BIO gets musicals fever

Heads up show queens (you know who you are), BIO has slated a string of nostalgic musicals through July and August, all of which will be followed by Biography specials on their stars.

These are packaged together as Songbook Stories With Deborah Hutton.

Bio channel is making Sunday afternoons something to sing about, launching a double feature of celebrated movie musicals and star biographies this weekend with Cabaret followed by an intimate portrait of Liza Minnelli.

Bio’s Deborah Hutton presents this celebration of musicals followed by insights into the talents, triumphs and tragedies of the fascinating artists that made them sing.

Often these box office hit musicals were credited with catapulting actors to superstardom, such as Minnelli’s breakout performance in Cabaret, which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress and opportunity to prove herself beyond the shadow of her mother Judy Garland, who was just 16 when she made The Wizard of Oz.

Then there’s Debbie Reynolds, who comments in her biography that two of the hardest things she has ever done in her life were childbirth and Singin’ In The Rain.

Songbook Stories With Deborah Hutton:

Cabaret | Liza Minnelli
Telecast: Sunday July 1 At 3.30pm AEST

The Wizard Of Oz | Judy Garland
Telecast: Sunday July 8 At 3.30pm AEST

Singin’ In The Rain | Debbie Reynolds
Telecast: Sunday July 15 At 3.30pm AEST

The Rose | Bette Midler
Telecast: Sunday July 22 At 3.30pm AEST

Sweet Charity | Shirley Maclaine
Telecast: Sunday July 29 At 3.30pm AEST

West Side Story | Natalie Wood
Telecast: Sunday August 5 At 3.30pm AEST

The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas | Dolly Parton
Telecast: Sunday August 12 At 3.30pm AEST

Jailhouse Rock | Elvis Presley
Telecast: Sunday August 19 At 3.30pm AEST

*Bio will also air the AFI (American Film Institute) Life Achievement Award celebration for Shirley MacLaine in August.