RIALTO CHATTER: 'Liberace' Musical Hopes to 'Play' for Bdwy

Variety reports that a musical performance based on the legendary Liberace hopes to light a few candelabrum on a Broadway "piano" next Fall season, with "Liberace: The Man, the Music and the Memories".

Created by and starring Wayland Pickard as the flamboyant pianist the show is being produced under the auspices of Edmund Gaynes and Nancy Bianconi.

"Liberace" re-creates a Vegas showroom performance by the late entertainer. Pickard, in heavy makeup that boosts his resemblance to the musician, performed a similar show under a different title in L.A. in 2006 and played another Southern California stint earlier this year reports Variety. To read the full article click here.

Pickard appears in the show with a other supporting performers. Pamela Hall, whose Off Broadway credits include the upcoming "Danny and Sylvia: The Danny Kaye Musical," is set to direct the show.

No Broadway dates or a theater have been set at this time.

Pickard developed "Music and Memories" with the help and support of the Liberace Foundation & Museum in Las Vegas.

Liberace became a star in the '50s, both through his records and assorted television and film appearances. His appearance and repertoire became increasingly campy, as he dressed himself in rhinestone, gold lame, furs, and sequins while playing everything from Gershwin and show tunes to lounge jazz and light classical pieces, with a candelabra placed on his piano. Liberace's star rose rapidly in the early '50s, as he had his own television show, titled The Liberace Show.