Review - Music and Memories

Actress/singer Karenssa Lagear and pianist extraordinaire Wayland Pickard as the one and only Liberace are in Escondido at the Welk Resorts Theatre for one more week performing the fabulous Music and Memories through February 8. Lagear as guest artist lends her gorgeous legit soprano to a song from The Scarlet Pimpernel ( the next attraction at the theatre) and assists Pickard as his guardian angel at the top and end of the show.
I have seen Liberace: Back From Heaven at least 3 times and would travel far to catch it again. I keep hoping, as I am sure Pickard does: next stop Las Vegas. This show is that good, not only because Pickard is a superbly talented pianist but more importantly - he captures the charisma and outlandish style that was Walter Valentino Liberace - better than any performer/ impressionist who did or is currently doing him.
Highlights in the 90-minute set include a wide variety of musical tunes, among them Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Memory" from Cats, "Classical Gas", Debussey, Hollywood Movie Classics like "As Time Goes By", John Barry's "Somewhere in Time", Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and Lee's signature tune "I'll Be Seeing You".
It's a glorious evening of Music and Memories that audiences of all ages will enjoy.
Pickard changes costumes (what a treat!) and wears makeup designed by Oscar-winning Kevin Haney... that is so real you'd swear you were looking at the legend himself!
5 out of 5 stars