I just watched an interview with Judy Garland from 1964. She states that Liza was understudying Barbra in a Broadway show. I know nothing about this. Is it true? If it's not true, what's the story behind Judy saying this?
Barbra only has two Broadway credits - I Can Get It For You Wholesale & Funny Girl. Her understudies in those productions were Louise Lasser & Lainie Kazan respectively. So Liza would have never have understudied Barbra. Not quite sure where Judy came up with this, but Liza would've been interesting in either of those parts.
Love Liza- but she was all wrong for Funny Girl- she was great in Flora The Red Menace- one of the all time best theater experiences in my youth. Such different energy from Fanny Brice- but she was mesmerizing as Flora.