BWW Interviews: Erik Liberman in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse will continue its successful season with The Hunchback of Notre Dame onstage from March 4th to April 5th. The production is a dramatic retelling of the famous love story on a grand scale, with a lush, emotionally rich score. Directed by Scott Schwartz, the musical features a score by Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin). This new production is the only stage collaboration between these two giants of the American musical theater. Broadwayworld.com interviewed Erik Liberman who will be playing the role of Clopin Trouillefou in the show.

A resident of New Jersey, Liberman recently co-conceived, co-directed and appeared in Raising the Roof, an all-star gala celebrating Fiddler on the Roof's 50th Anniversary at New York's Town Hall, having toured North America as "Motel" opposite Topol and Harvey Fierstein. He made his Broadway debut in Harold Prince Lovemusik, received a Helen Hayes Award for his portrayal of "Charley" in Eric Schaeffer's revival of Merrily We Roll Along, a Connecticut Critics Circle Award as "The Baker" in Mark Lamos' revival of Into the Woods and a New York Musical Theatre Festival Award for his portrayal of "Groucho Marx" in The Most Ridiculous Thing You Ever Hoid, a role he reprised at The Obama White House and in Off-Broadway's Minnie's Boys. Liberman originated the role of "Frank" in Portland Center Stage's Somewhere in Time and appeared in the world premiere of Reefer Madness, for which he received LA's Ovation and Garland Awards. Additional credits include: Mabou Mines Dollhouse (Off-Broadway and world tour), and the New York premiere of Kooman and Dimond's Dani Girl. He is a winner of the Lotte Lenya Competition for Singers and is featured in the Actors Equity Centennial book, Performance of the Century.

Liberman told us a little about his earliest interest in the performing arts. "When I was five or six, I went backstage at a production of Life With Father at the Coconut Grove Playhouse and met its stars, José Ferrer and Kim Hunter. To me, they were giants... literally. Same with the actors I saw at The Riverboat Playhouse, where my mother took me as a child. God bless those performers who'll probably never know how much they influenced me, but I so wanted to be 'part of that world.' It was a wish I nursed secretly while memorizing entire record albums alone in my bedroom (Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz), practicing impressions of all the characters."

He also spoke about a real breakthrough experience as a youth. "When I was six or seven, I entered a talent show at summer camp. As I walked onstage doing an impression of the Wicked Witch of the West, I tripped on the costume I made out of a garbage bag and fell flat on my ass! The audience laughed - a strange and wonderful feeling - the pain of the flop and the pleasure of acceptance. Shortly afterward, my grandmother asked what I wanted to do when I grew up. 'Be in there,' I said, pointing to the TV. I don't know where that answer came from, but I had a favorite show at the time, 'The Sunday Funnies,' and one night when I couldn't sleep, I typed a letter to the producers asking if I could be on it. They put me on as a regular."

We asked Liberman about some of the performances that have inspired him. "In terms of theatre, Chita Rivera in Kiss of the Spider Woman made me want to do musicals. Coincidentally, I got to direct her in a benefit last year - what a thrill. I never saw anything like Judi Dench in Amy's View. Her clarity was so profound onstage, it had the impact of a cinematic close-up. And James Thiérrée (Chaplin's grandson) in Au Revoir Parapluie at BAM - gorgeous and inspiring physical theatre. I wish I'd had a chance to see Kim Stanley, Laurette Taylor and Duse onstage."

Liberman had some very notable mentors in show business. "When I was 12, Maureen Stapleton moved next door while filming Cocoon: The Return. I spent afternoons with her and she even got me a small part in the movie. We kept in touch until her death in 2006... In 1997, while doing an intensive at the National Theatre, I saw Judi Dench in the performance mentioned above. It was so astonishing that I sent a note backstage. She actually called me, and we have been in touch ever since - an extraordinary blessing. Hal Prince and John Kander, both of whom I've had the pleasure of working with, are also great influences."

Liberman told us about his exciting role in Hunchback. "Clopin Trouillefou is King of the Gypsies - a hedonistic rascal - and quite a pleasure to play! I studied clown in Paris two-and-a-half years ago, and this is one of the first times I've been able to put those skills to use. I actually went back to France in January to meet and research gypsies there - a life-changing experience. I love Clopin's journey from selfish leader to martyr willing to die for a cause larger than himself. Victor Hugo had a brilliant way of gifting characters with their heroism by journey's end."

Liberman is delighted to be working at Paper Mill Playhouse. "It is an incredibly talented company at every level - offstage, onstage and backstage - each bringing their 'A' game to the show. This makes it a true privilege coming to work every day."

Liberman is enthusiastic about the audience's reaction to Hunchback. "Since its publication 184 years ago, the book,and its over 50 adaptations, has generated legions of fans. Disney's animated film (1996) did an amazing job of bringing Hunchback to new (and younger) audiences. I imagine anyone familiar, and even unfamiliar, with the story's universal themes of love, shame, compassion and acceptance will welcome the show with open arms. And the track record of our genius writers, Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz and Peter Parnell speaks for itself."

We asked Liberman about his plans for the future. "I'm involved in a new show directed by Hal Prince (The Band's Visit), scheduled for production in New York in 2016, and have just finished the pre-Broadway workshop of Somewhere in Time. I start production on a feature film (Open) in September, and also just completed a manuscript with my father, Depth Perception. Our first book, Wisdom from an Empty Mind, was published in 2001."

We asked Liberman to tell our readers about anything else, absolutely anything you want BWW readers to know and he gave us an interesting insight. "Yes. I'm currently appearing in a rather historic commercial: Procter and Gamble's first gay-inclusive ad, for Tide, airing in Canada. Thanks to YouTube and the wonders of social media, it has been seen around the world - but we are still trying to get it to play in the US! I'm asking folks who are ready for equality in media representation to call Tide at 800-879-8433 and/or sign this petition, then tweet @erikliberman and tell me you helped #TurntheTide"

The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be performed at Paper Mill Playhouse eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:00pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm, Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale now and range from $28 to $99. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Groups of 10 or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. College students can order $20 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office on the day of the performance.

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