LIZA WITH A “T”

(Tonya Koenderman)

Tonya Koenderman is back in town on the Rhumbelow Theatre stages with her one woman hit show, Liza with a "T", directed by Neil Lessick. It is a tribute to the great Liza Minnelli and has performed to sell-out houses and critical acclaim in Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, Durban, Cape Town, Namibia, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg.

The show tells the story of Liza's life - her close relationship with her father, her struggle to conquer drug and alcohol abuse, her many relationships, and of the influence her mother Judy Garland had over her. Mainly the show pays tribute to the songs Liza made famous such as Cabaret, Mein Herr, Maybe this Time, Money Money, New York, New York, and many more.

Hours of careful study of Liza Minnelli's moves and music resulted in a show that has brought great success for Koenderman. Her impersonation has been so impressive that she was invited to star in the look-alike, sound-alike show, Stars in Your Eyes in 1996. This was such a success that she became the only local artist to perform in the international show, Beyond Belief which ran for 18 months at the Sun City Extravaganza.

Other cabarets to her credit are "The Doo Wah Girls" directed by Kevin Feather' as well as We 3 with Gordon Mulholland and Paul Andrews. Her one-woman shows include Age of Aquarius, Divas to a T, Tonya Unwrapped, and Makin' Whoopee.

Koenderman has worked at Caesar's Casino as the guest artist in the dance extravaganza Dazzle directed by Bryan Bester, and Celebrate directed by Billy Hogg and Amber Baty. She most recently teamed up with fellow performer, Anne-Marie Clulow for the show, All of Woman and Shake Your Bootie.

She has done extensive corporate entertainment for companies such as Standard Bank, Nedbank, VW, Gillette, Appletizer, Coca Cola, SA Breweries, and Investec, to name but a few. She has worked extensively overseas, to places as far afield as Australia, Seychelles and Morocco.

Liza with a "T" will have performances in Durban on March 6 and 7 at 20h00 as well as on March 13 and 14 at 20h00 and March 15 at 14h00 and 18h30.

There will also be two shows in Pietermaritzburg at the Allan Wilson Shellhole on March 8 at 14h00 and 18h30.

The venues open 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner. Bring food picnic baskets. A bar is available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises). Tickets R120 (R100 a ticket for block bookings of eight or more. Also for pensioners for the first weekend in Durban only). There is limited secure parking and booking is essential through Computicket or contact Roland on e- mail roland@stansell.za.net or 082 499 8636. For more information visit www.rhumbelow.za.net

(NB: Braais will be available at Rhumbelow Durban for those who wish to cook some meat)