"Nancy Hays is a powerful Judy Garland as she opens the show with “Once In A Lifetime” and Liza is played to perfection..."
-Alan Breslov, Around the Town Chicago
-Alan Breslov, Around the Town Chicago
ONCE IN A LIFETIME is a re-creation of the iconic 1964 concert of the legendary mother-daughter duo of Judy Garland and an 18-year-old Liza Minnelli at the London Palladium. The show features their classic songs, costumes, dialogue and dance steps to help the audience relive this historic occasion, with solos like “The Man That Got Away”, “Just in Time” and “Gypsy in My Soul” and duets like “Chicago” and “Get Happy/Happy Days”, backed by a jazz combo led by Robert Ollis on piano.
The tribute show grew out of the hugely successful Chicago-premiere production of The Boy From Oz, with Nancy Hays starring as Judy Garland. Shortly after the show closed, Nancy approached music director Robert Ollis with the idea of replicating the famous Palladium concert with Nancy and Michelle Lauto reprising their previous roles as mother and daughter. He agreed to arrange and orchestrate the score, and the rest is history...
The show has had multiple performances to sold-out crowds at the Uptown Underground speakeasy in Chicago, with direction by Cam Turner and costume design by John Nasca. Later, the Judy & Liza tribute show was presented at New York City's famed cabaret venue: The Metropolitan Room. More recently, singer Alexa Castelvecchi stepped into the role of Liza Minnelli for a further series of concerts and cabaret engagements. at venues like Chicago's Irish Heritage Center and Club Arcarda in St. Charles, Illinois. With the assistance of consultant Nick Thornton, an expanded theatrical version of the tribute concert was presented with an extended run at the beautiful 700-seat-theater, The Palace in the Wisconsin Dells.
The tribute show grew out of the hugely successful Chicago-premiere production of The Boy From Oz, with Nancy Hays starring as Judy Garland. Shortly after the show closed, Nancy approached music director Robert Ollis with the idea of replicating the famous Palladium concert with Nancy and Michelle Lauto reprising their previous roles as mother and daughter. He agreed to arrange and orchestrate the score, and the rest is history...
The show has had multiple performances to sold-out crowds at the Uptown Underground speakeasy in Chicago, with direction by Cam Turner and costume design by John Nasca. Later, the Judy & Liza tribute show was presented at New York City's famed cabaret venue: The Metropolitan Room. More recently, singer Alexa Castelvecchi stepped into the role of Liza Minnelli for a further series of concerts and cabaret engagements. at venues like Chicago's Irish Heritage Center and Club Arcarda in St. Charles, Illinois. With the assistance of consultant Nick Thornton, an expanded theatrical version of the tribute concert was presented with an extended run at the beautiful 700-seat-theater, The Palace in the Wisconsin Dells.
