Erik Liberman

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Erik Liberman
Occupation(s)Actor, author, director
Websitewww.erikliberman.org

Erik Liberman is an American actor, author, and director.

Early life and education[edit]

Liberman was born in Miami, the son of social worker Marsha and Havana-born vision scientist and author Jacob. He attended New World School of the Arts, where he became a YoungArts winner and was later named Alumnus of the Year. After high school, he trained at London's Complicité and Royal National Theatre, The Groundlings, Ann Reinking's Broadway Theatre Project, and École Philippe Gaulier in France. He cites Maureen Stapleton and Judi Dench as influences.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Stage career[edit]

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. LoveMusik was nominated for four Tony Awards and twelve Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical, and both shows issued original cast recordings.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

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." According to interviews, "Answer Me" was written for the actor. The show received 2017 New York Drama Critics' Circle, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, and Obie Awards for Best Musical.[15][7][16][17][18][19][20]

Liberman "perfectly portrayed" Clopin Trouillefou in the world premiere of 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.[21][22][23][24][25][26]

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" and "one of the best Motels I've ever seen anywhere." He later co-conceived and co-directed Raising the Roof, a 50th anniversary celebration of Fiddler at New York City's Town Hall featuring Joshua Bell and Chita Rivera, among others, and performed in Symphony Space's Fiddler at 50 gala, co-chaired by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Harold Prince, and Stephen Sondheim.[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]

Liberman held roles in revivals including Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, for which he received a Helen Hayes Award, a 25th anniversary production of Into the Woods, opposite original Red Riding Hood Danielle Ferland, who was "well matched with Erik Liberman, who possesses a perfect Sondheim tenor," 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."[4][3][10][38][39][40][41][42][43]

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, which played Off-Broadway twice, toured the world, and was filmed for television.[44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]

Screen career[edit]

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 doppelgänger of Jay Duplass in the series finale of Amazon's Transparent. He also appeared in episodes of Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger's Vinyl, Modern Family, Unforgettable and Angel, among others. He played one-half of the first gay couple to appear in a Procter & Gamble commercial, for Tide.[2][52][53][54][55][56][57][58]

Writing[edit]

Liberman contributed to books including Luminous Life: How the Science of Light Unlocks the Art of Living and Wisdom from an Empty Mind, both with his father, and Performance of the Century, celebrating the Actors Equity centennial. He has written for publications including The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Huffington Post and is preparing a book and documentary about American actress Jayne Mansfield. He is also a Moth storyteller.[59][60][56][61][62][3][63][64][65]

Bridge to Broadway[edit]

In 2020, Liberman launched Bridge to Broadway, an online educational platform connecting master teachers with theatre students, benefiting The Entertainment Community Fund and other charities. Guest artists included Chita Rivera, Joel Grey, Alan Menken, Judith Light, Ali Stroker, Ben Vereen, Lea Salonga, and André de Shields. He received an Encore Award for his efforts.[66][67][68][69]

Recognition[edit]

Liberman received a YoungArts award in high school and subsequent grants from the National YoungArts Foundation to act at Sundance Theatre Lab. He also 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." Liberman paid tribute to Prince, whom he credited with launching his career, in a concert at 54 Below and at the Lenya Competition's 25th anniversary celebration at Eastman School of Music. He also appeared in Singing the Story, a documentary about the competition, and in a concert of the winners at Lincoln Center. Liberman is a recipient of Encore, Helen Hayes, Ovation, Garland, Connecticut Critics Circle and New York Musical Theatre Festival Awards.[70][71][1][72][73][5][74][23][42][75][76][77][69][78][79]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Dolen, Christine (November 26, 2007). "He Acted on Dreams of Broadway". www.newspapers.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Lizette Alvarez (November 8, 1987). "TV actor, 11, keeps his head despite success". Miami Herald. p. 3.
  3. ^ a b c 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.
  4. ^ a b Express (2007-09-06). "Q&A: Erik Liberman of 'Merrily We Roll Along'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  5. ^ a b Meadows, Gail (July 19, 1998). "Bragging Rights". Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Carroz, Andrea (July 18, 2003). "'A' List of Young Performers Learns from Broadway Pros". Newspapers.com. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Ben Brantley (7 April 2017). "Review: In 'War Paint,' Sing a Song of Face Creams - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Brantley, Ben (2007-06-24). "Speaking Love With Kurt and Lotte". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  10. ^ a b Rizzo, Frank (February 3, 2012). "Lauren Kennedy, Erik Liberman Cast In 'Into the Woods' at Westport Playhouse". www.nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  11. ^ Gelder, Lawrence Van (2007-04-27). "'LoveMusik' Leads Drama Desk Nominees". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  12. ^ "2007 Tony Award Winners". The New York Times. 2007-05-14. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  13. ^ Green, Jesse (2017-07-12). "Listening to the Best (and Worst) of Broadway". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  14. ^ "LoveMusik Cast Album in Stores Nov. 27". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  15. ^ Cote, David (8 December 2016). "Theater review: The Band's Visit takes us to a distant, quirky land". Time Out New York. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  16. ^ Cox, Gordon (2017-05-23). "'Oslo,' 'The Band's Visit' Score 2017 Obie Awards (Full List)". Variety. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  17. ^ Gerard, Jeremy (2017-05-08). "'Oslo' & 'The Band's Visit' Top New York Drama Critics Circle Winners". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "Class Notes: From "The Band's Visit," Erik Liberman". BroadwayRadio. 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  21. ^ Charles Isherwood (2015-03-19). "Review: 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' at Paper Mill Playhouse - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  22. ^ "'Hunchback of Notre Dame' Rings In at No. 1 on Cast Albums Chart". Billboard. 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  23. ^ a b Martinez, Julio (1999-05-25). "Reefer Madness! – Variety". Variety.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  24. ^ "Somewhere in Time Musical, with Laura Osnes and Ryan Silverman, Begins NYC Workshop". 5 February 2015.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ Kennedy, Marina. "BWW Reviews: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Paper Mill Playhouse is Absolutely Extraordinary". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  27. ^ Wise, Jim (March 19, 2009). ""Fiddler" Comes to Life in Best Stage Tradition". Newsbank.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  28. ^ Jones, Kenneth (December 15, 2008). "Erik Liberman Will Make a 'Miracle' in Topol Tour of Fiddler". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  29. ^ "Harvey Fierstein Replaces Topol in Fiddler on the Roof Tour | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  30. ^ Dagan, Carmel (2015-07-21). "Theodore Bikel, 'Fiddler on the Roof' Star, Dies at 91". Variety. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  31. ^ "Chaim Topol's Farewell Tour". www.films42.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  32. ^ Palmer, Joanne. "Feting 'Fiddler'". jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ Gordon, Jessica Fallon. "Photo Coverage: Chita Rivera & More RAISE THE ROOF at National Yiddish Theatre Benefit Concert". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  35. ^ Suskin, Steven (2014-04-29). "Stephanie J. Block, BD Wong and Kate Baldwin Offer a Moving Fiddler at 50". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  36. ^ BWW News Desk. "Photo Flash: Inside Symphony Space's FIDDLER AT 50 with Stephanie J. Block, BD Wong & Honoree Sheldon Harnick". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  37. ^ Huttner, Jan Lisa (June 10, 2009). "Topol's Final Turn as Tevye" (PDF). Films42. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  38. ^ "Dani Girl". www.timeout.com. October 10, 2013. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  39. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 16, 2008). "Liberman Will Join Myers in Mufti Minnie's Boys". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ "Wolf Entertainment Guide - Wolf Entertainment Guide". www.wolfentertainmentguide.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  42. ^ a b "DC Hayes Winners Include Dead Man's Cell Phone, Macbeth, Reefer Madness, Irwin, Kudisch". 29 April 2008.
  43. ^ "Westport Country Playhouse offers delightful, dark journey INTO THE WOODS". Manchester, CT: Journal Inquirer. May 17, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  44. ^ "The Insomnia Play and The Calamity of Kat Kat and Willie | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  45. ^ 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.
  46. ^ Hetrick, Adam (November 1, 2011). "Elizabeth Stanley, Erik Liberman and Nich Choski to Perform at Occupy Wall Street". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  47. ^ BWW News Desk. "Kenyon Phillips to Star in NIGHT OF A THOUSAND ACID QUEENS at Joe's Pub". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  48. ^ "Tyne Daly, Michele Pawk, Anthony Edwards Read Carol Burnett's Hollywood Arms | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  49. ^ Margo Jefferson (2003-11-24). "THEATER REVIEW; Fun-House Proportions Turn Dominance Upside Down - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  50. ^ Hetrick, Adam (February 12, 2009). "Acclaimed Mabou Mines DollHouse Returns to St. Ann's Warehouse Feb. 12". Playbill. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  51. ^ Hetrick, Adam (March 23, 2009). "Mabou Mines DollHouse Released on DVD". Playbill. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  52. ^ The New York Times (2019-09-22). "The Week in Arts: Antonio Banderas Returns; 'Transparent' Goes Out Singing - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  53. ^ Ito, Robert (2019-09-13). "After Times of Turmoil, 'Transparent' Goes Out Singing". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  54. ^ Jones, Kenneth (May 29, 2007). "LoveMusik's Liberman to Teach Adam Pascal New Moves in 'Goyband' Comedy". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  55. ^ "Erik Liberman". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  56. ^ a b "Rep Sheet Roundup: ICM Partners Signs NASCAR Champ Kurt Busch". Hollywood Reporter. 2017-12-18. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  57. ^ BWW News Desk. "HUNCHBACK Star Erik Liberman Set for TV Appearances on A&E and HBO". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  58. ^ Strause, Jackie (2019-09-28). "How 'Transparent' Finale Pays Tribute to Transgender Matriarch (Without Jeffrey Tambor)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  59. ^ 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.
  60. ^ Liberman, Jacob; Liberman, Erik (April 2001). Wisdom from an Empty Mind. Empty Mind Publications. ISBN 978-1-882898-10-7.
  61. ^ "Is Your Phone Ruining Your Eyesight?". HuffPost. 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  62. ^ "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.
  63. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (2021-08-29). "Don Poynter, Who Made Toilets Talk and Golf Balls Walk, Dies at 96". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  64. ^ OddJobber, J. R. (2014-03-14). "Erik Liberman: Life Lessons working as a Janitor". Odd Job Nation. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  65. ^ Murphy, J. Kim (2022-01-29). "Orven Schanzer, Film Editor During Golden Age of Hollywood, Dies at 97". Variety. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  66. ^ Fitzgerald, Toni. "Broadway Veterans Offer Master Classes During Quarantine". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  67. ^ BWW News Desk. "Joel Grey to Appear as a Guest on BRIDGE TO BROADWAY". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  68. ^ "Interview with Erik Liberman". The Cinematic Journal. 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  69. ^ a b "#47 – Erik Liberman: The Near Death Experience | Broadway Podcast Network". 23 June 2021. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  70. ^ BWW News Desk. "Hal Prince, William Bolcom, Angelina Réaux Select Lotte Lenya Singing Competition Winners". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  71. ^ "Kurt, Lenya, and Hal Prince". www.kwf.org. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  72. ^ "Singing the Story: The Lotte Lenya Competition". www.kwf.org. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  73. ^ Kasimir, Leslie (January 30, 1994). "11 at New World Win Talent Search Honors". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  74. ^ 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.
  75. ^ Brown, Stuart (June 2012). "2012 CT Critics Circle Awards – Connecticut Critics Circle". Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  76. ^ Harris, Paul (2008-04-29). "Synetic wins big at Hayes Awards". Variety. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  77. ^ "NYMF Gala to Honor the Weisslers; 2010 Awards for Excellence Winners Announced". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  78. ^ Mosher, Stephen. "Review: IF IT ONLY EVEN RUNS A MINUTE CELEBRATES THE UNDERAPPRECIATED MUSICALS OF HAL PRINCE at Feinstein's/54 Below Scores High Marks". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  79. ^ Cristi, A. A. "LOTTE LENYA COMPETITION Celebrates 25th Anniversary, April 29". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
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