"It's Like `Seinfeld' Set To Music!"

- The .clar Ledger

ing the two stars who came ahead of
her — a triumph over drugs.
"One of the reasons I wanted to
write the book is because today people
have a choice," said Luft, who is proud
of the steps she took to overcome her
problem. "Today, there is help, knowl-
edge and education. Unfortunately, my
mom didn't have that. I wanted to be
able to say to people, 'If I can do it, you
can do it.'
"I told the whole story, warts and all,
so people could understand more than
what they might have read. There have
been 30 books written about my family,
mainly on my mom, and none of the
authors were in my house."
As she's toured with the book, Luft
met readers wanting to discuss their
experiences with the feelings she
described — dysfunction, despair and
loneliness. Those very sensitivities affect
the way she raises Jesse, 14, and
Vanessa, 8.
"Honesty is the biggest word in my
house," said Luft, married to second
husband, Colin Freeman, her musical
director. "Whatever my children ask, I
tell them the truth. .I have to say, 'Here's

what I did; here's why I did it, and
here's why not to do it.'
"I think the most important thing
you can do for your children today is
know them. Know their friends. Know
their teachers. Know what they're listen-
ing to. Know what they're looking at."
Thinking back on the pain of caring
for her mother, Luft is determined to
provide her youngsters with a normal
household. That means she carpools,
cooks and plans lots of family outings.
"I focus on values," said Luft,
estranged from her sister in part because
of differing values and lifestyles. "I think
I can really balance and have it all. I
hope I've learned from my experiences."
Grateful for her life now, Luft can
revisit the happy times of the past,
when she performed with her mother
on some of the world's most prestigious,
stages. Next year, she will launch a con-
cert tour called Songs My Mother Taught
Me, a celebration of Judy Garland's
music.
"I can't fit any more on my plate
right now because I don't want to juggle
things that interfere with my kids' lives,"
she said. "They're my first priority." ❑

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Robert Klein furnishes the humor.

When Robert Klein isn't making a movie, filming a one-man concert,
performing on Broadway or hosting a TV show, he travels the country
appearing at theaters as well as universities. Jewish audiences are familiar
to him, and he uses his Second City-Chicago training to create humor
on the spot.
"I always improvise a little, and the
routine changes with every show,"
Klein, 56, told the Metro West Jewish
■
News. "I'm a popular choice for organi-
zations. I'm not hiding anything."
Klein, raised in the Bronx, got the
acting bug attending Alfred University
and went on to Yale Drama School.
After doing standup, he won a part in
his first Broadway musical, Apple Tree,
and was cast in other shows, including

"

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The Sisters Rosensweig.
TV, film and recordings also have
claimed his time.
Robert Klein: "The routine
changes with every show."
Often seen with late-night shows
with Jay Leno, David Letterman and
Conan O'Brien, he additionally has been a guest on series such as
"Frasier" and "Law and Order."
Film credits include Primary Colors, The Owl and the Pussycat and
Radioland Murders. This year marks his seventh special for HBO.
"Let's Not Make Love," a music video, was released in conjunction
with an album of the same name, depicting his quest for love in the safe-
sex '90s. Cameo appearances were made by Gerald() Rivera, Bob Costas
and Mary Albert.
"You've got to keep reinventing yourself," Klein said. ❑

The Jewish News would like to give

you a gift that will make planning

your simcha a little easier. If your

event is less than a year away,

please mail or fax us your simcha,

and phone number to:

27676 Franklin Rd.
Southfield, MI 48034
or Fax: (248) 354-1210

— Suzanne Chessler

.40

Iffenk,..e..nta!nraerh';

Call The Sales Department (248) 354-7123 Ext. 209

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DETROIT
JEW= NEWS

N

Detroit Jewish Ne ws

10/2
1998

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