Firstly, Minnelli herself actively participated, offering personal reflections that add a candid dimension. Often, these kinds of retrospectives rely on second-hand accounts or strictly curated interviews from the star. Here, you get direct commentary from a woman who has lived and breathed each step of her journey, ensuring the film has authenticity coursing through its veins.

Moreover, the team behind the documentary is led by Bruce David Klein, who wrote, directed, and produced the feature. With decades of experience creating in-depth specials, Klein brings a fresh perspective to Minnelli’s story, underscoring the emotional and psychological nuance often glossed over in glossier tributes. Alex Goldstein also served as producer, with Dana Craig as co-producer, rounding out a creative ensemble that was clearly committed to capturing more than a highlight reel of career milestones.

Finally, it’s important to note that the film began its run in cinemas, attracting positive buzz from audiences who were eager to see how it would handle such a beloved star’s complicated background. Since 24 January (in New York) and 31 January (in Los Angeles), critics have praised the documentary’s balanced approach—lauding its ability to celebrate Minnelli’s extraordinary talents without whitewashing the personal challenges she overcame.

Consider This

Here’s a tidbit many casual fans might find surprising: Liza Minnelli’s enduring popularity in certain circles stems from much more than her famous surname or the smash success of Cabaret. For instance, within the LGBTQ+ community, Minnelli has long been revered not just as an entertainer, but also as a beacon of resilience. Her willingness to embrace misfits, stand proudly alongside drag performers, and champion equality made her a genuine ally well before the term became commonplace.

In LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY, you glimpse the embryonic stage of this aspect of her persona. When the documentary explores her sense of otherness—being overshadowed by a mega-star mother and forging her own path—it resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. That sense of kinship can be a powerful magnet, drawing entire communities to her orbit. Even if the film doesn’t overtly emphasise her LGBTQ+ following, it’s impossible not to see why Minnelli became (and remains) an icon in those spaces.

A Woman. A Legend

With her EGOT status, countless sold-out concerts, and a towering legacy on both stage and screen, Liza Minnelli might seem like someone whose story we already know by heart. But LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY demonstrates there’s always more to discover—more candid moments, more obstacles overcome, and more reasons to admire this incomparable performer.

As a theatre devotee who has seen my fair share of documentaries, I can assure you that what sets this film apart is its deft balance of candour and celebration. Watching Minnelli’s evolution from a grief-stricken young woman into an unstoppable force of nature is not just about stardom; it’s about finding hope and creativity in the face of adversity. Whether you’re a lifelong admirer or simply someone craving a behind-the-scenes peek at showbiz reality, this documentary is the perfect invitation.

So, mark your calendars for 1 April at 9 PM ET if you’re in the States (or fire up your streaming platform elsewhere). Prepare to be dazzled by the grit, gumption, and raw talent of Liza Minnelli—the star who refused to be eclipsed by tragedy and instead chose to create a brand-new constellation of her own. Because if there’s one lesson her story imparts, it’s that true brilliance can’t be contained—it simply demands to shine.