Joey Luft Shares His Mom, Judy Garland, With Audiences

Rare film footage, family stories, and collectibles to be featured

Michelle Roe Arts & Entertainment

 

A celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the classic film, The Wizard of Oz, included a tribute to the film’s star, Judy Garland, at the 2014 Academy Awards earlier this year.

Her three children, daughters Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft, and her son, Joey Luft, were on hand to witness the honors. Joey has always been “behind the scenes”, the quiet sibling with what he describes as “two extroverted sisters.”

Photo Courtesy of Joey Luft

Joey with his mom, Judy Garland.

With the anniversary of the film's release, Joey Luft believes it was the perfect time to share some of his mom’s history from the perspective of her loving son. In collaboration with John Kimble, his childhood friend and longtime associate of his late father, producer Sid Luft, Joey has created a heartfelt traveling show, A Judy Garland Concert With Joey Luft.

The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents Luft’s show, Oct. 17-18, at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs.  

Luft’s says his favorite part of the show “is both the beginning and the end. There is a montage of me growing up with my mom and photos of me as a baby until now. It’s set to a soundtrack playing, Happiness is a Thing Called Joe."

Photo Courtesy of Joey Luft

Joey Luft sings with his mother.

Creating the show, a mini-story of his memories of “mom” has been a labor of love for Joey.

“It’s from my heart,” he says. “Very touching…some of it is very emotional.  It’s kind of based on how I felt and what I saw growing up with my mom.”

For years, he worked with Kibble alongside his father (until his dad’s death in 2005) to bring their vision to the big screen in an adoring medley using new technology to enhance sound, color, and film footage.

“My mom’s voice was so powerful and the music she chose to sing was so telling about her life,” Joey says. “Many fans know about her films, but there is so much more to her legacy. I wanted to try to educate people, younger generations, about who she was, what she did, and what she was all about — one of the world's greatest entertainers."

What You Will See:

• The evening features colorized footage from The Judy Garland Show and performances such as Stormy Weather, Come Rain or Come Shine and of course, Over the Rainbow.

• Joey Luft shares funny stories about his mom growing up.

• Michael Seiwert will have a wonderful collection of costumes from many of Garland’s film roles.

• There will be an exhibit of rare photos of Garland’s life and career.

• A Q&A session with Joey Luft and Kimble will follow the multi-media presentation.

 

"A Judy Garland Concert With Joey Luft.” 9 p.m. Oct. 17-18, at Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs, 760-325-6565; www.thepalmspringsculturacenter.org

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