THE BIG STORY

A Star Was Born

BY RICK BOETTGER

     Key West’s own Liza Catana did indeed “knock it out of the park” at a sold-out Tennessee Williams Theatre in Randy Roberts’ That’s Entertainment 4!!!!  It was quite dramatic. When Randy introduced her first song, there was just a smattering of applause as this little 15-year-old kid walked out onto the stage.

    People didn’t come from all over the Keys and pay top dollar to support local hopefuls. They were there for the national stars Randy can entice, including winners of the Helen Hayes, Garland, Dramalogue, and Tony awards, and, oh yeah, an Emmy. Tiny Liza was sharing the stage with national stars. Pressure?

     Her first duet was a relatively simple Disney piece. She sang the first half, then gorgeous David Burnham joined her briefly before she walked off while he sang the second half. So he got all the applause.

     Her second song was the shocker, taking on perhaps the most famous duet ever, All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera. The remarkable Vegas star Brent Barrett starts, and four times Liza comes in with her luscious soprano high notes, music that makes your ears light up, with a rich, full timbre that is immediately special, a one-in-a-million sound we rarely hear live.

     Then the song concludes after a dramatic pause with the always surprising jump up further in pitch to an ethereal note that reaches right into your heart, making me actually cry at its beauty. You could feel how the audience knew they had just heard something special, as their previously doubtful applause converted into the greatest ovation of the night. No pressure. It was the moment she has lived for, and she grabbed it.

     Almost better was when Liza joined in twice with the ensemble songs, her high note sitting distinctly like a cherry on top of their sundae, adding a dollop of richness to even all their talent.

     How did this happen?  Two words: Randy Roberts. He is a big enough star to put his reputation on the line by giving the local kid a chance. He heard something so special it was worthy of sharing time with the national talent he can attract.

     We are so lucky he has spent 16 years with us, doing his show at LaTeDa’s Crystal Room. He came here when I did and I have aged, while he has not. He either has God’s plastic surgeon (or genes), plus four hours a day working out, or there’s a painting in his attic like Dorian Gray’s. He comes out for the first half as this scrumptious redhead, with all the moves. For the second half he’s a jacket and tie guy, short haired and cute. In either case, you can’t take your eyes off him no matter who else is on the stage.

     It takes a talent that huge to appreciate and encourage the kind of talent Liza has. Yes, I recognized the same thing last October when, after hearing her once, dumped my plans of advancing my own singing in favor of doing everything I could to advance hers. I had nothing to do with her getting this shot with Randy. I’m trying hard but getting almost nowhere so far, whereas the rare Randys of the world, with the ear, influence and generosity of spirit that he has, are what she will need to go national.

     And national is where she needs to be. I am laboring to help get her heard by the Randys in N.Y. and L.A. The only sad note is we are going to lose her. Many people who love her and have helped her get this far would love her to stay and sing for us in her high school and church. They say they want her to enjoy being a kid, or that big songs will somehow endanger her voice. They feel a guy like me is stealing her away, and I feel sorry for their perceived loss.

     But yes, I will do all I can to send her on what will be a glorious adventure. Liza is actually older than Jackie Evancho, who already has five albums (one Platinum), and innumerable national appearances since the age of 11. Anyone who knows Liza understands it’s not the mother or the slick operator pushing her too far. National status is what she wants, and what she showed the sold-out crowd she is indeed going to get. Hear her here while you still can.

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