Luft the true star in a tribute to Garland at DI

Joe Delaney

Friday, March 24, 2000 | 10:36 a.m.

Lorna Luft is currently performing her concert act, "Songs My Mother Taught Me -- A Celebration of the Music of Judy Garland," this week and next in the Desert Inn's Crystal Room. The classic, intimate showroom is perfect for this multimedia concept show that includes a 15-piece orchestra, slides, incredible video clips and the original Garland musical arrangements plus the Sammy Davis Jr. chart on "Birth of the Blues."

Writers Ken and Mitzi Welch, best known for their work on the Carol Burnett TV shows and once here with the Tropicana's "Folies Bergere," did their usual top-notch job writing the show. Thommie Walsh is entitled to mention for his direction. Luft's husband, Colin Freeman, does a fine job conducting the Desert Inn Orchestra and doubling as piano accompanist.

While it is a heartfelt, tasteful, warm and, at times, very moving tribute to her mother's memory, Luft is the star of the show. We haven't seen her since she opened for the late Sammy Davis Jr. in the Sands Copa Room sometime in the 1970s. She has improved light years since, as a singer and as a performer. She has the voice, the charisma, the power and the dynamics to more than do justice to her mother's songbook.

The overture, beautifully played and just enough, sets the proper mood, for the first video clip of Judy Garland singing "Lorna," written for her daughter, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer and music by Garland's conductor, Mort Lindsay. Luft is greeted at her entrance, singing a special verse and the song "When You're Smiling." This is followed by "Rockabye Your Baby," serving notice that the audience is in for a very special evening.

"Just In Time" is sold softly, followed by another film clip with duets between Luft and Garland on "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" and "Through the Years." Very moving. "Chicago" swung, setting up a change of pace with Jerry Herman's "Time Heals Everything," from "Mack and Mabel," written with Garland in mind.

Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" and "Be a Clown" with clips from Garland movies was both funny and touching. "Come Rain or Come Shine" was given a bravura performance as were Sammy's "Birth of the Blues" and Harold Arlen's classic, written for Garland, "The Man That Got Away."

Luft's children on tape asking questions about their grandmother introduces an all-out medley of Garland's best, complete with film clips, leading to bows and a return for a beautiful rendition of "One Shining Star" that develops into a duet with Garland singing "Over the Rainbow" as an accompaniment.

A strong campaign is warranted by the Desert Inn. If you can get people in to see this outstanding evening of entertainment, word-of-mouth could result in an early return and a long, successful run.