BWW Interviews: Lorna Luft talks Carnegie Hall Tribute to her Mom

On March 11th the New York Pops (led by Steven Reineke) will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Judy Garland's iconic 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall. The concert was a comeback of sorts for Garland, who had taken a few years off to rest and recover from various problems. She came back with a bang. The Carnegie Hall show was loved by America, recorded for prosperity and the recording is popular to this day.

Steven Reineke is conducting the concert, which features three remarkable Broadway stars singing Judy's songs. Ashley Brown, Heather Headley and Karen Olivo will be joined by Judy's daughter Lorna Luft for one night only to pay homage to Judy Garland and her music. The show will feature many popular songs such as "Over The Rainbow", "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "The Trolley Song" and also a few that are perhaps not as well known.

BWW had the opportunity to talk to everyone involved in what promises to be a very magical evening, and will be featuring interviews with all the parties during the week leading up to the big event. Today we talk to Judy's daughter Lorna Luft, about her involvement in the show, and her memories of the historic 1961 concert.

Congratulations on this amazing celebration of your mother's life and work! Could you tell us a bit about how you became involved? Did Steven Reineke approach you?

The lovely people at the New York Pops got a hold of me and said they were going to do the show. It was a little tricky because I'm playing a show here in Palm Springs the night before. But I knew I wanted to do it! So it was basically just the logistics of getting me to NYC for the big event!

We've been talking to the other ladies who will be performing on Friday, and one of the things that keeps coming up is how happy everyone is to have you on board, because it lends support to the project. How do you feel about the celebration?

I was there that night in 1961, and I was only 8 years old. Looking back, I'm not sure if I can think of another artist that has given one concert and 50 years later it is still being celebrated! It's pretty extraordinary. Plus it's the New York Pops, which is probably one of the most phenomenal orchestras in the world. At Carnegie Hall for a 50th Anniversary. What can one say except thank you - thank you so much for doing this.

Do you remember much about the original night at Carnegie Hall?

Vanity Fair is actually coming out with an article on the evening, and they are calling it "The Greatest Night in Show Business History." I do remember it, but I remember the things a child would remember. I remember I had on a white dress, and I remember thinking I had never seen an adult act the way people were acting. They were screaming and yelling and running up to the stage, trying to shake Mom's hand. I remember thinking to myself, "this isn't the norm, this is something special."

Did you have a favourite moment that night?

No, I was only 8! I think at that time my favourite moment was probably when my Mom took off her make-up and was just my Mom. To everyone else it was "Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall" but for me, I just wanted her to come home and have breakfast with me in the morning. And just be my Mom. That's what I would look forward to.

Now that you are part of the concert, is there any one song or moment you are most looking forward to?

No, I think I'm just excited to be honouring her work, and these orchestrations and this amazing talent that we had for such a brief time. And I'm truly grateful. I'm grateful there will be an audience filled with people of all different age groups, getting to experience and listen to this extraordinary music that was written for my Mom. I'm so happy they are using the original arrangements as that was part of the exceptional and extraordinary person who was Judy Garland.

You touched on the original orchestrations and how this is extraordinary music, what would you say to encourage a younger audience to come out and experience a night like this?

All I would say to a young audience would be that this is an opportunity to come and experience the arrangements and music that put a footnote in show business history. These songs are so identifiable with my Mother because they were written for her vocal ability, and her vocal genius.

Many young people might primarily know Judy Garland through her movies but perhaps haven't had the chance to experience what she was like in concert. To see and hear these arrangements once again being sung, with the New York Pops, will be something to remember.

Also, if it weren't for people like my mother and music like this, we wouldn't have the music that we have today. Young performers need to realize that the originals are worth looking to, listening to and learning from. No matter what you want to sing in your life, you should go back and listen to the original and hopefully that will make you a better performer.

What do you think about the 1961 recording of this evening?

It's a fantastic recording. And the thing that is so amazing about it and a real testament to that night is that it is still in print after 50 years. I'm not sure if there is any other recording that has consistently been produced for that long.

One last thing that we have been focusing on is how instead of "re-creating" that concert this evening is paying homage to your Mom. Is that how you envision this event?

Absolutely. You can't recreate a night like that, so you shouldn't even try. You can however pay homage, and be grateful that it ever happened and that we still have it with us in audio form. Sometimes people ask me if I'm frustrated that there is no video footage of that night, but I think that the true essence of that evening jumps out of the music when you listen to it. Having only the music leaves everything else to the imagination, and it's extraordinary. I think it is one of the greatest live albums by any female artist ever, and I hope that Friday night has just as much magic and raw human emotion. I hope that we all have a lot of fun and treat it as a real celebration, and that the people who come out to enjoy it have a fantastic evening remembering Judy Garland.

When and Where?
The Great Judy Garland
Carnegie Hall

March 11th, 2011 at 8PM

Tickets range from $16.50 to $106 and can be purchased at the box office, by phone at 212-247-7800 or online here