"Liberace."
Did you smile when you saw that name? Or, unbidden, did a picture of a man come into your mind? A man dressed as if someone went wild with a Bedazzler on his clothing, sitting at an equally dazzling piano with a candelabra perched on it and smiling so whitely you'd expect a to hear a delicate bell tinkle as a little star gleamed off his teeth?
If you did smile and did picture him, you know who Liberace was. But you likely know only the surface. I've learned lately, that while Liberace certainly does symbolize all the glitz that the words "Las Vegas" conjure up in the minds of tourists, even more important, he is a symbol of a segment of the community that is not always center stage and is not seen by the tourist or casual observer.
In 1976, the Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts was formed to endow scholarships for students and institutions involved in the arts nationwide. Three years later, the Liberace Museum was founded. The museum is thriving and millions of dollars in scholarships have been awarded. Last week the museum's 30th anniversary was celebrated in a very wonderful Las Vegas community style.
It was a really sweet, nostalgic, old-fashioned evening. This being Las Vegas there were, of course, a red carpet and a show. The red carpet didn't feature Brangelina or Kate Winslet or Johnny Depp. But that wasn't important, because it was a Las Vegas evening celebrating a citizen of Las Vegas.
Some who were there, like former Supreme Mary Wilson, you may know immediately. Others, like Sonny Turner of The Platters or Clint Holmes, you may remember. But there were lots known only locally, gathered to show support for an only-in-Las-Vegas institution.
The people there had two things in common -- they were entertainers based in Las Vegas and, aware of Liberace's contribution, they want to celebrate him.
Las Vegas entertainers, you see, are joined in a close community. There are those who are well known, as Liberace was. There are others who work steadily but aren't "names." Then, there are those entertainers whose shows are lauded locally, who are top tickets here, and generally are not -- except in their home towns -- known at all outside the city limits. They do play elsewhere but are billed as being "from Las Vegas."
But, wherever they go, Las Vegas is home. They participate in a charities and causes. They show up to lend a helping hand. They are there when needed and are, not always publicly, an asset to the city.
At any rate, the evening was hosted by Lorraine Hunt-Bono and her husband, singer Dennis Bono (pronounced like Sonny did, not like U2 does). Lorraine started out as lounge singer Lorrie Perry and had a successful career. She played the Landmark Hotel when it was built by Howard Hughes and, then, entered politics. She rose through the ranks and became Lieutenant Governor. Hunt-Bono's family owns the city's legendary Bootlegger Bistro, one of the few places on The Strip that's not a hotel coffee shop that offers food, drink and gaming 24/7. They even have entertainment every night.
The Bonos hosted an evening that saw their community shine. There were wonderful performances by skilled performers. Most notably were two children.
Now, I know if you're like me your reaction will be, "Yuck. Children." But, wait.
The first of these was nine year-old Abigail Varghese. She won the Junior Division of the Liberace Piano Competition. She played three short classical selections and was all talent and charm. Watching, you knew -- you hoped -- you'd be hearing about her again.
Then another nine year-old stole the spotlight. Domenick Allen opened for Liberace for four years beginning in 1980. Or, as he said, "You didn't really open for him. That fur coat and the Rolls Royce were his opening."
Allen talked of "Lee's" generosity to many people and then sat on a stool and sang the refrain, "I'm discontented with homes that I've rented, so I have invented my own. Darling, this place is a lovely oasis where life's weary taste is unknown."
Then, he walked to the piano, sat on the bench and talked of how Liberace was his mentor so he wanted to carry on the tradition. He introduced his protégé, his daughter Cayleigh Capaldi and together they sang the rest of Tea for Two. The child has clearly inherited her voice from her father and her mother, the actress Leigh Zimmerman who came here as Ulla in The Producers. The kid sure can sing.
It was that kind of night -- warm, old-fashioned and sentimental. The show was terrific. Audience and entertainers clearly enjoyed being there that evening. As noted, this is a Las Vegas most people don't see. And that's too bad. At the very least, you should visit the Liberace Museum.
In the knowledge that Liberace, and maybe that show, was a bit corny, I'll note that the entire cast ended the evening with I'll Be Seeing You and add -- "I certainly hope so."
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