This Sunday HBO will premier “Behind the Candelabra”, an extensive look at the life of Liberace, and one of the stages most inspirational performers in recent generations. The project has an amazing cast, with Academy Award winners Michael Douglas and Matt Damon set to star in the Steven Soderbergh directed film.
The movie itself is based on a script written by Richard LaGravenese and executive produced by Jerry Weintraub. Also appearing in the film are co-stars Dan Aykroyd, Scott Bakula, Rob Lowe, Paul Reiser, Tom Papa and Debbie Reynolds. To kick-off the premier of the film this Sunday, there will be a week-long celebration being held at the Time Warner Center in New York city leading up to Sunday night. Liberace was a man of well established decadence and known for unique personal style which was cemented in his 40-year career on stages throughout the world. HBO is backing the “first-of-its-kind” Liberace exhibit, which is open to the public with some truly amazing pieces.
These pieces come exclusively from the Liberace Foundation, (an amazing institution that helps talented students in Southern Nevada pursue careers in the performing and creative arts through scholarship assistance and artistic exposure) and have been brought to New York to assist in the celebrations. On-hand at the The Liberace exhibit you will see personal collections and gifts, like the world’s largest rhinestone that Liberace cherished, as well as other perfectly unique elements that reflected Liberace’s outlandish tastes. There is his priceless, and instantly recognized, signature crystallized Baldwin grand piano (shown above) and Liberace’s personal sparkling rhinestone roadster (both of which will be on-hand to see for yourself). The collection is also sponsored by Moët & Chandon, which is the perfect fit for such an experience. Moët & Chandon have constructed a giant champagne-tower, which has been topped off with a larger-than-life crystallized champagne bottle in honor of Liberace and his work.
The film will highlight these affluent pieces as well, but the dramatic flare of Liberate did not end when he left the stage. The project takes a very personal look at the relationship of Scott Thorson and Liberace, a relationship that had to be hidden due to the culture at that time. The tumultuous affair lasted for five-years, and at its end it was one of the most heart-breaking and devastating relationships set before the public of that era.
The event is currently being held in The Time Warner Center, 20 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019 from Monday, May 20th, 2013 through Monday, May 27th, 2013. The exhibit will be available from 9am to 9pm on those days.
