Songs My Mother Taught Me

Songs My Mother Taught Me

Lorna Luft Celebrates her Mother Judy Garland

On Stage at Kingsborough

Kingsborough Community College

November 21, 2015

Photo courtesy of On Stage at Kinsgsborough

Lorna Luft wowed the sold out Brooklyn crowd at Kingsborough Community College with her one woman show, Songs My Mother Taught Me, a celebration of her mother, Judy Garland.  The show was one classic tune after another with video of Judy Garland, and images of the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.).  Ms. Luft is a powerful and talented vocalist with a unique connection to old Hollywood.  She skillfully belts out the old standards with vim and vigor, and tells stories of her life and challenges.

Photo courtesy of Songs My Mother Taught Me

Under the direction of her husband, Colin R. Freeman, Ms. Luft was supported by an ensemble of eleven musicians.  The ensemble was strong and vivacious, and filled the auditorium with enhanced rhythm.  Highlights of the show were when she sang Jerry Herman’s “Time Heals Everything” in the first act and “The Man That Got Away” in the second act.  The two songs she sang harmonizing with a video of Judy Garland were a bit too much, but the tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. was exciting.  The evening culminated with her telling the story of how Judy Garland got to Carnegie Hall in song and narrative.

If you have the opportunity to catch Lorna Luft’s cabaret, whether it be Songs My Mother Taught Me or another title, I highly recommend it.  Vocalists with this kind of power, skill, and style are a rarity.

Domenick Danza