LIBERACE!
by Brent Hazelton
Created in partnership with the Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts
Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Stackner Cabaret (LORT D)
November 19th, 2010 - January 16th, 2011
November 7th, 2014 - January 11th, 2015
Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio
March 24th - April 12th, 2015
A jubilant, two-act comedy with huge heart that includes 32 songs from classical to standards to pop reinventions, and focuses on the societal pressures that shaped Liberace’s on- and off-stage lives, as well as his impact on 20th Century popular culture--out of which emerges a deep examination of the nature of identity, and the damage done to the individual when forced to hide essential parts of the self.
2014 REMOUNT CLOSED AS BEST-SELLING PRODUCTION IN THE HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER'S STACKNER CABARET (MORE THAN 125 PRODUCTIONS SINCE 1987)
2010 WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION PLAYED TO 99.6% CAPACITY OVER TEN-WEEK RUN
PRODUCTIONS
Farmers Alley Theatre (MI; 2018)
New Players Theatre Guild (MA; 2017)
Phoenix Theatre (AZ; 2016)
Theatre Memphis (TN; 2016)
Stageloft Repertory Theatre (MA; 2016)
Theatre Memphis (TN; 2015)
Walnut Street Theatre (PA; 2015)
Ivoryton Playhouse (CT; 2015)
Tabard Theatre Company (CA; 2014)
Calliope Productions (MA; 2014)
Milwaukee Repertory Theater (WI; 2014)
Vanilla Box Productions (MA; 2014)
Holland Theatre (OH; 2013)
Milwaukee Repertory Theater (WI; 2010)
ACCLAIM
"...a memorable evening of music and storytelling that carried me along on a wave of sequins and shining lights...moves delightfully...amazing music...at the end, rarely a dry eye in the house. Hazelton's script is full of humor and joy...spectacular...captivating...genuine..." Dave Begel, OnMilwaukee.com
"Thumbs up...Liberace! plays true...moving...soulful..." Mike Fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Audiences were delighted...more than a musical revue--a non-stop, rapid-fire marathon of witty anecdotes and scintillating piano arrangements, whipping up a musical storm...poignant and compelling...a joyous show." Steve Spice, Shepherd Express
"Liberace delivers true heart...a glittering world premiere...empathetic and insightful...inspiring...full of humor and melodious harmony...dazzles the eyes and ears." Peggy Sue Dunigan, Third Coast Digest (Milwaukee, WI)
"...a tour-de-force...riveting...pays glorious tribute..." Harry Cherkinian, Wisconsin Gazette
"...offers an abundance of laughs...thoroughly entertains...people should expect a good time..." Dante Bevilacqua, The Mercury (Philadelphia, PA)
"...sensationally captivating...rousing and exhilarating...a dizzying musical cocktail...that for all its glitter doesn't shy away from the serious side of things...what takes Liberace! to a deeper level is its moving closing moments... Now that's showmanship!" Paul Kolas, Telegram and Gazette (Worcester, MA)
"Stellar...audiences will be amazed." Stephanie Harte, Marquette Wire (Milwaukee, WI)
"...as entertaining as the icon...transfixing...splendid...extraordinary...like being audience to the man himself. ...fabulous...incredibly high energy...rollicking...both tragic and wildly entertaining...impressively reaches full expression of the highs and lows...dazzling..." Marin Heinritz, Revue West Michigan
PRODUCTION PHOTOS / VIDEO
Milwaukee Repertory Theater world premiere production.
All photos by Michael Brosilow except as indicated.
LIBERACE! preview video courtesy of Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Perusal Script / Licensing
CREATIVE TEAM / CAST
Milwaukee Repertory Theater 2010
Director: Brent Hazelton +
Composer / Arranger / Musical Director: Jack Forbes Wilson *
Scenic Designer: Rick Graham #
Lighting Designer: Lee Fiskness #
Costume Designer: Alexander B. Tecoma #
Sound Designer: Barry Funderburg #
Stage Manager: Becky Merold *
Liberace: Jack Forbes Wilson *
Milwaukee Repertory Theater 2014
Director: Brent Hazelton +
Composer / Arranger / Musical Director: Jack Forbes Wilson *
Scenic Designer: Scott Davis #
Lighting Designer: Amy Hanyzewski #
Costume Designer: Alexander B. Tecoma #
Sound Designer: John Tanner #
Stage Manager: Sarah Deming-Henes *
Stage Management Intern: Audra Kuchling
Assistant Director: Hannah Greene
Liberace: Jack Forbes Wilson *
Walnut Street Theater
Director: Brent Hazelton +
Composer / Arranger / Musical Director: Jack Forbes Wilson *
Scenic Designer: Scott Davis #
Lighting Designer: Scott Parker #
Costume Designer: Alexander B. Tecoma #
Sound Designer: Nicholas Gackenbach
Stage Manager: Angela Cucco *
Liberace: Jack Forbes Wilson *
* AEA + SDC # USA