“Winners of Best Show 2026 at Brighton Fringe and a Five Star Offie Award in London, Liberace and Liza – A Tribute brings together two of entertainment’s most flamboyant legends in a show that never was – but absolutely should have been! Direct from a West End run having played at many iconic venues including New York’s 54 Below, Feinstein’s at the Nikko in San Francisco and The Purple Room in Palm Springs.”
Where: Ermintrude at Underbelly, Bristo Square
When: 5-30 Aug
Ticket link https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/liberace-and-liza-a-tribute
What can you tell us about your show?
The whole show started with a question absolutely nobody was asking: What if Liberace and Liza Minnelli had shared the stage? Once we had the idea, we couldn’t let it go. This isn’t an impersonation show. It’s more like dropping two larger-than-life legends into the same room and seeing what happens. There are sequins, big songs, big laughs, and just enough improvisation and banter to keep everyone on their toes. But underneath all the sequins, this show comes from a place of genuine love.
We adore Liberace and Liza, and we wanted to celebrate what made them unforgettable, not make them the joke. If we’ve done our job, you’ll laugh, you’ll be dazzled, and you might even get a little misty-eyed. Mostly, we hope you leave feeling like you just spent an evening with two of the greatest entertainers who never got the chance to share a stage.
What is it about and where did the idea come from?
It all started with a birthday party. Every January, David hosted wonderfully chaotic variety shows in Portland, while Jillian was in New York performing as Liza in gay bars and comedy clubs. When David invited Jillian to do Liza at one of his birthday shows, he figured it was the perfect excuse to try Liberace for the first time.
The minute we met onstage, it just worked. The banter came naturally, we kept cracking each other up, and somehow it felt completely believable that Liberace and Liza belonged in the same room, even if real life never gave them the chance. That’s the show: imagining the night these two icons finally share a stage, full of music, mischief, and just a little competition for the spotlight. We thought it would be a one-night bit. Instead, it turned into more than a decade of performances, a real friendship, and a show we’re still ridiculously excited to do. Turns out, birthday parties can change your life!
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?
You’ve seen the castle. Now come see something even less likely: Liberace and Liza Minnelli sharing a stage. It shouldn’t make sense, and yet somehow it does. Expect dazzling piano, powerhouse vocals, quick-witted banter, and enough sequins to make the Crown Jewels feel slightly underdressed. It’s a joyful mix of concert and comedy—and a love letter to two legends who never got the chance to perform together, but absolutely should have.
Why bring these two icons together? Did they have a history performing, or is it simply the camp and the glitter?
Liberace and Liza never actually performed together, which is honestly the best part. They came from different generations and completely different worlds, but both believed entertainment should be generous. Go big. Make people laugh. Play the encore. They weren’t afraid to wear their hearts on their very sequined sleeves. We like to think if they’d ever met backstage, they’d have been instant friends…after arguing over whose dressing room was bigger.
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
Everything! We’ve heard Fringe audiences are up for just about anything, which bodes well for a show about an imaginary friendship between Liberace and Liza Minnelli. We can’t wait to meet new audiences, see way too many shows, accidentally stay out too late talking to other performers, and soak up all the wonderful Fringe magic!
What’s next for the show?
Honestly, we’ve learned not to make plans because this show keeps surprising us. It was supposed to be a one-night birthday gag, and somehow it’s brought us all over the USA, to the West End, and now to Edinburgh Fringe! As long as people keep showing up, we’ll keep finding new songs, new laughs, and new ways for Liberace and Liza to surprise each other (and us!) More than anything, we hope audiences leave feeling a little lighter than when they walked in, as if they just spent an evening with two old friends. That’s always been the show we wanted to make.