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'Christmas' stars tour Clooney hometown

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By WENDY MITCHELL, The Associated Press 11:11 AM Saturday, November 21, 2009

AUGUSTA, Ky. — During a break in theirstage performance of "White Christmas" in Cincinnati, stage and screen stars Lorna Luft and Kerry O'Malley took a side trip to Augusta and Maysville.

Following a brief visit to the Rosemary Clooney House Museum, Luft and O'Malley, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" costumer Francine Gloaguen Curtner and hair and wig specialist Lisa Fraley lunched at Caproni's in Maysville with their guides, Nick and Nina Clooney.

When the entourage returned to the museum, curator Steve Henry had placed a hat worn by the late Vera-Ellen, in the movie "White Christmas," on a pedestal near the movie monitor.

"There it is," said O'Malley with excitement as the same hat came into plain view during a train scene of the movie.

Henry explained how the collection of "White Christmas" memorabilia and costume pieces have grown since the museum opened; loans and donations helped, he said.

"This is on loan," he said of the black trimmed leopard hat.

As they explored the house last Monday, each visitor marveled at the variety of displays and diversity the Clooney family brought to the entertainment industry.

Mementos from Rosemary's children, plus brother Nick and her nephew George Clooney are included in the displays.

"It is getting harder to find a place for everything, but that is good," said Henry.

Cameras flashed, recording memories past and present, as references for those who could not make the trip.

For the costumer and wig coordinators, the museum gave validation their actors and actresses are properly attired to pay homage to those who had played the parts in the past.

Luft, who has been performing since she was a child at the side of her mother, the late Judy Garland, is playing a character which is a collection of several notable female entertainers, but a character which was not in the movie.

"They named her Martha "Megaphone" Watson, her character is bigger than life," Luft said, "She is constantly reminding people she is famous, during the show."

The "White Christmas" movie collection in Augusta has also become bigger than life, filling room after room with everything from dresses, a rehearsal piano and props, to pieces of Rosemary Clooney's Bel Air, Calif., home, which was demolished after her death.

"Lorna said she remembered visiting here when she was younger," O'Malley said.

Clooney lived in California and Augusta during her lifetime, Nick explained to O'Malley.

Luft, who lives in California and England, said she liked the comfortable feel of Augusta, and complimented preservation efforts.

"I really like the way they have kept their history intact, you don't see that everywhere," Luft said.

Visiting the museum and former home of the late Rosemary Clooney was something O'Malley was not going to miss.

O'Malley plays Betty in the stage show, which is the character the late Clooney played in the movie. She has a lengthy resume' including appearances in several movies and several roles on the television, including "Law and Order," and "Monk."

"Look at how small the costumes were," she said, noticing the measurement tags on some of Clooney and Ellen's dresses on display.

Playing the role and visiting the museum have been something O'Malley looked forward to.

"I was absolutely giddy before we got here. I couldn't wait. There is so much here. I am such a fan of Rosemary and "White Christmas," this is like a dream come true for me," O'Malley said.

Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" with Luft and O'Malley is playing through Sunday at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in Cincinnati.

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Information from: The Ledger Independent, http://www.maysville-online.com

An AP Member Exchange

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November 21, 2009 04:09 PM EST

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