I did quite a few cabaret concerts in 2012. I went to Kansas City to perform at the gala for the opening of Like Me Lighthouse, a new LGBT center. Then I did a concert at the Alice Tully Hall for the Lincoln Center, another at XL Lounge which was a benefit for the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and several appearances at galas including the Public Theatre's at Joe's Pub and the Lunchbox Fund.
Later that summer I performed with Liza Minnelli at the Ice Palace in Cherry Grove on Fire Island. Daniel Nardicio had asked me to do a show as part of his Legends season of concerts at the Ice Palace, and then later he called me up and asked if I would mind a) having a guest star perform with me and b) if it was Liza!
I love Liza. We met in 1998 when she came to see me inCabaret on Broadway. Afterwards, in my dressing room, the first words she ever spoke to me were 'Alan, I want to be your friend forever.'
We worked together shortly thereafter when we performed in a Kander and Ebb tribute at the Kennedy Center Honors. A few years later we recorded a duet, Baby It's Cold Outside for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the 9/11 Fund. We have remained friends and now have a new bond through having done this amazing night together. It was the hottest, sweatiest evening of the summer but we both had a blast and something really special happened. I think people saw how much we love each other and what fun we were having, and it was infectious.