Bill Russell's My Liberace — New Play with Music — Debuts Nov. 5 | Playbill

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News Bill Russell's My Liberace — New Play with Music — Debuts Nov. 5 My Liberace, penned by Side Show's Bill Russell and pianist Steve Saari, will offer the first of three sneak-preview performances Nov. 5 at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre.

The new play with music features musician Saari as the late pianist, who was known as much for his piano stylings as he was for his glittering costumes, jewelry and candelabra. Russell also directs the show, which co-stars Michael Mahany. Show times are Nov. 5, 8 and 9 at 7 PM.

In My Liberace, production notes state, Liberace "performs his glitzy piano act onstage in 1973. Backstage he meets a handsome young man [Mahany]. The course of their relationship unfolds interspersed with performances by that master showman."

Bill Russell, who wrote the book and lyrics for Side Show, also penned the book and lyrics for Off-Broadway's Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens and Pageant. His other book/lyric credits include Lucky Duck, Kept, Fourtune, The Texas Chainsaw Musical and Family Style.

Steve Saari is a pianist and conductor who has performed with the Radio City Rockettes, Vince Gill, Jackie Mason, Sandi Patti, Cheap Trick and George Beverly Shea. He has performed solo and with orchestras throughout the world and often plays for the Off-Broadway hit I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. His debut recording is titled "Variations on a Theme." Saari has earned degrees at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Belmont University and the Juilliard School.

The Duplex is located in Manhattan at 61 Christopher Street. There is a $15 cover charge and a two-drink minimum. Call (212) 255-5438 for reservations or visit www.theduplex.com.

 
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