GLITZ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
“Too much of a good thing, is wonderful ” … LIBERACE
“GLITZ”… a Vegas Spectacular celebrating the first Superstar who needed only one
name: LIBERACE!
Mr. Showmanship, was the entertainment giant, who shaped a
generation of Pop Stars from Elton John, to Prince, to Lady Gaga.
“GLITZ” is an extravagant display of Fabulousness in a high camp production with
a major dose of Glam.
LIBERACE, a one-man Disneyland, presents his Dream Show of Shows to his
adoring fans and ardent new admirers. A comeback performance, like no other,
that features classic highlights of his illustrious career, along with fresh new
renditions of hit songs-made famous by the music Superstars that he influenced.
His audience is made up of baby boomers, fashionistas, the LGBTQ Community,
and pop culturists. LIBERACE is “cool” again!
“GLITZ” portrays the triumphs, the struggles, and the secrets of LIBERACE’S life.
He is the famed international- virtuoso concert pianist, and the ultimate Las Vegas
Showman! From immigrant beginnings in Wisconsin, as a child prodigy musical
marvel, Wladziu Valentino Liberace, became the highest paid
entertainer in the world. He eventually broke attendance records at the
prestigious Radio City Music Hall, with 56-consecutive sold out performances,
selling 6,400 seats per show.
LIBERACE pioneered the first variety television show that drew more than 30
million viewers per week, and was the first TV star to look directly into the
camera. Viewers dressed up at home just to watch the show, believing that
LIBERACE actually saw them thru the TV!
“GLITZ” is: a kaleidoscope of bedazzled costumes, rotating platform lifts,
blinged out pianos, “tricked out” Rolls Royces’, baubles, boogie woogie,
sentimental flourishes, anecdotal jokes, famous friends, a menagerie of props and
puppets, Dancing Waters, 180-degree projection mapping, LIBERACE flying
across the stage in a cocoon of feathers, LIBERACE on ice… and a controversial
lifestyle.
The LIBERACE maximalist style features mash-ups of the great composers’
works with pop music, i.e.…a transcribed Chopin theme with a breakneck melody
layered over a thumping Hip Hop beat, as he dresses up the song of the day with
arpeggios and classic flourishes that spark an audience epiphany.
Recent events:
2013 – Las Vegas Cosmopolitan Resort Hotel display of LIBERACE
artifacts exhibit for 6 weeks – extended to 9 months
2013 –HBO premiered its highest rated movie, the acclaimed, “Behind the
Candelabra” Winning 11 Emmys and 2 Golden Globe Awards
2017 – Paris Museum of Modern Art showcase of LIBERACE jewelry
exhibit
2019 – New York Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibit of LIBERACE
costumes hosted by Lady Gaga and Vogue Magazine for Fashion Week
2019 – Grammy Awards opening number with Cardi B and virtuoso pianist
Chloe Flower featuring LIBERACE’S Swarovski crystal encrusted piano
2019 – Monte Carlo celebration of LIBERACE 100-year Anniversary
Upon his passing, LIBERACE donated 88 million dollars to the LIBERACE
Foundation for Music Scholarships, and the LIBERACE MUSEUM was created.
“GLITZ” is the show that makes Mr. Showmanship’s dream come to life. It is
what his show would look like today… as he continues to fascinate audiences. As
LIBERACE would say “Too much of a good thing, is wonderful ”
Press Release
PUTTIN’ ON THE “GLITZ”
The Musical story of Mr. Showmanship, Liberace, is coming to the stage live in the new Spectacular “GLITZ”, in 2023.
The Brand of entertainment upon which the Las Vegas Strip was built began with the greatest showman of all time, Liberace, who became an Idol with his sartorial flash and dynamic takes on the Great Composers, mashing up their Works with Pop Music.
Liberace influenced a generation of music Superstars.
”GLITZ”, a dream show for Liberace’s adoring fans, is a kaleidoscope of bedazzled costumes, baubles, bangles, and Bling, and is the epitome of Flamboyance.
“GLITZ” celebrates Liberace’s glittering return to the Vegas Strip, which he dominated for 5 decades performing with depth, breadth, and the ability to cross over all genres of society. Liberace appeals to baby boomers, new found audiences, Fashionistas, and Pop Culturists.
Liberace is embraced by fans in the Instagram age for his timeless and legendary talent. Most recently on the 2022 SUPERBOWL half time show, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg paid homage to Liberace rapping: “… lookin’ like I robbed Liberace” to over a billion TV viewers.
The Spirit of Liberace is back as Muse to the Virtuoso Pianist and his comic wit, bridging the past and the present in “GLITZ”.
Jeff Kutash is an Emmy & Golden Globe garnering Choreographer and Producer of twelve time Las Vegas Show of the Year “SPLASH”, that ran for 21 years. Mr. Kutash, who Created & Directed more Casino Shows than anyone in history, is at the helm of the “GLITZ” Production and also serves on the Liberace Foundation Board of Directors.
Who the hell is Liberace?
Liberace created the brand of showmanship on which the Las Vegas Strip was built.
The Las Vegas Weekly in 2013 called him the greatest Vegas headliner of all time, noting he had so many 'firsts,' that virtually all Las Vegas Headliner acts could be traced to, or through Liberace.
Liberace created bling. He invented the artist in residency model, in Las Vegas show business. He developed modern costuming and showmanship. He is the reason why Las Vegas looks like Las Vegas, the harbinger of the Vegas tradition of flash for the fun of it, luxury for its own sake. The epitome of Flamboyance, before LGBTQ acceptance, he was the the very impetus of "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," while always regarded as the ultimate gentleman.
Liberace lived in Las Vegas. That's where he pioneered show business, beginning in 1944 when there were only two hotels on the Strip, and continuing throughout his touring career, until 1986. He came to define the over-the-top luxury lifestyle of the Strip. His costumes remain the greatest in show business history. His furs and fashion set standards for generations. His cars remain the most elaborate stage vehicles ever made. He set records for attendance, ticket sales and earnings, at showrooms in Las Vegas, theaters in New York and stadiums around the world. He was the highest paid entertainer in the world for decades, beginning in 1955 when the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas paid him $50,000 per week. He gave away millions and his estate continues to do so today. He established a model for other celebrities to do the same, even long after he passed away in 1987. His impact was so known that his museum was one of the greatest attractions in Las Vegas for thirty years, including during his career. His brand estate was more extensive, better organized and protected, while being more licensable than any before him, or since.
In Liberace's lifetime he appeared on the Jack Benny Show, the Ed Sullivan Show, the Merv Griffin Show, the Mike Douglas Show, the Tonight Show, David Letterman, and many more. His own television show was the most syndicated in the US, and won him two EMMY Awards. He was featured on iconic television including Laugh In, the Flintstones, even Bugs Bunny and Batman. He hosted the Muppets, co-hosted many talk shows, was featured on What's My Line, This is Your Life, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, and many more. He starred in two films, made cameos in several more, and guest starred all over television.
In recent years Liberace appearances have been licensed so that vintage video of him, or and actors performing as him could appear in the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the Jim Gaffigan Show, Mozart in the Jungle, Bladerunner 2049, Rocket Man and many stage shows. His pianos have been borrowed for the 2019 GRAMMY Awards and the 2020 Oscars. His jewels have been exhibited at the Paris Museum of Modern Art and Monte Carlo Fashion Week. His costuming has been exhibited at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, and inspired numerous stars' attire at the 2019 MET Gala. Cited as the inspiration of many performers, Liberace is mentioned in the lyrics of over 200 songs, in all genres, from country to hip hop.
Liberace is the subject of three films and multiple documentaries. He has two stars on the Hollywood walk of Fame. He musical arrangements are the subject of academic papers, as having been far ahead of their time. His largest music license was by Adidas in 2020, for piece Liberace arranged in 1967. His name has been licensed in recent years for everything from steak houses to shoes. His appearances have over 20 million views on YouTube. His costume designs are held by the Smithsonian Institute. His influence on Las Vegas is recorded in Library of Congress. His arrangements are praised in the Journal of American Music. known to everyone's grandmother, young fans today collect his memorabilia and artifacts, all over the world.
Liberace is the godfather of modern showmanship, stagecraft, costuming, showbusiness and luxury lifestyle. He is the personification of Las Vegas culture.
Legends Attract Legends
Jeff Kutash wears Liberace.
Imagine you taught Michael Jackson the Moonwalk, and John Travolta Disco.
Imagine you’ve produced more for the stages of Las Vegas than Cirque, including the longest running show in the history of the Strip.
For four decades you’ve run with the titans, and danced with the mob. You’ve got an Emmy, a Golden Globe, you’re a showbusiness insider from Osaka to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and you’re about to announce the show of your life.
Jeff Kutash
- Producing, directing and booking entertainment in Las Vegas Casinos for the last 25 years
- Trendsetting effects of his contributions are part of the canvas of Las Vegas
- TV work garnered Emmy and Golden Globe awards
- Inducted as a Choreographer to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000
Jeff with celebrities
Jeff with Michael Jackson
Jeff Kutash's OLE! OLE!
Jeff Kutash (cont'd.)
1970's
Early 1980's
Early 1980's
- Created the first rock ‘n roll revue at the International Hilton for Dick Clark
- Choreographed for John Travolta's appearance in Saturday Night Fever
- Continued staging and began co-producing television for ABC, NBC, CBS, Viacom and Filmways
- Garnered an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his participation on "Taxi"
- Staged the 20th Anniversary Grammy Awards
Early 1980's
Early 1980's
Early 1980's
- Steve Wynn hired Jeff to serve as the Entertainment Coordinator for the Golden Nugget Hotels in Las Vegas and Atlantic City
- Created "Dancin' Machine" revue which won Las Vegas' Show of The Year
- Retained to stage Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Bette Midler creating their opening attractions
1985 to 2010
Early 1980's
1985 to 2010
- Selected by Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas to create a water show spectacular.
- "Splash" ran for 20 years and went on to become one of Las Vegas' most coveted award-winning productions
- Served as The Riviera's Entertainment Coordinator
- Developed a second and third company that played in Reno, Nevada and Osaka, Japan, where Mr. Kutash supervised the design build of a 1,000 seat complex
- Staged Entertainment for HBO's Entourage
Resorts World Las Vegas Liberace Tribute Display
