Erik Liberman

Erik Liberman
OccupationActor and author
Websitewww.erikliberman.org

Erik Liberman is an American actor and author.

Stage career

Liberman has originated roles in Broadway productions including War Paint, as Revlon founder Charles Revson opposite Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole, directed by Michael Greif, and in Alfred Uhry's LoveMusik with Donna Murphy and Michael Cerveris, directed by Harold Prince.[1][2][3][4]

He originated the role of Telephone Guy in The Band's Visit in a performance called "the burning emotional core of the whole night." The New York Times added, "When the ensemble, led by Mr. Liberman, delivers the show’s final number, 'Answer Me,' the music takes on a transcendent harmonic shimmer that stops the heart." The show received 2017 New York Drama Critics' Circle, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, and Obie Awards for Best Musical.[5][1][6][7][8][9]

Liberman debuted the role of Clopin Trouillefou in Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame with music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, respectively. The original cast recording reached #1 on Billboard charts, toppling Hamilton. He also originated roles in stage adaptations of the films Reefer Madness! and Somewhere in Time.[10][11][12][13][14]

His performance as Motel the Tailor in the North American tour of Fiddler on the Roof opposite Topol, Harvey Fierstein, and Theodore Bikel was reviewed as "a showcase of sheer star power." He later co-conceived and co-directed Raising the Roof, a 50th anniversary celebration of Fiddler at New York City's Town Hall, and performed in Symphony Space's Fiddler at 50 gala, co-chaired by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Harold Prince, and Stephen Sondheim.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

Liberman held roles in revivals including Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along and a 25th anniversary production of Into the Woods and in Kooman and Diamond's Dani Girl. He played Groucho Marx twice Off-Broadway and at the Obama White House. Drama Desk president William Wolf noted, "Unless we can dig up Groucho himself, Erik Liberman will do."[25][26][4][27][28][29][30]

Liberman made his "superb" Off-Broadway debut in The Calamity of Kat Kat and Willie followed by For Elise. He appeared in concert stagings of Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat, The Who's Tommy, and Carol Burnett's Hollywood Arms with Tyne Daly, and provided choreography for Mabou Mines Dollhouse.[31][32][33][34][35][36]

Screen career

Liberman began working on television as a child, including an early appearance opposite Joe DiMaggio. Developmental concerts at Joe's Pub led to his role as the musical doppelganger of Jay Duplass in the series finale of Amazon's Transparent. He also appeared in episodes of Vinyl, Modern Family, Unforgettable and Angel, among others[37][38][39][40][41][42].

Writing

Liberman contributed to books including Luminous Life: How the Science of Light Unlocks the Art of Living and Wisdom from an Empty Mind and has written for publications including The Hollywood Reporter and Huffington Post. He is also writing a book on American actress Jayne Mansfield.[43][44][42][45][46]

Bridge to Broadway

In 2020, Liberman launched Bridge to Broadway, an online educational platform connecting master teachers with theatre students, benefiting The Actors Fund and other charities. Guest artists included Chita Rivera, Alan Menken, Judith Light, Ali Stroker, Ben Vereen, Lea Salonga, and André de Shields.[47][48][49]

Recognition

Liberman received a YoungArts award in high school and subsequent grants from the National YoungArts Foundation to act at Sundance Theatre Lab. He won the Lotte Lenya Competition in 2005. Harold Prince was a judge and remarked, "Erik is the real deal... Once you've seen him, you can't forget him," hiring the actor for LoveMusik, his Broadway debut. Liberman later appeared in Singing the Story, a documentary about the competition. He is also the recipient of Helen Hayes, Ovation, Garland, and Connecticut Critics Circle Awards.[50][51][52][53][54][55][56][12][57][58][59]

References

  1. Ben Brantley. "Review: In 'War Paint,' Sing a Song of Face Creams - The New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  2. Jacobs, Alexandra (2017-03-29). "Patti LuPone, Christine Ebersole and Broadway's Friendliest Feud". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  3. Brantley, Ben (2007-06-24). "Speaking Love With Kurt and Lotte". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  4. Rizzo, Frank (February 3, 2012). "Lauren Kennedy, Erik Liberman Cast In 'Into the Woods' at Westport Playhouse". www.nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  5. Cote, David. "Theater review: The Band's Visit takes us to a distant, quirky land". Time Out New York. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  6. Cox, Gordon (2017-05-23). "'Oslo,' 'The Band's Visit' Score 2017 Obie Awards (Full List)". Variety. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  7. Gerard, Jeremy (2017-05-08). "'Oslo' & 'The Band's Visit' Top New York Drama Critics Circle Winners". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  8. Hetrick, Adam (2017-05-07). "Ben Platt, The Band's Visit, and Oslo Take Top Honors at 2017 Lucille Lortel Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  9. Hetrick, Adam (2017-05-08). "Bette Midler, Come From Away, and The Band's Visit Win Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  10. Charles Isherwood (2015-03-19). "Review: 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' at Paper Mill Playhouse - The New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  11. "'Hunchback of Notre Dame' Rings In at No. 1 on Cast Albums Chart". Billboard. 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  12. Martinez, Julio (1999-05-25). "Reefer Madness! – Variety". Variety.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  13. http://www.playbill.com/article/somewhere-in-time-musical-with-laura-osnes-and-ryan-silverman-begins-nyc-workshop-com-340813
  14. Hetrick, Adam (June 5, 2013). "New Musical Somewhere in Time, With Andrew Samonsky, Hannah Elless and Marc Kudisch, Opens in Portland June 5". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  15. Wise, Jim (March 19, 2009). ""Fiddler" Comes to Life in Best Stage Tradition". Newsbank.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  16. Jones, Kenneth (December 15, 2008). "Erik Liberman Will Make a 'Miracle' in Topol Tour of Fiddler". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  17. "Harvey Fierstein Replaces Topol in Fiddler on the Roof Tour | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  18. Dagan, Carmel (2015-07-21). "Theodore Bikel, 'Fiddler on the Roof' Star, Dies at 91". Variety. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  19. "Chaim Topol's Farewell Tour". www.films42.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  20. Palmer, Joanne. "Feting 'Fiddler'". jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  21. Gans, Andrew (May 30, 2014). "DIVA TALK: Moving Fiddler Memories Continue from Carolyn Mignini, Fyvush Finkel, Joy Hermalyn, Erik Liberman and More". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  22. Gordon, Jessica Fallon. "Photo Coverage: Chita Rivera & More RAISE THE ROOF at National Yiddish Theatre Benefit Concert". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  23. Suskin, Steven (2014-04-29). "Stephanie J. Block, BD Wong and Kate Baldwin Offer a Moving Fiddler at 50". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  24. Desk, BWW News. "Photo Flash: Inside Symphony Space's FIDDLER AT 50 with Stephanie J. Block, BD Wong & Honoree Sheldon Harnick". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  25. By Express (2007-09-06). "Q&A: Erik Liberman of 'Merrily We Roll Along'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  26. Kennedy, Marina (February 25, 2015). "BWW Interviews: Erik Liberman in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Paper Mill Playhouse". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  27. "Dani Girl". www.timeout.com. October 10, 2013. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  28. Gans, Andrew (May 16, 2008). "Liberman Will Join Myers in Mufti Minnie's Boys". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  29. Markowitz, Joel (2012-04-02). "Erik Liberman on Playing The Baker in Centerstage's 'Into the Woods' by Joel Markowitz". DC Metro Theater Arts. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  30. "Wolf Entertainment Guide - Wolf Entertainment Guide". www.wolfentertainmentguide.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  31. "The Insomnia Play and The Calamity of Kat Kat and Willie | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  32. Rooney, David (2011-06-15). "Women Rule a Marathon of New One-Act Plays (Published 2011)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  33. Hetrick, Adam (November 1, 2011). "Elizabeth Stanley, Erik Liberman and Nich Choski to Perform at Occupy Wall Street". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  34. Desk, BWW News. "Kenyon Phillips to Star in NIGHT OF A THOUSAND ACID QUEENS at Joe's Pub". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  35. "Tyne Daly, Michele Pawk, Anthony Edwards Read Carol Burnett's Hollywood Arms | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  36. Margo Jefferson (2003-11-24). "THEATER REVIEW; Fun-House Proportions Turn Dominance Upside Down - The New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  37. Lizette Alvarez (November 8, 1987). "TV actor, 11, keeps his head despite success". Miami Herald. p. 3.
  38. The New York Times (2019-09-22). "The Week in Arts: Antonio Banderas Returns; 'Transparent' Goes Out Singing - The New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  39. Ito, Robert (2019-09-13). "After Times of Turmoil, 'Transparent' Goes Out Singing". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  40. Jones, Kenneth (May 29, 2007). "LoveMusik's Liberman to Teach Adam Pascal New Moves in 'Goyband' Comedy". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  41. "Erik Liberman". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  42. "Rep Sheet Roundup: ICM Partners Signs NASCAR Champ Kurt Busch". Hollywood Reporter. 2017-12-18. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  43. Liberman, Jacob Israel (2018-01-22). Luminous Life: How the Science of Light Unlocks the Art of Living. New World Library. ISBN 978-1-60868-517-2.
  44. Liberman, Jacob; Liberman, Erik (April 2001). Wisdom from an Empty Mind. Empty Mind Publications. ISBN 978-1-882898-10-7.
  45. "Is Your Phone Ruining Your Eyesight?". HuffPost. 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  46. "Know anyone who knew Jayne Mansfield? Author wants to talk for new book about her". www.lehighvalleylive.com. May 9, 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  47. Fitzgerald, Toni. "Broadway Veterans Offer Master Classes During Quarantine". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  48. Desk, BWW News. "Joel Grey to Appear as a Guest on BRIDGE TO BROADWAY". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  49. "Interview with Erik Liberman". The Cinematic Journal. 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  50. Desk, BWW News. "Hal Prince, William Bolcom, Angelina Réaux Select Lotte Lenya Singing Competition Winners". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  51. "Kurt, Lenya, and Hal Prince". www.kwf.org. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  52. Dolen, Christine (November 26, 2007). "He Acted on Dreams of Broadway". www.newspapers.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  53. "Singing the Story: The Lotte Lenya Competition". www.kwf.org. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  54. Kasimir, Leslie (January 30, 1994). "11 at New World Win Talent Search Honors". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  55. Meadows, Gail (July 19, 1998). "Bragging Rights". Newspapers.com.
  56. Jones, Kenneth (July 9, 2003). "Sundance Theatre Lab Casting Announced; New Plays Breathe in Utah Mountain Air to July 27". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  57. http://www.playbill.com/article/dc-hayes-winners-include-dead-mans-cell-phone-macbeth-reefer-madness-irwin-kudisch-com-149637
  58. Brown, Stuart. "2012 CT Critics Circle Awards – Connecticut Critics Circle". Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  59. Harris, Paul (2008-04-29). "Synetic wins big at Hayes Awards". Variety. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
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