Lorna Luft...Songs My Mother Taught Me

She is in a hard... no VERY had profession. At times critics are going to be nasty. She is the daughter of a true legend, and thus held to a way higher standard ( Fair ..no, but a fact). Ms. Luft grew up in the "biz" so she knows that bad ( And I mean REALLY bad reviews) are all part of it. She will go on the next night and the night after that its all part of the gig.
B

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I saw Lorna years ago a few times when she was performing at Rainbow and Stars on an annual basis. Her voice was amazing - her patter and presence weren't great, but her voice and her ability to sell a song were. She's also a very nice lady. That review makes me sad.

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Lorna's limelight has always been dimmer than Liza's.
She's had really hard times in the past (anyone who's read Me and My Shadows will know). Compared to some of the stuff she's had to face, this review is about the size of a papercut. I only hope this show someday comes to Broadway.

Saw this in LA - and while I readily admit that Ms. Luft has admirable chops and adequate stage presense, she in NO WAY comes close to dynamic galvanizing stage presenses of her mother or sister. Her act was polished and adroit - but distant. The NEED that Judy and Liza had to connect with their audience was not there. Not sorry I went at all - and she certainly doesn't deserve bad reviews - but this might be the cost of setting yourself within the realm of the mother whose reputation you've faught against all your life.

Lorna Luft

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All the other reviews have been glowing, one critic calling her a "living legend." Nevertheless, there are people who relish in putting Lorna down, just as there are people who relish Liza when she's a mess, just as there were people who relished Judy when she was a mess.

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I don't think she's that well received in the States either. Arthur Whitelaw (writer/director of Snoopy) said this morning that everyone kind of turned against her, as she's just out for making money out of her mother... Well, I haven't seen her yet, though she's not really on my wish list anyway.

April 21, 2004 - DressCircle.co.uk – UK
Songs My Mother Taught Me - a review of Lorna Luft's show
by Chris Goepfert

On Tuesday 20th April, in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, I was lucky enough to see a showcase of Songs My Mother Taught Me, performed by Lorna Luft.

The show is basically the story of Judy Garland seen through her daughter Lorna's eyes. Through the journey we learn a great deal about both mother and daughter - the great shows are all there, the arrangements are fantastic and Lorna is in great voice and more that does justice to her mother's memory.

There is a particularly clever reworking of Born in a Trunk to encompass parts of Judy's career. Great use is also made of a video screen where we get to see clips of Judy herself performing - and the 'duetting ' between the two is superbly staged.

I understand the show is due to come to London in June for a limited season. I urge anyone who loves Judy, Lorna or just great music to watch this space for further details.

A definite must-see for the coming summer.

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Thank You "PalJoey"