In staging Liberace! , the Milwaukee Repertory Theater reprises one of its most-requested shows in the intimate Stackner Cabaret. This show is well worth an encore, both for the quality of its star performer – Jack Forbes Wilson, who again appears as “Mr. Showmanship” – and the elaborate costumes, sets and lighting. Together, they bring enough glitter and glamour to light up the Las Vegas strip (where Liberace became a household name, by the way).<
Most people who live outside of Milwaukee are unaware that Liberace grew up about 10 blocks from where the Rep show is being staged. He was born Wladziu (Walter) Valentino Liberace in 1919. “All my friends call me ‘Lee,’” he says to the audience, gently adding, “I hope you will call me Lee.” A devout Catholic who was the child of two classically trained musicians, Liberace, a child prodigy, tried to please his parents with renditions of classics by Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven, etc. He easily aced the competition at local and regional competitions.
It is the adult Liberace who is in charge from the very first note of this performance. Forbes Wilson begins the show with a mega-watt smile and a joyful, “I’m b-a-a-a-ck.” He then bangs out a Boogie Woogie tune to get things rolling. He quickly segues into a unique rendition of The Maple Leaf Rag, noting Liberace’s love of ragtime music. The show, which premiered at the Rep four years ago and has been performed around the country, is a satisfying blend of anecdotes and musical numbers. Appearing at first in a relatively “sedate” set of tails, white bow tie and black, patent leather shoes, Forbes Wilson saves the glittering wardrobe for later. (And what a show-stopping wardrobe it is, courtesy of costume designer Alexander B. Tecoma). Not only does Liberace talk about his favorite haunts while growing up in Milwaukee, he also intersperses anecdotes about the famous people in his life. One of them is Milwaukee native Hildegard. Early in his career, Liberace played during the intermission of Hildegard’s show. He met Elvis Presley in Las Vegas, and they eventually became friends. “I let Elvis have the gold lame,” Forbes Wilson jokes, with a smirk. Both of the men owned homes in Palm Springs, and some of Liberace’s stories come from that area as well. He even reveals how a gold candlestick on his piano became one of his trademarks.
Early in the show, Forbes Wilson confesses the secret to Liberace’s success; “I wanted to fill the world with love – one audience at a time.” While audiences turned out in droves to see him, Liberace was universally panned by New York music critics. It is clear that he sought the critics’ approval as well as the audience’s.
Playwright Brent Hazelton demonstrates restraint in one of most famous subjects linked to Liberace’s life: his “palimony” suit with Scott Thorson, a former lover whom Liberace once gave expensive gifts (like a Bentley) and put on his payroll. When the affair ended, Thorson and Liberace settled the nation’s first “palimony” suit out of court. However, it’s clear the Liberace who performs onstage at the Rep hasn’t forgotten about his former flame: “He’s an addict and a thief and he’s serving time in prison,” Forbes Wilson notes with a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
Another event associated with Liberace was his ambivalence about “coming out” as a gay man (impossible after the Scott Thorson incident). Years afterwards, Liberace’s death was the result of an AIDS-related illness.
It is a testament to Liberace’s love of entertaining that he performed up until six weeks before his death. He certainly didn’t need the money; his first Las Vegas show earned him $50,000 a week, and his last one netted him $300,000 a week. No wonder he wore diamond-studded buttons on his sequined coats, exclaiming, “the buttons are worth more than the fabric!”
Although the nimble-fingered Forbes Wilson runs through a number of classical favorites, he seems to relish – as Liberace did – playing the oddball number. He treats the audience to Liberace’s famous version of “Chopsticks,” which was the first time “Chopsticks” was heard within the walls of Carnegie Hall. This Liberace! is a tribute to an original star. Fans will swear that his skill at entertainment will never be topped, but at least Jack Forbes Wilson imbues Liberace’s spirit with all the talent he possessed.
