The only child of Joseph and Thelma (Datina) Liberatore, she lived with her parents in Stowe Township, PA and graduated from Stowe High School in the Class of 1952. During her school years she developed a love for dance and the theater and was part of many recitals and school plays often holding leading parts. Her 1952 high school newspaper shows Libby as graduating with honors and involved in many arts and theater projects and earning a scholarship to Bethany College. In the summer of 1952 however, she joined her parents on an adventure leaving Pittsburgh and starting new lives in Los Angeles, CA. Libby attended 4 years of undergraduate studies in mass communication media and theater at University of Southern California. Using her theater talents to gain scholarships and funding, she appeared in many college productions and is often listed as both onstage and backstage personnel and as mentor to younger artists. Her master’s thesis, which can be found online at USC’s Digital Library website, was accepted in 1962 and she received her Master’s Diploma that same year. She became great friends with the Irish dramatist and memorist Sean O’Casey during those years of research and wrote a well received work entitled “A Creative Study, Analysis, and Production of the Shadow of a Gunman by Sean O’Casey. Her first employment as assistant manager, jack of all trades and occasional star of several productions at local Los Angeles area theaters led her into the world of theater which she loved. In 1966 she joined the NY Metropolitan Opera National Company as an apprentice manager and began her career ‘on the road’, touring throughout the USA with operas such as La Boheme and La Traviata. By 1968 she was with Robert Cherin Productions as an assistant manager and traveling to 25 US and Canadian cities with “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” before it was made into the popular 1970 movie. By 1972, Libby was one of the few female Company Managers on the road, often accumulating 28,000+ miles a season as she arranged for the moving of stage settings, cast and crew from city to city. Over the years she has been interviewed by newspapers and trade publications about the job and its responsibilities and answered in her direct but friendly way how it is best to roll with the punches and keep the troupe going no matter what. And oh the stories she could tell of times on the road. Libby created many scrapbooks that show her interest in American History and travel and contain personal notes from actors and crew grateful for her care and concern for them on the road. She traveled the world and brought American musicals, dramatic theater, dance and opera to large and small audiences alike. She remained in touch with many of her fellow travelers and kept close friendships with cast and crew. The list of opera, drama and musical actors and crew that Libby trouped with is long and legendary. Throughout her career, she was acclaimed for her organizational and personnel skills and was never without a next offer to go out on the road again. She was an active member of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers (ATPAM) and aligned with The Broadway League and many producers and touring companies over the active years of her career. In 1995 she accepted the job as Company Manager for the NYC Radio Music Hall famous Rockettes on their first ever road trip. The touring company eventually took up residence in the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and that is where Libby remained after over 40 years on the road. She retired in 2000 and settled into life with new found friends in the LaMancha development in Henderson, NV. She was an active member of the Home Owners’ Association and involved in St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church of Henderson. She was devoted to her parents, Thelma Datina (1913-1981) and Joseph (1912-2007) and spent several years in Pittsburgh assisting her father in his later years. She is survived by both Liberatore and Datina cousins and many friends and kept in contact with them over the years both as she traveled and in retirement. Saddened by her passing are family members and many long time friends in the theatrical business and neighbors on Borrego Drive, Henderson.
Funeral arrangements are being handled following her requests by Palm Eastern Mortuary and Cemetery of Henderson with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am Wednesday August 4 at St. Thomas More Church in Henderson before internment at Palm Cemetery, 7600 South Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas. Condolences and Remembrances are accepted by going to the website: www.dignitymemorial.com and entering Liberatore in search box. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Thomas More Catholic Community – Improvement Fund, 130 North Pecos Road, Henderson, NV 89074 or to a charity of your choice.
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