Author: Paul Robicheau, Boston Globe Correspondent

Date: MONDAY, February 23, 1998

LOWELL -- The Tsongas Arena isn't about to be confused for a cabaret. But for its opening concert Saturday, the area's newest hockey rink was set for a special night, and Liza Minnelli -- who has been struggling of late to regain her form -- fit the bill.

The arena, perched alongside the Merrimack River, is a viewer-friendly venue. As one climbs the stairs from its atrium entrance (with a mural of the late senator Paul E. Tsongas), the entire rink opens up to the eye. Open sightlines from more half the concourse allow patrons to see the show while on their way to the refreshment stands.

The Minnelli opening drew a largely older crowd of 5,200 (of a capacity of 7,200). Ticket prices ranged from $10 seats to $75-a-seat tables on a carpeted floor around the center stage. But the looming issue was how would both the venue and Liza sound?

The answer came soon after the lights went down to a tympani roll and brass fanfare, and Mnnelli arrived in a sequined suit to launch into "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy." Coming off throat and knee surgery last year, Minnelli, 51, was still at half-speed, balancing a hint of old bravado with hushed talk-singing.

But if she didn't project some phrases to the upper seats as smoothly as her orchestra did, the sound was as clear as that of any area arena -- much better than the Gosman Center and Wallace Civic Center. Acoustic panels between the concourse and girder ceiling helped.

More painfully noticeable than Minnelli's uneven singing was how out of breath she was after only a few songs. After surging to handle the "Gypsy" show tune " Some People," she gasped, "It's no sense trying to pretend that last number wasn't hard."

The Cortes Alexander Trio spelled Minnelli for a few songs in the 45-minute first set, and while lacking resonant voices, the guys gave heft to a " Stormy Weather" that reached the rafters. Liza also rallied in a last "I Love a Violin," joining the trio in a spritely march toward all four sides of the stage.

Minnelli delivered a stronger 35-minute second set. She began with a low-key " Alexander's Ragtime Band," her voice lost when she held the mike away from her mouth for effect. But she carried a laid-back "Life is a Cabaret" with dramatic gestures, kicking as the lights rose and fans clapped along.

"I'm so thrilled and honored to be the first performer here," said the now-charged Minnelli, who earlier recognized Tsongas's widow, Niki. Donning a tuxedo and a feather boa, the singer charmed her way through Lieber & Stoller's slinky "Some Cats Know" and caressed notes in Gershwin's "Embraceable You" before tackling "New York, New York" in slow, graceful fashion, taking a drink before its last line. An a cappella encore of mother Judy Garland's standard "You Made Me Love You" was weaker, but a touching close to the opening show.

"Ideally, we're trying to offer something for everybody," said arena genaral manager Tom Paquette. The other extreme will be tested March 6, with rockers Primus.

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