Liberace: Real and Beyond

CLOSING APRIL 29, 2024

Discover the life and legacy of Las Vegas icon, Liberace! Liberace: Real and Beyond features rarely-seen costumes, religious items and other personal effects, historic photographs, and ephemera. Together, the collection tells the story of Liberace’s complicated life, showcases his contribution to the world of classical music, and highlights his influence on contemporary pop culture.

Liberace (born Wladziu Valentino Liberace) was born to Polish-Italian immigrant parents in Wisconsin in 1919. He was a piano child prodigy and at age twenty performed as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. But instead of following a classical music career, he became an entertainer and showman in cabarets and hotels where he mixed pieces by Chopin alongside folk songs. His 1950s television program, The Liberace Show, brought his musical style to an audience of over 30 million viewers. After moving to Las Vegas, he further developed his act and his moniker “Mr. Showmanship” thanks to elaborate costumes created by famous designers. The legendary performer died in 1987 at the age of 67.

Liberace: Real and Beyond includes items borrowed from the Liberace Foundation, which runs the Liberace Museum Collection from Thriller Villa and Liberace Garage in Las Vegas. The Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts, founded by Liberace himself in 1976, maintains the costumes, pianos, automobiles, antiques, art, jewelry, awards, and intellectual properties of the iconic entertainer.