Glitz Reflects Liberace Legacy

LAS VEGAS--In keeping with Liberace’s flair for flamboyancy, an oversized neon pink piano and a giant rendition of the late pianist’s signature grace the entrance to his museum.

Despite the triple-digit heat, hundreds of residents and tourists turned out Thursday for the expansion of the nonprofit Liberace Museum. In keeping with his over-the-top tastes, the newly refurbished museum houses a collection of the Las Vegas entertainer’s cars, pianos, costumes and jewelry.

Magicians Siegfried and Roy, holding a 7-week-old white Siberian male tiger, arrived in Liberace’s pink Volks-Royce convertible to cut a rhinestone-encrusted ribbon.

“He really was the king of the showman,� said Siegfried Fischbacher.

Among Liberace’s other friends attending the opening were entertainer Charo and Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, who had performed with the pianist in Reno.

“Liberace is part of Las Vegas culture,� Hunt said. “This museum will make sure we never forget our history.�

The two-year, $1-million facelift, which includes a tile wall featuring the notes for “The Beer Barrel Polka,� reflects Mr. Showmanship’s love of music, according to architect Francis Xavier Dumont. The new look is Dumont’s design in conjunction with the Leo A Daly engineering firm.

The museum has a new exhibit gallery featuring Liberace’s costume designers, a cafe and an expanded gift shop.

Liberace died of complications from AIDS in 1987.

The museum is owned and operated by the Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts, which has given $4.5 million in scholarship grants since 1976. The museum opened in 1979.