Spend Your Holidays at the Mansion With A Tribute to Liberace & Liza Minnelli, Beginning November 11 through Christmas Eve

High-voltage virtuosity meets comic chemistry in this uproarious tribute to Liberace & Liza Minnelli. Liberace & Liza, played by local actors and musicians David Saffert & Jillian Snow, have schemed up a brand new show of songs and hijinks to welcome in the holidays.

Liberace's mansion, located in the Ellyn Bye Studio at Portland Center Stage, will be filled with an outlandish affair full of candelabras, mistletoe and the neon glow from the Las Vegas Strip. Joining in the mayhem is a band led by the real Liberace's music director of 13 years, Bo Ayars. Don those sequins and get ready to party as Liberace & Liza entertain with their own unique twist on the holiday season, November 11 through December 24. Tickets are on sale now, including sliding scale tickets for BIPOC affinity night, a.k.a. The People's Party, on Wednesday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. 

David Saffert, like Liberace, is a classically trained pianist from Wisconsin.  He has been seen on stage in sketch comedy, improv, solo piano concerts, and in his very own music & comedy variety shows.  David has worked as a pianist (sans sequins) with such organizations as the Guthrie Theater (MN), Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland Opera, Oregon Symphony, Portland Center Stage and the Interlochen Arts Camp. Some of David's favorite Liberace tribute highlights have been at 54 Below (NY), Feinstein's at the Nikko (CA), Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael (IN), eSPACE King Edward (Calgary, AB), The Underground (MN), Portland Center Stage, Broadway Rose Theatre & CoHo Theatre (OR), and on All Classical Portland radio's live broadcasts of Thursday's @ 3.  He appeared as the featured guest on two Under the Vegas Sun television episodes which were filmed at the Liberace Mansion in Las Vegas.

Jillian Snow has been traveling across the country for almost a decade as a professional Liza Minnelli tribute artist. After graduating performing arts college in New York City, the singer/actor/comedienne started showcasing Liza throughout the city before bringing her big voice home to Portland Oregon. Snow delights audiences with a diverse repertoire of famous female voices for whom she idolizes, and sometimes even her own. She currently tours with her company “In Sequins Productions” in the show Liberace and Liza: A Tribute that she co-created with David Saffert and is conducted by Liberace's former music director Bo Ayars. Her most recent credits have been at venues such as 54 Below (NY), Feinstein's at the Nikko (CA),  Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael (IN), The Old Church (OR), Broadway Rose (OR), Newmark Theatre (OR), and is very excited to be performing at Portland Center Stage (OR) this holiday season! 

David and Jillian, along with Liberace's longtime musical director, Bo Ayars, are joined by a spectacular creative team, including Associate Artistic Director Chip Miller. Scenic designer Tyler Buswell brings Liberace's Moroccan Room to life in the Ellyn Bye Studio, accented by the neon lights of Vegas created by the ultra-talented Lighting Designer Joel Ferraro. The dulcet tones of Liberace and Liza will be enhanced by Sound Designer Sammi Kelly, along with fellow musicians Amy Roesler and Kurt Deutscher, and special guests are bound to show up throughout for this joyful holiday-cabaret extravaganza with upbeat tunes, mystery audience presents and lasagna!

"Gives off the sparks of a well-programmed Vegas act." - Oregon Arts Watch

For more information on Liberace & Liza, A Tribute, please visit liberaceandliza.com. For more information on the Portland Center Stage production this winter, please visit pcs.org/liberace-liza-holiday-at-the-mansion-a-tribute.

Don't miss this exhilarating parade of musical and comical fireworks! Local favorites David Saffert and Jillian Snow have dazzled audiences from New York to Portland. Get ready for nonstop glamor and glitz as they take the stage as Liberace and Liza Minnelli! Featuring rousing musical numbers, enchanting costumes, and unforgettable laughs, this cheeky and delightful show will have your holidays sparkling.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Art Exhibit: Meet Me At The Center by Maria TD Inocencio

September 30, 2023 - March 31, 2024 • Mezzanine • FREE

Artist Talk: Saturday, October 14 from 6:30-7:15 p.m. • FREE
Meet Me At The Center celebrates Portland's diversity and the dynamic energy generated by an exchange of ideas and a shared experience.  This two-part installation of mixed media collage uses images from nature to represent our city's residents and the ways that their lives intersect.  Symbolizing our uniqueness as individuals along with our common humanity, this piece hopes to show that we can respect the beauty within each other while discovering the greater magnitude of beauty possible when we join in community. Featured artist Maria TD Inocencio will be in attendance for an artist talk about the exhibit on Saturday, October 14, from 6:30-7:15 PM.

Art Exhibit: Out The Mud by Caroline Fullerton

November 3, 2023 - December 3, 2023 • Ellyn Bye Studio Gallery • FREE

Artist Reception: Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5:30-9:30 PM • FREE

Portland Center Stage will host Out The Mud, a gallery exhibit by Portland-based artist Caroline Fullerton. Out The Mud is a collection of work telling a story about cycles, community and ancestry through the very human experience of conception, pregnancy, birth and parenthood. Featured artist Caroline Fullerton will be in attendance for an artist talk and reception in support of the exhibit on Friday, November 3 from 5:30-9:30 PM. All pieces will be for sale with 50% of sales donated to MamaBaby Haiti and local Portland organization Black Parent Initiative. Two exceptional organizations that support birthing people and families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Portland Center Stage's Pre-Halloween Costume Sale!

Fri, Oct 13 - Sun, Oct 15, 2023 • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Starting this Friday the 13th, come by The Armory and discover that spooky accessory to inspire your cosplay creativity, or maybe snag a fly new coat or pair of boots in time for fall weather. Who knows what you might find! The sale will be ongoing over three days, Oct. 13-15 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., but come early to catch the best items before they walk out the door!

Espacio Flamenco presents ¡Bailaoras!

Sat, Oct 14, 2023, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  • $30 advance ($35 at the door)

Espacio Flamenco is proud to present ¡Bailaoras! An exciting evening of live flamenco music and dance featuring special guest bailaora Kayla Lyall (Albuquerque) and violist Devesh Nirmul. Blending composition and improvisation, you won't want to miss this show celebrating the spirit of spontaneity that is at the heart of this powerful art form.

Piano Bar with Courtney Freed and Liberace & Liza's David Saffert

Sun, Oct 22, 2023, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. • FREE 

Are you ready for your time to SHINE? Join this monthly event with local songstress Courtney Freed and Portland-based pianist David Saffert (yes, the same person playing Liberace in the show!) as they host a good old-fashioned PIANO BAR. You are invited to sing your favorite tune, open mic style (bring sheet music), or sit back and enjoy the talent and a delightful glass of wine with friends. Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience this musical magic at PCS every month. Don't forget to tip your hosts and bar staff throughout this free show!

THE CAST

Liberace will be played by musician and performer extraordinaire David Saffert, and Liza Minnelli will be brought to life by Jillian Snow. Both actors are Portland locals and have been seen throughout Portland's creative community. The show will also feature special guests. 

Created and performed by David Saffert and Jillian Snow; Music Director Bo Ayars; Associate Artistic Director Chip Miller; Scenic Designer Tyler Buswell; Lighting Designer Joel Ferraro; Sound Designer Sammi Kelly; Musicians  Amy Roseler and Kurt Deutcher; Stage Manager Janine Vanderhoff; and Assistant Stage Manager Alea Tran.

When: November 11 through December 24, 2023*

*Opening Night/Press Night: Friday, November 17, at 7:30 p.m.

Preview Performances: November 11, 12, 15, 16  at 7:30 p.m.

Pay What You Will Performances: Sunday, November 12 and Wednesday, December 29.

The People's Party: BIPOC Affinity Night: Wednesday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: On the U.S. Bank Main Stage at The Armory, 128 NW Eleventh Ave, Portland, Oregon.

To Purchase Regular Tickets: Prices range from $25 to $93, and tickets may be purchased at 503-445-3700 or in-person from the box office. Prices vary by date and time and are subject to change.

Ticket Specials: Visit pcs.org/deals to view ticket specials, including Rush Tickets, Pay What You Will, Arts for All, Active Duty, Military Veteran, Student, Under 30, The Armory Card, Groups of 10+, and more. 

Please Note: This production is recommended for ages 13 and up. It contains mature themes and language.

Accessibility: Learn about accessibility options at pcs.org/access.

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